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The minute I walk into the kitchen, all chatter stops. Quinn bites her lip while Dean whistles low then drops his eyes to the floor.
Nate jerks his chin, tugs Jamie to his side, and murmurs, “Stand back. You’re about to get a show.”
Bryce’s face has turned a deep shade of red. “I send you a thousand dollars and she’s wearing a scrap of fabric?” he hisses at Quinn.
“It’s hardly a scrap! She’s covered everywhere that matters,” she replies casually. “Calm your shit. I didn’t spend it all. Your money went to manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and shoes. Don’t forget about the shoes.”
His eyes drop to my feet, and I start to worry if he’s going to literally blow up. “Devon, baby, you have to change. Please tell me you have something else that will work for tonight.”
“What’s wrong with this?” I ask defensively, looking down at the deep purple halter dress Quinn insisted I buy.
“Nothing. You look hot. Give it a twirl. Let us see the full effect.” Quinn spins her hand in a circle.
As soon as I turn, Bryce growls. “Where’s the back?”
Jamie starts to giggle and comes to my rescue. “I think she looks beautiful. The lace overlay gives the dress a very classy edge. If I had legs like hers, I’d show them off, too.”
Nate whispers something in her ear, and she blushes slightly.
“Caveman, I put that thing you wanted in Devon’s top dresser drawer,” Quinn tells him and rolls her eyes. “You’re welcome.”
Bryce gives her a dirty look but comes over and leads me back to my room.
“You’re not going to try to make me change, are you?”
“If I said yes, would you listen to me?”
“Not on your life.”
“Then there’s no point.” He sighs and reaches in my drawer, removing a box. “It’s not that you don’t look exquisite; it’s that you’re going to attract attention tonight. I’ll need to be alert.”
“You’re absurd.”
“Maybe, but I’m also possessive and completely obsessed. Maybe this will help ease my nerves.” He pops open the box to reveal a silver choker with an anchor in the middle.
I momentarily lose my breath. “It’s stunning,” I finally whisper.
“No, you’re stunning.” He goes behind me and clasps it around my neck.
“What is the occasion?” I run my fingers along the smooth metal.
“No occasion. One of the things I thought about on the ship is your anchor tattoo. In my mind, it’s my mark, but its placement is for my eyes only. So I wanted another anchor on your body. It’s a reminder whenever you wear it that you’re my anchor.”
“I love it.”
“I love you.” He kisses a trail from my ear down to my collarbone. “Now, about changing your dress.”
I lean into him, shuttering at the warmth of his breath. He continues to nibble on the sensitive skin below my ear, and I know he thinks he’s won. It takes all the self-control I can find to step away and out of my lust induced fog.
“Not a chance. Come on. We don’t want to be late.”
He sighs and hangs his head in defeat. I stop in my doorway and hold out my hand, which he finally takes and follows me back to the kitchen.
*****
The Fine Arts Building where the exhibit is located has been transformed into an elegant gallery with every wall surface covered with matted frames. I get chills as soon as we walk through the door and see everyone’s hard work on display. On one wall, there’s a flat screen television playing footage of all our video coverage.
I look around and gasp when my eyes land on the wall leading to the main room. Quinn’s piece shines under the large spotlights. Instinctively, I link my arm through hers and walk us over. Our crew follows closely, Dean holding her free hand.
