Page 44 of All Fall Down

“It’s not just a present,” he whispers.

My answer catches in my throat. “I know.”

He pulls back and studies me for a moment. “You don’t have to wear it.”

I cup his face with my palm and smile shyly. “I think I want to. I just never expected to have something so…”

Extreme? Expensive? Unexpected? I can’t find the right word.

“It’s a ring fit for a duchess.” But Jameson understands, taking my hand in his, he lays me across the bed. “For my Duchess.”

Biting my lip, I marvel as his body moves against mine, slowly pushing all my doubts away.

The next morningI’m alone in bed, stretching my muscles. Is everyone this gloriously sore after sex? Or has Jameson West cornered the market on wearing a girl out? Either way, I’m not complaining. I find a note next to a fresh pot of coffee in the living quarters.

Dealing with fall-out. Call me when you’re up.

Love,

Jamie

I take a risqué selfie instead. His response is immediate and I answer the phone as soon as it begins to vibrate.

“Thank god you’re eighteen,” he says gruffly.

“Why are you whispering?” I ask, unintentionally lowering my own voice.

“Because I’m in a boardroom with a bunch of middle-aged men who already drool over my fiancé. I don’t need to give them any more material to fantasize about,” he admits.

“Then you better delete that photo.” I pour a cup of coffee and take a slow sip.

“That photo and I are going to have some alone time together later,” he promises.

“How about you hold out for the real thing?”

“Just promise you’ll stay like that the rest of the day and we have a deal.” I can hear the wicked smile in his voice. “Duchess, I have to go. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I hang up and look around the room. I’m not entirely sure how I’m not floating mid-air right now. Before I can come down from my high, my phone rings again and I answer it immediately.

“Yes, I am naked, but you’re going to have to be patient.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Agent Mackey says dryly. “I guess you didn’t want to wait for your test results—or you didn’t care.”

My temper flares and I have to set my coffee mug down to avoid spilling it all over myself. I’m mad at myself more than her, but that doesn’t mean she’s getting a free pass. Not this time. “We had private testing done. Your lab didn’t seem as concerned with the results as we were.”

“Ah, the royal we. How is the pedestal he’s placed you on?” she asks.

“Did you call for anything else?” I can barely get the words past my gritted teeth.

“Mostly to deliver the good news, but when you have a moment I’d like to get a statement from you regarding your stepfather.”

I swallow against the bile rising in my throat. Mackey is never going to allow me to be happy. She’ll always find a way to disrupt my life. “I have nothing to say about him.”

“That’s interesting. I’d still prefer we talked,” she presses.

“You’re never going to let this go, are you?”

“Let what go, Miss Southerly? Or are you Mrs. West now? It’s hard to keep up with the gossip.”