Honor Bound by Joey Hill (speld decodable readers .txt) 📕

He winked, as if they were talking about nothing more than a game of tennis. “I’ll call you with the details when I’ve got it set up, but plan on meeting us in the city at about six. See ya.”

Ford hit the end button and stowed the phone. Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed her knuckles. “Don’t be scared. We’ll go at your pace, and you can stop at any time.”

She was scared, terrified. But she wanted this. “I trust you to take care of me, Ford.”

He drew in a deep breath, then leaned down to lay his forehead against hers. “Good. And tomorrow we’re going shopping to find the perfect outfit for you.”

Her heart turned in her chest, and she laughed softly. “That’s probably the most frightening thing of all.”

Out of the drizzle, Ford pulled her close under a striped awning. He’d picked her up at ten Saturday morning. They’d scoured Saks, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, and a host of

boutiques, but they hadn’t found what they wanted. Or rather, Ford hadn’t found what he wanted to dress her in.

Despite the light rain, the streets were jammed with shoppers and tourists. A cacophony of languages drifted through Union Square, mingling with the sounds of traffic, horns, a police whistle, high heels on concrete, and the cable-car bells. The scent of tangy mustard from a nearby hot dog stand made Sophia’s mouth water.

“This is the place,” Ford said.

“Why is this shop any different?”

“I like that.” He pointed to a pair of emerald green panties on the white drape covering the floor of the display window. Everything else was . . . normal, silk blouses and matching trousers on faceless mannequins, fluttery dresses, elegant handbags,

high-heeled strappy sandals. Normal except that on closer inspection, the mannequin’s areolas peeked through the dress’s bodice, the blouse was see-through, and the panties lay in the back corner like a naughty reminder of what could happen when the lights went down. The advertisement was subtle; passersby would most likely miss the details. Ford, that naughty man, missed nothing. He pulled her inside.

The spacious store was relatively uncrowded at the moment, a woman in the corner going through a sale rack, another sifting through some lingerie. The blue carpeting was lush, a light yet expensive scent permeating the boutique.

Standing behind Ford as he fingered a lacy black blouse, Sophia couldn’t help admiring the man’s rear view. She’d never seen him in jeans. She’d never seen him in anything tight. His form was a sight to behold.

“May I help you, sir?” In her midfifties with steel gray hair, the saleslady was as elegantly dressed as the mannequins, without the naughty elements. Maybe the panties in the window really were a window dresser’s joke.

Ford held out the black lace sleeve. “My girlfriend would like to try on a few things.

Could you start a dressing room?”

Ha. Ford had actually shopped with a woman before. His wife? Or a more recent event?

Not that it mattered.

“We have dressing areas available if you would like her to model the garments for you.”

“Perfect. Thank you.”

The lady tipped her head, raked her gaze over Sophia, checked a tag for sizing, and finally selected one of the black lace blouses. Sophia was well aware it would reveal her bra. Thank goodness she’d chosen black and sexy when she dressed, though she hadn’t expected Ford to want her to model for him.

But then with Ford, she was learning everything about him was unexpected. He hadn’t kissed her when he picked her up, but he hadn’t stopped touching her either. Her body buzzed with the slide of his finger down her arm, a brush along her chin, her hand in his, an arm around her, his touch tangling in her hair.

When would he kiss her? The need was consuming.

“If you’d follow me, ma’am?”

Lost in thought and staring at Ford’s buttocks, she hadn’t noticed the woman waiting. She didn’t want to leave Ford yet.

He gave her shoulder a little nudge. “I’m going to pick out some other things.” He indicated the dressing rooms with a tip of his chin. “Go get ready for me.” His eyes darkened, his lips flirting with a wicked smile.

That was exactly what he was doing. Readying her for him. For his pleasure. For Simon.

The breath rushed from her lungs when she thought of tomorrow night.

Today’s shopping trip was foreplay.

She couldn’t wait to see what he picked out for her as she followed the salesclerk into a wide hallway. Behind a chintz curtain lay a large, nicely appointed dressing area, six smaller, curtained rooms in a circle around it with full-length mirrors in between the individual cubicles. Several cushioned chairs placed strategically made trying on clothes a spectator sport.

The lady hung the blouse on one of several hooks in a dressing room. “May I get you some coffee?”

Sophia smiled her thanks. “Milk, please. And sugar, too,” she added as an afterthought.

Why bother denying herself sweets?

“And the gentleman?”

“He takes it black.” Odd that she’d noticed. Maybe over the years she’d absorbed more details about Ford than she’d realized. Just as he’d known she had several pairs of shoes in her office.

Alone, Sophia pulled the curtain and unbuttoned her sweater. In addition to the pretty bra, she’d opted for a top she didn’t have to pull over her head and risk ruining her hair. She’d also chosen tight jeans that rode her hips and, hopefully, showcased her bottom nicely.

She had to smile at her own vanity. Other than standing in front of the camera, she hadn’t worried about how a man viewed her behind in ages.

She cared about a lot of things with Ford.

In the outer area, she heard him thank the clerk, the murmur of their voices, the clank of hangers, then a rustle as Ford presumably sat. “We’re alone. You can come out now.”

Sophia thrust the curtain aside. “I wasn’t worried.” Used to stripping down in front of an entire crew, she’d long since gotten over her modesty, at least in that regard.

He whistled, a