Page 18 of Wilderness Daddy

“Landon, dear. I’m going to head home. I’m a little tired.”

“Would you like me to take you?”

He fusses over her and as much as I don’t want it to affect me, it does. A man like this is hard to come by.

“No, no, you enjoy your time with Akari.” She gives me a sweet smile. “She’s a lovely young woman.” He glances at me before turning back to give his mother a wink.

“She is, isn’t she?”

I’m swept up for the moment that he really thinks so, but then I realize he’s likely just being charming for his mother’s sake. I am well aware she is to know nothing of the arrangement. But what mother doesn’t love when their son falls for a good woman? I bite the inside of my cheek, looking to the floor. I’m not a good woman—not the way I’ve been treating her son.

“She’s a bit cheeky, too.” His boyish grin widens. “Tossed my butt in the lake on the retreat.” His mother tips her head back and laughs, before shooting me a devilish smirk.

“Good for you, Akari. He likely deserved it.”

I shrug, grinning. “Maybe.”

She winks at me before turning her attention back to Landon. “I had a wonderful time with her, Landon. Treat her well now. The cheeky ones are always worth the effort.”

His answer is an arm around my waist pulling me tight to his side. I feel choked up. Here is a woman that has only met me once and she cares enough to make sure to remind her son to treat me well. My own parents couldn’t care less, obviously. They are willing to give me away as a bonus. I look straight into Carmen’s green eyes. They’re the same green as her son’s and so full of genuine interest and care that I feel almost as if I’m choking again.

Clearing my throat, I say, “I enjoyed getting to know you as well, Carmen. I hope we get to do it again soon.”

“I hope so too. Mr. Steed is sponsoring your parents to join the club so I think it’s likely.” Her bright smile doesn’t hide the tired in her eyes. My eyes slide to Landon’s. They’re filled with concern.

Beth wheels her away and as soon as she’s gone, Landon drops his arm from my waist.

“Sorry,” he murmurs with a wink. “I know you don’t like to be pawed.” And we head back to the dining room, my stomach falling like a lead weight’s been dropped in it.

With my parents and Hattori back at the table, I’m tense. I know things are about to be discussed and I have no idea how Landon is going to react. Why would he want to marry me? Obviously, I need him to because he’s the lesser of two evils. And being kicked out of my family is not an option.

I look at Landon as his father pipes up, “Let’s discuss business now that our bellies are full and Mrs. Steed is gone.” Landon’s eyes search mine and my gut flips. He nods slightly at me. It’s a comfort and even though I’m battling with my own moral code and I’ve been a bitch to him, I’m grateful. I give him a small smile and his dimple pops out but only for a second before his face turns serious and his presence becomes commanding.

The kind of commanding that makes me more than a little weak-kneed.

“Yes, the marriage.” All eyes turn to Landon as he speaks. “I’d be honored to marry Akari. However, I have a few conditions.”

My father waves him on dismissively, sipping an espresso. He presses his lips as he puts the cup down and his eyes narrow slightly, perhaps not enough for anyone else to notice but I’m used to seeing my father’s disappointment. He doesn’t like the marriage being treated like a business negotiation, but he’s the one who made it that way by proposing it with force.

Landon sets his hands on the table, leaning forward and ensuring his words are private. “First, no one will know this is arranged besides the people at this table. Also, I’ll be going away for a while first.” He raises his hand as if to stop any impending complaints before he’s finished. “I know it’s not great timing, but there will never be a good time and I’ve been committed and working for this company since I was fourteen.” Landon looks between his father and mine. Neither interrupt so he continues.

“I think the plan is to officially merge in the fall, yes?”

Both my father and Landon’s father nod.

He looks to me. “Akari, you can plan the wedding of your dreams for the fall while I’m away.” He turns his attention back to my father with a determined expression and I clench my jaw. Me plan the wedding of my dreams? Pfft, I’ve never dreamed of a wedding in my life and I despise the insinuation. Landon won’t back down though, and my father isn’t happy either. His brows knit slightly and his lips thin further.

Landon stands tall, deadpanning my father. “I assume you want this to be a real marriage, Mr. Takahashi?” My father’s head tilts in a way that tells me he’s suddenly intrigued. His eyes are no longer narrow and although his lips are still pressed there is a very slight upward tilt to them. He respects Landon’s authoritative manner.

“Certainly.” My father folds his hands on the table in front of him and I hold my breath.

“Then I need to prepare myself for a lifetime of faith and devotion to your beautiful daughter.” He looks at me again. “I do want to make her happy after all.” His eyes burn into mine and my heart thunders in my chest. The words aren’t real. I know they’re not. They can’t be. Landon is playing a part. But then so am I, because I’m seething at the injustice of him taking off and leaving me to deal with the wedding stuff, and yet I keep a submissive smile on my face.

His eyes leave mine and slide back to my father’s. “And that faith and devotion extends to our companies as well.”

I watch my father’s brows lift, his lips turn down and his chin dips in a nod. Landon has impressed my stodgy father.

I chew the inside of my cheek. This might not be a bad thing though. Maybe Landon doesn’t want to run the business. Maybe he wants a little more freedom and he’ll let me control the company. Maybe he’ll find a lover on his trip and occupy himself with her in the years of our mock marriage.

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