be close. You’re no longer alone. You’ve got me.”
“I’ve got you.” A smile curves her lips. Moira flings her arms around my neck and she lifts on tiptoe to give me a kiss. “You were soft on me.”
“That was soft?” I arch my brow. “I’m pretty sure we put a dent in the wall.”
“Maybe.” Her eyes twinkle. “But you forgot to spank my ass.”
“Did I now?” I grab her wrist. “Who said I forgot?” With a yank, I tug her to the bed. Yeah, we’re going to be epically late for her shopping adventure.
Thirty-One
Moira
Griff’s taking me back out in the world.
If it’s not his house, Guardian HQ, or that one trip shopping that first day, then I haven’t seen it. I’ve been safely ensconced either in Griff’s house, the Facility, or Guardian HQ training for this mission.
Or rather, training for my abduction.
Before I stepped out, I needed Griff to center me. And boy did he do a bang-up job of banging my brains out. With him, I crave dominance. I love how he takes me out of my head.
It’s just him and me. As for all the chaotic thoughts in my head, he sweeps them aside, and I find bliss in his arms. Or rather, his talented dick. That man knows how to fuck a woman until she can’t think straight.
Or walk straight.
A grin slips onto my face thinking about the amazing ache between my legs.
And I’m out. Walking the streets, shopping like I’ve got plastic to burn.
I’m chipped and ready for anything.
We tested the chip in my arm as well as the one hidden behind my ear. I know how to activate the SOS beacon as well as send limited messages after a crash course in MORSE code. It’s all a matter of tapping in the right sequence.
“Here you go.” I exit the store and shove another bag into Griff’s arms. This is the third shop I’ve hit today and Griff’s loaded down with packages.
“Yes, ma’am.” With his brusque voice, devoid of the emotion simmering in his eyes, Griff takes my packages.
To everyone else, he’s nothing more than hired help, my bodyguard. Dark suit, dark sunglasses, protective hovering. He fits the job to a T.
My job is to make a splash, burn through the plastic in my brand-new purse, and either trip facial recognition software, or get the world talking. I’m to draw the eye of my abductor and convince him I’m worth another chance.
We’re back in Santa Monica. Not too far from the beach where I was taken. If I said that didn’t make me nervous, that would be a lie. My entire body feels strung out. My stomach’s queasy. My skin is super sensitive. Each time a stranger bumps into me, I jump.
To keep up appearances, we stay at a local hotel. It’s on the beach, and we share a double room suite. Only one of those beds gets used. Once we retire for the day, Griff puts me through my paces. First, with a bit of self-defense practice, then with wrestling of the more intimate kind.
Griff goes inside the stores with me but remains a respectable distance away from me. Hovering near the door. Watching all the entrances and exits. Scaring the other customers with the intensity of his stare.
It kind of sucks.
Here I am, on an epic girl’s shopping adventure, and I’m basically alone. I wanted to bring Zoe, but Axel and Forest nipped that in the bud. As did Sam, CJ, Max, and the rest of Alpha team.
Until we know who’s in charge of this human-trafficking ring, Zoe stays protected. There’s still a man out there with an eye on her.
So, shopping?
The first day, I have a total blast. The second day is still fun, but I lose steam halfway through and beg to go back to the hotel early. Day three and four, I shop for shoes and accessories. I need that. I’m tired of constantly trying on new clothes. On and off. On and off. How many times in one day am I supposed to take my clothes off, only to put them back on?
It’s day five and I move on to jewelry. I don’t know what Guardian HQ is going to do with all my purchases. Hopefully, they’ll use all this stuff for a fundraiser and recoup some of the money, maybe make a bit for a women’s charity. I admit to one splurge. Yesterday, I found a flirty red dress with a corset bodice and flared skirt that touches just