Release!:A Walker Brothers Novel (The Walker Brothers Book 1)(28)

I dropped the box instantly, recoiling from the thought of jewelry. “I don’t want it.”

“Don’t, Eva. I know how you feel about the past, but these are gifts.”

“Not jewelry.” I shook my head and backed away from the plethora of electronics, jewelry and gifts.

“Yes. If we’re together, I’d make you accept every damn thing I wanted to give you.” He turned and strode to his desk and brought back a small box that didn’t look new. He held it out to me. “Your engagement ring.”

I swallowed hard and tried to breathe. I couldn’t wear expensive jewelry. “I can’t.” My voice was cracking with emotion, and tears sprung to my eyes.

Trace opened the black velvet box and took the ring out. “Yes, you can.” He took my hand and slowly worked the ring onto my finger. “It’s necessary.”

I held out my hand when he was finished, noticing that I was actually shaking. The ring was stunning. Princess cut and probably several carats, it sparkled with a fire that was nearly blinding. “It’s beautiful, but it’s enormous. What if I lose it?”

Shit, I’d be terrified every single day with this rock on my finger.

“It belonged to my mom, so I’d prefer you didn’t take it off,” he answered huskily.

I gaped up at him. “Oh, my God. Can’t we pick something else?” The giant diamond had sentimental value to him, and I didn’t want to be responsible for losing something that belonged to his mother.

He grinned at me. “No. I’m the oldest son. My fiancée would be expected to wear it, unless you hate it.”

“I don’t hate it,” I rushed to assure him. “It’s amazing.” I was telling the truth. The ring was magnificent, but I was terrified to have it on my finger. “But it means something to you, and I don’t want anything to happen to it.”

“Nothing will happen. And it looks good on your finger. It fits almost perfectly.”

Yes, it did. His mother must have had almost the same ring size. “That’s not the point.”

“You need to wear the ring, and I hope you’ll wear the other stuff I bought for you. That jewelry is all yours. I bought it.”

I tried taking deep breaths to control my panic. I couldn’t believe he was trusting a woman who had done time for stealing expensive jewelry with a priceless heirloom, and a ton of other expensive gems. What was he thinking? Yeah, he’d said he trusted me, but I hadn’t realized quite how much…until now.

Trace really does believe I could never steal anything.

He sat down in a brown leather chair near the pile of gifts, then grasped my hand and yanked me down onto his lap. I struggled for balance, but finally righted myself with Trace’s protective grip on my waist, and my arms wrapped around his neck.

I looked down at him from my perch on his thighs, sighing as I saw the hungry look on his face. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

“Are you backing out of our deal?” he growled, his grip tightening around me.

I shook my head. “No. But all of this is mind-blowing, Trace. And for obvious reasons, I hate jewelry.”

“This is different, Eva. And I love seeing my mother’s ring on your finger.”

“Why?” I asked curiously.

“Because it means that for now, you belong to me.”

I didn’t have time to babble a response before he snaked a hand around the back of my neck and pulled my lips down none-too-gently to capture my mouth.





Chapter Nine

Trace



I knew from the moment I saw my mother’s ring on her finger that I was screwed. Every well-meant intention I’d had to keep my hands off Eva had completely flown from my mind.

Yeah, I knew I shouldn’t touch her again. She’d been a virgin, and I felt bad enough for the way I’d taken her, but that didn’t matter anymore.

She’s. Fucking. Mine.

My hand moved to her silky hair and I fisted it to try to regain control as I claimed her mouth just as thoroughly as possible, my dick demanding to be inside her.

My heart slammed hard and fast against the wall of my chest as she moaned against my lips, music to my ears.

I wanted to fuck her again, this time slow and gentle like I should have done last time. Problem was, I wasn’t sure I could stay in control with Eva. I wanted to own her: heart, body and soul. I wanted to be so deep inside her and make her feel so good that she’d never want another man.

In a way, I’d actually been screwed since I’d realized she was a virgin. Primitive emotions had swamped me then, grappling with my common sense. All I could think about was that I didn’t ever want her to have any other man…except me. Hell, I probably would have felt the same way if she hadn’t been untouched. I was just that obsessed with her.