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“Because you’re a secretive little creature,” he teased to cover his anxiety. “You are adept at keeping your feelings hidden from me.”
She laughed. “You are… incredible.” She shook her head. “Also, a bit of an idiot, if I’m honest.”
He was an idiot for her. He freely admitted it. He stared at her watchfully.
She shook her head. “Carter, I worked as an escort from when I was nineteen years of age. I met a huge array of gorgeous, intelligent, rich men. I never once slipped onto the terrace of a swanky hotel and made out with one of them.” Her cheeks glowed pink. “I have no doubt that if Hank hadn’t interrupted us, I would have made love to you then and there.”
“But he…”
She held a finger up to his lips. “Please. Let me say this.”
He nodded with mock contrition. “Go on.”
“This last month, I’ve been almost paralysed by fear. From the moment I realised that I love you, I’ve been living in a world of torment, because I knew that if you were to end things, I would be completely ruined.” She lowered her gaze. “But how can I hope for things to work out?” She chewed her lower lip. “You’re so gorgeous, and so successful. You’re corporate royalty, and I’m… no one. The daughter of a runaway cop who ended up working as an escort.”
He lifted her chin, angling her face to his. “Do not speak about yourself like that ever again. You are a woman who made her sister’s dreams come true through sacrificing her own wants and needs.”
Jane looked up into his arctic eyes and smiled, brightly. “Have we just said we love each other?”
His expression mirrored hers. “I think we have.” He lowered his mouth to hers. “But in case it wasn’t clear, I love you, Jane. And whether you stay, or go, I will always love you, and I will always wish you well. Because love isn’t about what you can give me, or how you make me feel. Love is about what I can give you. And I want to give you the world, in whatever way you desire it.”
She let out a slow, exaggerated sigh. “The thing is, Carter Mann-Hughes, the world I want pretty much revolves around you.”
He pushed aside his first impulse – which was to grab hold of her and never let go.
“That’s not good enough. I don’t want to be your new Anita.”
She blinked up at him, confused.
He kissed her forehead. “I love you, but I’m not someone to look after. I’m not a cause.” He kissed her again, then his eyes sought hers. “I want you as an equal. That’s why I gave you money. It is a gift. And an opportunity.” He ran a hand down the side of her body. “I have booked a table for three at The Four Seasons. You, Jenna and Thomas are going to go there tonight to celebrate your SATs. Then, Martins will drive you home, and then you’re going to take a few days to get used to the idea that you can literally do whatever you want. You are a millionaire. And after that, only when that’s sunk in, we’re going to see one another. And at that point, I will discuss a future with you. You must understand, Jane, that I am incredibly possessive. I saw you and I wanted you. I wanted to own you, to have you all to myself. It’s not right, but it’s how I felt. I wanted you to be mine, in every way. If you agree to this, I need you to know what you’re getting into. I have never told a woman that I love her. I have never said those words. I have never so much as thought about feeling it. But I do love you, and I do want you, forever and always, to be mine. Do you understand?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Excuse me, madam. This has been sent, compliments of Mr. Mann-Hughes.” A magnum of Dom Perignon arrived. Jenna looked at it with a scowl, Thomas with a grin.
“Thank you,” Jane nodded. It was the same waiter from the night she’d been there last. Celebrating her birthday and being propositioned by Carter. He poured three measures and then departed, leaving the enormous white elephant in the middle of the table.
“He’s a romantic,” Thomas swooned happily.
“Mmm,” Jenna shook her head. “I’m not so sure.”
Jane bit her lip. “Actually, guys, I kind of have news.”
Thomas, sitting beside her, put his hand over hers. “News?”
“Yeah.”
“What is it?” Jenna sipped her champagne, her expression wary.
Jane’s cheeks were flushed. She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a husky whisper. “I don’t know where to start.” Their faces were so earnest, she burst out laughing.
“What’s going on?” Jenna pushed, leaning further forward.
Jane relayed most of the details to her friends, omitting the precise amount Carter had transferred to her account. Her words were enough to sell them, she could see.
“OhmyGod,” Thomas said on a sigh. “Did you have any idea?”
“No!” She shook her head. “He’s been pretty full on
