Chapter 21: Yes

That night Lucia took Miles up to the hotel's rooftop to look at the city.

I went back to the Park Avenue house on my own.

Marcello had left the front door unlocked.

I found him in his study, standing at the desk, with the bottom drawer open and a child's drawing in his hand.

He put it back when he heard me.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep."

"Close the drawer," I said.

He closed it.

I came across the room and stopped in front of him.

In my coat pocket was the emerald.

I took it out, and held it up between us.

"This is mine," I said. "Your grandmother gave it to you for me, and you handed it to the wrong woman."

"Yes."

"I'm not going to let you put it on my hand."

He looked at the ring, then at me.

"I'll do it myself."

I slid it onto the middle finger of my right hand.

It fit.

"This isn't a promise," I said. "It isn't an answer on the petition."

"I understand."

"I have eighty-five days left, and I'm going to use every one."

"What I'm saying yes to is tonight."

His breath left him slowly.

"On your terms," he said.

"On mine. Sit down."

"Naomi..."

"Sit."

He sat in the big leather chair behind the desk.

I stood over him, and put my hands on the knot of his tie.

"Rule three," I said softly.

"Repealed?"

"Repealed. Tonight, and for as long as I say."

I pulled the tie loose.

I took off his jacket and let it drop. I undid his shirt one button at a time, watching him watch me.

I put my mouth on his chest and he made a low sound.

I kissed my way down his stomach to his belt.

"Look at me," I said.

He looked.

I knelt between his knees and opened his trousers.

He was already hard. I took him out and wrapped my hand around him, and his head fell back against the leather.

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