Page 71 of The Christmas Trap

"She is." I’m barely aware I’ve said the words aloud.

Lark jerks her chin up. Whatever she sees on my face makes her flush. She pulls her hand from mine.

"I can’t accept this." She tries to take off the ring which, thankfully, refuses to slip off.

I place my hand over both of hers. "It’s yours."

"But… But… It’s so expensive."

"It’s what you deserve."

She opens her mouth to protest again, but I cut in. "We need to do this right to convince my grandfather, my family, and yours. You’re engaged to a Davenport. You’re expected to have a ring that reflects the union."

"Right." She subsides a little.

"Besides, it looks perfect on you." I take in the ring on her finger, and the possessiveness I felt earlier multiplies. Woven in with it is satisfaction. That I can proclaim to the world she’s mine.All unfamiliar.Which also feels, weirdly, right. Was it always about the woman? Is it the fact that it’s her I’m marrying that makes it different?

She blushes harder. "Thanks." She lowers her head, so her hair falls over her face. I let her hide her expression from me, for now.

I nod at the salesperson, who seems delighted. No doubt, it’s the biggest sale he’s made this year. "Congratulations, Mr. Davenport and Ms. Monroe. I hope you will be very happy."

She rises to her feet. "Thank you for your kind wishes." She slips out from behind the chair.

I take her arm and lead her out.

The bill will be debited to my account directly. Nothing so crass as paying with my credit card here.

When we reach the door, I hold it open. Then I wave off the valet and pull open the passenger door to my car. Shutting it after her, I round the front and slip into the driver’s seat.

I ease the car onto the road. We drive in silence for a while. When I take the turn off from the main road, she frowns. "You know the way to my home?"

"You did fill out your address on the HR forms."

"And you remember what it is?"

I keep my tone casual. “I have a good memory.”

And I made sure to read her HR form thoroughly, greedy for any detail it afforded about her.

Silence falls between us. I glance sideways to find a thoughtful expression on her features.

We pull up in front of the building which houses her flat. I’m out of the car and opening her door before she can.

"I can see myself inside." She slides out, then walks past me and up the path leading to the front door of the apartment block. It’s a quiet neighborhood. Firmly middle class. She keys in the code that lets her in the main door. And has security.

Which I approve of.

She turns, holding the door open with her hip. "I really can take it from here."

I read the determination on her features and decide not to push it. I take in her lips and want so badly to kiss her.

But if I do, I won't be able to leave her. And I need to give her a little time to come to terms with all the changes in her life.

I bend my head, kiss her on her cheek instead, then step back. “See you tomorrow at work?”

22

Brody