Chapter 5
“Alicia.” No matter how Danica said her name, whether with an edge, a softness often misconstrued for boredom, or a tone that implied she was in big, big trouble, Alicia never tired of hearing Danica Moreau say her name. Especially if they hadn’t seen each other for a whole day.
“Hi.” She smiled at Danica as she approached, hand extending to wrap around Alicia’s head and bring her in for a lingering kiss.
For a moment, Alicia forgot that they had an audience.
Not only was Dee still in the room, but Danica’s own bodyguard did his customary sweep of the apartment and nodded in approval.
A few quiet words were exchanged between him and Dee, but otherwise, they did not acknowledge each other’s existence. “Did you have a good day?”
“It was what it was.” Danica stood back, both hands still on Alicia’s shoulders.
Does she like my outfit? My hair? Alicia was in the lacy mini-dress.
The lace was so soft that it didn’t itch at all.
Which was great, because that was the only thing covering her shoulders, chest, and upper arms. “You are absolutely stunning. They took great care of you downstairs, I see.”
Blushing, Alicia tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
After debating hairstyles with Tina earlier, they both agreed they should follow Danica’s request for her to wear it up.
Now it was in a stylish high ponytail, held together by a sparkling band that clasped firmly in place.
To give her hair more lift, Tina inserted short silver rods that Alicia barely felt against her scalp.
If I tried to do this myself, it would be so painful.
She was getting way too used to this kind of pampering.
“By the way,” she dared to say. Dared, because it was quite likely she would ruin their nice mood. “You didn’t tell me I would make a new friend today.” Alicia nodded toward Dee, who was on break and checking her phone.
“Ah.” Danica dropped her arms. “Sometimes I forget not everyone has a bodyguard 24/7. Don’t worry, lovely. There’s nothing to fret about. Just a precaution. I hope she was agreeable.”
“She’s been very nice, yes.” I don’t want to get Dee in trouble. Well, Dee hadn’t done anything. Wrong, anyway. It wasn’t her fault that Alicia didn’t know how to deal.
“She’ll be relieved from duty as soon as we go. No need to worry when I’m around.”
“Because you’ll protect me?”
“Absolutely.” Danica smoothed the top of Alicia’s head and lightly kissed the bridge of her nose.
Tingles! Were those butterflies fighting for power inside her stomach?
Or was she merely in stupid love? “Now, I have something special planned tonight. Before we go to dinner, I want to take you across the street. Do you know what’s there? ”
“No. I haven’t had much chance to get out and see things today.”
“It’s a jewelry store. One of the best in the country. I want to buy you two things tonight, Alicia. One item is of your choice. Whatever you want. Consider it a souvenir of our time here.”
Alicia didn’t know what to think about that yet. Only a matter of time before she starts buying me jewelry, right? She didn’t count the jewels she had accumulated from the boutiques. As far as Alicia was concerned, these diamonds were loaners.
“The other thing will be my choice. We’ll pick out yours first.” Danica held her arm out to her. “Shall we go? Or do you need more time to get ready?”
“I’m ready!” Alicia grabbed her arm.
“Excellent. Tom, let’s go.” Danica gestured to her bodyguard, who had emerged from the bathroom. “Thank you, Dee. You’re free for the rest of the evening.”
“Thank you, Ms. Moreau. Was a pleasure.” Dee smiled at Alicia before taking her leave of the apartment. “If you need anything, you both have my number.”
On one hand, Alicia was glad that Dee wasn’t going to see and possibly judge what this couple got up to in their personal time.
On the other hand, was it really better to have a guy she didn’t know – like Tom – watching over them?
Then again, Tom probably had a pretty good idea about what went on in his boss’s personal life. I’m not sure if that’s better or worse.
Danica escorted her out of the apartment, down to the lobby, and across the wide avenue sweeping through this part of Chicago. Alicia felt like they were going to the grand gala where she met those other who’s-who of New England.
She didn’t find other who’s-who, though. Or if the men and women working in the expansive den of jewels and gold were wealthy, they certainly were making good money!
“Wow.” The lights were dimmed for this after-hours perusal, but gemstones and gold bands still twinkled in their cases and on top of their displays. The bodyguard stood back as a man in a coat and tails spoke quietly with Danica to get a glimpse of what they shopped for.
“Ms. Colbert will be taking home whatever she wants,” Danica flippantly said. “The other thing can wait until she’s made her decision.”
