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“Here,” he said firmly. He intended to woo her. Perhaps he couldn’t do love, but he knew about romance. Though he’d never shopped for an engagement ring before.
As Cristiano got out, he saw Hallie unbuckling their baby from the car seat. “You’re bringing him with us?” he asked in surprise.
“Of course I am.” As Matthews got the stroller from the back, she smiled down at her baby, tucking him inside it. “What would you expect me to do, leave him alone in the car?”
“He wouldn’t be alone,” Cristiano said, nonplussed. He’d intended to romance her, and even with his limited experience of babies, he’d already seen that they could be a distraction from romance. He’d told Luther to remain in the SUV, as bodyguards also could impinge on intimate moments. “Matthews and Luther could watch him.”
She glanced back at the two burly men, and her lips curved. “Not exactly trained baby professionals. No offense.”
“None taken, ma’am,” Matthews said.
“None whatsoever,” Luther said.
“Va bene.” Cristiano gave in with grace. Perhaps Hallie was right, anyway. The engagement ring wasn’t meant to cement just the two of them as a couple, but the three of them as a family. Still, he made a mental note that they should acquire a—what had she called it??
?a trained baby professional as soon as possible. Because he had sensual plans for Hallie, and he knew she wouldn’t be able to linger in his bed unless she was certain Jack was being well tended.
“We won’t be here long,” he said, as they pushed the stroller past the doorman and security guard into the gilded jewelry store. Smiling down at Hallie, he said huskily, “I already know what I want.”
“I think you’ve made that clear,” she said, her cheeks a charming shade of pink. So were her lips.
Cristiano stopped abruptly inside the entrance, beneath the stained-glass cupola high overhead. Not caring who might see, he pulled Hallie into his arms, her pink sundress fluttering behind her.
Ruthlessly he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her long and lingeringly. The stained-glass cupola dappled them with colored light. He heard whispers and romantic sighs as some customers walked by, as well as the irritated grumbling of men as their partners hissed, “Why do you never kiss me in public like that?”
When Cristiano finally pulled away, he looked down, relishing the dazzled look in Hallie’s brown eyes. Gently he traced her swollen bottom lip with his thumb.
“Soon,” he whispered. “Very soon.”
Hallie sucked in her breath as if still in a trance. Taking a step, she nearly stumbled. He felt a surge of supremely masculine satisfaction.
“Let me help.” With a wicked grin, he took the stroller with one arm and her hand with the other. “Let’s have some fun.”
He already knew exactly the ring he wanted: the biggest diamond in the store. Maybe Hallie didn’t care about luxuries like room service, but every woman wanted an amazing engagement ring. And Hallie would have the best.
The store manager’s face lit up upon seeing Cristiano, who, though he’d never bought a ring, had purchased expensive bracelets and necklaces for various mistresses in the past. The man took them swiftly to a private room, where he spread out a selection of diamond engagement rings across a black velvet tray.
“Which would the lady like to see first?” purred the manager, who was short and sophisticated in a designer suit.
“Which is the best?” Cristiano said.
With an approving smile, the manager pointed at a middle ring, an enormous emerald-cut canary diamond set in platinum. Cristiano nodded. “That’s the one.”
He was surprised to see Hallie frown, her eyebrows furrowed. “But it’s yellow.”
“A special type of diamond, very rare and beautiful,” the manager intoned, “for a rare and beautiful woman.”
Staring at him, Hallie burst into a laugh. “And here I was thinking that since the color’s off, we might get a discount.”
The manager’s smile froze in place. “It’s the most luxurious diamond we possess, with a cost that is, of course, commensurate with its rare beauty.”
“Try it on,” Cristiano said.
Biting her lip, Hallie allowed him to slide it over her finger. Her eyes were huge as she stared down at the ring. The rectangular yellow diamond was so huge it extended over her ring finger to partially cover the two adjacent fingers.
“Twenty and a half carats,” said the manager reverently.
Her hand shook visibly, and she yanked it off suddenly and placed it back on the black velvet tray.
