‘You gave a very good impression of it.’ His eyes remained fixed ahead.
‘You kissed me first,’ she accused.
‘I admit that, but it was nothing like the provocative act you were putting on.’ He stopped outside an expensive-looking jewellers. ‘I don’t want anything like that in here, just a little natural affection for a new fiancée.’
‘I hate you, Jarrod Stone!’ she said furiously.
He looked down at her with enigmatic eyes, making her aware of just how attractive he was—so tall and commanding, really majestically male, and very, very, handsome. She felt the old familiar flutterings in her stomach. It seemed she wasn’t over her infatuation after all!
‘Let’s just keep it that way, shall we?’ he said softly. ‘I must admit to feeling slightly curious about your motivation for announcing our engagement this morning. At first I imagined it to be a not very subtle form of blackmail, then after reading your file, your age and so forth, I wondered if it might not be infatuation.’
‘Not for this girl,’ Brooke answered quickly. It had been infatuation, but that infatuation had quickly turned to dislike. His contemptuous words had turned her supposed love into a desire for revenge on his mercenary attitude towards women. He was the sort of man women fell for in their hundreds, and he walked away from them all untouched. Well, she had just made sure he hadn’t got away so easily this time!
‘Why so vehement?’ he asked. ‘It wouldn’t be the first time a young girl has imagined herself in love with an older man. Some of these girls have been known to take the initiative when they don’t think they’re achieving their aim fast enough.’
‘Like I said, not this girl,’ she assured him.
‘No, your move was made from pure revenge, wasn’t it, little mouse?’
Brooke knew he was deliberately baiting her and she obstinately refused to let him ruffle her. ‘Can we get this over with? I have to be back in forty minutes.’
His eyes snapped with anger. ‘I thought I told you to get an extended lunch break.’
Brooke pretended an interest in the jewellery window. ‘You did,’ she confirmed disinterestedly.
‘Then why the hell didn’t you?’
She flung back her head, her hair gleaming auburn-brown in the sunlight. ‘I didn’t because I’m not the owner of the firm. I can’t just take two-hour lunch-breaks when I feel in the mood.’
‘You’re engaged to the owner, that amounts to the same thing.’
‘I would have thought that was all the more reason for me not to take advantage of the situation. By the way, there’s a little man bobbing about inside the jewellers. I think he’s looking at us.’
‘No doubt. Well, if you only have forty minutes left I suppose we’d better get inside.’
The jeweller had obviously seen Jarrod Stone numerous times before and Brooke wondered if she had been right in her assumption about this place. That he was a valued customer there could be no doubt, it was there in the exaggerated respect he was receiving.
‘So nice to see you again,’ the jeweller gushed. ‘And to meet your fiancée.’ He smiled at Brooke. ‘I’m so glad you chose our establishment to buy your ring, Miss Faulkner.’
Jarrod gave what Brooke considered to be his first natural smile of the day, at least, in her company. ‘You know you’re the best in town, Green.’
‘So kind of you to say so, sir. And may I say I agree with your decision not to include sapphires in your choice. Miss Faulkner’s eyes are more violet than blue.’
‘Could we see the rings?’ Jarrod requested tersely. ‘We don’t have a lot of time.’ This last comment was obviously meant for Brooke.
She waited until the jeweller had left them alone before making a comment. ‘I didn’t realise you’d even noticed the colour of my eyes.’
‘I didn’t,’ he replied curtly. ‘It was in your file.’
‘Didn’t your secretary think it odd for you to want to read my file?’
‘I don’t pay her to think about my personal life.’
Brooke frowned. ‘I’m sure it didn’t say anywhere in my file that my eyes were violet.’
‘Maybe not. But they are, so let’s not argue about it.’ He straightened as the tray of rings were presented for their inspection.
They were beautiful rings—diamond clusters, solitaires, emeralds and rubies surrounded by sparkling diamonds. And all of them looking as if they would cost a fortune! She felt sure they all would. This was one of those exclusive expensive jewellers that only the very rich frequented. And Jarrod Stone was very rich.
Her eyes glowed as she picked up first one ring and then another, almost afraid to touch them but tempted by their beauty. As she had very long slender hands some of the smaller stones just didn’t look right on her finger, but she chose these rings to try on because she knew they would be the least expensive. Finally she looked up at Jarrod for help. ‘Which one do you like?’ she asked helplessly.
Without hesitation he chose a large diamond set on a thin gold band, sliding it on to her finger before she had time to protest. ‘That’s the one,’ he nodded his approval.
She could tell by the satisfied smile on the jeweller’s face that Jarrod had chosen the most expensive ring on the tray. She tried to pull it off her finger, but Jarrod’s strong brown hand came out to stop her movements.
‘You may as well leave it on,’ he told her. ‘It fits perfectly.’
‘Oh, but I—–’
Mr Green had already picked up the tray containing the other rings and was in the process of locking them away again.
‘No arguments in here, please, Brooke,’ Jarrod warned her out of earshot of the other man.
‘But this ring is much too expensive,’ she protested.
‘Leave that to me. That’s the ring I want you to wear.’
‘But I’ll be frightened of losing it.’ She looked down at it wide-eyed.
‘It will be insured,’ he said uncaringly.
‘Yes, but—–’
‘Leave it, Brooke,’ he ordered as Mr Green came back.
Brooke felt a natural curiosity to know just how much this rock on her finger was going to cost, but she knew it wasn’t expected of her to stay and listen to the money side of the sale, so she wandered over to look in some of the other cabinets, looking at the glittering necklaces inside.
Once outside Jarrod handed her a large square box, ignoring her questioning look. ‘Open it,’ he ordered.
She did so with trembling fingers, crying out her surprise as she saw the contents. Nestling in blue velvet was a large teardrop diamond set on the most delicately fine gold chain she had ever seen, and lying within its circle were a pair of matching earrings. They were really lovely.
She thrust them back at him. I don’t want these.’ She remembered too well what he had said about giving his women jewellery. ‘The ring I’ll wear until I can be free of you, but I don’t have to accept anything else from you.’
‘They’re for you to wear tonight.’ He ignored the proffered box. ‘I want you to look the part.’
‘And a little receptionist like myself isn’t likely to have this sort of jewellery hidden away,’ she sneered.
‘Exactly,’ he agreed cruelly.
‘You’re an arrogant swine, Jarrod Stone. But I’ll wear your diamonds