Page 44 of Sacrificing Zoriah

Roman gently kisses me before returning to his book. I pull mine out and start reading to pass the time.

Chapter Thirteen

Zoriah

“Thank you,” Roman sayskindly when we get out of the cab.

“I have a question, and I don’t want to sound like a gold digger or some shit,” I say.

“What’s that?” He laughs and takes my hand.

“You are a multibillionaire, and you fly with a commercial airline to a city you frequent throughout the year while driving a rental car,” I say. “Why not buy the things you need to travel and stay comfortable? Flying privately would offer way more security, and you wouldn’t be bound to commercial flight times. Having a house or apartment here would give you some place familiar and alone. A car, or at least a familiar driver, would make thingsmuch easier. You can’t say being cheap is how you became a billionaire because I help you with all the finances, including personal.”

“You’re right,” he smiles. “Would you like to see our new home?” he asks.

“I don’t like the word, we, Roman. You better not have put my name on something,” I say.

“Or what?” he asks me with a grin. “Half of this trip is to see the house and bring the jet back to New York. I’m not sure if the car is at the house but I didn’t want to put you in a taxi or ride-share vehicle, so I got a rental.”

“Why did you say ‘we’?”

“Because your name is on it,” he says simply.

“Roman Tolson. You take my name off that shit,” I scold. He suddenly stops and pulls me off to the side and grabs my face with a smile on his face.

“Zoriah Caroline Kingston, I’m going to marry you,” he says simply. “Unless you have an objection, you are going back to New York as Zoriah Caroline Tolson. Your dad and brother know and approve. They decided you would drop Kingston so you can keep your mother’s middle name. Ben is aware and supportive, and Corbin said that Huxley would be as well. Being married to me means you get half of everything. If we separate, you get halfof everything. I am making that decision. Not you. You are not after me for my money, and I am very well aware of that. Okay?”

“Yes, sir,” I say quietly.

“And that’s another thing. Do not say “yes, sir” to me out of a sense of obligation. If you disagree with something… anything… you open your mouth and say it. I am not asking for blind obedience, nor do I want you to feel as though you no longer have a say in your life, because you absolutely do. Okay?”

“Okay,” I smile. I love that he is giving me structure but not suffocating me. I knew he wouldn’t, but he is a natural.

“Let’s go,” he says before kissing me.

“We are already married now, aren’t we?” I ask as we walk.

“Just need your signature,” he says as we continue our walk.

“I want to sign,” I say. “When?”

“I have the papers. You can sign in the car,” he says. “Are you sure?”

“Am I sure I want you for the rest of my life? Absolutely,” I say. “Are you concerned about how this came about?”

“No. Are you?” he asks.

“No,” I smile. “Can I call Ben my husband and make him cry? I feel like he would cry.”

“He would definitely cry, and that’s up to you,” he laughs.

We get to the rental and load our bags before we set off. Roman holds my hand as we drive, and I feel free. “You are going to corner me, aren’t you?” I ask.

“What do you mean?” he asks innocently.

“Fucking me,” I say. “You’re going to corner me.”

“This will be your first fully consensual interaction, Zoriah. Is that how you want it to be?” he asks honestly.

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