Page 12 of Absolution
I lick my lips with open desire. “I don’t need to buy anything. All I need is you inside me.”
His nostrils flare. “Now you’re being a tease intentionally, naughty pet. Don’t make me punish you later. I’d much rather give you orgasms.”
My inner muscles contract with a pulse of lust, and my fingers curve into his broad shoulders. “If it means feeling your cock filling me up, I’ll gladly take any punishment.”
A shadow flickers at his jaw, and his low hum of consideration is downright predatory.
“It seems I’ll have to behave for both of us,” he rumbles. “I do love your desperation, but we’ll work on your self-control later, greedy little thing.”
I shiver and melt into him, my body ready for his sweet torment.
But he has other ideas. He laces his fingers through mine and urges me to follow him out of the garden. Within minutes, we’re walking down one of my favorite medieval streets that has a view of the imposing Minster at the end. My steps quicken in anticipation of another visit to the stunning cathedral, but, again, Dane tugs me in a different direction.
He stops at a shop with a green frontage and large windows that display a glittering array of antique jewelry.
“See anything you like?” He gestures at a ring with a massive, pale-yellow gemstone bracketed by two round cut white stones. “What about that one? It reminds me of your sunny smile.”
I gawk at the price tag. “Dane! Those arediamonds.”
He quirks a brow at me. “Aren’t engagement rings usually diamond? Do you prefer something different?”
My jaw drops, and he grins. He’s so beautiful when he smiles like this—like a wickedly amused fallen angel.
“So…” I suck in a breath. “This is your proposal?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Hardly. I thought you’d like to select your ring. You’ll be wearing it for the rest of your life.”
The last is deeper, darker. Almost a threat.
I lean into him and brush a kiss over his stubbled cheek in reassurance. “Then I’d better pick out a good one.”
His smile is dazzling, sharper and brighter than the diamonds that wink at us through the shop window. Looking up into his deep green eyes, I know exactly what gemstone I want to wear to declare our bond.
“I’d like an emerald.”
His smile turns almost smug, but I don’t mind his arrogant satisfaction one bit. After everything his family has put him through, he needs my love, and a symbol of my devotion will provide him with a sense of security he’s never had before.
I’m going to be his family now. His wife.
And he’ll be my family too.
He doesn’t break our intense connection, holding me in his steady green stare as he presses the bell beside the shop door. It buzzes, and the lock clicks back to permit us entry.
Within minutes, I have a glass of Champagne in my right hand, and I hold out my left to try on a small, princess cut emerald set in yellow gold.
Dane grasps my fingers and directs them away from the ring.
“No. The first time your ring goes on your finger will be when you sayyesto me.”
“I already said yes,” I remind him.
He shakes his head, a disapproving but indulgent god. “This one isn’t good enough,” he declares, gesturing at the ring. “Something bigger. With diamonds.”
“I don’t need you to buy me an expensive ring to prove that I love you,” I say.
His jaw firms. “I want every man to know that you’re taken. This doesn’t look like an engagement ring.”
“So possessive.” I sigh, but it’s a happy jibe. “All right, what about that one?”
