Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
I swallowed. “You like cats?”
“I like most animals.” Dax gently placed her back on the counter and then once more pinned his gaze on me. Wholly on me. And with such devastating intensity it made my mouth dry up. “Well, do you have an answer for me?”
I licked my lips, my stomach fluttering when his eyes lowered to them. “Yes.”
He arched a brow. “And?”
Swallowing, I gave a slow nod. “I’ll do it. I’ll honor the pact.”
His expression didn’t change, except for the pure male satisfaction that crawled into his eyes. “Good decision.”
“We need to get a few things straight, though,” I said, dragging a grocery bag toward me. “First, do you want coffee?”
He gave his head a brief shake as he settled on a stool at the island. “I’m guessing one of the points you wish to address is the matter of a prenup. I’m aware that your parents and your family attorney will insist on one. Mine will as well. I have no issue with that. You?”
Opening a cupboard, I replied, “None at all.” It made sense to ensure that we were protected that way. And if we didn’t, it would only cause our immediate relatives to put up a supreme protest to the marriage—they were already opposed to it.
“Then we’ll each have contracts drawn up and get them signed.” He rested his hands on the island, his fingers linked. “With regards to the wedding … I have no preferences when it comes to the particulars. All I ask is that it be put together swiftly. I don’t want to wait.”
“I can make that happen,” I said, stacking tinned goods in the cupboard.
“We can hit Vegas, if that will be easier.”
“Nah, I’ve got this.” Given my contacts, experience, and my amazing team, I wouldn’t struggle. “You really don’t care about the venue, theme, music, location, nothing?”
“I’d like it to be local. I have no interest in throwing a big production and inviting all my business associates—I’d prefer something that includes only friends and family. As for the rest? I’ll leave it to you.”
It wasn’t rare for soon-to-be-grooms to have so little involvement. But, given Dax liked control and had strong opinions, I’d thought he’d contribute to the plans. Then again, why would it matter to him when he had a complete lack of emotional investment in our upcoming marriage?
“I’d prefer something small and local, so I’m good with that.” The grocery bag now empty, I set it aside and grabbed a full one. “I know you co-own a security firm, so I’m assuming you’ll take care of security yourself? We’ll need it.” Our families were each, in their own way, high profile. People would gatecrash the wedding for sure if they could, even if only to snap pictures.
Dax dipped his chin. “I’ll have that covered.”
“Okay,” I replied, pulling the fridge door open. “I can take care of the logistics of the wedding, but I’ll need your guest list.” I paused as I began placing vegetables in one of the fridge drawers. “Email it to me when you can.”
“I’ll get it to you tomorrow.”
“Do all your family members know about the pact?”
“Only my brothers.” Unlinking his fingers, Dax began tapping them gently on the island. “They’re supportive of it. Now that I know we’re definitely going ahead with the wedding, I plan to tell the rest of my family. Probably tomorrow.”
I slid a tray of eggs onto a fridge shelf. “How do you foresee them reacting?”
“They’ll no doubt be surprised. Maybe even disappointed, to a certain extent. They’ll want more for me than an arranged marriage. But they’ll understand and respect my reasons, and they’ll accept you just as Caelan did. It’s how they are.”
Personally, I thought it was possible that he was being a little too optimistic. But I didn’t know any of them well enough to be sure. I’d only met them a few times.
I carefully positioned a milk jug in one of the side compartments. “I told my family yesterday, because I knew then that I’d give you a yes. There was some ranting and raving, but they calmed down and swore they’d support me in this.” I nudged the fridge door shut with my elbow. “I warned them before I left that if they felt the need to contact you they needed to wait until this evening so I had a chance to talk to you first.”
“Dane will probably ask that I reconsider this.”
“Several times,” I hedged, moving onto the next bag of groceries. “He’s persistent. I don’t doubt that he’ll pester me the same way during the run-up to the wedding. Others will as well—possibly from both my family and yours.”
“It will be a waste of their time.” He gave me a pointed look. “I won’t change my mind.”
“Neither will I.” I placed the loaf in the bread bin, stupidly almost trapping my fingers. “What exactly do you want out of this marital arrangement? Just to be clear.”