Page 77 of Tamed By You

“And this one?” she asks, brushing her finger over the multicolored ribbon.

“That was Afghanistan, my, um, last tour.” She traces over the engraved dates and slowly lifts her eyes to mine, placing herhands either side of my face and dusting the pads of her thumbs across my cheeks, pressing a chase kiss to my lips.

“A real-life hero.” It’s said with such sincerity, emotions I try to keep tucked away, suddenly rise to the surface. I never considered myself a hero. I did the job I was trained to do, and that was that. After what happened with Scotty, I felt far from a hero. Not a day goes by where I don’t wonder if that day could have played out differently. What if I had looked up a few seconds sooner? What If I had reacted just a few seconds faster? So many what ifs. My heart starts to race in that unwanted way, like it’s overheating and ready to burst through my chest.

She turns, facing the mirror, reaching for her lipstick and reapplies. Needing to redirect my thoughts, I reach in my pocket, pull out a small blue Tiffany box, and place it on the vanity. She stills, her eyes zoned in on the box, and then she looks back up at me in the reflection

“What’s that?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.

“Open it.”

She carefully untying the white satin bow on the box and lifts the lid. Her hand flies to her mouth as she looks inside. “Harry, this is…”

“Here, let me put it on.” I take the box from her hand and pull out the heart pendant necklace that I had engraved with an A.

I place it around her delicate neck and hook the clasp. She places a hand over the pendant and turns to face me. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

With a glint in my eye, I say, “Turn it over.” She looks puzzled, brows furrowing. She turns over the heart pendant and gasps when she sees the letter H engraved on the other side.

“Harry, you… I…”

“I told you I’d have you wearing my initial round your neck,” I tease. But she just stares at it, rubbing her thumb over the engraving, saying nothing.

“Do you not like it?”

Her head springs up. “I love it, thank you. It’s just, a lot.”

I know what she means. This is more than what we agreed to, but when she was out today with my mum and sister, all I kept thinking about was her, and how I wanted to get her something to show her that she means more to me than a fuck buddy. I know this is far more than what we both agreed to, but I know I can’t say goodbye to her tomorrow and that be the end of us. Too much has happened between us now for that to happen.

“Come on, Ali Cat, humor me. For just one night, wear my necklace and be my girl.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Ali

Tonight, we are here to honor the veterans, remember the fallen and celebrate the fantastic work the charity does to help support the loved ones of soldiers who sadly lost their life. I’ve listened to Tori in awe. Her passion and dedication to this charity shone through with every word she said, and the way Harry looked at her, with such pride as she spoke, warmed my dark heart. It’s clear they are very close, and I have got to know Tori the past few days. I could see us being great friends. I’ve never seen, nor have I been part of a happy, functioning family and part of me is sad that I have never and will never experience that. Harry is so lucky, and rather than be bitter and jealous, I am thankful he hasn’t had to experience what I have.

We drove out to what Harry said was the Surrey Hills and to a beautiful stately home. It’s like something out ofDowntonAbbey. Gabby would lose her mind being here. Large oil paintings of old lords and ladies hang on the cream-colored walls and a large chandelier sits over the entryway.

Everyone is dressed in ball gowns and tuxedos and currently serving personnel are wearing their uniforms. Servers in white jackets weave around the guests, offering glasses of champagne and showing us to our tables. I don’t know how they managed it at such short notice, but I have a place at the table in between Harry and his mom. Alice Hart is written in black calligraphy writing on a thick white card and next to it, a white gift bag tied with black ribbon.

Harry pulls out my chair and I take a seat. Everyone around the table falls into a comfortable chatter. His parents ask me about my job and take a genuine interest, not just polite question, they seem to really want to get to know me.

“And you get to keep the clothes?” Lydia asks.

“Yeah, most of the time. We get the collections before they hit the stores.” I smile before taking a sip of my wine.

“Oh, my goodness, if they have any Kurt Geiger purses could you slip one in a bag for me?” She laughs and I laugh with her.

“Oh, she’s not joking, Ali. She would sell me on eBay for the right purse,” Grant says, eyeing his wife.

“Don’t be crazy. I’d sell you on Etsy. I’d get more.” She leans in towards me, placing her hand on my arm, and we both laugh. God, I really like them, and it’s going to hurt like hell when I leave tomorrow, and I’ll likely never see them again.

A hand slides on to my thigh and I turn my head to face Harry, who is grinning at me.

“You having fun, Ali Cat?” God his smile. It could melt my panties clean off.

“Yeah, I am.” My smile match’s his and we just stay like that, eyes locked, smiling, like happy idiots.

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