Page 28 of Whispers in the Dark
I pause to think, then extend my hand, signaling for the pen. She quickly places it in my palm. I turn the page and write,You’ll live here.
It’s not a question, but a statement. One that makes me question my sanity. Because for a guy who loves being alone, why does it seem both obvious and necessary for her to live here with me?
Her eyes widen. “You want me to live here?”
I write,Wouldn’t it look strange if my wife didn’t live with me?
She worries her bottom lip between her teeth. “I didn’t think about that.” She nods, deep in thought. “I guess you’re right, though. That does make sense… So, yeah. I can do that. It’ll be nice to get a little break from my crappy apartment.” A soft laugh slips from her lips. “Anything else?”
I quickly write,You’re no longer working at Darkest Desires.
“I don’t really have a choice. I need the money. Well, that is if they haven’t fired me yet.”
I slowly shake my head. Then, looking at the page, I write,I’ll take care of everything you need during this arrangement. Your bills, rent, food, clothes. Whatever you need, consider it taken care of.
She scoffs. “What? Like with an allowance?”
I shrug. Sure, if that’s what she wants to call it.
“Be serious.”
I am.And to prove how serious I am, I reach into my back pocket, pull out my wallet, and retrieve the thickest credit card, sliding it across the table toward her.
She eyes it like it might bite her. “I’m not doing this for your money.” Her eyes look at me with a solemn expression, her brows furrowing.
I know.Grabbing the notebook, I write,Temporary or not, no wife of mine will ever know what it means to want.
She shakes her head. “Someday, you’re going to make one woman very happy.” She smiles and reaches for the card. “I’ll take it to make you happy. But I’m not using it.”
We’ll see about that.
She sighs. “But I think I will quit working at the club. I was kind of getting tired of all the grabbing and pinching.” She cringes, squishing her face. “Maybe I can use this time to find another job.”
Grabbing and pinching…?
I drag a hand down my face, shaking off the sudden fury sweeping through my veins.
Placing the notebook on the coffee table, I lean back in my chair. She extends her hand, asking for the pen, and I raise an eyebrow in response.
“We have to sign it.” She snatches the pen from me. “A contract means nothing if it’s not signed.”
After she signs her name, she hands it back to me, and I do the same.
“Alright then.” She tears the piece of paper from the notebook and leans into her chair, mirroring my posture. “I can’t believe we’re getting married.” A laugh bubbles out from her. “Is this crazy?”
I lift one shoulder and then stand, heading to the kitchen.
Is temporarily marrying a beautiful woman to help her secure her inheritance really crazy? Nah, I’ve heard of crazier stories in our world.
Opening the oven door, I let the delicious aroma waft through the air, making my mouth water. I plate the steak, cutting it into slices, and distribute it onto two plates, along with the herbed potatoes.
“That smells really good.” Alina enters the kitchen and, after selecting a magnet on the fridge, sticks our rules to the front of it. She turns, dropping the notebook on the counter, and then rests her hip against the wall and crosses her arms over her chest, watching me as I add some steak sauce to each plate. “I had no idea you could cook.”
I grab both plates and set them on the counter. My index finger curls in a beckoning motion for her to come over, and I jerk my chin toward the seat.
“Oh, no. I don’t want to eat your dinner. I should probably go anyway.” I raise an eyebrow, and she immediately goes quiet, rolling in her bottom lip with a slight grin. “I guess I could eat a little.” She takes her place, and as she cuts into her first piece, I pour us each a glass of whiskey.
When I slide a cup toward her, she grips it and then, with a playful smile, lifts it in the air. “To being newlyweds.”
