Free Owned by Him by Sam Crescent Page B

date
her?
    “What’s changed?” she asked.
    “Last night is what changed
my mind. Seeing you in the arms of another man opened my eyes to what I’ve been
doing wrong. It’s not acceptable to let another man touch you. You’re mine, and
now I’m going to prove it with more than words. There’s no way I’m going to
lose you because I was a dick and didn’t give you what you needed.”
    Amber couldn’t stop the
tears from filling her eyes. “You’re being serious about this?”
    “Deadly
serious.”
    She could live without any
sex. Six months prior to him walking back into her life she’d been without.
    “All
right.” She nodded her head and then picked up the menu.
    “I don’t want any bullshit
either. If you’re not up to going out or you’re too ill, tell me.”
    “I will.”
    He gazed at her for several
minutes before taking the other menu. “I’m starving. I’m thinking eggs, bacon,
and some toast. What about you?”
    She agreed with him. They
ordered breakfast and ate in silence. The quiet wasn’t tense or awkward. She
was comfortable around him.
    After they were finished,
Elijah led them outside. The city was getting busier as it always did on a
Saturday.
    “Where are we going?” she
asked.
    “We’ve got to walk there. I
didn’t bring my car.”
    She hadn’t driven her car
either. Driving around the city was too stressful, and it took too long. It was
much easier walking to places.
    “Okay, where are we walking to?”
    “That’s the surprise.”
    He took her hand and headed
off up the street. She held her bag tightly on her shoulder, following behind
him. The city was too loud and crowded for them to have a real conversation.
She couldn’t believe they were doing something in public. Club Kink was not
really in public. The customers and owners were very selective on who they
allowed into their club. There was no way she’d ever see Heather or Connie
frequenting one of the clubs.
    Elijah stopped at the
opening to the city center. It was full to bursting with different stalls. She
saw a huge selection of food, clothing, and wines. Everything her heart desired
was stationed at some stall up and down the city town center.
    “You’ve brought me to the
market?” she asked, smiling.
    “Shopping is great way to
relieve stress. Also, I’m cooking dinner at your apartment this evening. What
better way to kick off dating than starting with fresh ingredients bought
today?”
    She’d just fallen head over
heels in love with him, all over again.
    Laughing, she kept hold of
his hand as they made their way around the stalls. The scents were amazing.
Some reminded her of the comforting warmth of stew, while others were filled
with heat and were more exotic.
    Amber couldn’t believe she
was having more fun right now, shopping in a busy city center, than she had
last night, with Dale.
    He’s the man for me.
    Elijah never once let go of
her hand throughout the whole morning. She loved his time and attention, and he
made her feel utterly complete.
    ****
    The day he’d planned was the
spur of the moment kind of day. Elijah hadn’t known the market was on until he
saw it advertised on the café shop window. He intended to spend the whole day
with Amber, but doing what, he hadn’t known. The market offered him an
opportunity to expand their knowledge of each other. It also gave him an excuse
not to let go of her hand.
    He needed to wipe the memory
of Dale from her mind.
    They were carrying up their
bags from their expedition around the market. Amber was laughing as he made a
joke about her new vases. He’d offered to foot the bill for the two new vases, but
she’d refused.
    He wouldn’t let her pay for
dinner. Elijah bought all the ingredients and intended for Amber to be full and
satisfied.
    “I noticed those vases are a
lot bigger than the last two you smashed trying to aim for my head.”
    “I know. Are you worried?”
    “Not at
all. I don’t intend to be the person you throw vases