Page 42 of She's Mine

“I hope it never comes to that,” I replied, then to lighten the mood, I added, “Because you promised to take me out on a real date when the Bloodline is caught.”

“And I will,” David vowed, staring deeply into my eyes. “We’ll go wherever you want. And we’ll go on a proper vacation together.”

I wanted to ask, ‘What about my dad?’ but I held back from turning the moment too serious, and instead said, “I want to go to the beach, too.”

David smirked. “I won’t say no to seeing you in a bikini.”

We both laughed, only falling silent when Lawrence brought out the first course -- a delicious lobster risotto.

“I will miss all this amazing food once we leave here,” David said, savoring every mouthful of the risotto.

“Yes, even the chef Mom and Dad sometimes hires doesn’t compare to Lawrence. That man is a genius. Though I swear, I’ve gained at least twenty pounds since we came here.”

“I love your curves,” David said, his gaze trailing down to my breasts.

“Wait until you see what I’ve got on underneath this dress,” I teased, pulling the material aside to give him a glimpse of the lacy red bodysuit I wore underneath.

David gulped and licked his lips. “You look amazing in red.”

The appetizer was soon followed by the main course, and Lawrence had really outdone himself with the filet mignon, with caramelized onions and port sauce, accompanied by grilled asparagus and truffle topped mashed potatoes.

The meat was tender, and full of flavor, and everything had been cooked perfectly. I almost thought I couldn’t manage another bite, until Lawrence brought out dark chocolate mousse with fresh strawberries for dessert.

After we’d eaten everything, and Lawrence had cleared the plates away, David and I remained on the patio enjoying the quiet evening air, and the last of our wine.

“So, can I open my gift now, please?” David asked, his eyes glittering with excitement like a child on Christmas morning. “I’ve been dying with curiosity to know what it is.”

I held the package out, but withdrew it at the last moment, and instead leaned in closer. “Only if you give me a kiss first.”

David pressed his lips to mine, tasting of chocolate and strawberries, and I got lost in the kiss. So lost, in fact, that I didn’t notice him reach behind me and grab the package until the last moment.

“Not fair! You distracted me.”

“I’m sorry,” David replied, not looking sorry at all as he tore into the gift with unabashed joy.

His whole body stilled as he saw what I’d brought him, and he gasped. “Oh my God, Alyssa. I can’t accept this, it’s too much.”

“No, I insist. I want you to have the books. It’s my way of showing you how much you mean to me, and how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

“I don’t know what to say,” David stammered, for the first time since I’d known him, he was lost for words. “It makes my gift for you seem lame in comparison.”

“No, it doesn’t. I love the roses you bought for me,” I insisted. I really did. The flowers looked and smelled gorgeous.

“I wasn’t talking about the flowers,” David said, smoothly pulling a long, black rectangular box from his inner pocket and presenting it to me.

I gasped when I saw Tiffany's insignia on the box. “Oh David, you shouldn’t have.”

“You’re worth it,” he insisted, stroking my hand. “Now go on, open it. I want to see what you think.”

I opened the box to reveal a platinum necklace with a ruby in the center and a row of brilliant round diamonds around the edge.

It was elegant, and beautiful. It was romantic, without being somethingtooovert, like an engagement ring.

I grinned. “I love it.”

“Here, let me help you on with it,” David said, carefully slipping the necklace around my neck and fastening it.

His lips grazed over the pulse point on my throat as he fastened the clasp on the necklace, and I felt heat surge through my body, and to my core.

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