Chapter 183

Dust still hung thick in the air. Dominic guided Sloane back into the car and prepared to leave. The door had barely closed when Sloane instinctively reached out. For a brief second, surprise flickered across Dominic’s face. Without a word, he handed her the lacquered box he was holding. She let out a quiet breath, half amused, half exasperated. “I meant your hand,” she said helplessly. “I need to check your pulse.” Fortunately, her palm was facing downward, otherwise the moment would have been far harder to explain. And even if she had wanted the box, would he really have given it to her? That was something his mother had left behind. Precious. Irreplaceable. A collector’s treasure. If it were hers, she wouldn’t casually show it to anyone either. Dominic silently took the box back and placed it beside him. Then he extended his hand and rested it on the small tea table between them. Sloane immediately focused, fingers settling lightly against his wrist. The result surprised her, in a g