Chapter 2
Our eyes met and, honestly, there was nothing left to say. We were both adults, and 888888
Damon stubbed out his cigarette, a lazy smile playing on his lips.#
everything was already out in the open.%
That’s when I remembered he was basically famous for never getting close to women. I was about to laugh it off, to say “Just kidding-” but before I could, he actually said yes.
033
Damon used my fingerprint to unlock the door, and in the very next second, he had me pinned up against it.
He cradled the back of my head with one hand and kissed me, no hesitation.”
“June, do you have canine genes or something? Go easy with the biting.”
I frowned. “Can you not talk right now? If you’re doing this right, I shouldn’t be able to say a word.”
Damon made sure I understood what it meant to let my mouth get me into trouble./
I finally drifted off as the sun was coming up–right before my phone started going off.”
I couldn’t even open my eyes. I just reached out, groping blindly across the bed.
Damon chuckled softly beside me and snagged the phone first. The second he saw it was a video call from Michael, his face turned dark. He handed it over, gently tucking the blanket up to my collarbone.
answered, squinting through my sleepiness.”
Michael’s smile was icy. “Didn’t you say yesterday that we should stay out of each other’s business? So why did you go to my mom and talk smack about Madison less than a day later?”
“I didn’t talk to your mom! Are you crazy? Why are you calling me first thing in the morning and starting drama?”
As soon as I started talking, I froze.
My voice was wrecked–hoarse, barely there.
Michael frowned. “Are you sick?”
I let out a tired laugh. “Don’t play dumb.”
He got it then, and suddenly raised his voice, practically yelling into his phone. “Where are you? Who are you with right now?”
“Mr. Norton, whatever we had is over. Where I am, who I’m with–it’s none of your business.”
I didn’t have the energy for this. I just hung up.
Meanwhile, at the bar, Michael looked like he’d swallowed something sour.
“Michael, did she hang up on you? She’s not seriously breaking up the engagement, right?”
“No way. That’s just her old trick–trying to threaten me. If she really wanted out, do you think she’d actually let go?”
“She’s obviously just pretending to be with someone else to make you jealous. That move is ancient. Who even falls for that anymore?”
Everyone started laughing.
Michael managed to look a little less miserable–but only just.
04%
That phone call had me wide awake, my irritation clear on my face.
Damon noticed. “What’s so special about Michael anyway? He was a player before you two got engaged, and he won’t change after. He’s not good enough for you.”
I shot him a lock, a little confused.
He picked up his cigarettes from the nightstand, lit one, and suddenly got serious &
“If you want a marriage alliance, my family is every bit as good as the Nortons.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
Damon glanced at me. I know you’ve been going after that East District development project–But on your own, it’s a tough deal. If we got married and teamed up, it’d be a lot easier
Now I was really awake.
“With Powell Corp’s resources, you could get it easily yourself. Why do you wanna share it with me?”
He smirked. “Maybe I don’t want you to get a free night?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle a little. After a second, I reached out and shook his hand @
“Pleasure doing business with you”
Forty minutes later, Damon and I walked out of the registry office.
I glanced down at the marriage certificate in my hand, still feeling like it was all just a dream &
“Let’s go,” he said
“Let’s po
“Wait, aren’t we going to see the chent?“W
Damon ruffled my hair, chuckling “Nope Honeymoon “W
052
We changed into diving gear and sank into the endless blue, letting ourselves get lost in the mystery and beauty of the ocean.
The fish darting was so close I could almost touch them.
Damon motioned for me to follow, and when we reached a certain depth, I looked up–the sunlight filtering through made it look like a sky full of underwater stars.
Back on shore, someone told me my phone hadn’t stopped buzzing.
I checked and saw a flood of messages.
[Ms. Ross, this is the manager from DK Bridal Boutique. When would you like to come in for your wedding dress fitting?]
[Ms. Ross, I’m the wedding planner. What kind of flowers do you like? We can arrange to have them flown in.]
Ms. Ross, Mr. Norton ordered a diamond ring for you at our store. When can you come try it on? If the size is off, we can adjust it.]
Wedding dress? Flowers? Ring?
The more I read, the deeper my frown grew.
Chapter 3
