Page 31 of Takeover
"You got me.I discovered a whole world of Sci-Fi and alien romance, and I can't stay away."
"Oh my God, are you serious?"The revelation made me giggle."You aren't just kidding me, right?"
He shook his head."No.There was an article in theNew Yorkerabout romance novels and how there were all kinds of subgenres.So I was curious and thought I would check out a few and maybe have a laugh about it.But now here I am, caring about the blue alien who was trying to help a woman whose human spaceship crash-landed on his planet."
"Wow, this is a conversation I never thought I'd be having."
"Oh, Gwen, you have to read them.I'll make you a list of my favorite ones."
"Now I’mcertainI like you a lot."
He shrugged."You’re not the first person to tell me that.I am pretty brilliant."
I chuckled."We are going to start a book club.I feel like Atticus would hate that."
"I don't really care what my brother hates," he said with a wink.
He led me through the rest of the house, showing me the powder rooms, where his room was down the hall in case I needed anything, and finally to my room.
I gasped."It's huge!"
"That's because it's the master bedroom."
My scalp prickled with awareness, and I automatically turned to see Atticus coming down the hall from the room we had skipped."I can take it from here, Micah,” he said.
Micah darted his gaze between me and Atticus."Right.Manny will let you know when the rest of your belongings have arrived.Do you have any other things you need help with?"
"No.I’ve just got a few boxes arriving later today."
"Right.I'll just get it organized with Magda to help you unpack everything.And Clyde should be here later as well, He's our butler.He does nightly turndown and that sort of thing."
"Um, I think I can manage."
The entire time Micah spoke, Atticus glowered at him, though Micah seemed not to notice."Gwen, I have to say, it's been a pleasure.Our book club starts next week.I'll be a gracious host and let you pick the first book."
"Okay, I'll try and think of something."
"I'm counting on you.Oh, and the spicier, the better.”He winked as he headed back down the hallway.“Just so you know, I'm no prude."
I snorted a laugh because I couldn't help it.He was a little bit outrageous, and I adored him already.
Atticus growled though."There won't be a book club."
I whipped around to meet his gaze."Excuse me?"
"A book club with my brother?That’s not happening."
"I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood.I didn’t realize that when you bargained for my company that also meant that you could tell me what to do with my personal time."I glanced into the enormous bedroom.“So, where do you sleep?”
And then he flashed me that grin again.That knee-buckling, pulse-pounding, make-you-burn-your-panties grin."This isourroom."
The way he emphasizedourmade my head spin."It's not necessary that we stay together, right?A big penthouse like this, I'm sure you have another room.Or I'll happily sleep in the library.It's fine."
"What did I tell you yesterday?"he asked.
His words came rushing back to me.This is real.
"You signed on the dotted line, Gwen.We are doing this.We will be married in a few weeks.Just pick the day, and I'll get you a wedding planner.”He was so matter-of-fact, as if this wasn't my life.
