Page 368 of The Christmas Wife

"Their father, who is also my biological father, didn’t know of my existence until a few months ago. My mother fell pregnant with his child, but never told him. She broke up with him and married my uncle, his older brother, who adopted me. My adoptive father was estranged from his family. He changed his surname to his mother’s?—"

"Hence, your surname is Chase, while your family surname is Davenport."

He nods. "My grandfather, Arthur, found out about my existence a few months ago. He realized I was his oldest grandson and wanted me to take over as the CEO of the family."

"And you agreed."

"I want to make him happy." He raises a shoulder.

"You also need a goal, a focus in your life, and this gives you an anchor."

Once more, that strange look flickers in his eyes—it’s a combination of puzzlement and surprise. Once more, he banksit, and his features take on that mask of polite disinterest. The one I’m coming to hate.

"If this is going to work, you have to be truthful with me."

"Are you accusing me of lying?" he asks in a low, hard voice. My core instantly clenches. My nipples perk up. When he uses that voice, it’s as if he flips a switch somewhere deep inside me that controls my feelings of arousal.

"You don’t lie, Edward."

He blinks.

"But youareevasive."

His gaze grows hard.

"I know the episode in your childhood hurt you, and then?—"

"What do you know about the episode?" That uncompromising tone of his voice is like a diamond edge.

I manage not to flinch, manage to tip up my chin and peer into his face. "Just that it affected you and your friends. I don’t know any of the details."

He searches my features, then slowly nods. "I’m not ready to talk about it."

"I understand."

"Do you?" He sets his jaw.

"Of course, I do. You’re not a sharing kind of person. So, for you to say that you’re willing to allow me to get to know you is huge. You’re not as beyond redemption as you think you are."

A muscle pulses at his temple. "And you’re the one who’s going to redeem me?"

"I am going to be your wife."

"Only in name."

"So you keep telling me. It’s as if you’re trying to convince yourself." I look between his eyes. "Is that what this is about? Are you worried you’re going to fall for me, Edward?"

His features shutter.

"Are you?" I ask again.

He sets his jaw and shoves his hand into the pocket of his well-cut pants in a gesture I’m beginning to see as a tell. "I will not fall in love."

"Will not?"

"I took a vow after my last…run-in with that particular emotion…that I won’t allow it in my life again."

"You took a vow?" I ask in a dazed voice.

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