Wrenley gasped and covered her mouth with both hands. Then she dropped them and shook her head. “It’s beautiful, Jordan, but I can’t wear that.”
“Of course, you can. It’s perfect for you,” I assured her as I removed the necklace from its velvet bed.
“What if I break it? Or lose it somehow?”
I shrugged and cupped one of her shoulders, urging her to turn around. “I’ll buy you a new one.” After I’d clasped it behind her neck, she faced me again, and the corners of her lips curled down.
Her fingers absently ran over the gems. “You can’t just go around spending—I don’t even want to know how much—on me.”
“Why the fuck not?” I grunted, irritated that she was again questioning my actions. Wrenley was mine, and it was my job to make her happy. If she wanted something within my power to give her, she would have it.
“Wrenley, stop being a stick in the mud and try on the earrings.”
I glanced over Wrenley’s shoulder to see a girl with long, straight black hair woven with bright streaks of pink and blue walking toward us. Her ice-blue eyes swept down Wrenley’s figure approvingly. “Damn, girl. You’re always beautiful, but there are no words for how awesome you look right now.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I said, my gaze locked with Wrenley’s.
Pink dusted her cheeks, but her smile was bright and confident. “Thank you. Um, Jordan, this is my best friend and roommate, Marleigh.”
I flicked a glance in her friend’s direction so I wouldn't seem rude, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off Wrenley for long.
I picked up the other jewelry box and flipped open the lid before handing it to her. Inside was a set of two-carat diamond earrings.
Marleigh whistled while Wrenley gaped at the sparkly studs. After a minute, Marleigh grabbed the box and removed the earrings, handing them to my girl with an exasperated sigh. “Get a move on, Cinderwrenley. We’re growing old waiting to see the full effect.”
I chuckled. Wrenley’s friend was a spitfire. Good luck to the man who falls for her.
Wrenley snapped out of her shock and quickly donned the earrings.
“Just perfect,” I murmured with a smile.
She blushed again, and I decided not to put her on the spot anymore.
"Are you ready to go?"
Wrenley nodded and grabbed a small purple clutch off the little table. I held up my arm, and she slipped hers through the crook, placing her hand on my forearm. Like the last time she had her hand on me, the warmth from her skin permeated the layers of our clothing. I was dying to feel the heat between us when we were skin to skin.
Worried that my physical reaction would become obvious soon, I led her toward the door.
“Oh!” Wrenley glanced up at me. “I heard another good one!”
I couldn’t help chuckling at how cute she looked, so excited over a joke.
“Hey, Marleigh. What did the receiver say to the football?”
Her roommate sighed and raised a brow as she folded her arms.
“Catch you later!” Wrenley dissolved into a fit of giggles as I sighed and resumed guiding her to the door.
“Have fun!” Marleigh called out. “And remember, your fairy godmother will be seriously annoyed if you aren’t out past midnight.”
Wrenley laughed and shut the door, then we walked to the elevator. Once we were in the lift, I was tempted to push her up against the wall and kiss the hell out of her. However, she was so beautifully done up that I didn't want to risk ruining her look and making her angry. I knew I'd never be able to keep my hands out of her gorgeous hair, and it would be a miracle if I didn’t rip off her clothes and fuck her right then and there. Instead, I ran through the playbook in my head until we reached the ground floor.
Out on the street, I gestured to a black limousine idling on the curb. Wrenley's eyes went round as saucers, and her mouth formed a cute little O.
“I’ve never ridden in a limo before,” she breathed with excitement.
“I’m glad I get to be your first,” I said, a little tongue-in-cheek. From all of our conversations, I’d picked up on her innocence.
Wrenley gave me an odd look—one I had no idea how to interpret—but didn’t otherwise react to my double entendre. I opened the door and helped her in before scooting onto the bench seat beside her.
Being alone with her in these small, private places was testing my control. I just had to make it until we saw my mother at the ball, I reminded myself over and over. Steeling myself against the urge to draw her onto my lap and ravish her mouth, I laced our fingers together and kissed the back of her hand. “I’m so glad you're back,” I told her.