Page 23 of Inconveniently Matched

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Okay, it’s time toexamine my head.What has gotten into me?I can’t stop thinking about them.They consume my thoughts, keep my body on edge all the time, and burn through my self-control.

It’s been seventy-two hours since the night they took my virginity, and I lock myself in my room at night to avoid looking for them.I need to sort myself out.I’ve tried to avoid them at all costs, but they’re not having it.

I had dinner with my family one evening, and Dean accompanied me, ever the gentleman.I had to meet the guy who’s going to build another animal shelter on the property they bought.And yes, I’m not proud enough to turn away funds for charity, so I thanked them profusely for their generosity instead.Wesley showed up for the meeting and took care of everything.

And Camden, clearly feeling left out, accompanied me to the spa to get a wax.Yes, he sat in the reception area while I was being waxed.

There isn’t a moment when I’m not reliving their touch, responding as if they’re touching me right now.

This has to stop.It’s all wrong and makes no sense.Taking my virginity was great and all, but I’m still the weird girl who talks nonstop and has strange ideas, and they’re still the mega billionaires who really should be married to models, actresses, or heiresses who are actually beautiful.

I don’t belong with them.Anyone with eyes can see that.

If I refuse to accept, I’ve becomeaddictedto them, then it didn’t and won’t happen because, it’s impossible.I mean, I barely know them.Just because I’m aware that Wesley likes his things neat and orderly and has an internal freakout every time he looks at the purple penthouse—though he hasn’t asked me to remove anything—doesn’t mean I should feel this way.It’s strange because he’s a serious grump, yet when he smiles at me, my heart gallops in my chest, and I can’t breathe.

Then there’s Dean.Patient, generous Dean, who keeps me anchored while also sending me straight into the stratosphere with a single touch.He knows what I’m feeling and shows me ways to take what I need.When I’m with him, I feel empowered and strong, and somehow that includes all my weirdness.

And Camden, king of chaos.He pushes my boundaries and catches me when I fall.Whenever that man opens his mouth, I end up blushing so hard my whole body turns pink, but I just want more of him.

They’re not warm and cuddly or sweet, meek, and kind.Not in the least.They’re hard, powerful, ruthless, and dangerous.There’s nothing soft about them.Not physically, with their abs for days and bricks for biceps.Or mentally.They’re stoic, enigmatic, pure alpha males, rulers of their kingdom.

And now they live rent-free in my head.I keep wishing Cass would give us the head-butt thing she does, which means we’re not supposed to be in the same room naked—something to indicate our chemistry is misaligned.But Cass thinks she’s one of them now.

Ugh.

They’re enemy number one, and I can’t stop thinking about them sliding into me, moving inside me, showing my body nine hundred other ways to explode.It doesn’t help matters when I find a black velvet box in the bedroom I use as my own.I can’t stop thinking about the contents after curiosity demanded I open it.Of course, I put the lid back on immediately.They had a box filled with lube, butt plugs, floggers, and other toys delivered to the room.To further corrupt my mind, I'm sure.

My gosh.It’s nine a.m.and I’m thinking aboutthemand sex.I shake my head, hoping to shake them from my mind, but this can’t go on.We have a marriage of convenience—or rather, inconvenience—with an expiration date.According to the contract, my trust fund kicks in three months from the date of marriage, and I need to be married for at least six more months after that before I can call it quits and keep the money.

If I don’t, I have to pay the money back into my trust and wait until I’m thirty-five to get it back again.I was very young when my great-grandmother died, but I have such vivid memories of her.I also remember her being one of my favorite people, and she would always say I was going to marry a prince and that she would make sure of it.Well, thanks a lot, great-grandma.I have three dark lords instead, and I can’t stop thinking about them.

How am I going to get through the next couple of months?

I decided to work from home today, and I’m just about to have my third cup of coffee when my phone buzzes.It’s Ralph, the concierge, asking if he can bring my father up.

While I wait for my father to arrive, I go out of my mind, thinking up the worst-case scenario.Why is he visiting me this early in the morning?

I open the door and nervously peek down the corridor, waiting for him to come up.Why is he here?Did something happen?Is this a social visit?If it were, my mom would be right behind him, right?

When he finally arrives, I do a lightning inventory of him to make sure he isn’t sick, hurt, or more stressed out and worried than he normally is—or completely falling apart if something happened to my mom.

But my dad seems...ridiculously happy.

I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tightly.

“Dad, is something wrong?”I ask, frowning.

“Absolutely nothing is wrong, buttercup.In fact, I’m the bearer of good news.Finally,” he says, pumping his fist.My dad never pumps his fist in the air.

I lead him to a sofa in the living room before pouring him a cup of coffee.He shudders at all the purple.

“Dad, what is going on?”I ask, my face cracking into a nervous and very suspicious smile at his uncharacteristic enthusiasm.

“First, I want to say thank you, dearest daughter.You made the ultimate sacrifice for our family, but I’m here to tell you it’s over.Woohoo.”

Woohoo?

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