Page 64 of Money Reigns

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Warren rounds the car and takes the driver’s side.

Breathe Olivia.

He glances at me once as he shifts into drive.

“Comfortable?” he asks, voice low, threaded with something I can’t name.

“Yes,” I manage.

He hums, as if amused by that. Or maybe by me.

“You wear that dress better than I expected.”

My cheeks burn. My pulse kicks. I can’t tell if it’s a compliment or a test.

“You picked it.”

“I pick a lot of things. Doesn’t mean they all look like that.”

I pause.

I swallow. That pause stretches like it means something.

I want to ask what this is. I need to know what he thinks this is going to be.

“That necklace suits you.”

My fingers drift to the emerald at my throat.

“You did a great job picking it all. I’ll be sure to return them all to you on Monday.”

“Don’t.”

I shift slightly in my seat.

“But—”

“They’re yours.”

“Warren?” I ask, my voice quieter. “This was all very kind, but the lingerie—”

His smile is barely there.

“You put it on.”

I open my mouth. Close it.

My body heats like he touched me, when all he did was name the truth.

What the hell do I say to that?

He turns onto a main road, headlights painting gold against his knuckles. I regain my resolve.

I steel myself.

“You didn’t have to do all this,” I say quietly. “It’s a lot and I don’t—”

“I know.”

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