B01EU62FUC (R) Read Online Free PDF

Instead of me always saving you?”
    “Yes! Exactly like that. I need to be more like Jo in real life. Not always relying on others to take care of me and get me out of tight spots.”
    He sighed. “He didn’t ever hit you, did he?”
    She averted her eyes, unwilling to admit Curtis had hit her, but also unwilling to lie to him. She was ashamed to have stayed in the relationship for as long as she had. What did that sort of weakness say about her character? “If you want to leave and check out Coney Island, I’m willing.”
    Her change of subject made him sad, because it told him everything he didn’t want to know. He wished Curtis was within reach right then, so he could strangle the man. “Not at all. I would like to go out shopping for a ring for you, but that’s the only reason we need to leave at all. And that can wait ‘til we get back to Texas if you want.”
    She shrugged. “I would like to have a ring.” She was glad he wasn’t pressing her more on the subject of Curtis.
    He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Sounds good to me. Why don’t you order breakfast for us while I shower? And then we’ll head out after we eat, and I’ll buy you the prettiest ring we can find.”
    “I’d like that.” Valerie waited a moment before her eyes met his. “You’re pretty awesome, you know.”
    Jesse smiled. “I know that I have the most beautiful woman in the world beside me. If that doesn’t make me seem awesome, nothing will.” He got out of bed then, grabbing his phone from the nightstand on his way to the bathroom. He stopped at the door and turned back to her, surprised to find her eyes glued to him. “Were you staring at my butt?”
    She blushed, averting her eyes. “I wouldn’t.”
    “You were! Well, now I know you like my body. This is a step in the right direction.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
    Valerie buried her face in her hands. His bottom had looked so good in the boxer briefs he was wearing, she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off it. She let out a giggle. She certainly wasn’t frigid, no matter how many times people told her she was.
    An hour and a half later, they’d had breakfast, and were in a taxi, heading to a jewelry store. Thankfully, the driver didn’t recognize them, and they were able to talk freely in the backseat while they drove. Valerie didn’t mind being recognized on occasion, but she got tired of people fawning over them. It was always worse when they were together.
    When they got to the jewelry store, he paid for the cab, while she went inside. She started to look in the jewelry case, glad there were no price tags. She didn’t want to think about what he was paying for her ring.
    He came in a moment later and joined her, pointing out one he liked. “What size ring do you wear?” He lifted her hand in his, staring at it. She was so tiny. How could anyone ever want to hurt her? He wanted to protect her as much as he wanted to make love with her.
    She wanted to hide her hands. They were so tiny, she was almost embarrassed to answer him. “Four.”
    The man behind the counter frowned. “I’ll have to have one sized down. I don’t carry them so small.”
    Jesse looked at him. “How long will that take?” He’d not realized how desperately he wanted her wearing his ring until that moment.
    “Oh, I can have it done in under an hour.”
    Valerie nodded. “That’s not terrible.”
    “Will you try the one I like?” Jesse asked, his eyes on her face.
    “Of course.” She waited while the jeweler took the ring from the display, and Jesse slid it onto her finger. It was much too large, of course, but it was beautiful. “Are those emeralds?” she asked, referring to the stones on the sides of the ring.
    “Yes, ma’am, and may I say they match your eyes perfectly.”
    Valerie looked at Jesse. “I really like it. What do you think?”
    Jesse looked from the ring to his wife and back again. “I think