Unbreakable Bonds by Aliyah Burke, Taige Crenshaw Page A

he had no money so he couldn’t do it himself. He would make note of how much she spent, then find a way to pay her back.
    “Do you need some help?” a woman asked, coming closer, her smile sultry.
    Levi held back a sigh at seeing it. Since they had arrived at the place Ta-Mara called a department store, they’d had many offers of help. Ta-Mara had commented to him that she’d never had so many people wanting to help her before, then had looked at him pointedly. Levi knew he was somehow the cause. The women of this time were bold and he didn’t want to be rude.
    “No thanks, Miss.” He made sure to look away.
    “I’m over there if you change your mind,” the woman said, then walked away.
    Levi was relived. Some of the more aggressive ones hadn’t known how to take a hint and Ta-Mara had had to step in. He didn’t know what he would have done had she not been here. He glanced around the area looking for her. She was a little distance away at another table. Levi focused back on his choices. He did as she suggested, picking up a few mixes of boxers and briefs. Placing them in the cart, he then pushed it over to where Ta-Mara stood with her back to him.
    “Ta-Mara, I’m ready.”
    “Take this.” She turned and held out a bundled piece of cloth to him.
    Levi accepted the item and opened it. The tri-color design on the boxer was nice and the fabric was soft to the touch. He liked how it felt, but still… “I told you not to pick my underwear.”
    Ta-Mara came to stand beside him then rose up slightly to his ear. “You’d look sexy in that.”
    Levi bit his lip to stifle a moan. “Ta-Mara.”
    “Fine. I won’t pick any more of your underwear.” Ta-Mara rolled her eyes.
    “No.” Levi touched her cheek. “If you like this, I want it.”
    “Okay.” She blew out a breath.
    “Is there any more you like?” Levi lowered his head to hers. “That you think I would look sexy in?”
    “Yeah.” Ta-Mara pushed her tongue in and out. The brief sight of pink made him want to follow it and taste her.
    “Show me.” He put the pair she had given him in the cart then held her hand.
    Ta-Mara led him to the display and pointed out those she liked. He put them in the cart. Ta-Mara locked her gaze on the items in the cart then she lifted her head.
    “Sexy is good.”
    “Yeah, yeah it is.” Ta-Mara cleared her throat. “Now we need to get some clothing.”
    “Lead on,” Levi said.
    Ta-Mara did as he bade.
    “Damn, me and my big mouth always gets me in trouble,” she muttered.
    Levi stifled a chuckle, not letting her know he had heard her. They went to the elevator and Levi pressed against the wall, still not used to the contraption. Ta-Mara came to him and touched his hand. He grabbed hers and she squeezed. When the door opened, they pushed the cart out, still holding hands. Soon they were in the men’s clothing and Levi stared at the racks and racks of clothing.
    “Let’s get you outfitted.” Ta-Mara pulled him along.
    He went, noticing that women were watching them. Ta-Mara had explained that their nametags identified them as employees. The looks were ones he had been getting from the women since he had arrived. Ta-Mara pointed out some jeans and he picked them up. Levi smoothed his hand over the cloth.
    Ta-Mara made a soft exhalation. Levi glanced up and her focus was on his hands.
    “What do you think?” He smiled.
    “They would fit you.” She reached out but pulled back and coughed. “Very well.”
    It dawned on Levi then that whoever was making the different types of clothing now knew what they were doing. It could range from comfortable to not, but all in all, according to who was looking at it, it could be used to seduce someone you wanted. He filed that information away for future thought.
    “I’ll go try it on then.”
    “Take a few other things,” Ta-Mara said.
    “You want to help me pick stuff out.”
    “Ummm…give me a sec.” Ta-Mara gestured behind her. “I need to go over