Chapter 154
Cecilia’s pov
I was halfway through my seared salmon when Yvonne blindsided me with that question.
“So, did you look through the photos I sent you? Which vibe are you leaning toward?” she asked, swirling her wine like we were discussing handbags and not, well… battery-operated accessories.
I nearly choked on my sparkling water.
“You mean those photos?” I coughed, grabbing my napkin.
Yvonne, of course, just grinned, totally unfazed. “Obviously. I figured you’d appreciate a little visual prep before we go shopping p>
“Shopping,” I echoed, flatly. “For… toys p>
She raised a perfectly plucked brow. “You’ve been married, Cecilia. Don’t tell me you’ve never owned one p>
“I didn’t say that,” I muttered, stabbing a cherry tomato a little too aggressively. “I just don’t usually discuss them over dinner in public p>
Yvonne laughed, tossing her hair over one shoulder. “God, you crack me up. You act like I asked you to give a TED Talk on vibrators p>
I sighed. “I’m not a prude. I just prefer to keep my orgasms and my appetizers in separate conversations p>
She nearly spit out her wine. “That was poetic. But still, you’re coming with me. It’s time to upgrade, babe. You’ve been out of the game too long p>
“I’m not out of the game,” I said, a little too defensively. “I’m just… selective p>
“Oh, we’re using ’selective’ now?” she teased. “That’s cute p>
After dinner, we wandered through the mall for a bit, pretending to browse candles and overpriced skincare.
But I knew where this was going.
The real destination was tucked away off a quiet little side street, less than ten minutes from the restaurant.
A boutique called Evening Rose.
The place looked like a high-end flower shop – quaint cottage-style exterior, fresh blooms artfully arranged in vintage vases, soft pink lighting glowing from behind gauzy curtains.
If you didn’t know better, you’d think it was a spa or a luxury store. But I knew better.
And my cheeks were already flushing before we even got out of the car.
Yvonne looped her arm through mine as we approached the entrance. “Don’t chicken out now. You’re a grown woman, not a blushing virgin p>
“I’m not blushing,” I lied, adjusting my coat even though it wasn’t cold.
“You’re practically glowing,” she said, smirking. “You’d think we were about to rob a bank, not buy a deluxe rabbit p>
“I just don’t want to run into anyone I know, okay p>
She rolled her eyes. “Trust me, anyone you know wouldn’t dare walk in here. And if they did, they’d be just as red-faced as you p>
I cast a nervous glance over my shoulder before we stepped inside.
The street was quiet, save for a couple walking their dog in the distance.
Author’s pov
As Cecilia and Yvonne disappeared into the discreet boutique, a sleek black Mercedes rolled to a stop across the street.
Alpha Sebastian sat in the backseat, arms crossed over his broad chest, his eyes fixed on the pink-lit establishment.
He lowered the window, studying the facade with growing curiosity. “Sawyer, what kind of place do you think this is p>
From the driver’s seat, Beta Sawyer squinted at the building. “Some kind of beauty salon or wellness center, I’d guess p>
Alpha Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “What else p>
Beta Sawyer looked more carefully, noting the floral decorations. “Maybe a dessert shop? The rose scent is quite strong – could be one of those places that makes rose pastries p>
Alpha Sebastian frowned.
Rose pastries? She turned off her location tracking and was acting suspiciously… for dessert?
“I could go in and check,” Beta Sawyer volunteered. “If I run into Cecilia, I’ll just say I heard about the place and wanted to try it myself p>
Alpha Sebastian considered this for a moment. “Let’s wait and see p>
“Fine,” Beta Sawyer agreed, though he couldn’t help thinking this was ridiculous.
Thirty minutes later, Cecilia and Yvonne emerged, each carrying a small shopping bag.
They were accompanied by an elegant woman who appeared to be the shop owner, all three laughing together.
After brief goodbyes, the women got into their respective cars and drove off.
Alpha Sebastian watched Cecilia’s taillights disappear, his expression thoughtful.
Sensing his Alpha’s lingering curiosity and knowing tomorrow would be miserable if Alpha Sebastian remained fixated on this mystery, Beta Sawyer made an executive decision.
He jumped out of the car and hurried after the shop owner before she could go back inside.
“Sawyer!” Alpha Sebastian called after him, but it was too late.
“Excuse me!” Beta Sawyer called out to the elegant woman.
She turned, her smile bright and welcoming. “Can I help you, sir p>
“Hello, I heard about your shop from a friend and was hoping to purchase one of your specialty items p>
The woman gave him a startled once-over. “For… your use p>
Use? Not eat?
Seeing his confusion, she laughed. “I’m sorry, sir, but this establishment exclusively serves female clientele. You’ve either been misled or you’re at the wrong place p>
With that, she turned and walked back inside.
Beta Sawyer returned to the car, slightly embarrassed. “It’s definitely not a food place. The owner said they only serve female customers. Must be some kind of women’s specialty shop – skincare products, maybe p>
Alpha Sebastian’s face remained impassive, but his wolf was growing more restless by the second.
Cecilia’s pov
Back home, I hurried to my bedroom with my purchase, heart pounding with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement.
I carefully removed the small device from its packaging and sat cross-legged on the floor, studying the instruction manual.
Just as I was figuring out the different settings and modes, the doorbell rang.
I jumped so violently that I dropped the manual, my heart practically leaping into my throat. There’s something about being caught in the middle of something private that triggers pure panic.
I hastily stuffed everything back into the shopping bag and shoved it under the end of my bed before rushing to answer the door.
When I opened it, Alpha Sebastian stood there holding the kitten we’d rescued earlier.
My heart sank. Of course it would be him.
I fought to keep my expression neutral. “Alpha Sebastian, did you need something p>
“Liam went out,” he said simply, handing me the mewing kitten.
I automatically took the little ball of fluff, my mind racing. Okay p>
“Beta Sawyer went home p>
“I haven’t eaten dinner. And there’s no one to watch the kitten p>
I was off duty! Why couldn’t he leave me alone for one evening?
Despite my internal screaming, I stroked the kitten’s tiny head and stepped aside to let him in.
“What would you like to eat?” I asked, resignation settling over me.
“Whatever you have. I’m not picky.” Alpha Sebastian began pacing around my living room, his keen eyes scanning every corner.
I placed the kitten on the sofa and trudged toward the kitchen. “I’ll see what I can do p>
In the kitchen, I surveyed my refrigerator’s contents with a sigh.
A full three-course meal was out of the question.
I settled on steak, pasta, and a vegetable soup – quick but presentable.
While I cooked, Alpha Sebastian wandered around my living room before settling on a chair on the balcony.
The kitten, bored with the sofa, jumped down and began exploring, eventually slipping through the slightly open door of my bedroom.
“Alpha Sebastian, dinner’s ready,” I called when everything was prepared, silently adding: *Please eat quickly and leave p>
Alpha Sebastian approached the table as I set down the steak and pasta.
I turned back to the kitchen to fetch the soup when a startled “Mrrrow!” came from my bedroom.
Before I could react, Alpha Sebastian had already abandoned his untouched meal and was heading straight for my bedroom – and straight toward my hastily hidden purchase.