Page 77 of Reckless King

Anna squeezes my knee. She knows me too well. I have no doubt she can tell that my emotions have gone haywire. She smiles gently. “Your man knows what he’s doing.”

I swallow past the knot in my throat and nod in agreement. When she holds out her champagne flute, I let out a watery little laugh and tap mine against hers.

“Okay, ladies,” Isabelle says. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

An hour later, I’ve chosen a ring. Although I tried it on to see what it looked like and to check the fit, I’m holding it between my fingers now. Isabelle walked me through the selection, explaining the origin of each gem exactly how I explain the origin of True Brew’s coffee beans. Although the ring I’m holding is far from the flashiest, I was immediately drawn to it.

According to Isabelle, its design was inspired by the Edwardian era, with a low-profile rose-cut diamond surrounded by recycled antique round stones, all set on a slim, rose gold band. Its low profile means I won’t have to worry about constantly knocking it against things at work. And for some reason, it’s become important to me that I do wear it at work.

Isabelle has packed up and gone. Anna followed shortly after. She oohed and ahhed over every ring I tried on, making me laugh as we sipped our champagne. It was fun. Like being kids playing dress-up with costume jewelry. Except these rings are anything but costume.

And now I’m sitting all alone, holding my pretty engagement ring. The dark-blue velvet box is sitting on the table, but I leave it where it is when I get up and head toward Tate’s office.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

TATE

At the tap on my office door, I jerk my head up. “Come in.”

Violet pushes the door open and pads in.

I immediately look at her left hand, and when I find it bare, I’m hit by an unexpected surge of disappointment. “You didn’t find one you liked?”

“I did.” She watches me with soft eyes as she holds out her right palm to reveal a pretty diamond ring. Her cheeks are flushed, likely from the champagne and all the laughing she and Anna were doing.

I stand and round my desk, then pluck it from her hand. It’s understated but beautiful, just like her. A part of me wishes I had been the one to help her find it. But from the moment we approached the glass case at the jeweler this morning, her smile was forced.

I decided then and there that I didn’t want that. When she looks at her engagement ring, I want her to smile. A genuine one. Because she loves it. Because it speaks to her. Not because she has to wear it in order to sell an act. Not because she felt pressured by my expectation, or anyone else’s. If I’d chosen a ring for her, or hovered over her while she chose, that’s how it would be.

“Thank you,” she says softly. “I love it. And thank you for doing that for me. For inviting Anna. We had fun. Isabelle was lovely too.”

“She helped Cole pick out Delilah’s engagement ring. And I’m glad you found one you like. Does it need to be resized?”

She lowers her chin and shakes her head. “Perfect fit.”

“I guess it was meant to be, then.” I’m watching her carefully, trying to read her expression.

Her eyes are a little glossy. She might be tipsy from the champagne, although she’s definitely not drunk. The smile she gives me is the real kind, the beautiful, unguarded one that was missing at the jeweler.

“I guess so.” She worries her bottom lip with her teeth. “Should I start wearing it now, then? Or do you want to do something more dramatic? You know, for the act.” She lets out a small, uncertain laugh.

Frustration rasps my nerves. She’s so determined to remind herself—and me—that this thing is fake. But I know she feels the connection between us. I never wanted a connection with anyone. Never sought one out. But now that I’ve experienced it with Violet, I’m not sure I want to let it go. I wasn’t lying yesterday when I told her I couldn’t make her any promises. She’s still wary around me, still doesn’t trust me completely, and until she does, I can’t predict how this is going to play out. But even with those doubts, my hope that this thing between us could last past the expiration date of our agreement is growing stronger. I’ll give her a little more time to get used to the idea that there might be more to us than an act. But I’m done treading carefully around her.

“Now, Violet. You start wearing it now.”

Her gaze lifts to mine. “Okay. I wasn’t sure how you wanted to play it.”

She holds out her right hand for the ring, but I don’t give it back to her.

Confusion mars her brow. “I thought you wanted me to start wearing it…”

“I do. But if you think I’m not going to be the one to put my ring on your finger, then you’re mistaken. Give me your other hand.”

Her lips part, and her eyes sweep my face. But she wordlessly extends her left hand to me. With it cradled gently in mine, I’m all too aware of how small it feels in mine. I hold my breath as I slide the narrow band onto her finger, and if I’m not mistaken, she does too. For a long moment, I study the symbol that will tell the world this woman is mine.

My control snaps.

A hot wave of primal need surges through me. Maybe this is why I’ve shied away from commitment for so long. I’ve never wanted to stake this kind of claim. I’ve never wanted to hold another person’s heart in my hands or give them the power to hold mine. I know how easily seemingly unbreakable bonds can come untethered, and until now, I’ve never been inclined to take that risk. Or maybe it was just that I hadn’t found the person I’d be willing to take the risk for.

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