Page 74 of Unforgettable

He cocks an eyebrow. “Beautiful?”

Rolling my eyes, I say, “Yes. Men can be beautiful too.” With a laugh, I adjust his tie. “You also look sexy as hell, and if I wasn’t so dressed up, I’d do you right here.”

His eyes blaze down at me with heat. “Fuck the dress, fuck the event. I want to stay here andfuckyou!”

With a giggle, I step out of his reach in case he touches me. I can’t risk ruining all the hard work his team did on me. “As much as I love the sound of that, we have to go to the event. It will look good for Alessi Fashion.”

Finn blows out a frustrated breath. He knows I’m right. “Fine, but as soon as possible, we’re leaving so I can strip that dress from your body.”

I shiver with desire. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Before we leave, I have something for you.” Reaching a hand inside his jacket, he pulls out a small, black, velvet box and hands it to me. “This is for you.”

My gaze flicks from the box to Finn’s face. He rolls his lips. Does he look nervous? This can’t be…no, surely not an engagement ring? The oxygen squeezes from my lungs. He wouldn’t propose before leaving to go to an event, would he? If he is, what will I say? With his father’s secret burning a hole in my gut, I can’t accept. Not when I haven’t been totally honest with him. Oh…but to be married to Finn. It would make me the happiest woman in the world. I have to tell the truth before we get deeper into this relationship. It’s only fair to Finn.

“It’s not an engagement ring. If that’s what you’re wondering.” He chuckles like he can read my mind. “I’ll find a better time and place to do that.”

A better time and place?Does that mean… Oh God…he wants to propose! My legs shake.

Lifting the lid on the box, I see a diamond necklace set in a delicate and intricate gold setting sitting on the black velvet. I gasp. “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s the diamond from the engagement ring I bought you years ago. I had the gold melted down and set the diamond into a pendant and chain. It was always meant to be yours, so I wanted you to have it.” When I don’t say anything, just stare at the box, he scrubs his fingers through his neatly styled hair, tousling it. “Shit. It’s weird, isn’t it? I should have gotten you a new one not this—”

I cup his cheek with my free hand, kissing his lips again. “It’s not weird. It’s perfect. I love it. Can you put it on me please?” I’m not sure if Juliette would approve of the addition. I don’t care, I want to wear it. I’m so happy he no longer needs it to remind him of the past. Is this his way of erasing it and looking to the future?

“Are you sure?” he asks with uncertainty.

“Yes.” I pluck it from the box and hand it to him. The huge diamond glitters under the light. I turn my back to him and lift my hair out of the way. Finn clips the necklace on, kissing the top of my shoulder when it’s in place. I turn around and smile. “Ready to go?”

Now is not the time to tell him about his father. It can wait until after the charity event. No point upsetting him after such a touching moment shared between us. When we get home though, I’ll lay everything out on the table.

As I follow him from the apartment, I pray he’ll forgive me.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

FINN

Inthebackofthe limo, Harper snuggles as close to me as her dress allows. The diamond around her neck sparkles as it catches the streetlights whizzing past. The other diamond I’m holding onto is burning a hole in my pocket. I’m waiting for the right moment to propose to Harper. Before the event wasn’t the time. Not when she had looked at the box with the necklace like what was inside was going to bite. It made me question whether proposing is the right thing to do. Is she scared of a commitment? Why? With the way our relationship is going…yes, we’ve had a few bumps along the way, but everything is looking great now. Harper is my woman. Maybe I’m overthinking this.

Harper stares out the window, fidgeting with her fingers sitting in her lap. Her leg is bouncing under the layers of fabric. Placing a hand on her leg, I say, “Hey, is everything okay?”

Turning to look at me, she gives me a stiff smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine.”

Something’s not right. “No, you’re not.” I link our fingers together. “Talk to me.”

She drops her head and glances at our hands. “I’m nervous. That’s all.”

“Why?”

“I’m in this glamorous dress, with one of the owners of Alessi Fashion. I’m sure there’ll be a red carpet. What if I mess up? I might trip and fall. If I’m asked a question, I might say something stupid and embarrass you.”

Placing a finger under her chin, I tilt her face up to look at me. “You won’t mess up or embarrass me.” I kiss her palm. “Relax. Just be yourself. Everyone will love you. If, at any point, you feel uncomfortable, let me know and we’ll leave. Okay?”

“Okay.” She still looks tense.

“I know a way that can help you relax.” I dust a finger over Harper’s collarbone and dip it behind the neckline of the bodice.

Harper’s eyes widen. “We can’t. You’ll ruin my hair and makeup. Do you know how much work went into this?”

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