“I-I…” Her eyes darted wildly. “I can’t wear that, Jer.”
“Why not?” I reached for her left hand. “I saw it and thought it was perfect for you.”
She stood frozen while I slid the diamond over her knuckle. It fit as if it were meant for her hand alone.
“It’s just so…huge. So real.”
I laughed. “Love it when you say I give you huge things.”
She shoved my chest. “That’s not what I meant.” She stared at her hand. “It’s extravagant. I thought simple bands would be enough. For what this is.”
“What do you mean?”
My chest was on fire for her. My cock throbbed. I wanted to scoop her up and carry her to my bed, but I knew after what she said tonight she had set a new boundary. A boundary I wasn’t going to cross. I’d never had to convince a woman to sleep with me. My wife wasn’t going to be the first.
“Our agreement,” she stated.
“I want you to wear it. You are my wife, Evie. That’s our agreement. And I want you to have a beautiful ring. The best ring. A ring that lets everyone know you are Mrs. Jeremy Hartwell. Don’t you like it?”
“It’s gorgeous. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s unexpected.” She paused. “I don’t have a ring for you.”
I ran over to my coat and pulled a second box from the pocket. “I took care of it.”
I handed it to her. She twisted her lips together, but took the solid band of platinum. The metal was cool as she slid it over my finger. We should have had these last night at the Magnolia Inn, but time was tight and there weren’t any jewelers open in the middle of the night.
Standing in the kitchen, exchanging rings felt more intimate than the ceremony.
I wiggled my fingers. It didn’t feel as bad as I always imagined. It wasn’t as if a set of chains and shackles lowered from the ceiling and locked around my neck, wrists, and ankles. It didn’t burn or sear my skin. It was a small ring of precious metal—not the life sentence I pictured.
“It looks good.” Evie smiled. Her fingers moved through mine. Our palms clasped.
“Are you still angry with me?” I asked.
She shook her head. “I was furious. I thought about clawing your eyes out.”
I chuckled. “Is that something I need to worry about?”
“No.” A sexy smile appeared on her lips. “Not tonight anyway. I feel better. Less raged.”
I tipped her chin upward. I didn’t know how much longer I could keep my hands off her beautiful body. She drove me crazy.
“This ring doesn’t mean you own me.”
“I know that.”
“I don’t think I believe you, Jer. And that’s the problem,” she whispered.
My mouth lowered to hers. “We’re in this together.” Our lips touched and she moaned slightly.
“Jer… ”
I wrapped my hand around her waist, tugging her to me. I was already hard. I pressed into the soft flesh of her stomach. “It’s your first night in New York. You can spend it where you want.” I raked her bottom lip between my teeth, drawing a sweet low purr from her throat.
“I’m going to bed.” I dropped my hold and stepped away from her. Everything felt cold without her body, but I was going to make a fucking point one way or the other.
“Where are you going?” she squeaked.
I stopped and looked at her. “Bed.”