“WHAT IS IT?” CHELSEA asked as she entered. David stood on the other side of the room looking a little pale and his forehead seemed damp. She resisted the urge to rush to him and place a hand on his fevered brow. “You’re sweating. Are you sick?”
“No. Of course not, I’m fine. I was outside and it’s a scorcher.”
“That’s good.” They stared at each other across the huge span of the suite, across the enormous bed and the massive bathtub. Memories of the night before rushed at her, and she felt heat begin to flood her body. All the way here, she’d been debating whether she’d say yes if he’d asked her here for a prelunch quickie. Technically, they could still have sex without breaking the amended rule, but she wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Now that she saw him she knew she wouldn’t be able to resist, but ironically, he didn’t look like a guy bent on seducing a woman. He was as far away from her as he could get without actually going outside.
“Igotyouaring,” he said.
“Pardon?” Maybe he was sick. He wasn’t even making sense.
“I got you a ring.” He blurted out the words, still a little too quickly, so she had to work it out in her head before understanding him.
“A ring.”
“Seems more authentic.”
He tossed a jewelry box at her like he was pitching softball and she caught the black velvet square in midair.
“What kind of ring?” But she had a sinking feeling that she knew.
“Engagementring.”
“I see. Should I open it?”
He nodded. Still looking green.
She eased open the black velvet box and her mouth opened in an “oh,” even though no sound came out. “David,” she said, “it’s beautiful.”
Even though she’d known what was in the box, catching the sparkle and fire of a “will you marry me?” type ring, presented by the man she’d fantasized about during her prime fantasy years, was a little overwhelming.
And it was exactly the ring she’d have chosen. Square cut, the large, incredibly clear diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds was exquisite.
“If you don’t like it, you can change it, obviously.”
She glanced up, seeing all his fear and all the reasons why he was still single and likely to remain that way. “But I won’t be keeping it.”
“Sure you can keep it.” He grinned weakly. “You just can’t keep me.”
As if she’d want an infantile boy-man who still played tricks on his sister and assumed he could lie his way into a promotion and who wouldn’t know a woman who was the best thing that ever happened to him even if he was engaged to her.
“Should I put it on?”
He took a step back, bumping into the French doors.
“Yeah. Piers helped me pick it out and you can bet they’ll all be pouncing on you to see it.”
She blinked. “Your boss helped you choose an engagement ring?”
“I know! Honestly, this used to be a kick-ass company, now it’s like a sorority.”
She removed the ring from the box and slipped it onto the fourth finger of her left hand, trying hard not to imagine what it would be like if this were real. If David was on bended knee offering her his heart and a lifetime together.
She held her hand out, glad she’d sprung for a manicure before coming away on this weekend, and admired the flash and sparkle. “It’s really beautiful.”
She fished in her bag and brought out a flat box. “Strangely enough, I have a nonengagement present for you, too.” She held out her hand with the package, then the humor of the situation struck her, him standing close to the French doors so he could make a quick exit, tossing the ring across the room at her.
“You’ll have to walk over here if you want it.”
“Right. Sorry.” He came over and took the box. Opened it. Glanced up and there was something warm and sweet in his expression. “A tie. You got me a tie.”
“This is the tie of an up-and-coming vice president,” she told him. “It’s youthful yet powerful.”
“I’ll wear it tomorrow to work. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for the ring.”
She thought he might kiss her, could all but see the notion spinning in his head, but he didn’t. He took the tie box and zipped it into his suitcase.
“We should probably go down for lunch.”
“Yes, we should.”
He gestured and she walked ahead of him, turning just before she reached the door. “Oh, David?”
“Yeah?”
“A piece of advice. If you ever get engaged for real? You might want to work on your technique.”
And with the friendliest smile she could muster, she preceded him out of the room.