Page 32 of Betrothed To Love

Call? She has Mireya’s number?

“Perfect and I’ll introduce you to Duke, my campaign manager. Thanks again for everything. I haven’t eaten food this good in a long time. And don’t think I forgot about that painting. I still need to know how you managed to get The Revolution. I have loved that Nina Wright painting since I first saw a picture of it. That was one of her first paintings. I really wish she wasn’t so reclusive. I would love to meet her.”

“I love all of Nina’s paintings but I think you love her more than me,” Shuga says with a titter. “But that one, I got it so long ago I don’t even remember.”

“I figured.”

“If I remember, I’ll let you know.”

“Please do. I really want Blues of a Woman. I can’t find that one anywhere. I’ve seen pictures of it but never the actual painting and I’m obsessed with it.”

“Let me see what I can do,” Shuga says, then winks. “And thank you so much for coming today, sweetie. And don’t forget your bag.” Shuga steps to the island and touches two bags. She looks up at me. “I packed containers for you too.” After I step to the island, I hug Shuga and grab both bags. “If you need me to pick her up this week, let me know.”

“I’ll double check my calendar with Aven, but I think I’m fine,” I tell her.

“Now that you’re married, I guess you don’t need my help,” Shuga says, then laughs. Her eyes focus back on Mireya, then she asks, “You’re in Crescent Falls, right?”

“Yes.”

“But that has to change. You’re married now. That means one household,” Shuga says and I swear I see the melanin drain from Mireya’s face.

ELEVEN

Bypassing Shuga’s question about Quintus and I living together was hard as hell. For one, I couldn’t speak. As soon as she mentioned it, my breath and voice left my damn body. Quintus hesitated too but managed to curve her and get us out of the house.

Live together?

Our living situation never even entered my mind. Everything happened so fast and still is happening fast. There are so many nuisances and variables to consider, and apparently, we hadn’t fathomed any of them. None.

After securing Niya in his ride and starting it, he walks me to my car. The stroll is longer than I remember, making the awkward silence between us loud as hell. Thankfully, he breaks the muteness when we reach my Range.

“There’s a lot we didn’t consider,” he says.

“A hell of a lot. You have your life and I have mine. I just…I don’t know…Can we pull this off and make it look real?” I ask then sigh.

“We can and we will,” he says, then grabs my hands. “It’s been a crazy and wild ass two days. We can’t figure everything out in forty-eight hours. Go home and get some rest. You have court tomorrow and our announcement will be in the paper. Let’s get past that first and worry about the other stuff after. I’ll be back Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing. I’ll stop by your chambers. I committed to you that night online and yesterday at your place. I got you. I’m your husband; trust me,” he says, then smiles.

At least one of us isn’t panicking. But why isn’t he?

“Why? I mean, what do you get out of this?” falls off my lips before I can weigh my words.

“You,” he says, and whatever look forms on my face causes him to quickly add more. “I get to be married to you. I get to spend time with you and get to know you. I think I’m the one winning over here,” he admits and I can’t stop my smile.

“If you’re trying to distract me and calm me down, that’s working.”

He steps closer and removes the small distance between us. His neck cranes and he stares intensely into my eyes. “No distraction, just being honest. I’m going to do whatever I can to get you,” he says before leaning in and softly pecking my lips. The kiss is soft, sweet, and innocent as hell but affects me in the most non-innocent ass way. I feel it vibrate all the way down my damn spine. “I hate you have to drive back at night. Stay with me and Niya,” he says and I laugh.

“Yeah. That’s a nice offer but no. I will not and cannot stay in Diamond Falls tonight,” I say, still amused. My hands land on his chest then I lean up. Feeling amused and absolutely attracted to this man, I say, “Just kiss me again so I can get on this road.”

“Already,” he says before pressing his lips into mine.

What follows next can only be described as damn. The innocence of his kiss earlier has vanished and nothing but passion, a tinge of aggression, and a plethora of want is in his lips and on his tongue. His mouth teases, devours, and commands mine and I feel my body melt into his as he kisses my senses away. “Call me when you get home, wife,” he tells me when he finally releases my mouth.

I’m utterly speechless, so all I manage is a nod. He smirks before reaching around me and placing his hand on my door handle. When I step to the side, he opens the door and I move between the opening.

“I’ll call,” I say before sliding into my seat.

He closes my door and remains standing outside until I start my ride. Once I do, he steps back and I pull off. When I make it to the end of the street, I glance back to see him walking to his ride.