“It’s… look, we all know there are things money can’t buy – things that are more precious than money. You can’t buy back the lives of your dead loved ones, right?”
“No.”
“Well, this pendant is expensive – priceless, in fact – but more than that, it’s got sentimental value. It means a lot to me. And… well, so do you. Please keep it close. Will you do that for me?”
She nodded. “I will. I’ll wear it always.”
Adam smiled tenderly into her eyes and fastened the chain around her neck. The stone felt warm against her chest.
He kissed her on the forehead. “Beautiful – you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. Now come on, let’s get back down there before your family think we’ve eloped!”
Chapter Thirteen
Amy kissed Adam goodbye on the landing, and told him she’d meet him back downstairs because she needed to freshen up. She stood in the huge bathroom and grinned at the ornate mirror, unable to hide her excitement and affection for Adam. She reached up and fondled the beautiful pendant around her neck, feeling honoured that he’d chosen to give her something of sentimental value, rather than something expensive – which would’ve been far too easy. Her excitement bubbled and she laughed out loud. She didn’t want to allow her heart to unwind into him, but the truth was he was wonderful, his family were adorable… even this bathroom was amazing. The floor was marble, the bathtub was big enough for two, and the general vibe oozed luxury. But none of this mattered, not really. Amy wasn’t particularly impressed by money. She needed it to pay her rent and bills like everyone, but all she really wanted was for this glorious feeling of affection to go on forever.
No, Amy. You’re going back to London tomorrow night. Enjoy it while it lasts. Don’t get sucked in. You’ll get hurt.
But why would he give me the pendant, if his heart didn’t like me a little bit?
Amy inhaled deeply and vowed to get a grip. She took one final glance in the mirror, then she stood up tall and strode in her heels towards the ostentatious staircase. The sound of the party continuing below whooshed excitement into her body, and she couldn’t wait to get back there, dancing and mingling with Adam’s lovely family. She rested her hand on the wooden bannister, feeling like a 1940s movie star, about to descend the staircase in a Hollywood classic. As she lowered her foot onto the first step, she realised she could hear Adam, Dylan, and Joseph chatting boisterously at the bottom. She blushed. The other two had probably just heard her loud orgasm. But she was proud of the fact that she enjoyed sex this much. It was a new experience for her and she suddenly wanted to tell everyone. Maybe she’d go down there now and make a few suggestive remarks.
She moved her foot to continue her descent, when Adam’s voice said, “Yeah, she sure is special. I’ve never met anyone like her.”
“She’s pretty,” Dylan said. “And fun. I like her.”
“She’s wise,” Joseph said. “Reminds me of Ivan.”
Amy grinned. Her heart soared with pride. She was hidden from sight here, so she decided to stay and listen, desperate to hear what other compliments these gorgeous brothers might bestow upon her. She craned her neck so she could just about see all three men through a gap in the bannister. She felt naughty spying like this, but she was dying to know what Adam might reveal to his brothers about her.
Dylan frowned at Joseph. “In what way is she like Ivan?”
“Well,” Joseph said. “She won’t take any shit from either of you two for a start.”
Adam grinned at his younger brother. “And you’ve got her wrapped around your little finger, I suppose?”
“No,” Joseph said. “And I didn’t have Ivan wrapped. He just… we just got on.”
Dylan rested his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “I know it’s painful, kiddo. I miss him, too.”
Joseph gazed down at the ground. He snapped himself out of it. “And Amy’s a great dancer.”
“You sound more taken with Ms Carter than Adam is,” Dylan said. “Shame she’ll be returning to London tomorrow night.”
“Maybe if you fire her,” Joseph said, “she’ll stick around in New York for a bit longer. You’d like that wouldn’t you, Ad?”
Adam shrugged. “Sure would.”
“Well, you won’t need to fire her,” Dylan said. “I’ve been looking at the figures again with Preti and we’ll need to lose the back-office staff in six months from now.”
Amy’s spine prickled with worry as she continued to listen. Lose the back office staff?
Adam’s expression dropped to concern. “But we assured her we wouldn’t do that.”
“I know, but Adam, this is business. It’s what Preti suggests, and I agree.”
“But what about the contract? We promised Amy we’d honour her requests.”