Page 42 of Plus-Size Bratva Bride

“Black roses?” she whispers in awe. “I’ve never seen black before. I mean, in pictures yes, but never in person.”

“Little starfish, you are more rare and unique than a black rose.”

She bites her lips and takes them from me, shifting from one foot to the other. Reaching up she brushes her elegant fingers over the soft black and red petals. Then she leans her face close to the roses and breathes in their beautiful scent.

“Will you turn around for me? I have one more thing to add to your outfit and then we can go.”

She turns around, her hair is pinned up in a wild and messy bun. I trace my fingers gently over the arch of her neck.

She shivers and lets out a sharp breath.

I reach around the front of her body and clip the ruby necklace around her neck and then lean over her to take her hand and slip the ring onto her finger where it sits perfect and glittering. She holds her hand out in front of her and rocks it slow from side to side, as mesmerized by the stone as I am.

“Why did you do this?” she asks, almost a whisper.

“I don’t understand your question.”

“Why did you give me these gifts?” She steps away from my arms and turns to face me.

Her face is traced with confusion and worry.

“Starfish, I don’t need a reason to spoil you.” I reach up to touch her cheek, but she moves ever so slightly away from my hand, so I pull it back. But I smile when I take her roses, setting them in the prepared vase near the door. “I’ll put them in your room when we get home,” I comment, pushing my hand against her lower back, I guide her out of the door towards the waiting driver.

She has her fingers wrapped around the teardrop ruby on her neck. She is fidgeting and frowning slightly as we drive towards the restaurant.

We are sitting close to each other on the backseat of the car, our legs touching, warmth spilling between us, but she is quiet.

I don’t understand. I thought she would be more interested or impressed by the princess treatment.

At the restaurant she is polite, but distant, spending most of the time staring out across the expanses and breath-taking views.

I reach across the table after we’ve had our appetizers and take her hand. Her eyes draw towards mine and she looks at me with an awkward smile.

“You don’t look like you are enjoying yourself, Jade. I wanted to take you out and spoil you, not make you uncomfortable,” I say gently.

She bites at her lip, sending currents of energy through my body.

But all she says is, “It’s all lovely.”

Except that her voice, the way she shapes her words, and the distant look in her eyes tells me that she’s being polite. Nothing more.

I grin and shake my head.

“You are a difficult wall to break through, little starfish,” I say, chuckling.

She narrows her eyes towards me.

“What’s so funny?” she asks.

“You are sitting in the most luxurious restaurant in Boston, wearing a dress fit for a queen, looking like you belong with the goddesses in some marble palace somewhere, but you aren’t impressed. And to be honest, that is the most refreshing thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

She chuckles a little, her shoulders relaxing.

“I’m just not used to all of this. It’s so over the top. It’s so, um, unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary for what, though? I wanted to spend some time with you.”

“I understand that, but all of this—“ She gestures around the extravagant venue, “You don’t need this to connect with someone.”

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