Read Online Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy by Hallee A. Bridgeman - Free Book Online Page A

her hand down the side of the red dress. It crisscrossed over the front and tied together at the hip. It fell to her knees, and she wore a pair of two-inch red heels Maxine had talked her into buying. She had to keep herself from tugging at the bodice, worried that the dress’s design revealed too much cleavage.
    “I don’t know. Maybe it’s too much,” she said, turning to go back to her room. “I have a sweater dress I bought for Sundays.”
    A knock sounded at the door and Maxine rushed to answer it. “Don’t you dare,” she said. “You leave that on. Besides, he’s here, now.”
    Robin heard Tony speak. “Hello, Maxine. Buon san Valentino .”
    Maxine laughed and opened the door wider. “If you just said Happy Valentine’s Day, then the same to you. Welcome back from the sunshine state.”
    Tony stepped into view. “Thank you. I thought I would have to drag Derrick back –” He stopped speaking when he saw Robin. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped open.
    Robin took a step back and tugged at the dress. “I should probably put on a different dress,” she said nervously.
    “No!” All three people said at the same time.
    The look on Tony’s face made Robin’s breath catch. She wasn’t sure he was even breathing. She could see the pulse racing at his neck. He looked nearly angry, but that wasn’t right. Just really intense. Very, very intense. After a heartbeat or two, Tony stepped toward her and took her hand. “No, please.” he said more gently. “You look amazing. Magnifico . I am so proud that you will be my wife.” He brushed at his black sleeve. “I am also glad I told Maxine I was wearing a tuxedo so that she would know how to advise you to dress.”
    Robin laughed and gathered her black shawl. “You know us too well.”
    Maxine held up her hand. “Have fun kids. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
    The door shut on Sarah saying, “Maxi!”
    “I missed you. I’m glad you’re home.” Robin hooked her arm through Tony’s. “I’ve never been out on Valentine’s Day before, though I’ve worked plenty.”
    Tony put his hand on top of hers on his arm as they walked down the stairs to the parking lot. His limousine driver stood ready and opened the door as they approached, closing it quickly behind them. Robin settled back next to Tony against the soft leather seats. He rarely used the limo, and she was curious about what the evening would bring.
    “Margaret got the final list of guests’ names to Stephanie yesterday,” Tony said as the car pulled into the late afternoon traffic.
    “I know. They have both been texting me like mad. I have an appointment with Stephanie a week from Wednesday to look at flowers and place settings for the tables.”
    Tony linked his fingers with hers. “Have you selected your wedding dress yet?”
    Robin sighed, mind whirling with details. “That’s next Tuesday. I looked through magazines with Maxi and Sarah for hours and hours. We found four possibilities and sent them to the dress shop. I go try them on in a week. Whenever we get that dress figured out, Maxi said we’ll be able to get their dresses. I guess there’s something stylistic about that. Or something.”
    Tony laughed and brought her hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it. “Is it so terrible?”
    She leaned forward and put her hand on his cheek. “No. Knowing how much you’ll love it is making it bearable. But it’s new territory and I’m well beyond out of my comfort zone.”
    “Just think about how easy planning a dinner party will be after this,” he said. She opened her mouth to protest, but he covered her mouth with his own, drowning out the sound. Robin quit thinking about wedding colors and details and design and styles and just lost herself in the feel of him, the smell, the taste. Her head spun and her heart beat a frantic rhythm as the car shot through the streets of the city.
    She barely felt them slowing down and stopping until Tony lifted his head. The