AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Why was she nervous? She looked incredible.
Rocky had applied makeup that gave her a minimalist look, adding bronzer to make her skin shimmer, which was perfect for the fading light as the sun set. As for her hair, it was styled in stacked double buns and loose tendrils allowed to casually frame her face. She’d chosen diamond earrings and a diamond bracelet for her right wrist.
She released a controlled exhale. “Show time.”
At the top of the staircase, she looked down and saw Dante waiting near the door with his back to her, one hand casually tucked into his pocket as he surveyed the outdoors. As her heel hit the top stair, he slowly turned, and her breath caught. Holding on to the railing, she paused and remained motionless. The air stilled in the cavernous foyer. He walked toward her, moving as if in slow motion in a white shirt, charcoal jacket, and charcoal slacks.
Annabelle continued her descent, unable to read his expression, but her heart raced with each step that brought them closer. “You look nice.”
A freaking understatement if there ever was one.
Dante rarely wore suits. If his face wasn’t known throughout Houston, one would take him for an average middle-class guy. Not a real estate mogul with offices in three cities and thousands of people under his employ. Tonight’s clothing choice was simple, yet she knew without seeing the rest of the guests that he had outdressed every man in attendance.
When her feet finally touched the marble tile at the bottom of the staircase, Dante took her hand. At first, she thought he was about to kiss her fingers, but instead, he simply held her and examined her from top to bottom.
“Mi reina,” he said in a mocking tone. My queen.
“Don’t call me that.”
“I’ll call you whatever I damn well please.” He dropped a fleeting kiss to her cheek.
At the touch of his warm lips, heat flared on her skin. Annabelle lowered her gaze to hide the reaction and swallowed hard. Thethump, thump, thumpof her heart was so loud she worried he might hear the sound.
Something was happening to her. Something she couldn’t quite control. Her body was hot and her heart raced.
She cleared her throat. “Are you ready?”
“Before we meet our guests, I have something for you.”
She cast a wary look at him as he reached into his pocket and removed a sapphire-blue box. He opened it and revealed an Asscher-cut diamond ring. The size and clarity of the stone stole her breath. It had to be at least five carats and was flanked on two sides by equally brilliant white diamonds affixed to a platinum band.
“Give me your hand, Anna.”
She let him take her hand, and he removed the smaller ring and placed the Asscher-cut diamond on her finger.
“I promised you a bigger ring, and now I can afford to give you one,” he said quietly. He stared at her manicured hands, his jaw tight.
She remembered the night he asked her to marry him as vividly as if the proposal occurred the day before. She hadn’t cared about the size of the ring. She’d been so excited because she loved him.
“I love it,” Annabelle whispered.
“One day, I’ll buy you a bigger one.”
“No.” She spread her fingers and eyed the ring with a happy, satisfied smile. “This is the only one I want. The one I’ll keep forever.”
“Now you have a ring worthy of a queen.Mi reina.”
His words saddened her. He had no idea she had truly been satisfied with the smaller diamond.
What else had he been mistaken about?
Dante tucked her hand in his arm, and they walked through the house. The old Dante had calloused hands from toiling as a day laborer. The rough texture was long gone, and his skin was smooth to the touch.
Her knees trembled but gained strength as they walked. A member of the staff greeted them with a smile and then swung open the French doors.
“Mr. Dante Escarra and Ms. Annabelle Buchanan have arrived,” he announced to the waiting group.
All heads turned in their direction, and the gathered guests clapped as they made their grand entrance onto the back lawn. Annabelle smiled at the visitors, including a few members of the press who she recognized.
