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“You’re welcome. Does your family always have huge birthday parties?”
I laughed this time. “My mother would celebrate every holiday with a huge celebration if Father allowed her. Trust me. I don’t like them much.” I untied the ribbon, more eager than I should be to find out what was inside. The black velvet box made it seem very special. The one thing I did love was jewelry. I’d gotten that from my mother. As I lifted the box into my hand, I sensed he was watching everything I did. When I opened the lid, I couldn’t have been more surprised.
But Sevastian was absolutely shocked, muttering something under his breath that sounded like a foreign language.
I had no idea what to say. The piece was exquisite, rubies and diamonds all nestled together in a stunning necklace. They glittered in the sunlight, prisms of every color glowing. “This is beautiful. Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Frustrated, I picked it up, allowing the jewels to roll through my fingers. He was breathing rapidly, so much so I dared glance into his eyes again. They were still cold, even more so than before, hatred dancing in his irises. “I don’t know if I can accept this.”
“Nonsense,” he stated. “Stand up. Allow me to put it on for you.”
I’d never felt so awkward in my life, but I rose to my feet, turning around, every muscle tense as I lifted my hair. He was surprisingly gentle, easing the necklace over my head and around my neck. Being so close to him was suffocating. I was attracted to him, even though I shouldn’t be. He was far too old for me. Not that my parents would allow me to date. They’d already told me not until I was eighteen.
He seemed to take his sweet time, which irritated me.
“There. Let’s see.”
When I turned around to face him, everything seemed to be so quiet around us. No chirping birds, no sounds from the band. We were locked in a moment in time, searching each other. A cold chill trickled down the back of my legs, my throat tightening. He nodded once, indicating he was satisfied.
There was a strange, awkward tension between us.
“Do you want to take a walk?” he asked, the tone roguish instead of harsh. That allowed me to turn around, planting a fake smile on my face. Why would he want to talk a walk with an ugly girl when he could have my sister? It surprised me he seemed genuine, his features softening.
I debated his request, glancing toward the house. Good girls never went on walks with boys unescorted. At least that’s what my mother would say.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. My mother will undoubtedly need me soon enough.” Why, oh, why couldn’t I be thatbadgirl just once? Just once!
A look of mischief crossed his face. “That’s not fair.”
“What isn’t?”
“It’s my birthday too and you didn’t get me a present.” His eyes twinkled as he made the statement, his smile beguiling, my resolve crumbling.
Frowning, I gave him a hard look, the one that always got me into trouble. “Nice try.”
“I’m serious. I admit it, birthdays aren’t huge in my father’s house, but it is the truth.”
I chewed in my lip, darting a glance toward the party. It didn’t seem like anybody was missing me. At least I had someone to talk to.
Do. It. Do it. Do. It.
“Sure. Why not?”
As we started walking, an odd tension formed between us. I had no idea what to say to him. I’d detected a slight accent, although I couldn’t place from which country. I guess it didn’t really matter. I probably would never see him again.
“Are you in college?” I asked, just trying to break the ice. He led me past the garden toward the grassy area. A huge bank of trees surrounded the property. I knew we wouldn’t get far before we ran into one of the soldiers guarding the property. They wouldn’t allow us to go any further. There was a strict perimeter I couldn’t cross.
“Yes, the university.”
“Which one?”
“Just the university.”
Oh, great. Did he take me for some kind of stalker? “What are you studying?”
“Combat scenarios, accounting, martial arts, leadership skills.”
