Page 16 of Worthy: Cassius and Faith

My question hung in the air. Faith gaped at me.

“I’m sorry?” she asked. “What did you say?”

I sighed. “That wasn’t the response I was looking for.”

Faith appeared shocked. Two hectic spots of color bloomed in her cheeks, but her face had otherwise gone pale.

“Come inside and sit down,” I said gently. “You look like you don’t feel well.” I took her hand and led her inside to a couch in the living room. Since she’d come to stay with me, Faith and I had been inseparable. We were constantly physically touching. But now, with my proposal unanswered, I didn’t feel comfortable being too close. I sat on the other side of the couch, waiting for her to respond.

When she didn’t, I sighed again. “I’m sorry to blindside you with that question. I know we haven’t discussed the future at all. But if you’re pregnant with my child, we should get married. The baby is my heir. It’s very important for me to carry on the Blackwood name.”

Faith nodded. “I understand.” But she sounded as though she didn’t.

“I know you’re only twenty,” I continued. “And I’m certain all of this has been as much of a shock to you as it’s been to me. But we can make the best of it.”

She raised her gaze to meet mine.

“So I’d like you to consider my proposal.”

“I will, Cassius.” She nodded again. “But is it okay for me to take a minute? The nurse just told me the results a little while ago. My head’s spinning.”

“Of course. Go and take a bath. I’ll have dinner sent over. What would you like—is grilled salmon okay?” Was it safe for pregnant women to eat salmon? I had a lot to learn.

“That sounds great.” Faith gave me a weak smile. “I’ll be down soon.”

As soon as she was gone, I took to my phone. Yes, it was okay for pregnant women to eat salmon, but mackerel and swordfish weren’t recommended. I hastily called the kitchen and ordered dinner, including cupcakes, which I’d learned that Faith enjoyed. A nervous excitement settled over me. Faith hadn’t responded to my proposal, but I hoped she would say yes.

A Blackwood heir. The idea had always been a far-off dream, something that would happen someday. In the back of my mind, I’d known my desire to keep my personal relationships tightly controlled would be an obstacle to having a family. You could buy someone’s virginity—and I had—but you couldn’t exactly purchase a wife and children.

But then Faith and I had collided, and everything changed. Our relationship had begun as an agreement, a contract. She was already used to my ways. She’d been a virgin when I first took her. She was innocent and pure, and I was all she’d known. If I offered her a generous prenuptial agreement, in addition to everything our child would inherit, she could hardly refuse me.

It was as if the Universe had presented me with the perfect plan wrapped in a bow.

Faith emerged from the bath a little while later. She wore a white, flowing dress which complimented her creamy skin. She still looked tired, but she smiled at me. “Hi,” she said, and warmth bloomed in my chest.

“Hi.” I motioned to the table, which the staff had set for us. “Please, sit.” Candlelight flickered as Faith took a seat on my right-hand side. We ate a delicious meal of grilled salmon and asparagus. She told me about her morning with Macy and Tate, and I shared that I’d been working on closing a development deal in Miami. The conversation was a little stilted, but I didn’t blame either of us for that. It had been an eventful, momentous day.

We finished dinner, and I presented Faith with a cupcake—vanilla with pink cream cheese frosting. “This is delicious,” she moaned.

“I noticed that you enjoyed them,” I said, proud of myself.

“That’s very sweet of you,” Faith said. “What’s your favorite dessert?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Chocolate bundt cake.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You like bundt cakes?”

“Even billionaires like bundt cakes,” I teased. I reached for her hand.

“I can’t believe Cassius Blackwood does,” she said and laughed.

The mood lightened between us, and I squeezed her hand.

“Did you consider my proposal, Faith?” I asked, holding my breath.

She nodded. Her eyes were clear, and her expression was solemn when she said, “Yes, Cassius, I considered your proposal.

“And yes, I will marry you.”

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