“Very well, ma’am.” The man gestured to the first display case. “Does the lady have a preference in style or color?”
Not the first time she was asked that today. “I don’t even know where to begin,” she admitted. “I’ve never done something like this before.”
Danica nudged her. “Let’s take a walk. I’m interested in seeing your tastes.”
She hid a happy grin. “So you can keep spoiling me, right?”
“Naturally.”
They took a tour of the showroom floor. Actually, tour doesn’t begin to cover it.
Every display case had its own salesperson, dressed in simple yet stylish black, ready to explain in great detail the origins and quality of every piece in the case.
There were gems from all over the world, polished, cut, and placed with great precision in masterfully crafted settings.
If Alicia wanted to get a ruby and garnet gold necklace from Bulgaria, she could damn well get a ruby and garnet gold necklace from Bulgaria!
How about one of the most expensive synthetic sapphires in the world, forged in a sterile Japanese lab?
A tiara glistening in an array of royal diamonds?
“Fit for my beautiful queen,” Danica muttered in her ear, with a touch to her chin.
Alicia could never get something so audacious. “When would I wear that?”
Danica’s expression remained poignant. “It would be perfect for a royal wedding day.”
She attempted to laugh that comment off. Danica still did not change expression.
“Hey, look, rings.” They weren’t diamonds. Phew.
Alicia spent more than a few minutes peering into a large, long case boasting nothing but rings, all ready to be sized to whichever finger she liked.
Instead of humoring her girlfriend by trying on ruby rings on her left ring finger, however, Alicia tried them on her right.
Sapphires glittered against her pale skin.
Amethysts held her thoughts for longer than she usually would have liked.
But the one that made her gasp the moment it graced her finger?
A sizable marquise cut emerald, so bright and pristine that Alicia could see her own reflection when she held it up right. The stone was still small enough not to look ostentatious. The gold band already fit her perfectly. Sighing, Alicia held her hand out toward Danica and asked, “Is it me?”
“It’s perfect.”
Her smile was enough to make Danica buy it for her.
She continued to wear her new emerald ring while the man in a coat and tails retreated to fetch whatever Danica wanted. The salespeople dispersed. Aside from the bodyguard lurking in the shadows, Danica and Alicia were left alone on the showroom floor.
“You like emeralds, hm?”
Alicia could barely pry her eyes off her present. “Green is my favorite color. I told you that, right?”
“I believe so. It also happens to be mine.”
“What a happy coincidence.”
“Yes.” Her hand pressed against the small of Alicia’s back as the man in a coat and tails approached, holding a large box. “Many sweet and happy coincidences between us, aren’t there?”
“Guess so.”
The man waited until they were finished conversing before holding up the box. “Is now a presentable time, ma’am?”
Danica glanced at Alicia with a warm look. “Now is fine. Let us see them.”
Alicia couldn’t deny the curiosity building inside of her. What could be so precious that Danica had to arrange something else to be delivered at the end of their jewelry shopping date? The staff had been dismissed. This was private, whatever it was.
Oh, no. It wasn’t an engagement ring, was it? Shit!
As Alicia began to panic, the man opened the case. Three choker necklaces appeared.
“What…” Danica picked up a silver choker and held it up to Alicia’s throat. “Danica, what is this?”
“Don’t be alarmed. Gustav is a very discreet man. Not that this is something I feel we should have to be discreet about.” The choker moved away, replaced by a golden one in her hand. “As you have probably noticed, I’m public when it comes to my intentions for you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you?” The golden choker matched Alicia’s hair. Still, Danica pulled it away, a disgusted, displeased look on her strong demeanor. “I’m training you to be my most important partner in life. A woman has to mark what is hers, somehow.”
Alicia’s eyes widened. “Marking me?”
“Perhaps I will buy you a ring soon, if that’s what you want.” She glanced at the emerald ring. “A different one. One that is more suitable for a woman of your future standing.”
“What standing is that?”
A black choker bedecked in tiny diamonds now graced her throat. Danica stood back, her smirk infectious – and dangerous. “My future wife.”
Alicia was speechless. She’s serious about that? Alicia touched the choker around her throat, encountering a small silver loop hanging from the center. It fit perfectly. Almost too perfectly.
It wasn’t a choker, was it?
“Outstanding.” Danica turned to the man holding the case. “This is the one. Thank you.”
The man bowed. “Shall we engrave it, ma’am?”