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He shut the door behind him before turning to her. Heated eyes took in the silk robe she’d changed into after her long soak in the bath, lingered for a spell before dropping to her bare feet, making her toes curl into the deep, soft carpet.
By the time his gaze rose to meet hers again, her body was reacting with alarming predictability, heating in places, dampening in others and hardening in telltale spots that required her to fold her arms across her chest before she gave herself away completely, and she hurried into her living room, perching at the end of one sofa.
‘Did you want something?’ she asked, then cringed at her breathless tone.
He watched her with knowing eyes, his nostrils flaring in primitive pre-scenting that absurdly made her hotter as he took a seat.
Without answering, he took in the foot spa Sofia had set out for her use. Although she wasn’t on her feet most of the day, Genie was tasked enough with sifting through the various interactive social cues and her work on her own code that she barely had time to put her feet up.
The housekeeper’s suggestion that she use the luxury spa had been a godsend, although Lita had pursued her lips and muttered about having a perfectly capable grandson who could perform the same duty better.
Genie had pretended not to hear her then, but now, with Seve’s attention again on her bare feet, she could barely rip her mind from images of what that would look like.
Just when she imagined her nerves couldn’t be stretched any tighter, that her body would betray her completely by thrusting itself into his arms, he reached into his pocket and drew out an oblong velvet box. The kind she knew contained shiny, expensive things because, over the years, several CEOs and wealthy individuals had tried to woo her services by gifting her similar things.
She’d returned every last one. She had no interest in owning baubles. Had never imagined herself in any circumstance where she would be required to don jewellery.
Until now...
Because she was reaching out for it before she could think twice, her fingers caressing the soft velvet.
‘This is yours. I would’ve given it to you tomorrow but Lita has expressly forbidden me from making contact with you from midnight tonight.’ There was wry exasperation in his voice but it was lined with affectionate indulgence.
The kind she’d come to yearn for from Lita and shamelessly gorged on during her interactions with Seve’s grandmother.
She tapped on the box, prolonging the moment until she opened it. Fighting—futilely, she expected—the surfeit of emotion she would feel once she did.
‘You know I can afford whatever is in here, don’t you?’ she said, because the constant battle between giddiness and danger raged inside her. She couldn’t bear to acknowledge that she might be on the losing end.
‘Perhaps you can. But the effect wouldn’t be quite the same, would it?’
It was a simply stated truth. Bare and unavoidable. ‘No. It wouldn’t.’
He nodded. ‘There’s usually intent behind the offering of a gift that makes it have deeper meaning, no?’
She couldn’t exactly pinpoint why she blurted out the answer, ‘I wouldn’t know. The gifts I’ve received so far have been driven by ego and the need to gain competitive edge.’
‘Then be rest assured, this one is not.’ A light gleamed in his eyes as he nudged his chin at her, silently commanding her to open the box.
Genie did, fully expecting to see a cascade of gems tossed into an elaborate creation by the latest in vogue master jeweller. Instead, the single, albeit sizeable teardrop diamond, bearing the proud hallmarks of Cardosian purple, was nestled in a deep yellow gold that spoke of its age. The chain was delicate but strong, the kind you saw in period portraits. Matching earrings glinted on either side of the necklace.
She gasped at the simple beauty of it, her fingers drifting over the chain before brushing the dazzling diamonds. ‘It’s...beautiful.’
‘It belonged to Lita. She wore it on her wedding day. You will wear this on our wedding day. It will please her,’ he said, then, after another of those volcanic glances, he rumbled, ‘And me.’
Perhaps she was mastering this social cue thing because those last words tipped her into pleasure. Into exhaling shakily before giving a simple, acquiescent nod. ‘I will.’ Then, with a smile because this was getting easier, she added, ‘Thank you.’
Now his gaze was riveted to her mouth, making it tingle and quiver. Making her whole body yearn unbearably.
Her baby kicked as if egging her into doingsomethingto alleviate this ache. Was she bold enough? Foolish enough? She’d drawn a line in the sand in his study two weeks ago. Crossing it so soon would be ludicrous. Wouldn’t it?
‘Have you used that yet?’
She startled a little at the gruff question, and glanced at Seve to find his attention on the foot spa.
‘No, I was just about to,’ she replied.
He plucked the bottle containing the oil she normally infused the water with and examined it. Then he did something that yet again made the breath leave her lungs.
