Page 178 of Awakened by Sin

“How much did it cost for you to do the mural in my office?”

“That’s not nearly as much—”

“How much do the paintings on the walls cost? How much would it have cost to furnish the house? To hire the people who made this place into a home?”

“That was agift!”

“And so is this.”

He turned her toward the mirror. The necklace winked and shimmered around her neck. It was the most elegant piece she owned.

He wrapped his arms around her middle. “It’s perfect.”

She lifted her hand to touch the diamonds and stopped just shy of caressing them. “This is too much.” She couldn’t resist for long. She touched the diamonds, which should have been cold, but they were warm, alive. “I didn’t send you the picture because I expected you to buy it.”

“I know, but you love it, right?”

Tears stung her eyes. He had no idea how much this touched her. Without even knowing, he finished Vinny’s part of the game.

“Carmen?” he pushed. “It’s what you wanted, right?”

She couldn’t speak, so she nodded. Her heart felt full. She closed her eyes for a moment to get a hold of herself. “You really shouldn’t have.”

He kissed her cheek as his hand stroked her abdomen and then slid down. She stiffened as he stroked her over her underwear.

“Now I know why men buy women jewelry.”

She stared at their reflection, her in black lingerie and he in his suit. “Why?”

His hand slipped into her underwear. “Because they like knowing what she’s wearing is from him.”

She clutched the countertop. “Are you branding me?”

He wrapped her hair around his fist and pulled until her head tipped back.

“Do I need to?” he murmured in her ear.

She arched into his hand. “No.”

He met her eyes in the mirror. “You can thank me properly later.”

His dark tone made her stomach flutter. He would do her rough and dirty. Her legs quivered just thinking about it. She was so down. “Whatever you want.”

He smacked her ass. “Good. Get dressed. We’re going to be late.”

She rushed into the closet and slipped into the black mini lace dress with a sweetheart neckline she had been planning to wear. It was the perfect outfit to show off her new present. She went back into the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. The brilliant necklace matched her insides, which were buoyant and full of light. Marcus was her anchor. Just being in his presence banished her dark restlessness.

He stood beside her as he shrugged into a tux that made her mouth water. “When Gavin and Lyla come back from Bora Bora, we’re going on a trip,” she announced.

His eyes roved over her. “Trip?” he echoed in a distracted tone.

She bounced on her toes. “I already made reservations at this resort on the beach. It’s gonna befab.”

“I don’t have time to go anywhere.”

“Don’t worry about it. I already talked to Gavin. He’ll take care of your projects.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets. “You talked to Gavin about this?”

---