No, I will not. I’m obviously free to leave. Christopher will most likely be happy to drive me home. Or I can go up to the new bedroom Braden showed me earlier. Or I can go to Braden’s bedroom and snuggle up to him.
Three choices.
One problem, though.
Braden still hasn’t given me permission to speak. Does he realize his error?
A grin splits my face.
Yes, he does. This is a test. A damned test.
Fine. I’ve never failed a test in my life, and I don’t plan to start now. I can eliminate two of my choices quickly. I will not go join Braden in his bedroom, because it will be difficult not to speak there. I also won’t go find Christopher and ask him to take me home, because that will require the use of my voice.
The reasoning behind him giving me my own room—tonight of all nights, when he nearly ended our relationship earlier—suddenly becomes crystal clear.
I gather the tatters of my bustier and leave Braden’s office, heading into the living area and then up the stairs, the pink rose petals still illuminating the path to my bedroom.
I smile again to myself.
Braden Black, you’ve met your match.
Chapter Eight
I wake up to the sun streaming through the skylight in my luxurious bedroom in Braden’s penthouse. Oddly, I feel better rested than I have in some time. I could say it was the expensive mattress. I could say it was the pillow that seemed to conform to my neck and head. I could say it was any number of things, all of which probably played a part.
In reality? It’s the big fat fact that I passed Braden’s test.
So far, anyway. How am I supposed to get through the day without speaking? I have to be able to answer the phone if someone calls with an offer. I suppose I can answer any offer with email.
I still have to get home, though. Asking Christopher to take me will require my voice. I suppose I could use the Uber app, but once the driver arrives, I’d likely have to speak.
I have to think of something. I have to win.
Is Braden still here? I honestly have no idea. My phone sits on the night table where I plugged it in last night. I grab it to check the time and—
A piece of white paper sits on top of a velvet jewelry box.
I put my phone down and unfold the paper.
Nice work, Skye. You may speak now. I hope you like your gift. Braden
I smile. As I suspected, Braden knew exactly what he was doing.
And I have successfully passed his test.
Apparently I also earned a reward, though his note doesn’t call it a reward. He called it a gift, so I choose to see it as such. Just a gift from a man to the woman he loves. My heart swells as I pick up the box, caressing its velvety texture, and open it.
Earrings! I gasp at their beauty. They’re simple ruby studs set in white gold, but the clarity is superb. I love them at once. They’re understated and elegant—something I’d choose for myself.
I smile as warmth rushes over me. Braden chose something he knew I’d love. With his money, he could have bought the most ostentatious piece of jewelry, but he gave me something beautiful in its simplicity.
I stare at them for a moment, letting something sink in.
This is my first gift from Braden. Sure, he replaced Tessa’s dress that he ruined, and he built me a lovely room in his home for my use, but this…
This is just because, and I love them all the more. I hastily put them on.
Braden is probably already at his office. After all, he left the note and earrings sometime before I woke up.
I look around the beautiful bedroom. He was planning to keep me from speaking, so he gave me a place where I could stay without using my voice.
Nice work, Braden.
I can’t help adding inside my head… And nice work, Skye.
I still have a problem, though. No bra or shirt. I slept in my birthday suit, so I get up, amble over to the closet, and open it.
It’s full of a wide variety of clothing. I smile again. He thought of everything.
I shower quickly and dress in my jeans from yesterday and a shirt from the closet. Then I walk down the staircase to be greeted by Sasha and my adorable Penny. I revel in their doggy kisses and say hello to Annika, who is dusting the living room. I peek in Braden’s home office, but he’s not there. Shoot. I want to thank him for the earrings in person. I guess a phone call will have to do. Then I walk to the kitchen.
Marilyn is wiping up the stovetop.
“Good morning,” I say.
“Good morning, Ms. Manning. What can I get you for breakfast this morning?”