Convicted (Consequences)

up, Claire saw need in the depth of his dark eyes and her heartbeat accelerated. “What? What do you need to know?”
    “Has all of this changed our relationship? I mean—are we still engaged?”
    Claire smirked. “We definitely have a lot to talk about; however, if this little one is to be a Rawlings and not a Nichols ”—her eyes twinkled—“I believe we only have a few more months to move our status to married .” She paused. “If that’s what you still want?”
    “So, me being an ass and hanging up on you didn’t change your mind?”
    “Well, you see—I’m used to you being an ass. It’s the part where you recognize it—that’s new, and that’s the reason my mind hasn’t changed.”
    Tony pulled Claire closer and encircled her with his arms. “Well, how about I work on not being such an ass , and you work on restraining that smart mouth of yours?”
    Claire pushed up to her tip-toes and kissed his neck. The familiar growl rang like music in her ears. “I was under the impression you liked my mouth.”
    His lips seized hers. Without hesitation, she met him with equal ferocity. When their force eased, their eyes met, and his sparkled as he replied, “Oh, I do. I love your mouth, your eyes, your neck, and every other part of your amazing body; however, some of the things you do with that amazing mouth I like better than others.”
    “Really?” she bantered, as she purposely suckled his neck.
    Tony seized her shoulders. “Do you plan on going back out there for dinner? I’m asking, because if you don’t stop, it isn’t happening.”
    Claire smiled. It was true; they had a lot to discuss, and a lot to work out; nevertheless, she felt empowered. She knew at that moment dinner could be a memory. If she continued her persuasion, then they could be naked and in bed in seconds; however, she needed food. Somewhere in her memory, she heard his advice, I suggest you eat. You’ll need your strength. Grinning, she replied, “I do, and they’re probably waiting.” Pointing toward one of the other doors, Claire said, “The bathroom is over there. I’m going to freshen up. I’m afraid with my crying I look like hell.”
    “You, my dear, could never look like hell . You’re radiant!”
    “Oh, really?” Claire smiled knowingly at Tony. “Give me a minute”—she kissed his cheek—“After dinner, when we get back here, you can remind me what it was you liked my mouth to do.”
    Again, he pulled her close for one last embrace. “It’s a date. I certainly hope Madeline doesn’t cook twelve course meals.”
    Once Claire was ready, Tony disappeared into the bathroom, and Claire went into the closet. She found the box from the other day, the one with the cell phones and sat it on the floor. Kneeling, she looked into the depth of the container. At the bottom was her long gold chain with her engagement ring. Until a few days ago, she’d kept it close to her heart. After her conversation with Tony she’d decided that there was no longer a reason to wear it. Begrudgingly, she tucked it away in the container.
    Now, things were different. Claire removed the ring from the chain and placed it on the fourth finger of her left hand. Feeling his presence, Claire sighed and looked up. Tony was standing in the doorway, his dark eyes watching. By the erratic beating of her heart, she knew he saw everything.
    “I took it off the other day,” she confessed.
    Taking her left hand in his, Tony helped her stand. Though his eyes hadn’t softened, his words were more of a plea, “I hope you never feel the need to take it off again.” Peering into the box, Tony added, “It seems as though it would’ve been difficult to hear that phone ring, tucked away, in a box, in the closet.”
    Claire smiled and pushed herself against his chest. “Since I don’t believe it ever would have, we’ve someone to thank. My guess is—he’s waiting for us for dinner too.”
    They left their suite hand in hand. While they’d been alone, the sun had fully set. In the middle of nowhere, the beautiful blue that filled the daytime view was now hidden behind shades of black. A star-filled sky sparkled above a dark sea, and the gentle rush of the waves filled the air as a soft breeze blew through the open doors of the dining room. Before they reached the others, Tony squeezed Claire’s hand. “This place is amazing. Now that I look around, it’s beyond words.”
    Claire agreed. “Now, it’s truly