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At least, that’s what I wanted when I was eighteen. Fresh-faced and about to enter my first year of college. When graduation felt like it was decades away.
But the time had flown by in a blur and now I had to face change head-on. I was turning twenty-four in a week and I hadn’t given a second thought to my impending arranged marriage.
“Okay,” I said, forcing my voice to stay casual. “That’s good with me. Who is it?”
“Osian Cardiff.”
“Hmm…I’m not familiar with the Cardiff family,” I admitted.
He took a slow sip of coffee and his jaw worked, his cobalt eyes simmering with that unfamiliar emotion. I saw his chest expand as he took a quick breath.
“They’re very wealthy. Rhys Cardiff, his father, is organization adjacent and he married one of our women a long time ago. Their family owns a huge chain of hotels and I’m negotiating a business deal to invest in them as they expand further up the coast into Canada. It’ll be incredibly lucrative.”
“Is that why you picked him?”
“That was just icing on the cake,” he said, and I could tell he wasn’t being completely truthful. “No, Osian Cardiff seems harmless and he’ll provide you everything you want. He’s handsome enough and he’s got decent business sense.”
“How old is he?”
“Around thirty, I think.”
“Is he rich now?”
“He works for his father and brings in a sizable salary, but Rhys is making plans to retire over the next decade so Osian will step into his place in just a few years.”
I thought it over and decided it didn’t sound all that bad. I’d have enough money I could be anything I wanted and if Osian was organization adjacent, he would treat me well out of fear of Merrick’s retaliation.
“When will I meet him?”
Merrick flicked his wrist, checking his custom watch. Everything he wore was custom, from his suits to his shoes to his watches.
“I was hoping we could all go to dinner tonight actually. Sooner rather than later. The organization has a lengthy engagement process so we should get started soon if you want to be married by next summer.”
“How long does it take?” I asked.
“A while,” he said. “It also depends on how long I want to drag it out.”
“Will I get a ring?”
“You’ll get a whole set of jewelry,” he said. “Bought by Osian and approved by me.”
“That sounds fine,” I said, stretching slowly and letting out a little moan. The sore muscles in my back twinged. My whole body ached from dancing.
His eyes flicked away as he drained his cup and set it aside. There was a short silence and the song on the radio changed. Strains of “Graceland” by Paul Simon filled the kitchen.
He crossed the room and picked up his wallet and keys from the table. Then I felt his heat brush over my side as he leaned in. His lips touched the top of my head for a brief moment, his big, lean hand skimming over my upper back.
Warmth swelled in my chest.
“It’s good to have you back, Clara,” he said. “I’m sorry I can’t be with you today, but I promise to make it up to you this weekend.”
“This weekend?”
He cocked his head, a line appearing between his brows.
“Your birthday. Did you think I wouldn’t go all out for your birthday?”
“Oh, duh, sorry,” I said, getting to my feet. “So what are we doing?”
