Page 15 of Absolution
She shakes her head before I can press it into her hand. “I want to go back to the penthouse now. I don’t want a drink. I need you, Dane.”
The last is rough with desperation, and it’s more than simple lust. She’s been through so much in the last twenty-four hours, and she needs me to hold her. It’s a miracle that she finds comfort in my possessive embrace, but I won’t question my good fortune.
“I need you, too, little dove.”
I grasp her left hand in mine, rubbing my thumb over her ring like it’s a talisman.
I can hardly wait to add her diamond eternity band wedding ring to complete my claim of marriage.
And I have another way to mark her as mine. We’ll need privacy for that.
6
ABIGAIL
“Ihave something for you,” Dane says when we step into the bedroom at the penthouse.
“I don’t need anything else today,” I protest. “You already bought my ring. I just want to be together now.”
He guides me to sit on the edge of the bed and reaches for a small, gold gift bag that waits on the nightstand.
“I arranged for this to be delivered while we were out,” he explains.
“When did you possibly find the time for that?” Between our engagement and the almost violent scene at the rooftop bar, I can’t think of when he might’ve done anything else without me noticing.
His smile is indulgent when he urges me to take the gold bag from him. “You were distracted by the antique art at the jewelry store.”
“Sneaky,” I huff, but I’m not really annoyed.
He lifts a dark brow. “I prefercunning.I’ll also acceptruthless.”
I giggle, and the bubbly sound suffuses my entire body in an effervescent wave. I feel incredibly light, carefree and happy in a way I’ve never known.
Nestled within layers of gilded tissue paper, I find a long, slim velvet box. I peek up at Dane, hesitating. He’s already spent a small fortune on my engagement ring.
“Open it.” This time, it’s a stern command.
Whatever he’s purchased for me, my acceptance is important to him.
I snap open the lid, and I’m momentarily dazzled by the multitude of diamonds that lay on the silken interior of the box. Dozens of small, marquis cut white diamonds are arranged in a pattern reminiscent of leaves on a vine. They come to a delicate point in the center, where a pear-shaped pink diamond drips like the bud of a small flower. If I put the necklace on, the pink stone would rest just between my collarbones, and there are enough marquis diamonds to encircle my neck.
“Dane…” I breathe, overwhelmed at the lavish gift.
“Don’t say it’s too much,” he warns. “I want to give you everything you could ever desire. I’ll give you the world, Abigail. Let me.”
I brush my fingers over the pink diamond, and it winks at me from its delicate rose gold setting.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmur, entranced by the multifaceted beauty of the gemstones and the artistry of the craftsmanship that went into making the stunning necklace.
“I thought the pink would complement your unicorn badge,” he says. “If you still want to wear it without your apron, that is.”
My eyes meet his, and I’m locked in his emerald gaze.
I remember our first date, when he mentioned that he’d noted my silly pins at the café. He said he knew I had a sweet tooth because of my lavender cupcake and smiling donut.
I’d been surprised and gratified at his attention to detail at the time, but now I know the depth of his obsession. Dane had made sure to learn so much about me before that date.
And yet, I don’t feel a flicker of horror or disgust at the thought. I don’t think I ever want to hear the extent of his stalking, but I accept Dane for all that he is. That means I forgive what he did to me. I want a future with him, so I’ll leave all that ugliness in the past.
