Page 22 of The Sweetest Devotion

Crass, but I got his point. He’d noticed my ring. But how could he not with how huge the thing was?

I plucked the ring off my finger. As if it would rid me from the whole engagement.“It’s not what it seems…exactly.”

Keith folded his arms again, perking a brow as if to call bullshit. “I’ll bite.”

At least he was hearing me out. “I…I wasn’taskedto be married in the normal way.”

“Then why did you say yes?”

“I didn’t,” I clarified. “My father’s a hotel tycoon. He’s been trying to do business with this…assholewho runs a casino in Vegas for a while—or, before he got sick.”

Sympathy crossed Keith’s face. “What’s wrong with him?”

I gazed at the floor. “He’s got ALS.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Recognition set in Keith’s eyes and I knew I didn’t have to explain further the fatal disease stealing my father from me.

No matter how messed up things were now, I still felt tears prick my eyes at the looming inevitable. “This asshole turned my father and his co-CEO down a few times, until recently he decided he was all in on a joint hotel/casino.”

“What changed his mind?” Keith asked.

I looked up at him. “My father’s weakening and he got him where it hurts: me. He’s asked me out twice before and I turned him down each time. Now, he said he’d agree to this business deal if he could have my hand in marriage.”

Keith frowned. “Are you from a different culture…?”

I managed to snort at that. “No. Or maybe I am, because the culture of business and money can make people do some really fucked-up things.”

Before me, Keith lost his resolve. “Kennedy…”

I waved him off, not wanting his pity. This was my life. “So, last night was our big engagement announcement and party. I got overwhelmed and fled. I didn’t take my phone because I didn’t want to chance my mom tracking me down. Not that I can stay away for too long.”

“So what now, you’re going to really marry some old geezer?”

“He’s not that much older than me. He’s very successful and attractive. A lot of women would kill to be in my position.”

“So, outside of the whole ‘asshole’ thing, what’s wrong with the guy?” Keith asked curiously.

I stood firm in my stance. “I said no, and that’s all that matters. To go around me and force my father’s hand is psychotic.” And borderline controlling. “I don’t know how, but I’m going to put my foot down and get out of this. I know what I want, and what I don’t.”

Keith nodded. “Amen to that. Taking advantage of your dad now that he’s sick is some evil shit. And I know he’s not well, but your dad really shouldn’t put you in this position either.”

It was true, and another point I would bring up when I got back to Hampton Hills. They could do their business whatever way they chose, without me.

Cain Carter could not have me.

I shook off my irritation and focused on Keith. “What about you?”

“What about me?” he asked.

He was attractive, clearly hardworking, and a skilled lover. I hadn’t thought to wonder if he were seeing anyone. “Are you single?”

“Of course,” he said as if it should’ve been obvious. “I’m not that type of guy.”

I liked this answer, as if the idea of cheating was just completely unacceptable to him.He was almost thirty, and it was clear he wasn’t about to be one of those men who forever acted on impulses and behaved like a horny adolescent. Who “did them” and broke hearts.

“So…” I threw out. “I’m not a cheater, and you’re single. No harm, no foul.”

“No harm, no foul,” Keith repeated with a bob of his head.

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