Mine to Hold (Mine #3)(44)
Author: Cynthia Eden

“I figure you got things now,” Drake murmured as he gave Noah a little salute. “See you at the party.” He made his way to the door.

When Drake was gone, Claire’s gaze dropped to Noah’s hands. “What’s that?”

“A present.” He had to clear his throat because the words came out too rough and hard. “For you.”

Her lips quirked a little at that. “Well, I was hoping you hadn’t bought jewelry for yourself.” She walked toward him. The slit in her dress parted, his c**k jerked, and he had to remember—

Control.

“Stop that.” Claire’s voice held a surge of heat that surprised him.

“Stop what?” Now he was confused. “Getting you presents? Most women don’t usually complain about gifts.”

Claire gave a hard, negative shake of her head. “Stop shutting yourself off from me. I could actually see you doing it just then.” She didn’t reach for the jewelry box. “And I’m not most woman.”

He knew that fact too well.

He opened the jewelry box. Offered the diamond bracelets to her.

Claire’s breath caught. “Those are beautiful.”

The diamonds caught the light, shining even more. Very rare, the natural blue diamonds had cost him a fortune—and they were worth every penny that he’d spent.

They were the same shade of blue as her dress.

The same shade to match her eyes.

“I had the bracelets specially made for you. I’d hoped they would be here sooner.” He put the jewelry box down on the table. Reached for her right hand. His fingers slid over her wrist as he pulled the ribbon away. “You won’t need this anymore.” He took out one of the bracelets. The diamonds were surrounded by gold, a tight band that would slide over her wrist and hold easily in place.

He slid the first bracelet around her wrist. It fit her perfectly.

Then he removed the second ribbon from her skin. He eased the other bracelet into position around her wrist.

The bracelets were savage in their beauty. The blue diamonds gleamed, and the gold cuff design of the bracelets gave the jewelry a harder, sensual edge.

“Noah…”

His head lifted. He stared into Claire’s eyes. “I don’t want you to ever feel self-conscious again. Those scars don’t define you.” They just prove you’re stronger than death. He stepped back. “We need to hurry downstairs. I should—”

“Thank you.”

I don’t want your thanks. I just want you. He straightened his tux. “There will be a large number of photographers and reporters in the hotel tonight, so you need to prepare for their questions.”

Her fingers slid over the bracelet on her left wrist. “Am I supposed to be your assistant tonight? Or your lover?”

The question caught him off-guard. “You’re both. I thought I made that clear.”

Her fingers kept stroking the bracelet.

I want to see her in those bracelets and nothing else.

By the end of the night, he would.

“You don’t f**k your employees, remember?”

“You’re more than an employee.” Soon, everyone would know that.

He offered her his arm. “Time to go.” There would be no going back after this.

She touched him lightly. Her body pressed against his. The woman smelled delicious.

Her fingers curled around his arm. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’m worried.”

“You shouldn’t be.” He caught her hand. Lifted it to his lips. Pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I want you to trust me.”

“I do.”

The instant words seemed to slam into him. Noah forced a smile. “Then you have nothing to fear.”

***

The packed hotel ballroom had Claire’s knees knocking together. Energy filled the air. Laughter and drinks were flowing freely.

And it sure seemed like reporters were everywhere.

Claire and Noah had barely gotten past the gleaming, marble steps in the ballroom when the first set of reporters closed in.

Sure, the men were in perfectly cut tuxes and the women wore glittering gowns, but Claire could see the avid gleam in their eyes and—

“Noah York…” A redhead murmured as her lips rose in a smile that never met her eyes.

“Jennifer.” He inclined his head.

“Are the rumors true?” she asked. Then Jennifer directed her stare at Claire. “Are you the infamous Claire Kramer?”

“Jennifer Swan sort of…manages the main gossip pages in town,” Noah said to Claire as his finger stroked down her arm. “And, baby, being called ‘infamous’ is a good thing.”

Wait, had he just called Claire ‘baby’ in front of all those people?

“Then the stories about the two of you being an item are true?” Jennifer demanded as she inched closer. “Interesting. Claire, how do you feel about—”

“Claire’s my fiancée,” Noah said, and his voice seemed to carry all the way across the ballroom. “So, yes, Jennifer, we’re an item.” He gave the group of reporters a wide smile. “And feel free to print that in the papers.”

Cameras flashed then.

“Smile, Claire,” Noah whispered. His lips brushed over her ear. She felt the sensual lick of his tongue against her.

Claire smiled.

And, just like that, with his one, earth-shattering announcement, she and Noah were the center of attention in that ballroom. Everyone was looking at them.

Some people were smiling. Some were whispering.

Claire wanted to vanish.

The crowd closed in tighter.

Noah climbed up a few steps, pulling her back up with him. Then Janelle was there—and she had a microphone in her hand. She offered it to Noah.

Noah planned this.

Now Claire knew why he’d wanted her to wear the perfect dress. His fiancée had to be perfect.

“On the first anniversary of this hotel…” Noah sounded so smooth and polished as he addressed the crowd around them. “It only seems fitting that I get to share news that has made me the happiest man on earth.”

Liar, liar. She hated it when Noah lied.

He lifted her hand into the air. The blue diamonds around her wrist caught the light and seemed to shine even brighter. “Claire Kramer has just consented to be my wife.”

Applause shook the ballroom.

Noah laughed. “And I want you all to celebrate with us. Bring out the champagne!”

And, at his order, the champagne flowed. As if they’d been waiting for that cue—and Claire suspected they had—waiters bustled out with dozens and dozens of champagne flutes. The champagne was distributed quickly.