Page 55 of Bound to Him
“Just under six months,” Alton said.
“And when did you propose?” The questions were quickfire, as though she was hoping we’d stumble over the answers and say something incorrect.
The photographers leaned in front of us, their cameras clutched in their hands as they continued to take photos. Alton answered her questions like the charismatic businessman he was, and no matter what she asked he had an answer ready. After a while she seemed to grow annoyed, her brows furrowing. When she finally turned her attention on me, Alton linked our fingers and squeezed my hand to give me the courage I needed.
“Noah, can I ask you about the rumors? A man who claims to be your ex-lover, Christian, says you were cheating on Alton the entire time you were together. What can you say about that?”
I stole a breath and forced the words out of my mouth with a fake smile. “Christian and I were friends, good friends. If I’m completely honest, I’m not sure why he would say such a thing. We’ve never had a sexual relationship.”Another lie.
Alton looked at me. “I think he’s always been in love with you.”
“Really?” I gave Alton a shocked expression. “I had no idea. If I’d known....” I glanced back at Miriam. “If my husband is right and Christian has always been in love with me, I would have let him down gently, told him the truth—that I was in love with Alton. He didn’t need to go to these measures to get my attention.”
She clicked her tongue and nodded, though her eyes narrowed on me. Swiping at her bangs, she cocked her head. “So, there is no truth to Christian’s allegations?”
“Absolutely none,” I said confidently. Alton squeezed my hand again, then raised it to his lips. His mouth was warm against my skin, and I sighed in real pleasure. I liked it when he did that.
“Noah and I have nothing to hide, but we also don’t feel the need to announce every decision in our private life. We’re in love and we married. What more does the world want to know?”
“Should I tell them about your wedding presents?” I teased.
That had Miriam’s attention. One thing Ihadlearned about the people who paid attention to celebrities and the rich was that they loved knowing what we spent our money on. It was as though they wanted to imagine themselves in our spot. In a way I understood, and I knew I was lucky to have been born into the Divines, even if my dad and mom wouldn’t know parental love if it slapped them in the face.
“My husband fixed my baby, my Dodge Charger, and bought me a Truth Duke painting. Have you heard about the artist?” I snuggled closer to Alton and sent him the most loving stare I could conjure.
Miriam’s shoulders slumped and her smile became strained. “I’m not much into art.”
“Truth Duke is an amazing New Gothenburg artist. He’s—”
“Alton, can you tell us what plans you have for the Divine Conglomerate? Rumors are that you took over the company.”
I sighed and pursed my lips. Another thing I hated about journalists—they only wanted to hear about subjects related to their agenda. They didn’t care about an artist like Truth Duke, and they didn’t care about my interests. They only wanted to know the stuff that sold.
Alton straightened and his face went red. “Myhusbandhadn’t finished speaking.” The ferocity in his tone had me shooting a shocked glance at him. “If you want an interview with us, Miriam, you will give Noah respect. When he’s talking, don’t cut him off.”
Miriam blanched and the photographers sent her a stricken look, caught between terror and embarrassment for her. I didn’t blame them. Warmth spread inside me and I kissed Alton’s cheek. He brushed his lips over mine in response.
“I apologize.” Miriam shifted awkwardly in her armchair and tugged at an imaginary thread on her skirt.
“It’s fine,” I said.
“No, it’s not.” Alton gave me a sharp stare. “Don’t pretend it is, husband. You will not be disrespected by anyone.” He turned his attention back to Miriam. “But to answer your rude question, yes, I have taken control of the Divine Conglomerate. Noah and his father have given me permission to get their affairs in order.”
“I don’t see Edison Divine as the type to give up control of his company.” She slid a little closer.
“We all retire at some point.” Alton raised his chin, making it clear that’s all he was giving her.
She giggled and nodded before her eyes slid to me. “Noah, what can you tell us about Alton that no one else knows?”
Question of the century. The truth is I barely knew him. I’d known him for a week, but I doubted Alton wanted me saying that. I laughed and gave him another loving stare. “I can’t give up all his secrets.”
“Oh, come on, the entire country wants to know.” She leered at me.
“And they’ll be left wondering.” I winked at her, and while she didn’t seem to be impressed, she didn’t push me any more about it. She asked a few more questions about our first date and what we did in our free time, and Alton bullshitted perfectly. When she was satisfied with the interview, we went outside to the rear gardens for some photos near perfectly groomed beds of late-autumn chrysanthemums. The photographers took about a million photos before Miriam reluctantly said her goodbyes and they left.
Alton snorted as soon as Antoine led them away. “She’s as slippery as a rattlesnake.” He held on to my hand and led me back toward his house—my home.
“I didn’t like her much.” I shrugged. “But I don’t like journalists.”
