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They’d rented out the entire floor of rooms so they’d be the only occupants, and the hotel had put a block on anyone stopping on their floor on the elevator But the stairway presented an issue because they couldn’t lock it in case they needed to get out fast, and they damn sure needed one except Swanny, and she sank onto the couch, only wanting Swanny next to her, his aret undressed and into ?" Swanny asked before he sat next to her He stood just in front of her, as if waiting to see what she wanted before he decided on his position

"Only if you’ll co for his reaction

It bothered her that she was still so unsure of herself, or rather of hi but confident in her life and career But this was so she’d never encountered before

She’d completely lost her heart to Swanny and she had no idea if he reciprocated her feelings She knew he cared about her No question there But when this was all over with, would he sio back to her life and career as if they hadn’t ever held such a close bond?

His expression ilow entered his eyes as he stared warmly down at her He held out his hand to help her to her feet and then pulled her into his arht, honey But first there’s soive you and then" He hesitated briefly, uncertainty flashing in his eyes giving him an almost vulnerable look He let out his breath as he pulled her a little farther away froo to bed because there’s so I want to discuss with you"

He blurted out the last, as though it had taken hied his mind

She looked curiously up at hi her sto to tell her they were over? That he’d o? Soot way more emotional when it cauy did? Had she set herself up for a monumental fall?

Some of her panic must have shown on her face, because Swanny immediately looked contrite and pulled her back into his arms "I’ood ords, and I’llbad God, I hope not anyway"

So in his voice immediately soothed the tension that had knotted her insides She could hear the nervousness in his voice, see the same tension she had felt in his features Itcomfort for her own bout of nerves

"What do you want to talk about?" she asked, deciding to take the plunge Like a bandage Rip it off quickly and cleanly

Instead of answering her, he took her hand and pulled her toward the bedroo by the bed, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silvery strand At first she wasn’t at all certain what it was until he held it up

It was a delicate necklace with a heart charht frohted with the gift, but she saw the uncertainty in Swanny’s expression and her heart immediately softened

"I’d like for you to wear this," he said gruffly "I know you can’t wear it all the time, like for your shoots or the launch party But in between and especially if you aren’t with me, I’d like for you to wear it"