Page 24 of Fallen Dane

Dane: I’m outside whenever you are ready.

I lock my phone. “I have to go. Dane is here to pick me up.”

“Lucky bitch,” Liz says, smirking behind her glass.

I leave the table without saying anything else. I don’t know what to think or how to face Dane. But I can’t subject myself to any more of their questions.

Dane must have seen me exit the restaurant, because I jump as he rolls to a stop right in front of me.

I slide into the passenger seat and try my best to hide how rattled I am. Murdering Harrison isn’t going to be an option, so I am going to have to figure out what in the actual fuck to do.

“How was lunch?” He puts the SUV in drive and rolls out of the parking lot.

“Fine. Just girl talk.”

“Good.” He reaches over and grabs my thigh. The touch is possessive but also somehow comforting. I realize how much I need to feel him, and I put my hand over his.

“I have plans for us tonight. I think you’re going to enjoy it. I also picked up a little gift for you.”

“You don’t need to get me anything.”

He grips my thigh. “I do what I want. You should know that by now, kitten. Now, be a good girl and open that bag there.”

It’s a black bag from an expensive custom jewelry store. I pick it up. A black velvet box is inside. I turn the box in my hand.

“Open it.”

I flip the lid open, and there's the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. It’s a huge round diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds in a platinum setting. The center diamond must be at least four carats.

I have no words.

“I can’t have my wife going out in public without a ring on her finger.”

The gesture is sweet coming from him. As sweet as Dane Sinclair can be. I just stare at it, unable to look at him knowing what I must do.

“Whitney?”

I snap out of my trance and stare at him. He’s so handsome, and the concern on his brow is almost tender. It hurts.

“Do you not like it?” He looks at me quickly and then focuses back on the road.

I sigh. “Of course I like it. It’s beautiful.”

“Then put it on. I measured your hand when you were sleeping, so it should be a perfect fit.”

I take it out of the box, and it’s heavy in my hand. I slide it onto my finger and hold my hand out to look at it, trying to push aside thoughts of the impossible situation I’m in.

His hand tightens slightly on my thigh. “I never want to see it off your finger. You know you’re mine, and the entire fucking world needs to remember it, too.”

My pussy throbs. I’m going to have to screw my husband over, but I’m still a slut for him.

“So, who all was at lunch?”

I straighten in my seat. He couldn’t possibly know that I spoke to Harrison, could he?

“Caroline, Margot, and Liz.”

“Ah.” Everything about his tone changes, and I grip my seatbelt. “Did you speak with anyone else?”