Page 48 of Only Ever You

My eyebrows rise. “You’ve already done so much.”

He shakes his head. “Come here.”

I walk toward him slowly as he picks up a paper bag from the coffee table. My stomach flips when he reaches in and pulls out a long black box.

“Something Mallory said made me think that we should go all out tonight. So, I bought you this.”

He hands me the box, and with trembling fingers, I lift the lid. Inside is a ruby pendant, the colour not as dark as my dress, but still, it makes me draw in a deep breath and gape at him. “Deacon, this is too much.”

He shakes his head. “No, Pippa. It’s still not enough to show you how much you mean to me.” Reaching for the box, he pulls the pendant out and then motions for me to turn around.

I shiver as his hand brushes the nape of my neck, and I close my eyes—the woody scent of his aftershave surrounding me.

He fastens the pendant around my neck before placing a kiss on my collarbone and taking my hand to turn me back to face him.

“These too.” He hands me a small box.

Inside are matching earrings, and I tear up. He’s thought of everything. Infinity have several product releases every year, but with this being my first, Deacon’s gone out of his way to make it special.

I love him so much that it hurts.

“Don’t you dare cry,” he murmurs. “Put your earrings in, and let’s go. I want the world to see my girl.”

It only takes a moment to switch out my earrings, and Deacon’s affectionate gaze warms my heart.

“This is only the start, Pippa. I’m sure we’ve got years ahead of us where I get to be the luckiest man in the room with you on my arm.”

I reach up to cup his cheek. “I’m the lucky one.”

“I’m not going to fight you on this, but you’re wrong.”

Shaking my head, I turn away from him and pick up my clutch purse. Deacon protested, but I managed to find one that matched my dress and paid for it myself before he could pounce.

I’m not stupid—Infinity has made him rich. But I’ve always paid my way and I’m not about to stop now.

He links his fingers with mine. “Come on, beautiful.”

Every time he says something like that, my heart beats a little faster. I’m so in love with him, but I’m still a little scared to say it.

What if he doesn’t say it back?

It’s a smooth ride to the hotel where we’re holding the event. Earlier today, I was here with Mallory and Simone as the conference room was set up.

There are tables around the outside of the dance floor, and a DJ who’ll get things going after the formal announcements.

Thankfully, neither of us are any part of that. We just get to relax and hopefully enjoy.

That doesn’t stop me from being just a tiny bit terrified of the whole thing.

Hand in hand, we walk into the room.

One look and I know this isn’t my scene.

The room is full of beautiful people.

I knew there would be models—Simone told me as much. I’ve never dressed up the way I have tonight, but I still feel like a hobo compared to some of the women here.

Deacon grasps my elbow, and I lean into him.

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