Page 180 of Before Dawn

“Arnoldo,” he responded. “Almostsix years ago.”

“That’s intense,” I responded, which came out as more of a question.

“I got my payback,” he said and nuzzled into my neck. “Are you okay?”

“Better than ever, baby.”

Pulling me into a hug, he mumbled,“Eres asombrosa, mi dulce mujer.109”

My mind was too scrambled to process his words, but by the time he finished caressing me, planting soft kisses, and whispering sweet nothings, I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Forty

Abigail-Ann

“The very essence of romance is uncertainty.”

~ Oscar Wilde

The moment we stepped into The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, I exhaled.

“Mikkel, youreallydidn’t have to do this,” I muttered, my voice soft but insistent.

He shot me a look that was part amusement, part determination. “I insist,amor. Besides, we’re already here.” His hand, warm and steady, slipped into mine, and with that simple gesture, any argument I had left dissolved.

I glanced at my outfit: white sneakers, dark skinny jeans, and a yellow sweater—casual yet cute. Meanwhile, Mikkel looked like he’d just stepped out of a goddamnGQspread. A white turtleneck stretched over his broadshoulders, tucked into dark gray jeans that sat on his hips like they’d been tailored just for him.He was the only man who could make a turtleneck look devastatingly sexy.

We barely made it past the first few stores before the press swarmed us—flashes, voices, questions flying in rapid succession. About him. About his company. About me.

Mikkel barely flinched. His grip on my hand tightened, thumb brushing over my skin in quiet reassurance as we moved through them, his presence a shield against the chaos.

Soon, we entered Tory Burch, and it was far more beautiful than the ones I’ve been to. The bags and shoes were displayed like art pieces, but the price tags made me hesitate. Mikkel moved through the store with ease, while I stayed behind, running my fingers over a pair of slippers here and there but never committing to anything.

I wasn’t used totaking. To being given without strings attached. It felt too indulgent, too much.

We moved from Dior to Fendi, then Sephora, Rudsak, Stuart Weitzman, and Kate Spade, the pattern repeating each time. Whenever he caught my eye, I offered a small smile and shook my head, silently telling him I didn’t need anything. The clothes, the shoes, the bags, the makeup—everything was gorgeous, but I couldn’t bring myself to say,Yes, I want this.

Then we stepped into Piaget.

The jeweler’s face practically lit up when he saw Mikkel. “Mr. Suarez,” he greeted, beaming. “I didn’t know you were coming. You didn’t make an appointment.”

Mikkel flashed his charming smile. “It wasn’t planned, Ross. I just decided to take my love shopping today.”

His words made my heart melt, but I still felt uneasy. My fingers tightened around his arm as I glanced around, trying to ground myself.

“Right this way,” Ross announced, guiding us to a gleaming glass case. With a practiced hand, he slid it open, revealing a delicate diamond-encrusted rose gold bracelet that glittered like stars and a bold, masculine watch with a black band. Both were breathtaking.

“Mikkel…” I whispered, lightly tugging his sleeve.

His eyes softened, and without hesitation, he picked up the bracelet. “Try it on, baby.” His voice was low but insistent. “It’ll look beautiful on you.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he was already slipping it onto my wrist. It felt cool and surprisingly light against my skin, and I couldn’t get over the way the diamonds caught the store’s light in ways I hadn’t thought possible.

“Do you like it?”

“I don’t need it.”

He chuckled, slipping his other hand around my waist. “I asked if you liked it.”

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