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Matthias

I’m waiting at the base of the stairs for Margot, fully dressed and ready to go. I don’t care what time we arrive. She can take all the time in the world. I’m Matthias Montclair. I show up when I want.

The click of heels on marble draws my attention upward, and my heart stops.

No, it races.

My pulse hammers. My chest tightens. My breath catches in my lungs. My world tilts.

She isn’t real. Can’t be. No woman born of this earth could look like that. Could stop time with merely her presence.

She lifts the side of her dress to descend the stairs, and the movement jolts me into action. I climb the stairs to meet her and offer her my arm. My mom raised me with manners, and right now, my girl deserves nothing less than worshipping.

At the bottom of the stairs, I let her go and circle her slowly.

“Sweetheart,” I breathe, “there are no words. There’s never been a sight more beautiful. ”

She smirks. “You don’t look so bad yourself, hot stuff.”

Even through her makeup, I catch the blush blooming across her cheeks.

I’m in a custom tux. Usually, this feels like a chore, the layers and stiff bowtie. But tonight? With the way she’s eyeing me? I may never take it off.

Well… not until I rip it off to fuck her.

I lean in for a kiss, but she dodges at the last second.

What the fuck?

“You’ll ruin my lipstick,” she says matter-of-factly.

I grunt in protest, tempted to kiss her anyway. I want people to see the smudge. I want them to know she’s mine, all marked and claimed. But she catches the look in my eyes and points a warning finger.

“Don’t even think about it.”

I don’t answer. I’m too busy drinking her in.

From the elegant twist of her hair to the way the dress grazes the floor, she’s a vision. When my gaze lands on her bare neck, I remember what’s in my pocket.

“I have something for you.”

I pull out the velvet box and open it. Inside is the necklace I picked for her, one of many to come. I want her draped in jewels, wrapped in elegance, reflecting the beauty within.

Her eyes widen, and she lets out a soft gasp.

A row of diamonds glisten in the box, dipping into a delicate V. At the center, a large teardrop diamond hangs from a smaller one, perfectly matching the earrings I left out for her. Luxurious, but not loud. Elegant, yet commanding.

“Matty,” she whispers, “it’s beautiful.”

I step behind her, fasten the necklace, and smooth it against her skin. When I return to face her, I nearly lose my breath again .

“You should always be encrusted in diamonds.”

She gapes at me. “Wait, these aren’t real diamonds, right?”

Then she laughs as if it’s absurd.

I scoff, offended. “Of course they’re real. I’d never insult you with anything less. Only the best for my sweet girl. Pure diamonds. Genuine stones.” I scowl at the insinuation that I’d give my woman anything other than genuine diamonds.

The diamond I really want to give her belongs in a ring. One that ties her to me. Forever.

“I can’t wear these!” she panics. She reaches behind her and tries to unclasp the necklace.

I catch her hands and pull them between us. “You’re not taking them off. These are yours. You’ll accept them, wear them, and love them. Get used to it. There’ll be more.”

“But what if I lose them? Or break them?”

“Then I’ll buy you more.” And I’ll keep covering her in beautiful things, until she starts believing she’s one of them. I press a kiss to her knuckles. “Now come on. The limo’s waiting.”

“Limo?”

“Of course.” I place her hand on my arm. “Let’s go.”

I lead her outside, trying to focus on the moment. On what’s supposed to be a calculated outing to stake my claim and ward off enemies.

But all I can think about is how long I’ll last before I ruin her lipstick. Or that tiny green thong.

The thought alone has me hard.

I’m already counting the hours until the gala ends, and I get to take her home.