Page 51 of Forgotten Desires

“I work very hard to stay out of them. My company takes the credit, I’m just the man behind the curtain. Jacqueline is using my name now to build her case. Suddenly, what I do and who I’m with matters.”

She stands before me, looking so damn perfect it actually hurts. “Then we’ll give them a wedding and photos of us in marital bliss.”

I smile down at her. “I don’t know that you’ll have much bliss, but . . .”

“Well, you are pushy.”

“And you still hog the covers.”

Her eyes widen. “I do not.”

“I woke up to you climbing me like a tree.”

“I’m so sure,” she huffs. “Anyway, what are our plans after brunch?”

“I have to go to the office. I’d like you to come with me and meet some of the people there. My lawyer will be meeting us there as well, she wants to talk to you about the case and make sure you and I are on the same page. Then we pick up Layla for dinner.”

That’s if her piece of shit mother doesn’t pull some bullshit after she wakes up to see the news.

“Do you have a plan to tell her?”

“I think we just tell her that we’re getting married. She’s four, so I don’t think we’ll have issues. She’s a really sweet kid.”

Brynn smiles. “I know, I just wasn’t sure what the plan was.”

I wish I had one. I wish I knew what to do in this situation, but it’s all uncharted water.

My phone rings again, and I toss it over on the chair. I’m not in the mood for any of this. “Are you hungry?”

“For breakfast?”

“You know, that meal after you wake up,” I tease her.

“I know what breakfast is, ass.”

“Come on, I need to eat and I’m craving eggs and bacon.”

Brynn eyes me warily. “Do billionaires even know how to cook?”

I grin. “Some of us do.”

“Wow, who would’ve thunk it.”

“Luckily for you, you got the upgraded version.”

She laughs and playfully taps my chest. “Yes, lucky me. Let’s see you in action and I’ll let you know if your upgrades are complete or if you need a new version.”

* * *

“And how was brunch with your family to announce your engagement?” Ms. Banks asks as we’re sitting in my office a few hours later.

Brunch was exactly what I thought it would be. My sister was incredibly supportive, hugged Brynn and welcomed her to the family.

My brothers were reserved but wished us well, and I got text messages from both of them letting me know I wasn’t behaving like myself and they hoped I wasn’t being blackmailed.

Dad was . . . quiet. Mom was in her own world, but both said they hoped this marriage was better than the last.

Which is comedic since they’re the ones who basically forced me to marry Digger.

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