Page 26 of Dark Temptations

His head was out of his ass now, so he wouldn’t waste any more time.

Chapter Twelve

Ariana rolled her eyes as she walked out of her father’s office. Separately her father and Xavier were merely obnoxious, but together they were irritating as hell.

She found her mother in the solarium, like always.

“Mama, I can’t take it.”

Her mother looked up at her. “Take what, baby?”

“Them. Those men. God, I want to strangle them right now. Daddy won’t stop talking about the wedding.”

“Here,” her mother said. “Come sit with me.”

Ariana sat next to her mother.

Janessa patted her hand. “Let me give you a bit of advice.”

“Okay.”

“Do you know why I rarely go into his office, especially when he has people there?”

Ariana shook her head. “No.”

“Because men are clueless, and they all irritate me, especially when they’re in groups.”

Ariana chuckled. “But you’re okay with Daddy?”

“Yes. When it’s just the two of us, he wants to please me, so he calms down. I love spending time with your father. But now that we have Xavier, we’ll both have to deal with some childish, idiotic behavior.”

Ariana exhaled.

Her mother laughed. “You need to have a room in your house just for you. This room is my haven. It makes me happy and centers me.”

She knew exactly which room she’d take as hers in his home.

Ariana looked around at all the feminine furniture, knickknacks, and plants. She had to admit she always felt better in that room, maybe because it was so sunny and quiet.

She and Xavier had been together for three months, and when he finally got over his insecurities, he started to steamroll her into moving in with him and getting married.

She wasn’t fighting it because it was what she wanted to do, but the thought of putting together a wedding was overwhelming. Xavier just wanted it done, but her father was pushing for a massive wedding.

Her eyes rolled then the men walked in, bickering like they had been when she left them. She saw the look in her mother’s eyes and grinned. She was up to something.

“Dear,” Janessa said.

“Yes, love.”

“Have you discussed that idea you came up with about the wedding?”

Ariana stiffened and then relaxed when her mother squeezed her hand.

Daniel looked confused. “What idea?”

“You said a nice small wedding would be perfect for everyone, and you wanted to make your daughter happy.”

“Oh, yes. I remember.”

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