Heart of Ice by Gl Corbin Page A

new wardrobe which she would keep at his apartment. Her objections (which had been pretty half-hearted anyway) had fell on deaf ears. Andrew had his driver shadow them, so Sarah could put the numerous bags in the car as they went along. She might have felt guilty at the amount of money he was spending; if he hadn't made it clear he was getting as much enjoyment as she was.
     
    “All you need now is jewellery.” Andrew put the last of the bags into the car, and instructed the driver to take everything back to the apartment.
    “I never wear jewellery.”
    “Then it's time you started.”
    Before she had a chance to raise any more objections, Andrew had dragged her into a jewellers. The shop was empty except for the two assistants – one male, one female. Business must be slow Sarah reflected.
    “What about a bracelet?” Andrew was looking at the glass topped cabinets in the central display.
    “Holy shit!!” Sarah looked around, embarrassed by her unintentional outburst. “Sorry.”
    The male assistant gave her a polite smile.
     
    “Have you seen the prices?” Sarah said to Andrew.
    “You don't have to whisper.” He mocked “We aren't in church.”
    “There's nothing under fifteen thousand pounds.” Now she knew why the shop was empty. As she explored further, she realised the jewellery she had looked at first was in fact the least expensive in the shop. Much of the stock wasn't priced - presumably on the basis that if you had to ask, you couldn't afford it.
    “Do you like it?” Andrew caught her looking at a diamond ring.
    “It's beautiful.”
    “Try it on.”
    “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “I can't.” She started towards the door. “Let's go back to the apartment.”
     
    “What was that all about?” Andrew asked once they were outside the shop.
    “It's too much, too quickly. I know you're rich, but I'm not used to this kind of lifestyle. I'm not sure I could ever be. I shouldn't have let you buy all those clothes.” Tears were welling in her eyes.
    “I don't understand. I thought you liked them.”
    “I do like them. I love them, but I can't help think the money you have spent on me today would be enough for Jody and her family to live on for half a year.”
    “Who is Jody?”
    “She's one of the women I work with. It just isn't right...”
    “Okay, okay.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “Let's go back to the apartment.”
     
*******
     
    By the time they had eaten the dinner cooked by the ever reliable Mrs Simpson, Sarah had come around and was looking forward to a night at the theatre. She felt a million dollars in the dress, and she could tell by Andrew's face that he approved. The plunging neckline showed more cleavage than she would normally have dared to reveal.
    “You look beautiful.” Andrew nodded. “And very fuckable.”
    “Andrew!”
    “It's true. Right now, I'd rather take you to bed than to the theatre.”
    “Well tough luck. You had your chance this morning when I tried to get you back into bed. Now you'll just have to wait.”
    “That's me told then.”
     
    It was late when they arrived back from the theatre. Andrew had refused to tell her which show they were going to see. If she was being honest, she might not have chosen to see 'War Horse', but she loved it. It had taken all of her willpower not to cry. Back in the apartment, Sarah was seated at the glass top dining table enjoying a Martini. Andrew had disappeared into the bedroom to change into something more comfortable. She sensed, rather than heard him come up behind her, and shuddered when he planted a kiss on her neck.
     
    “What's that?” Sarah said staring at the small red box he had put on the table in front of her.
    “Open it.” he whispered in her ear.
     
    “I can't accept it.” She pushed the open box away.
    “You're being ridiculous.”
    “I told you why I can't. How did you get it anyway?”
    It was the same ring she had looked at earlier.
    “I sent my driver back for it.”
    “Well