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I look around. I don’t know what to paint first, this gorgeous park or the spectacular views.
I sit and get started as a few ideas start to take shape.
Before I know it, five hours have passed. I love my three small creations. I’m putting the final touches on the smallest one when I feel two familiar hands snake their way around my body and a sexy scent invades my senses.
I lean back into Beckett and whisper, “Thank you for this. I’ll remember today for the rest of my life.”
He kisses my neck. “I told you to trust me.” Still holding me close, he examines the paintings. “You’re so talented. These are beautiful. I knew they would be. You could sell them for a fortune.”
“Not a chance. These two are for us to remember our time here.” I point to the smaller one. “This one is for Mario.” It’s him on the bench, reading his newspaper, surrounded by the historic, picturesque orange trees.
I turn my head back to him. “How was your meeting?”
“Very good. In fact, Jade’s designs for their new offices and stores in the US blew their minds. She’s extremely talented.”
I smile. “Thanks for telling me that.”
“It’s the truth.” He takes my hand. “Let’s give Mario his gift and then get dressed for this evening. We’re already running late.”
I’ve never seen a person as happy as Mario when I present him with his gift. He’s adorable.
We then head back to the palace to get showered and dressed for dinner.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
BECKETT
I’m straightening my bowtie when Amanda walks out of the bathroom. My chin drops. “How did I get so lucky? You’re stunning.”
She’s in a black and white dress with a low neckline and a sinfully high slit up the side, showing a sliver of her toned legs. There’s more than a hint of her perfect, full breasts showing down the middle. They seem to defy gravity. Her hair is up in a loose bun with pieces falling down. Her makeup is there, but minimal. She doesn’t need any. She’s so naturally beautiful.
She blushes before her eyes move up and down my body, and then she bites that lip of hers. “I’ve never been into the whole tuxedo thing, but you in a tux might change my mind.”
I walk a full circle around her, examining every glorious inch. “Do you mind if I make two minor modifications?”
Her face drops. “Oh. Sure.”
I stand behind her and remove the necklace with Jade’s name on it that she always wears. “Don’t freak out. This is just a loaner for the evening. I didn’t do anything crazy like buy it for you.” Well, not yet.
I hold a blue, velvet necklace box out in front of her. “Open it.”
She does and gasps. “Oh my god.” She gingerly touches it like it’s going to burn her. “It’s the most spectacular thing I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s a purple diamond. It’s not exactly like a wine glass, but it’s close. It’s actually called a grapevine mood diamond. Legend says that when your heart is full, it appears more purple, as in your wine glass being full. When it’s not full, it appears more like a traditional diamond color, meaning your glass is empty.” In reality, it has to do with how certain light hits it, but the story I told her is the more romanticized version.
She continues gently touching it in awe. “It’s very purple right now.”
I kiss her neck. “I suppose that means your heart is full.” I take it out of the box and hold it close to her neck. “May I?”
She nods and I clasp it around her neck. I turn us so we’re standing in front of the mirror.
She touches it again. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s you who is beautiful.”
“I’m afraid something will happen to it. Maybe I shouldn’t wear it.”
“It’s insured. Don’t worry, enjoy it. Jewelry is meant to be worn and enjoyed. You can’t appreciate its beauty if it remains in the box.”
