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When I focus on him, I half expect him to be smug and satisfied for ripping the semblance of control I thought I had but if possible, he looks even more dangerous. Barely restrained. Instead of running away, I want to drown in him until he breaks me apart.
“Miss Chopra.”
My gaze connects with the woman and I want to vanish into thin air. I can’t believe Dash did it in front of her because it’s written all over her face she saw the whole thing. Should I even be surprised? He’s shameless and confident.
“Yes,” I speak, my voice hoarse.
“I would like to show you a few pieces based on what Mr. Stern detailed. If there is anything specific you’d like, do let me know,” she informs, her voice professional. Pulling the first piece, she sets it in front of me and continues, “This is a two-carat diamond with an oval cut and yellow tint, which is very rare.”
The ring is simple yet stunning and before I’ve finished admiring it, she pulls out another piece while Dash sits beside me quietly. I can feel his attention on my face, capturing every emotion with his hawk-like intensity.
As I try each ring on my finger, I fall in love with them all, yet my heart is not completely in any of it. My conscious, saying I cannot let Dash purchase any of these for a fake fiancée. There’s no way I’d let him spend an obscene amount of money and I don’t give a fuck if he’s a billionaire or a king of his own universe. The woman he falls in love with is the one who deserves it.
And it will never be me.
Just as I’m about to tell him my thoughts, I’m struck by the sight of the next piece the lady sets down. My throat closes when I see the lightest shade of violet I’ve ever seen on a diamond. Blinding, rare, and mesmerizing. Every little detail from the cut to the pattern about it is meant to draw eyes.
“It’s stunning, isn’t it?” Chloe smiles. “It’s from our yet-to-be-launched collection and when Mr. Stern said he wanted a diamond with a purple tint, I had to show this and now I can see why. It’s a three-carat round brilliant-cut ring.”
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper before politely asking, “can I have a minute alone with my fiancé, please?”
“Of course.”
As soon as we’re alone, I turn to him. “I want to leave.”
“Why?” he asks in an infuriatingly calm voice.
“Because I asked.”
“Why?” he repeats in the same baritone.
“You’re not buying me a ring,” I declare with as much steel as I can muster. “Especially one where the cost could feed a small country.”
“Know what I think, kitten?” His frame straightens from his casual posture before he picks the ring I was eyeing and grabs my small wrist in his rough palm. With his hold firm and tone velvety smooth, he says, “You secretly enjoy pushing me just so I make good on my promise.”
I’m stuck staring at his lips when I feel him slide the ring on my left hand. It fits fucking perfectly like it was custom-made for me. I tug my hand as my pulse kicks up but he tightens his hold. “Take it off.”
“Remember what I said?” I swallow as his words flash in my mind. Bold and unbending. The emotions I have no business feeling wrap themselves around me when he coaxes, “Say it, kitten.”
“I’ll wear your ring even if you have to force it on my finger.”
Still holding my hand possessively, he demands. “Whose wife are you going to be?”
“Yours.”
“Whose last name will you take?”
“Yours, Dash,” I whisper, my fight crumbling with each declaration.
“It means you belong to me, Bianca, and as your husband, if I want to buy you a thousand rings, you won’t fight me.” He growls roughly before yanking me into his arms and gripping the back of my neck. “If I wish to spend my fortune along the way, you can’t stop me.”
“Why? Because you like to spoil the women you’re with?” I throw his words back at him. The jealousy and hurt I shouldn’t feel, swirling together. “I’m not your flavor of the month you can throw money at and think I’ll be impressed and fall at your feet. This is nothing but a mutual—”
“I swear if you tell me this is fake one more time, I’m going to bend you over my knee and spank your ass until everyone in this store knows you’re mine.”
My mouth closes at the warning pulsating from every inch of him. My stupid body rejoices and shivers, desperate from his rough touch. I push at his chest, desperately wanting to get away because he’s messing with my head. All my senses become jumbled around him. One second, I want to push him away and the next, I’m falling under his spell.
I lower my gaze to his chest and demand, “Let go, Dash.”
