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My body ignites from his words.

“No spend limit?” I tease.

This man is insane if he thinks I’ll go lightly on his card. I’m about to try and bankrupt him.

He shrugs. “Do your worst, viper.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Gianna

I found the perfect shopping outlet; everything is high-end, and they’ve even got a store that sells real estate and yachts. But I’m staring through a window at a jewelry shop.

I’ve already bought Colten more clothes, because quite frankly, that man did not pack enough, and I’m sick of looking at those same T-shirts. Yes. He’s delicious in them, better without, but some variety is required here.

Picking out a dress was the easy part. Simple. Red. Will give Colten a hard-on. Mission accomplished.

What might make our outfit complete, though, is buying Colt a wedding ring, that I choose for him.

Or is that too much? Too forward? We picked our own rings because we didn’t even know each other's sizes. Or speak before the wedding.

But now? I want to show him that maybe there is more to us than a piece of paper. That I am listening. I am starting to understand him and see him for who he is.

I like Colten Sterling. But what the hell would a guy think about a woman buying him a new ring?

So, I pull out my phone and call the one man who can give me the answer, and despite it being the middle of the night, he answers.

“Sis. The world better be on fire,” Dom croaks.

I laugh, ignoring the nerves swirling around in my tummy. I’m about to sound ridiculous. “No, I need a male opinion, and you are the only male I can ask.”

He groans. “You have a whole ass husband in your time zone.”

“It’s about him. Come on, Dom. I know you have a brain in there somewhere.”

He laughs. “Go on then.”

“I want to buy him another wedding ring.” I pause as my eyes zone in on the perfect one. It’s black platinum, with a silver snake engraved on it. He calls me viper. It. Is. Perfect.

“You two already have rings? I’m confused.”

I blow out a breath. “Yes, Dominic. I know I’m wearing my rings.”

I’m fidgeting with them on my finger as I speak.

“But I didn’t pick his. He did. I thought perhaps I could get him a wedding ring… from me. As a gift.”

The asshole gasps. Dramatically. “Gianna Milano. Have you caught feelings for this cowboy? Tell me.”

I rub my temple. “I like him. It was an idea. Forget about it.”

He sighs. “G, you remember what Dad asked you to do to him, right? That we’re on Sterling Ranch to try and ruin it to take it for our father. Have you found a way around this?”

My stomach drops. No, I haven’t. But I will. I’m not doing what my father demands when it comes to the Sterlings.

I knew that before I left. The second he gave me my instructions, I knew I’d never see it through. That isn’t an option. It wasn’t before; it certainly isn’t now.

And the more time I spend with Colten, the more I’m realizing that perhaps I shouldn’t be waiting for my father to hand over the reins.