Page 60 of Shark Bait

“I can buy a beachfront property in North Carolina for the price of that ring.”

“Well, butter my biscuit. That’s just plain crazy!” I lift the ring and wiggle my fingers in his face. “Beachfront property on my hand.”

“That’s right, and since you can’t take it off…” He lets the rest hang unspoken between us.

“I guess I’ll keep it then.” I swallow. This is crazy. So crazy. What is happening to me?

“Troy.” Shark moves from crouching to kneeling.

OMG, HE IS PROPOSING. What…what am I going to say? Did I say yes when I decided I’m keeping the ring? Did I? Do I?

“I still want to ask you to marry me as a man would ask his woman. If you refuse, I will honor your rejection, even if I can’t honor it officially.”

“What do you mean?”

Shark’s brown eyes appear sincere as he squeezes my hand. “It means we must marry. You must become my wife, or I can’t protect you. But if you don’t want me, we’ll have separate rooms. I’m not going force you into bed or to do anything you don’t want to with me.”

“I know you won’t, silly.”

Heels click over the foyer, and Valerina barges inside the office. She takes one look at the kneeling Shark and huffs.“Sorry to interrupt, but Troy has an ultrasound appointment this afternoon.” She extends a hand toward me.

Alessio’s at her heels. “Walk away, Valerina.”

“Come on, Troy. We’re leaving.”

Shark’s still kneeling and is in my way as I try to get up.

Valerina stomps her foot. “Get away from her!”

Shark backs away. Alessio does too. Once I’m up, Valerina drags me out of the house and toward an obsidian carriage decorated with white flowers, clearly intended for a bride on the way to her wedding. White ribbons are woven into the horses’ manes.

The coachman helps us into the carriage, and off we go.

“Fucking fucker.” Valerina glances at me apologetically. “Sorry. I dislike cursing, but he’s an unyielding asshole.”

“Yes,” I agree, not knowing which man she’s referring to.

“I’m talking about my brother.”

“Alessio’s scary.”

“He’s making Shark marry you.”

Oh. Oh, that sucks. I look down at my ring, now feeling even worse. Shark doesn’t really want to marry me, which is why he used the word “officially.” He’s not going to force me, but he also won’t force himself either. Just because we have great chemistry and had a night of healthy sex, it doesn’t mean we should marry.

Of course not. Why would anyone want to marry an already knocked-up girl?

TWENTY-ONE

BAD MOM

TROY

A group of men in their twenties whistles at us as we make our way through the streets in a carriage that’s decorated for a wedding party.

Valerina shakes her head. “They think the two of us are getting married.”

“One of usisgetting married.”

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