Page 190 of Legacy
Her face sobers instantly. The awe gone.
The fire melts out of her eyes, leaving something sad behind.
She sits back.
“To own me.”
She says it. Not a question.
“No.”
I answer immediately.
“To ask that you allow me to exchange ownership.”
Her brows furrow.
“Exchange?”
I nod once.
“I’ve never wanted to be someone’s more than I want to be yours.”
“Mine?” she breathes.
I lean in, pinning her in place with my gaze.
“This isn’t about bringing you to your knees, Adriana. This is about getting back the other half of me.”
She’s quiet for a long moment.
“Then I don’t want it,” she responds.
The air punches out of my lungs.
“You don’t want it?” I lean back, stunned.
The foundation at my feet crumbling.
The damage is done.
“I don’t want the promise of the ruby to be why I choose to stay.”
Her voice is soft. Almost broken.
Her eyes meet mine.
“I want you to choose the color. I prefer gold over silver. But between rose gold and yellow, you can choose.”
She takes a breath, her hands trembling, her voice softer than I’ve ever heard it.
“If we continue as we are and you are finished with the ring—then, when you ask me...” She swallows. “...I want to say yes because Iwantto. Not because I feel bribed.”
I still.
She saidyes.
Not no.
