Chapter 137

Chapter 137
Sheryl's POV

When I finally peeled my eyes open, sunlight was already streaming through the windows. My body felt deliciously sore, memories of last night's passion sending a warm flush through me despite my exhaustion.

"Finally awake?" Rhett's voice was low and smooth. "Here, drink this."

I blinked away the fog of sleep to see him standing beside the bed, already dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants. He held out a glass of water, his amber eyes carrying that relaxed satisfaction that only comes after a night of thoroughly satisfied desire. The slight curve of his lips told me he was pleased with himself.

As I sat up, I realized I was wearing a lavender silk nightgown. I had absolutely no recollection of when our passionate encounter had ended, let alone being cleaned up and dressed. Everything after a certain point was just... blank.

I took the glass gratefully and gulped down several mouthfuls, my parched throat demanding relief.

Rhett sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze trailing along my neck and shoulders. I felt the thin silk strap of my nightgown slide down my shoulder, and before I could adjust it, his long fingers gently lifted it back into place. The brief touch of his fingers against my skin sent a small shiver through me.

"I should have been more careful," he murmured, his eyes darkening as they flickered over the scattered bruises on my skin—evidence of our night together.

He quickly averted his gaze, and I could sense his restraint. Even after everything we'd done, the man was already thinking about having me again. The thought made my insides flutter traitorously.

I handed him back the glass, my eyes accidentally landing on the open collar of his shirt. What I saw made me freeze. Just above his collarbone was a very distinct bite mark—deep enough that it must have drawn blood.

"Please tell me that wasn't me," I gasped, mortified.

Rhett's eyebrow arched playfully. "Who else would it be?"

"Oh god." I couldn't remember biting him that hard. "I'm so sorry."

He leaned closer, brushing his lips against the corner of my mouth. "Don't be. I enjoyed it... thoroughly."

The suggestive tone in his voice made my cheeks burn. His amber eyes locked with mine, a teasing glint sparkling in them.

"So the little wildcat comes out when you're really enjoying yourself, hmm?"

I scrambled out of bed, desperate to escape his knowing gaze, and hurried into the bathroom. I could feel his eyes on me the entire way.

While brushing my teeth, I caught him leaning against the doorframe, studying me with that infuriatingly sexy half-smile.

"Maybe you should get a tan, Sheryl," he said suddenly.

I turned to him, toothbrush still in my mouth. "Wha?" I mumbled around the foam.

"You're too pale," he explained, frowning slightly. "I wasn't even rough with you—held back considerably, actually—but you look like you've been through a war zone."

I nearly choked on my toothpaste. After rinsing my mouth, I walked over to him and carefully began fastening the remaining buttons on his shirt, covering the evidence of my enthusiasm.

"Wear a tie today," I instructed, feeling a strange mix of embarrassment and possessiveness.

He agreed with a slight nod, catching my hand before I could pull away. "I brought something back for you yesterday. Never got the chance to give it to you."

"What is it?" I asked, curiosity piqued as I held out my palm.

Rhett smiled at my gesture, enveloping my left hand in his warm grasp. A moment later, I felt something cool sliding onto my ring finger.

When I looked down, my breath caught. There, glittering on my finger, was a diamond the size of a small marble—the very ring I'd sold in a fit of rage months ago.

"Is this—" I started, eyes wide with surprise.

"The ring you sold for a dollar? Yes." He frowned, gently squeezing my cheek between his fingers. "You know, most women don't discard diamonds quite so carelessly."

I stared at the ring now back on my finger. I had indeed sold it for a dollar, a symbolic gesture more than anything else.

"You bought it back?" I asked, still amazed.

"More like salvaged it," he muttered.

I grabbed his hand, studying his long, elegant fingers. This had been the first ring he'd ever given me, and despite everything, I had regretted selling it the moment it left my finger. But at the time, when he'd abandoned me to be with Cherisse and offered no explanation, my heart had shattered.

"You weren't exactly treating me like something precious either," I reminded him, unable to resist the jab.

His brow furrowed, clearly unhappy about my impulsive sale of the ring.

I grinned, wiggling my fingers so the diamond caught the light. "If I'd known you'd buy it back, I should have charged thirty million. Could have made a nice profit."

Rhett looked at me with exasperation warring with amusement in his eyes. "Keep it on your finger where it belongs," he warned, his voice soft but firm. "Don't even think about selling it again."

I admired the way the diamond sparkled in the morning light, unable to suppress the smile spreading across my face. For all his faults, the man certainly knew how to make a gesture.