Pay Me, I'm Yours

Chapter 5 - The Krispy Kreme Seduction

Chapter 5 - The Krispy Kreme Seduction

When I walked into the living room, I found Gale standing with his back turned, gazing up at a picture of me and my best friends, taken when we were college.

"You look cute here," he began, not taking his eyes off the frame. "Kind of free, even."

"Thank you," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Now, what are you doing here?"

Ignoring my pointed question, he chuckled and moved on to a photo of Roo in her pink top and Gucci shades. "I can't believe you let your cat wear this crap."

"What's wrong with it?" I said, irritated by his attitude. "It's cute!"

He opened his mouth to say more, but shook his head instead. As he set his beer on the mantel, his gaze landed on mine.

Reaching into the side pocket of his cargo pants, he said. "I bought you something."

"What? A bomb?"

He smirked. "I should've thought that that's what you wanted."

"Then what’s that?" I said, eyeing him warily. “If it’s not a bomb then no, I graciously decline.”

He let out a heavy sigh and walked towards me. Taking my hand, he placed a small flat box in my open palm. "It's a gift."

Damn it. It came from Cartier.

Talk about a penchant for high-end things.

The heat from his hands stayed in my skin and seeped into the tips of my fingertips. If I was to be honest, I found the contact disturbing and as unwanted as the memory of him wearing his birthday suit, which was by the way, still branded in my brain.

And here I thought I was the only woman immune to men like him. Drat.

"You won’t burst into pieces, you know," he grumbled, snapping me out of my private thoughts. "Just open it. I'm fifty grand richer than I was before ever since you sent me that check. I figured I should buy you something nice. You know, as thanks."

"You should've saved yourself the trouble," I said dryly, opening the box. I was about to say something snarky but what I saw rendered me speechless.

Because lying on the box was a silver necklace, decorated with an infinity sign that was studded with small diamonds.

It was beautiful. And absolutely pricey.

"Let me," he said after a moment, reaching for the necklace.

"I couldn't possibly take this," I choked out, giving it back to him, box and all. "This is too much."

He stood behind me and slid my hair off the side. "It's customary to give gifts to your girlfriend."

"But-"

He held my shoulders firmly. "Would you just relax? I can't possibly return this without my ego getting bruised."

His fingers grazed my neck lightly, sending shivers down my spine which was rather delicious if I didn't knew the fact that he was doing it all for the bet.

"It suits you," Gale said simply when he was done. "I saw that and immediately thought of you. Make sure you wear that every day, okay?"

"Are you really sure about this?" I asked nervously, a little embarrassed by the gesture. The only people who gave me gifts were my best friends, my daughter, and Art. "I mean, you didn't have to do this."

"Are you kidding?" he shot back, amusement clear in his green eyes. "Of course I want to do this. How else could I make you break your bet?"

"So this is what it's all about?" I grinned, relieved that he set the matter straight.