"Then why are you crying?" he asks in a smooth, rich timbre that slices through the deep laughter in the background. Voices I recognise and loud music so crisp I could be in the same room as they sail through the speaker between his words. "I don't like to see it."
"They are overwhelmed tears," I admit, pressing my palm to the butterfly now resting over my heart. "Is it expensive? Not that it matt—"
"What do you think, sweet girl?"
I talk through a grin as butterflies,way biggerthan the one settled into the dimple at my neck, bash around.
I squeak excitedly, "Are they diamonds?"
"Yes."
Woah.
Never in my wildest fantasies did Ieverimagine owning arealfucking diamond.Fuck.What if I lose it?
What if the chain breaks while I sleep?
This is a huge responsibility. I need to look after it! Should it be in a lockable box or— "I need to get it insure—"
"It is insured, little deer."
My heart swells. "Of course it is." I release a long, dreamy sigh. "I couldn't love it more if I tried."
He deepens his voice. "My feelings precisely."
And he's not talking about the necklace. My expanding heart fills all the space in my chest, leaving me breathless. "I miss you, Sir. You left without saying goodbye."
"Isaid goodbye. You were exhausted after barely sleeping on the flight. You need to sleep when you are tired, sweet girl. That is important to me. Sleep. Nutrients—"
I chuckle. "You're not sleeping. And I doubt any nutrients are being ingested,Sir. That is important to me," I mock, talking through a small smirk.
"Even a business meeting sounds like a carnival when my brother Bronson is around. I assure you, I'm as uncomfortable with our distance as you are."
I smile at that. "So, Bronson is with you?"
"Yes, sweet girl. My family is here."
My stomach sinks a little. Am I his dirty little secret? And while he is out with his family, I'm hidden away in here.
Is Aurora there?
On his arm?
Gah.
I touch the pendant, willing my mind to remain in the contented, loved state from moments ago.
Seriously, Fawn?
What more do you want from this breathtaking man?
Everything!
"So…"I chew my bottom lip, blurting out, "Is your wife there with you too?"
Smooth.
"Little deer,stop those thoughts."