Page 17 of Trust Me With Forever

“Because I’m not the catch they were hoping for? Were they waiting for a billionaire philanthropist instead? Hmm?”

She rolled her eyes, and I nearly smiled since it meant the fun, more confident version of Abby was returning. She replied, “Being rich and sexy, of course you’re a catch, even if you’re not a billionaire philanthropist. However, you’re also Emmy’s brother, and West kind of doesn’t like you right now.”

“You think I’m sexy?”

“Really? That’s what you focus on?”

I tugged her closer, and she came, but stopped about six inches away from me. “We’ll talk about how you think I’m dead gorgeous later. For now, we need to decide when to tell our families and also practice being a couple.”

“Dead gorgeous? Is that more Brit speak?” I narrowed my eyes, and she laughed. “Fine. I’ll stop pointing it out unless it’s really funny. As for our families, you’re going to Emmy and West’s upcoming dinner, aren’t you?”

“You want to tell everyone at their first dinner after getting married?”

“Well, it has to be soon. Unless you want to wait to have me move in here.”

“No.”

She blinked. “Um, that was growly and quick.”

Shit, she was right. But for some reason, I craved her being around me. I wanted her close, both to talk with her and to protect her.

Yes, to protect her. That was the reason.

Liar.

I focused on the topic at hand. “It’ll look better, from a PR perspective, if the news of our Vegas wedding slips out.”

“True. Well, then Emmy and West’s dinner is probably the best time since everyone will be there. However, that means we have a lot to do in the next few days, and not just me packing everything up in secret. We need to decide what kind of married couple we’re going to be.”

She tugged, and I reluctantly released her hand. After sitting on a stool, she peered into her empty mug and sighed. “Oh, caffeine, you would’ve made this easier.”

I went to the espresso machine. “You just have to ask, Abigail. I won’t say yes to everything, but at least ask me. For the next year, you’re not on your own. We’re a team.”

“Sorry, I’ll try. But I’m not very good at directly asking for things. Well, sincehim.”

I turned and leaned on the island, so I could be at her eye level. “That’s one of my requirements for this marriage then: youhave to ask me for what you want. I might say no, but I will give you a straight answer.”

“That’s going to be hard. But that means you have to do it too.”

I put out a hand to shake. “Let’s seal our deal, shall we?”

“Shall we?” I opened my mouth to stop her mocking, but she placed her hand in mine and shook. “We shall.”

Her soft, warm hand fit perfectly in mine. She wasn’t tiny and delicate and someone who’d break if I fucked her too hard.

Not that I was going to fuck her at all.

I quickly released her hand and turned to make her another latte. “As for the type of marriage we’re going to have, I think we should stick to the truth as closely as possible.”

“Hmm, but waking up married in Vegas, with no memory of how, isn’t really going to endear you to my family, Rafe.”

After turning on the machine, I decided to test the truth with her. “You’ve fancied me for a long time, Abigail. I’m sure your family won’t be too surprised at what happened.”

For a few seconds, only the hum of the espresso machine filled the room. Then Abby appeared at my side, leaned against the counter, and crossed her arms over her chest. It took everything I had not to stare at her plumped up breasts.

She said, “Explain yourself, Rafael Mendoza.”

“You had a crush on me as a kid, right?”

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