Treasured Claim by Jami Gold

Author:Jami Gold [Gold, Jami]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Contemporary, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
ISBN: 978-1-942928-01-0
Publisher: Blue Phoenix Press
Published: 2015-04-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Despite Elaina’s hopes for a reprieve, “soon” turned out to be later that day when Alex took her shopping for a business wardrobe and a new car, bending his promise to keep her out of the public eye to the breaking point. He rationalized the promise-bending by limiting her interactions to only a pre-screened private shopper.

Back in his sports car, she slunk below the window frame. “It’s not just about the promise, Alex. You’re spending too much on me.”

“You don’t get to decide that. Whether you want to hear it or not, I love you, and I’ll show it however I want.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate his gifts—she did, greatly—but the more he put into the relationship, the more her deception twisted her insides. Between her lies and these new feelings of shame, she hardly recognized, much less respected, herself anymore.

She noted the scene outside the car window and changed the subject. “Where are we going?”

He’d taken her into downtown Chicago for the shopping trip, and now he drove up Michigan Avenue. She was going to kill him if he bent his promise any more.

He regarded her. “Do you trust me?” The question raised her suspicions beyond where they were already, but before she could ask anything, he raised a finger. “Answer me.”

Her nails tapped out an impatient rhythm on the door handle. “Yes.”

She’d probably regret that answer, but it was the truth. Damn him.

“Then close your eyes.” After she obeyed, the car stopped. “Keep them closed until I tell you.” At that order, his door opened and shut.

Muffled voices sounded by the trunk, and she thought she heard a “Thanks, James.”

Alex’s driver was here? Why now and not earlier? The trust he was asking of her piled higher and higher.

Cold wind blew across her cheeks when her door opened. Rain beat onto an umbrella overhead, and the rumble of James’s truck pulled away on a busy street alongside them.

Alex captured her hand, spreading the tingles of his touch. “Come with me.”

She let him lead her, her heels clicking on cement. The various sensations from humanity and the density of the city buildings around them overwhelmed her newly strengthened talent with countless sources of tickling awareness.

Cars whizzed by on one side, their metal frames and the jewelry and watches of the occupants a constant distraction. At her elbow, the priceless décor of the high-end buildings they passed—even the copper wiring and pipes from the hulking skyscrapers—added to the chaos and kept her from being able to pinpoint any specific origin.

A knock on glass drew her attention to the structure on her right. She nearly swayed with the powerful impressions behind the surface. Hinges swished, and warmth poured over her exposed skin from the open door.

A woman’s voice spoke. “Good evening, Mr. Wyatt. We’re ready for you.”

Alex led her inside, and a click and ruffle of nylon signaled the closing of the umbrella. “Eyes still closed. That’s my beautiful.”

Honestly, the impact of her surroundings weighed on her so heavily she wasn’t sure she could open her eyelids.

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