Page 22 of Forbidden Bastard
Sandi was too happy and nice for him, but somehow he had to find a way to keep her in his life.
He’d have to be open, at least a little--but right now he had no words. Instead he stood suddenly. “I don’t know… Sandi we should go.”
Sandi hugged Clara goodbye. “It was nice to meet you.”
Clara followed them to the door as she said, “You too. I hope to see you again.”
The two of them hugged once more and his heart became sure.
He’d marry Sandi now.
They didn’t suit at all. She was beautiful and smart and not the choice he’d make, but if she was willing because of his half-sister’s computer program then he had no argument.
He’d go along.
Once they made it outside and the bright sun of the day shone on them, he gently bumped into her and motioned with his head down the boulevard. “Sandi, I didn’t expect that. Walk with me?”
She snapped her fingers at her side to some internal music that was her own. “Sure. Clara seems sweet. You were lucky to have her.”
The actual question of asking her to be his wife was hard. It equaled giving up his freedom. He massaged the back of his neck to calm down. “Yes, and if she says she wants me to marry you then I want…”
She blinked her green eyes and asked, “Yes?”
“I want us to do it.” He let his hands fall to his sides.
He had no fight left in him about it.
She sucked in her bottom lip and just stared at him as they headed down the street. She didn’t say a word until they reached an oak tree with full green branches. Sandi sighed. “I won’t force you.”
The only person in the world with the right to tell him what to do had just given her approval, and it wasn’t Sandi. He kept his voice low. “It’s not you forcing me.”
She shook her head like she’d say no, but then changed her mind. “I insisted we come here. I’m done finding other women for you, but…”
Her voice didn’t need to trail off. He reached for her hand and she squeezed his fingers. “Yes?”
Her cheeks had a slight blush as she met his gaze, trust in them that he wasn't sure he deserved. “I want a week where it’s just you and me every day and then we can see if we…suit.”
Suit… did that include sex?
In the hotel room with those sheets all wrinkled he’d imagined for one second stripping her black dress off her body to discover what was underneath.
But he’d hold off.
It was better not to if he somehow found a way out of this mess. He waved to his driver, who he'd texted their location to come and get them. “Agreed. Let’s get your stuff and head to the airport.”
“Airport?” she asked as his black Mercedes town car pulled to the curb.
He placed his hand on her lower back and opened the door so she knew it was their ride. “We’ll stay at my villa for the next few days while we plan the wedding.”
She slipped into the backseat. “So you’re that determined now?”
He turned toward her and their thighs touched. “I’m thatcommittednow. I can give you space until your parents arrive for the big day.”
Her eyes widened. But she didn’t move and his heart beat faster as she said, “Alone time first. The rest will work itself out if it's meant to be.”
“Then let’s go.” He motioned for the driver to take them toward the hotel.
She licked her lips and his body heated. It was better not to kiss her, or touch her, if somehow there was an escape clause he hadn’t seen.
