Page 29 of Impending Consent

“We have the matching band for you, sir, if you’d like the set.”

“Nope, he’s more of the simple band kind of guy. No glitz and glam for the hubby.”

Rival chuckled and the saleswoman’s eyes bounced between us before she nodded and removed a display of plain platinum bands. Once it was sitting in front of us, I brushed my finger over a few rows then lifted one. It was simple but had a beveled edge. Much like my husband. Polished but edgy.

“This one.”

He nodded and reached for the same ring I was holding in a different size which he extended to me. I returned the one I selected and he held his hand out, allowing me the opportunity to place the ring on his finger.

My heart stilled at the implication. This was my husband. I was his wife. The rings sealed the deal.

“I guess it’s official.”

Rival’s intense eyes were on me then his hand landed at my hip, jerking me forward only mere seconds before I had his lips followed by the warmth of his very skilled tongue. He kissed me intently, possessively, not caring that we had an audience. When he pulled back, his lips curved into a taunting grin. “It was official when you said I do, Sail. This is simply to ensure the world knows what we already know, wife.”

“Oh, the jealous type. I’m going to have fun with that.”

He snorted and held his hand up to the sales associate. “We’ll take these.”

We spent the rest of the morning shopping, where I purchased things that I needed to be comfortable at Rival’s …mynew house. Each time I tried to push boundaries and annoy him, he graciously accepted my pushback, agreed to whatever I wanted and swiped his card. Even when I insisted on an overpriced sectional sofa that seated ten and felt like heaven. Our last stop was Williams Sonoma, at his insistence, to get an espresso machine identical to the one I had at my place. I argued it wasn’t necessary; he won and swiped his card.

God, this man was infuriatingly dominant… and sweet. The entire day, he opened doors, carried bags, and reached for items on high shelves. When he wasn’t doing so, he held my hand as we navigated through the stores, as if the act was so natural thathe was programmed to touch me. It was all so uncomfortable, yet gratifying at the same time.

Eventually, I settled into his need to be close and enjoyed the connection, which was odd. I was a fuck and go type of woman, had always been, but this new experience with Rival was nice. The engagement between us was smooth and easy.

I convinced myself that agreeing to give in was me playing a role. Being the wife he expected simply to keep the peace. Deep down inside, I enjoyed being his wife. The day was satisfying until everything came crashing down around me by way of running into the last person I wanted to see, my father.

After we parked not far from the front of the restaurant, and Rival was at my door to assist with my exit, I immediately felt my control slipping.

“If you don’t want to eat here, we can order to go and?—”

My eyes darted to my father then back to Rival, with me cutting him off mid-sentence.

“I don’t want to eat here. Why don’t we just head home and order something when we get there?” I rushed out, attempting to discreetly track my father’s movements as he smoothly strode toward the entrance of the restaurant I selected for dinner.

Rival told me to pick and whatever I chose would be fine since he wasn’t a picky eater. I foolishly chose a place my entire family loved because it was also my favorite. How was I to know that on a random Thursday evening my father would have a craving for the exact same cuisine.

I froze on the sidewalk and yanked my hand free of Rival’s. He searched my face but I was a master at schooling my emotions, or so I thought because clearly he picked up on my distress.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, I just don’t want Korean barbecue.”

“Okay that’s fine, but you picked the place. We drove twenty minutes out of the way to come here?—”

“It’s twenty minutes, Rival. What’s the big deal? People change their minds. If you’re going to be married you might as well get used to a woman’s indecisive nature. My indecisive decisions.”

I was being an ass for no reason. He had done nothing wrong but I needed us out of here no matter how I secured the departure.

“I’m well versed in indecisions. This marriage is new but not my dealings with women, Sail. You’re not being indecisive, you’re fucking panicked. What the hell is going on? You see an ex or something? If that’s the issue, I don’t give a fuck as long as you remember you’re my wife…”

“Sailor, sweetheart.”

Oh God, no.

I swallowed thickly, plastered on a smile, and turned toward the sound of my father’s voice.

“Hi Daddy, what are you doing here?”

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