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ed for the brass lever and yanked the door open But he paused again His gaze slid over her and so indefinable flickered in his amber eyes His hand slipped into his pocket and he retrieved one ift for her

Handing over a box, he said, “This is a very precious faive it to anyone other than you Now or ever”

Her brows knitted together and she gnawed her lower lip as she debated re the lid to see as inside Was there a point to accepting so that clearly meant so much to him?

Taking the decision out of her hands, he re in thick satin folds was, by far, theshe’d ever laid eyes on, with the exception of Darien’s sculpted body Involuntarily, her fingers gently 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 caue des to me”

“Then why…?” Her gaze lifted “Oh” Realization quickly dawned, with the help of the territorial 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 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 prove that point”

“It’s syer”

Her heart sank “One you can never place on me”

“Right”

But could she wear his necklace? She only needed to conteesture and itsYes, she could wear it Even if it was only in the privacy of her own home

Despite this, she said, “It’s a bit ant”

“Jade, nowhere is it dictated you have to live without an extravagance froe at the tavern, but what do you spend it on, other than food and clothing?”

“I’ my money,” she said “Maybe I’ll take a trip to California someday See what all the fuss is about electricity”