Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
The velvet box opened without a sound and when she spied the item lying on the black velvet, she nearly dropped it. Linc’s hand was beneath hers, keeping her steady.
“You got me a ring.”
His strong arm circled her waist as his face lowered to hers. “I got my fiancée an engagement ring.”
Silence stretched between them.
“If you don’t like it, we can find something else. I picked it because you wear your heart for everyone to see. Always thinking of others.”
Tears burned her eyes as she stared at the heart-shaped diamond ring. The pavé band had more diamonds going down over half of it. It probably cost far too much money for him to have spent on a hoax.
“No one’s ever given me anything like this.”
“I’m glad no one’s given you an engagement ring before. That would make this a bit awkward.”
She appreciated him trying to make light of her admission. Emma pulled the ring from the box and bit her lower lip as he slid it onto her finger.
A perfect fit.
God, she wasn’t ever going to want to take it off. Hell, already she didn’t.
“Tell me this is fake.”
She watched his expression in the mirror. The man looked positively green that she’d suggested he’d gotten her anything fake.
“I can’t take this, Linc. If this isn’t fake, you spent far too much.” She looked at it once more. “Even if it’s cubic zirconia, it’s too much.”
“We have a meeting to get to and investors to impress.” His lips lingered against her neck.
Swallowing the nerves that had taken residence in her throat, she turned and straightened his tie. After she made sure it was how she wanted it, she smoothed her hands down the crisp white of his shirt, again, noting the blue of her nails and the sparkle of her ring. Then she buttoned up the vest, ensuring the tie was properly tucked behind it.
Like he could read her mind, he picked up her left hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles just above the ring.
“In case I forget to say so later, thank you, Emma. For having my back.”
A flash of guilt hit her but she pushed it away. “Of course. Anything for the center.”
She held her clutch in hand as she observed him sliding into his jacket. The dark gray color with a lighter gray tie speckled with blue had been cut to fit this man perfectly.
He shrugged his shoulders and she picked up his briefcase with all the proposal information and waited. Linc opened the door and reached out to her.
“I can carry your briefcase.”
Linc shot her a frown and gave a hard shake of his head. “I’ll carry it and hold your hand.”
She didn’t argue with him and together they went to the elevator, across the pristine lobby floor, and out to a black town car with tinted windows. The driver held the door open and Linc gave him a nod before helping her in and sliding in after.
Emma held her counsel as they moved through the streets of San Antonio. Linc had his tablet out and was reading something. She let him do what he needed to. This was his show. She was his support, but it was up to him to sell this to the people they were meeting.
They pulled to a stop and she took a deep breath while waiting for the door to open. It didn’t take long and Linc slid over the leather seat to climb out before reaching in with a hand to assist her. She allowed him to help and as she stepped out, she lifted her head and took it all in. Buildings mashed together, mostly brown and drab. A few taller skyscrapers that if she blinked and squinted into the sun she still wouldn’t be able to see the top of them.
Linc slid an arm around her and whispered, “Not quite like home, is it?”
“Not even close.”
Even the noise was a lot. It was louder than on River Walk, which she’d attributed to it being a tourist destination. But here, horns honked, engines revved, sirens wailed, and the smell. Dear Lord. This wasn’t the place for her.
“Let’s get this done and enjoy our last evening.”
With his hand on the small of her back, they walked into the building and she spied Mr. Stevenson right away. He’d swapped a white Stetson for the black one he’d been wearing in Vermont.
“Linc, my boy, I’m glad you could make it. And look,” he boomed. “You brought your lovely fiancée as well. My wife isn’t here for this. She’s just not interested in the business end.” They shook hands and Emma braced herself for the kiss the man put on the back of her hand. “Look at that. I’d wondered where the ring was when I was in Vermont.”
Linc tensed beside her and she rested her head against him. “Like I said, Mr. Stevenson, I hadn’t yet told my daughter so I wasn’t wearing it. Now that she knows, I was able to pull it from the box and put it on.”