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She wrapped the sheet around her body, therooloves Jade followed

Turning back to her, he said, “I didn’t mean to drop by, make love to you and then immediately leave”

She knew that, so she teased him “This would be referred to as a booty call in the early 2000s”

“You have a very endearing sense of humor”

“Go,” she insisted, because he lingered, seely reluctant to walk out the door “You replenished asms You’re exonerated from moral corruption”

His head dipped and he kissed her “I know it only s worse, but I meant what I said earlier”

He reached for the brass lever, but didn’t yank the door open Instead, he faced Jade again His gaze slid over her and so indefinable sparkled in his beautiful amber eyes His hand slipped into his pocket and he retrieved one ift for her

Handing over an elaborately designed box, he said, “This is a very precious faive it to anyone other than you Ever”

Her brows knitted as she debated re the lid to see as inside Was there a point to accepting soreatly coveted?

Taking the decision out of her hands, he reaped The necklace atop silver satin folds was, by far, theshe’d ever laid eyes on, with the exception of Davian’s chiseled-to-perfection body Her fingers grazed the raised, diamond-studded center of the star The piece was delicate and

“I realize you won’t be able to wear it in the village,” he said “There would be questions as to where it ca beacon for des to me”

“Then why…?” Her gaze lifted “Davian” Realization quickly dawned, with the help of the possessive look in his eyes “You didn’t give this to me when you first arrived because you?

??d planned to present the idea ofMichael Now that you’re convinced I have no intention of ever doing that… You want to stake your own claim Even if it’s just in theory”

“Yes” He didn’t apologize for the convoluted idea

“You don’t have to give me jewelry to do that”