Her sweet grin grew as she took the box. Before pulling the ribbon free, she shook it and appeared to be contemplating its contents. “I will guess jewelry.”
“That would be the most plausible.” However, I’d given her jewelry repeatedly over the last month or more. This was something less monetarily valuable. I hoped it would be equally as precious.
Her smile faded. “You’ve given me so much. Tonight, I wanted to surprise you with a gift.”
“You will. Indulge me, please.”
Emma pulled the ribbon free and opened the box. Inside was another box, covered in teal velvet with a hinged top, and satin lining. “I told you—jewelry.” Emma tilted back the lid and her blue eyes opened wide. “What is this?”
“It’s a key.”
She lifted the key between her thumb and finger. “I can see that, Rett. A key to what?”
I would say my heart, but we both knew that didn’t exist.
“Your suite.”
Her forehead wrinkled as indecision showed in her expression. “The dead bolt Ian had installed doesn’t require a key. It only opens and locks from inside.”
“No, Emma, toyoursuite. The third floor isn’t your suite. You belong by me. That key now operates the new locks on the door from your suite to the hallway, the door to the hallway that connects our suites, and your door to the exercise room. There’s no way into your suite that you can’t secure.”
“And do you have a copy?”
“There is a copy for safety purposes with the staff. No, I don’t have one.”
Moisture came to Emma’s eyes as she wrapped her fingers around the key and hugged it to her chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I guess we can put it on a chain if you want more jewelry.”
Leaning toward me, she brushed her lips against mine. “It’s the best gift I’m not sure I’ll ever use.”
“I guess that decision is up to you.”
Opening her hand, she stared down at the key. “Really, all the doors?”
“That’s why Thomas was unable to remove the shutters. He’s had a busy day as a locksmith.”
Again, Emma reached for her purse. “I apologize, I didn’t wrap yours.”
“I don’t need a gift. I have you. And you decided to re-sign the marriage certificate and join me for dinner. I should probably quit while I’m ahead.”
Emma reached for my hand and turned it. “Open your hand, palm up, and close your eyes.”
A chuckle rumbled deep within my throat. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. Do it, please.”
Exhaling, I did as she asked. I felt the sensation of something that weighed next to nothing, but with my eyes closed, I couldn’t decide what it was.
“Open your eyes.”
“Fuck, Emma.” I closed my fingers around the light blue blindfold. “Tell me what that means.”
“It means I want to trust you, Rett. I won’t give up on you if you won’t give up on me.”
“You know your way back to the third floor. This house is yours. Do you not want to see it?”
She nodded. “I do and I love learning about the furnishings and hearing stories of your family.” Pink filled her cheeks as her lashes veiled her eyes. “I wasn’t thinking that we would use it” —she gestured about— “...in public.”