“It never comes out, and well, it was Mother’s.” My eyes are wide, and I’m astounded.
“Don’t worry, the velvet box is in my suite’s safe. Turn.” I do, and Harry lifts his hands near my neck again. “May I?”
“Of course,” I say, watching the incredible necklace being placed around my neck. As I look up, our eyes meet, and they hold. I am close to tears, and I gulp.
“And it is real, if you think it’s rather over the top.” I warm, and Harrison smiles. He is a kind man when he is not cold, grumpy, arrogant, and well, dark. Dark and commanding. He removes his hands, and I step closer to the mirror. “Well?”
I spin back to Harry, glowing. Harrison beams and he looks emotional for once. “You look beautiful, and my mother would be happy to see it out.”
“I’ll look after it!” I say, touching it, almost beyond words.
Harry smiles, and for once, he looks truly free and himself.
“I’m sure you will, but it is insured.” He then mumbles low, “For, oddly, more than the chateau.”
I gulp, and I suspect he is right. The rocks are truly heavy. I feel special for once, and I feelworthy.
Not my gross, under-confident self. And not my overly curvy nervous self.
I step up close to Harrison, and I do all I can to not put my hands around his neck. It is hard. The hardest thing in the world.
“You know, for a big old grump, you’re actually kind of… nice.”
I raise a fancy made-up eyebrow, and Harry looks like he’s about to step forward and kiss me. My stomach flips, and I lean in.
I know I will hold the back of his head when he does, and I’veso missed his lips on mine. Also, him pulling my hair, and hard, from behind.
As Harry puts his hands on my hips, our eyes meet and we both lean in.
Suddenly the doors open, and a bell hop clears his throat. “Sorry, Sir. Madam.”
The moment is gone, and astounded, I double-blink. Harry extends an arm, and he is very cool under pressure.
“After you, dear.”
20
SAMANTHA
After a short limo ride, I take Harry’s arm, and we walk into the red-carpet gala. Everyone is dressed to the nines, and it feels way over the top. Luckily, I selected black because most women are wearing evening gowns. Most people are also dressed conservatively.
I walk as carefully as I can, thanking the universe and Harry for buying me the shoes on the way to the hotel.
As various cameras flash, Harry lifts his perfect jaw, and I hold his strong arm.
“Happy?” Harry asks, low.
I lean over and touch his hand with my free one. “I am. But I’m private and nervous. I would rather roll about. And do it on your grass upstate.”
Harry makes a dark growl, and it’s time. “Roll with your tiger, that is.”
Harry gives me 'you’re dead' eyes, and I beam.
“Is that code for something?” he asks. He is fast, I’ll give him that.
Before I can say anything, we reach people at the entrance. People start to shake his hand, and I am surprised he is so well-known.
Note to self: Next time, look up who you work for, you dick.
