Page 32 of His Jewel

She’d finally found a job. A job she loved. She was a real writer, making a living in New York. It was no mean feat.

She gave her new family a hug before Josh walked her to the door.

She reached up on her toes to kiss him.

“I miss you already,” he told her.

“Don’t make it hard to leave,” she protested, tucking into him, inhaling his musky scent before tearing herself away.

She smiled down at the ruby glinting in her ring the whole way to the office.

****

Josh

He couldn’t deny that talking with her family was hard. It was. He breathed an audible sigh of relief when the call hung up, but he was trying. For her. Even though they had each other now, forever, no one deserved to be lonely. He said goodbye to his family, who were heading out for a day of sightseeing, glad to have the apartment to himself. He had plans.

A few hours later, the key turned in the lock, and the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen walked through the door. And now she just so happened to be his fiancée.

Her breath caught in her throat before her stunning face cracked into a grin as she looked around.

He grinned. “Care to join me for dinner?” He held the chair out for her.

She shrugged off her coat, walking deeper into the room, her eyes taking in the butler, the chef, the five-course meal being prepared. Rose petals littered the floor, red, her favorite, naturally.

“I thought we could wedding plan in style.”

To be honest, he also wanted to do this before his mom and sister took over.

“I love it, almost as much as I love you.” She smiled and took her seat.

He could lose himself in her eyes for hours.

She laced her fingers with his. “So, let’s get started.”

“Can I be honest? All I really care about is marrying you. And I want it to happen as soon as possible.” He raised her hand to his lips, kissing the soft skin and inhaling her peaches and cream scent.

“Mrs. Ruby Hall,” she said.

It did something to him.

His voice deepened. “Say that again.”

She said it again. Slowly, like she was savoring the words, like they were the most delicious meal. Her gaze locked onto his, her lips parting.

He needed her. Now.

The meal ... the chef...

They could wait. He was hungry for something else now. He went over and whispered in her ear, before dragging Ruby’s chair back and carrying her to the bedroom.

“Just giving you a preview of our wedding night.”

When they finally stumbled back into the room, Ruby profusely apologizing to the chef and butler, they tucked into their first course.

“Guests?”

“Intimate. Just family and close friends,” she said.

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