Chapter Thirty Seven
Celeste’s POV
“Where’s my kiss, Celeste?” Ryan asked, shooting me a cheeky grin.
I groaned internally as Grace and I walked into the studio. I should have known he wouldn’t miss such a juicy opportunity to tease me.
But I wasn’t above playing dirty.
I dropped my handbag on my workbench and grabbed his face, planting a chaste kiss on his cheek.
“Happy now?” I asked, ignoring my somersaulting heart.
“I know I am,” Grace said, pecking his other cheek. “You’re a lifesaver, Ryan. We would’ve been screwed without those gemstones.”
Ryan stood stock still between us, turning bright red right to the tips of his ears. We burst into laughter. Grace yelped, touching the corner of her mouth gingerly.
“Don’t make me laugh–it hurts too much.” She moaned.
Thurried to give Grace her medication.
“What happened?” Ryan asked as she swallowed the pills. “Your face is covered in bruises.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just some asshole I’ll never see again.” She said uncomfortably.
His face creased with concern.
“Let me know if this asshole ever shows his face.” He said, voice hard as steel. “I’ll make sure it’s the last time.”
Grace smiled weakly.
I could tell she didn’t want to get into it and changed the topic.
“Where’s the musgravite?” I asked, curious. “I’ve never seen it in person.”
He opened a small box on the workbench. Each of the three velvet–lined compartments held a musgravite stone. I picked one up and held it to the light.
“I nearly pulled my hair out trying to find this.”
Grace studied the magnificent purple stone beside me.
“How you do it, Ryan?” she asked.
I peered up at him, wondering the same thing.
He shrugged. “I went down to the suppliers and refused to leave until they gave them to me.”
“And that worked?” I asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
He chuckled. “They’re here, aren’t they?”
Something didn’t sit right, but what reason would he have to lie?
“They are, thanks to you.” I smiled, returning the stone to the box.
“I’ll let Celine know we have the materials.” Grace said, fetching her phone.
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Chapter Thirty Seven
“No, I’ll let her know about the materials.” I guided her to the door. “You’ll go home and get some rest.”
But we need-”
17
I opened the door. “You need to rest. Please take care of yourself, okay?”
“Fine.” She agreed reluctantly.
I gave Celine a call before heading to my workbench, excited to see my designs come to life. The hours flew by as I worked nonstop. I was tweaking the details of the necklace when my vision blurred. I sat back and reached for my coffee–it was empty.”
Sighing, I got up for a refill.
I spotted a figure on the sofa and shrieked, dropping my coffee cup to the floor. The figure stirred and began…
Laughing?
I flicked the light on to see Ryan doubled over.
“Don’t scare me like that!”
He got up and fetched a broom.
“I was just taking a nap, Celeste.” He said, still chuckling.
“What are you still doing here? It’s so late.
He shrugged, cleaning the mess.
“I couldn’t leave while you were working so hard. Besides, He grinned, revealing a dimple. “It was worth it for that reaction.”
I hugged my arms to my chest as he tossed the broken mug
“I guess I’m a little shaken by what that jerk did to Grace.” murmured, eyes fixed on the floor.
Warm fingers lifted my chin.
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you.” Ryan said intensely. “You’re always safe with me, Celeste.”
I got lost in his luminant jade eyes before wrenching myself back to reality.
“Thanks.” I stepped away from his touch. “Please make me a cappuccino.”
I hurried back to my workbench, shaking away feelings I refused to entertain. I glared at the necklace–something about the embellishments I designed felt off.
“Anything else I can help with?” Ryan asked, placing my coffee on the table.
I took a sip and sighed.
“Actually, I could use a second set of eyes.” I said, pointing to the design. “What do you think about the embellishments?”
Ryan studied the design and the necklace for a moment.
“They’re too close to the center stone.”
“What do you suggest?” I asked, intrigued.
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Chapter Thirty Seven
“Readjusting the placements to give the musgravite more room would allow each facet to catch the light.”
1 looked at him in surprise.
“Ryan, I think you just gave me a breakthrough.”
He winked. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“No, actually.” I said, staring up at him in wonder. “You’re here to learn design. Instead you keep surprising me with your skill set.”
“I make great eye candy, too.” He flashed a cocky smirk.
I rolled my eyes.
“I’ll finish soon. Get some sleep and I’ll drop you off at home when I’m done.‘
He rested his head on the table beside me while I drained my coffee and set to work. An hour later, I cracked my stiff neck and admired the jewelry set.
Ryan’s suggestion made all the difference.
I was carefully packaging the pieces when the lights flickered once, twice, and the studio fell into darkness. I cried out, and Ryan woke up with a start.
“Sorry. I just got a fright.”
His stool scraped against the floor as he stood.
“I’ll check the fuse box.” His voice was deliciously husky from sleep.
“Let me help.” I said, standing up.
My foot hit a stool, and I tripped, yelling as I plummeted towards the ground.
Only to be swept into Ryan’s embrace.
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