Page 122 of Theirs to Possess: The Marriage Claim
I lean over the tray, taking in the beautiful array—pear, oval, emerald, square.
Then, almost hidden in a corner, I catch a glimmer of soft rose. Gasping, I reach for it, hesitating. “May I?”
When Théo nods, I lift it gently between two fingers. It’s an oval-cut pink diamond. And it’s stunning beyond words.
“Is that pink?” Dorian asks, brows drawing together.
“It is,” Théo replies. “Natural. Exceptionally rare.”
Dorian’s scowl deepens. “I want my wife to have the finest diamond you have.”
“Then this is it,” Théo says. “The one.”
“As valuable as D-color flawless?” Dorian asks.
“More,” Théo assures him.
I blink, startled. I figured it would be expensive. But I had no idea it would cost more than a flawless diamond. “Wait…” I shake my head. “Let me pick something else.”
Instantly Dorian counters with, “It’s the one you were drawn to.”
“Not true.” My voice lacks conviction. “I can love anything from this store.”
“Little one… Allow me?—”
Brennan clears his throat.
“Us,” Dorian corrects, glancing at Brennan. “Allowusto give this to you.”
I shake my head again. “It’s far too extravagant.” I’m a teacher, after all. And a student. Not someone who would really wear a stone like this.
“It’s my pleasure to give you beautiful things.” Dorian brushes a knuckle along my jaw.
“May I examine it?” Brennan asks.
“Of course.” Théo gestures to his assistant.
Brennan accepts a pair of tweezers and takes the stone from me.
Moments later, Théo hands him a small jeweler’s loupe—an elegant silver one with a monogram etched into the side. Brennan brings it close to his eye and tilts the diamond under the light, holding it delicately between precision tweezers over a square of dark velvet. He turns it slowly, examining every facet, every angle. The moment stretches, silent and reverent. Then he nods at Dorian. “It’s perfect.”
“Wait!” I protest. But no one seems to be listening to me. “It’s too?—”
Dorian cuts me off with a kiss. Deep. Claiming. A promise pressed into my mouth. I gasp softly against him, my knees weak. Under his relentless onslaught, my resistance vanishes.
Finally, when I’m breathless, he pulls back. “The diamond is yours. No more arguing.” Then he feathers my hair back over my ear and leans forward to threaten me with a soft whisper, “Unless you want me to turn you over my lap right here.”
I blink. There’s no way he’s serious.
“And right now.”
His expression is so intense that I can’t look away. “I…”Don’t know what to say.
Théo’s eyes gleam. “The gem always knows.”
Once again, I’ve stepped into a world so surreal that I’m left reeling.
While I’m still in my daze, Théo gestures to his assistant, who brings over a pencil and paper. On top of one of the display cabinets, he begins to sketch on a piece of vellum.
