“I’d like to eat in. Here, with you, if that’s okay,” she said. “This is our first night together. I mean not exactly, but it’s the first day of you going to work and coming home. I’d like to spend it alone with you.”
He smiled, because he understood what she was saying. He had no desire to share her with the world yet. It suited him just fine to stay behind the doors of his apartment, prolonging the inevitable, when they both would go out together.
He wanted to introduce her to Jace and Bethany. Gabe and Mia. He wanted to share her with his friends. Hoped they’d become her friends as well. But for now, he was content to let it remain only the two of them for as long as they could hold off the outside world.
He leaned in to kiss her, brushing his lips long and sweet over hers. “That sounds perfect to me. I’ll order the food and you can show me what you worked on today.”
chapter seventeen
Ash fingered the choker he’d had designed for Josie as he waited for Jace to make his appearance in Ash’s office. He’d known exactly what he wanted for Josie, but finding someone who could custom design it in a matter of days had been challenging. But he found, as with everything else, if you had enough money, nothing was impossible.
He’d chosen bronze because he loved the contrast of the golden metal against Josie’s fair skin and it matched well with the golden streaks in her hair. But the stones, he’d been adamant that they match her eyes. Aquamarines, rarely found on the market, were embedded in the metal, creating a dazzling jeweled choker that would look stunning against her skin and provide a perfect accompaniment to her gorgeous eyes.
He could have chosen blue topaz, but they weren’t as rare or as expensive, and he wanted only the best for Josie. Smaller diamonds crusted the edge, providing a glittering border around the choker, and in between the aquamarines were smaller emeralds, just to provide a richer array of color.
He’d wanted vibrant. Something that reflected her personality. Not just some dull, colorless piece of jewelry chosen without thought or care for the person receiving it.
The result, he had to admit, was stunning. He knew, without her seeing it first, that she would love it.
And the timing was perfect. Because he hadn’t felt as though he could take this step with Josie until after the situation with Michael had been addressed. Tonight he would be taken care of and then Ash’s focus would be solely on Josie. Michael would no longer be a threat.
The entire week Ash had been adamant that Josie remain in his apartment. He hadn’t wanted her going out, and the one time she had—a trip to the gallery to bring Mr. Downing more artwork and also to pick up her check for the last pieces—he’d sent his driver with her, and his driver had accompanied her inside. Ash hadn’t wanted to take any chances that Michael would by lying in wait for her or that he’d make a public scene, which Ash knew would appall Josie and embarrass her.
He hadn’t explained to Josie why he’d been so forceful in his expectations, or why he’d told her that the next week she would be granted more freedom to do as she liked. He could hardly tell her that he had to first take care of the asshole who’d put his hands on her. None of what he had planned would touch Josie. He’d make damn sure of that. And neither would Michael ever touch her again.
A sound at the door had him looking up to see Jace coming through. His friend’s expression was grim and worried, but then Ash had already told him why he needed to see him.
“I’ve got everything set for tonight,” Jace said quietly.