13

Chapter 13

Lanie stood with her back to him, quivering slightly with anticipation. She heard a clicking sound as he opened the box, and then nothing for a few seconds. Something cold slithered around her neck, and she gasped, looking down. A gold collar with a single emerald in the center rested around her neck. Diamonds surrounded the emerald.

Reflexively, she tugged at it. “Take it off.”

“Relax.” He pulled her hand away, holding it at her side. “It’s just on loan from the Harry Winston store in the hotel.” Jason caressed her wrist. “Besides, it has a theft-proof clasp. You’ll never be able to take it off yourself.”

She turned around, giving him a half-hearted glare. “All right,” she said with something less than graciousness. “Since it’s a loaner, it’s beautiful.”

He grinned. “But it wouldn’t be beautiful if it was a gift?”

Lanie found a small smile. “It would always be beautiful, but it would certainly exceed the within reason limits we set.”

“These would definitely do so then.” He