Page 162 of Dukes Are Forever
"How do you do that?"
"See right through you?" She quirked a brow. "We embarked upon war, Malloryn, and the first act of engagement is to know your enemy. I think I'm finally starting to get a handle on how you think."
"Well, that makes one of us. You always seem to catchmeby surprise."
Adele reached out and captured his fingers in hers. "You could just tell me what it is, you know? Someone once told me trust is an art that soothes the waters of marriage considerably."
"Sounds like a smart fellow." Malloryn said. "Turn around."
Adele obediently faced the mirror.
Malloryn loomed over her shoulder, his expression tightening, which was a sure sign of his emotional state.
"I'm not very good at this." Reaching around in front of her, he moved to put something around her throat. "But I wanted to give you something."
"I adore presents."
"I noticed," he murmured. "This is our last night together. Tomorrow, we set our trap and it wouldn't be wise for me to stay with you at night."
"That's all right. I have the crown."
A soft laugh escaped him. "I swear to God, Adele. I'm trying to be serious."
"So am I."
"I never thought I'd resent a hunk of gold and gemstones so much. With all the Devoncourts of the world flirting with you, it's a fucking crown that tempts you."
"Thecrown," she teased. "Every little girl dreams of being a princess. I could almost kiss you right now for making my dreams come true."
"Almost? Well." He leaned his chin on her shoulder as he examined her in the mirror. "Now you're making me wonder if my paltry gift is even worth it."
A heavy weight settled against her throat.
And despite her giddiness, she couldn't help feeling a little nervous. "You went shopping for me?"
"No."
Adele's smile slipped off her face as she saw what he was draping around her throat. "Oh, my goodness. My pearls."
"I had them fixed for you," he said as he gently worked the clasp. "They were your grandmother's. I know how much they meant to you."
Adele touched the pearls as if to make certain they were real. Her heart started thumping. "How did you know they were my grandmother's?"
"You told me. On our wedding day. For all your talk of diamonds and precious gems, you chose to wear your sentimental favorites."
He'd remembered?
Tears glittered in her eyes. They were perfectly put back together. If she hadn't been there when Jelena broke them, she wouldn't have believed they'd even been ruined.
And how had he...? With everything that had been going on, he'd remembered her pearls and gotten them fixed. The thoughtfulness shocked her.
"Better than a crown?"
Emotion thickened in her throat, choking her. All she could do was nod.
"Good. Because while we have this chance, I wanted one last night with you. And I want it to be perfect." Malloryn's voice turned soft and teasing. "Good gods, are you crying?"
Adele turned and slid a hand into his hair as she dragged his face down to hers. Their lips touched and then Malloryn kissed her. Truly kissed her. Lazy and slow and heated in all the good ways.
