Page 64 of Money Reigns

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.”