Page 22 of Impending Consent

Some of the memories were resurfacing. Not all of them ,but enough to remind me that I was very aware of what I was doing, which didn’t make sense. None of this did but it’d happened.

“Marriage is a big deal to me, Sailor. You promised me a year and I want that year. If after we cross that finish line you still feel the same, then so be it. But for now, I’m not changing my mind. I fully intend on being your husband and expect you to be my wife.”

“Can we at least compromise on the me living here part?”

Surprise flashed in his eyes. He must have expected me to continue to fight this. Technically I was, just in a different way. He might want me as a wife but he wouldn’t for very long. I wasn’t going to be agreeable. I wouldn’t be the wife he was expecting me to be.

“No, we’re going to be under the same roof.”

“Then we can live…”

“Here, like we both agreed. That’s the plan.”

I glared and he returned one. “Fine, but I want my own room.”

“I have no objection to you having your own room.”

“You don’t have access to it.”

“If that’s what you would prefer.”

“That’s exactly what I prefer.”

He smirked and nodded. “Would you like for me to help you pack your things?”

“No, I’m more than capable.”

“If you change your mind…”

“I won’t.” I lowered my fork and pushed my chair back. “Are we done here?”

“For now, yes, but you don’t have to leave. At least finish your dinner.” He spoke so casually that I almost screamed. This man was fucking infuriating…

And sexy…

“I need to pack. According to our agreement, I only have four more days to move in here.”

His eyes met mine before he nodded and pushed his chair back but I quickly made clear, “You don’t have to walk me out.”

Silently he stood, rounded the table, and waited. I stood and he trailed me to the door.

“I guess I’ll see you soon.”

Why was I anxious? This man was forcing me to stay married to him and I was somewhat sad about ending our evening; that was why.

“Very soon.”

There was that damn smile again. It surfaced slowly but I wasn’t allowed to enjoy it for long. Rival hooked a hand around my waist, which caused me to crash against his hard, firm body right before his mouth was on me. My husband delivered another soul shattering kiss that rattled my brain and made my body weak.

When he released me, I sucked in a sharp breath while he reached around me to open the door. “If you change your mind about needing my help, call.”

I groaned and hurried out of the door to my car and caught a visual of Rival moments later. He watched me the entire time and the door didn’t close until I was completely out of the driveway and heading down the street.

Damnit, I’m in trouble. I think I like the idea of keeping my husband as much as he wants to keep me.

Four days later I still hadn’t moved into Rival’s house. Nor had I been communicating with him but he was clearly communicating with me through his actions. Actions that were concise and very loud. He sent texts asking about my day, asking if I needed anything, requesting my time and presence. All of which went unanswered.

Last night was my last night of freedom, so my day had been filled with anxiety. According to the terms of our prenuptial, I was supposed to move into Rival’s place this evening. I had my things packed, not all of them but enough for me to manage. However, the idea of leaving my office and going to his home instead of mine had me stressed. Outside of his texts, Rival had left me alone. He hadn’t popped up and demanded to see me here at the office or at my apartment, thank goodness. I was wondering if he may have changed his mind. That would have been lovely but the idea was short-lived when the text I received this morning was a firm reminder that his mind was set.

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