m cone? I look up at him, bemused.
“Vanilla?” He shrugs apologetically, and I can’t help but laugh. Of course.
“Christian, this is beautiful. Thank you. It’s yar.”
He grins. My fa一vorite is the heart. It’s a locket. “You can put a picture or
whatever in that.”
“A picture of you.” I glance at him through my lashes. “Always in my heart.”
He smiles his lovely, heart-aching, shy smile.
I fondle the last two charms: a letter C—oh yes, I was his first girlfriend or
whatever to use his given name. I smile at the thought. And finally, there’s a
key.
“To my heart and soul,” he whispers.
Tears prick my eyes. I launch myself at him, curling my arms around his neck
and settling into his lap. “It’s such a thoughtful present. I love it. Thank you,” I
murmur against his ear. Oh, he smells so good—clean, of fresh linen, and
body wash and Christian. Like home, my home. My threatened tears begin to
fall.
He groans softly and enfolds me in his embrace.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” My voice cracks as I try to hold back
the overwhelming swell of emotion.
He swallows hard, and tightens his hold on me. “Please don’t cry.”
I sniff in a rather unladylike way. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy and sad and
anxious at the same time. It’s bittersweet.”
“Hey.” His voice is feather soft. Tipping my head back, he plants a gentle
kiss on my lips. “I understand.”
“I know,” I whisper, and I’m rewarded with his shy smile again.
346 | P a g e
E L JAMES
“I wish we were in happier circumstances and at home. But we’re here.” He
shrugs apologetically once more. “Come, up you go. After breakfast, we’ll
check on Ray.” He kisses me gently once more, releases me, and stands up.
Once dressed in my new jeans and t-shirt, my appetite makes a brief but
welcome return during breakfast in our suite. I know Christian is pleased to
see me eating my granola and Greek yogurt.
“Thank you for ordering my fa一vorite breakfast.”
“It’s your birthday,” Christian says softly. “And you ha一ve to stop thanking me.”
He rolls
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