Page 28 of Point of No Return

“Nothing like that,” Skar inserts, letting go of the swing and taking my hand in his again. His fingers brush over my knuckles absently, the heat of his palm spreading down my arm. “I got down on one knee at our villa in Venine. I planned to do it in a fancy restaurant, but I just couldn’t wait.”

All a farce. All just part of the show.

But if he’s trying to play some kind of angle, I can’t figure out why. “You should’ve seen him. He had a bouquet of my favorite flowers in one hand and the ring in the other.”

“Let us see it.” Noah reaches for my hand, and they take even more pictures when I offer it.

The golden band has a beautiful red garnet encircled by gleaming diamonds. Not that I’d ever tell him, but Skar chose a stunning ring. It’s one I would have chosen for myself if life were different-if I had a choice.

“Incredible, you two. Skar, come around her from behind.” He does. “Arms around her. Yes. Let us see the ring still. You chose so well. So elegant.”

Skar’s breath fans the side of my neck as he tugs me against him. “It’s a family heirloom. The garnet is the only new addition.”

At that, I glance up at him, raising a brow. He never said it was a family heirloom. Then again, he hardly says anything at all.

“It amazed me that he thought to include something so thoughtful.”

And expensive.

He huffs a laugh in my ear, and the corner of his mouth quirks. “Only the best for my girl.”

I want to roll my eyes, but I settle for looking back at the photographers who are still capturing shots of everything. Noah adjusts his green blazer before directing his team of minions.

“We’re going to take a few close-ups. Get closer,” he orders, walking forward to adjust Skar’s hands so they’re at my waist, pulling me against him. I’m gazing up at my fiancé, a smile at my lips, yet I’m lying through my teeth.

“Love at first sight, huh?” Skar whispers for only me to hear, his voice teasing.

“Family heirloom, huh?” I sass.

“Where are you going for the honeymoon?” Noah interrupts.

“Venine” Skar answers just as I say “Nowhere.”

The cameras go quiet.

What the hell?

The longer I look at Skar, the less I think I can get an accurate read on him. I dig my hands into his chest in a silent bid to get him to shut up as I amend, “We’re not really planning on a honeymoon, but we’ll be going back to Venine for a more intimate ceremony.”

“That’s exciting. We didn’t know you were having a separate ceremony, but now that we have the scoop, please!”

Skar’s hands tighten on me. “It will be an important day for the Benenati family- and the Orlovas.”

“How involved are the families?”

“Very.” Skar’s hands tighten again.

“And Charlotte, how is your family feeling about everything?”

I shake my head, looking away and pretending to smile. “I’m an only child, so my parents are both excited. They adore Skar.”

Skar leans close enough to whisper again, his breath warm against the shell of my ear. “Do they, now? I didn’t realize I left such an impression.”

“What are you doing?” I hiss quietly through a smile.

“Charlotte, honey. I know the cameras are a lot, but you’re too stiff. Relax!”

I do, dropping my shoulders and forcing myself to take a step closer and lace my hands behind his neck. Our eyes meet for all of a heated moment before he’s ducking down to talk to me again. His mouth is at my ear. “I’m selling the story.”

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