Page 76 of Dex

“It seems lived in, homey.Cozy, but with old style elegance.”

“It is all of those things, and I will miss it dearly.”I feel so incredibly sad at the thought of leaving.

“It’s only for a year,” he tries to reassure me.“Then you’ll be back here and it’s like none of this will have happened … us, the wedding … the fakeness of it all.”

“I can’t believe the day is almost upon us,” I say, feeling subdued at his words.I miss the man I had drinks with at The Bluebell.

“Are you ready for this?”

“Getting married to you?”I get shivers just hearing the words out loud.

He nods.

“I feel like I’m about to take a jump off a cliff and there’s nothing but darkness beneath me.I don’t know if there’s water, or stone, or just an abyss.”

“Feels like that, doesn’t it?But this will all be in your past one day.You’ll forget about it.I know this is a big deal for you.”

“Isn’t it for you?”I ask.

He opens his mouth to say something.But stops himself.

I gulp, thinking about his friends-with-benefits arrangement.What if he’s having doubts and can’t go through a year without having his needs meet?The look he gives me lances my heart.“You have noble reasons for doing this.I don’t.I’m not a noble man, Daniela.”I flinch inwardly.“I’m not a monster, and I won’t do anything to hurt you, but this … this is an alliance, and not a day or a moment goes by that I don’t remember that.”

Asshole.

“I’m sorry.I don’t mean to sound so cold,” he says, looking sad, even confused.

“I understand.You didn’t want any of this.”

“I didn’t, but now it doesn’t seem so bad.”

“You have me to blame for your predicament.Had I not picked you … you wouldn’t be here.”

“It isn’t a predicament, but you’re right.I guess I have you to blame for this.”He smiles, as if to soften his words.“My father could never have made me marry you, if I didn’t want to.”

What’s he trying to tell me?Or am I reading too much into his words?“We did get on well on our getting-to-know-you date,” I say.

“Surprisingly well.”

“I don’t want to be your enemy, Dexter.I want us to be friends.”

“We’re getting married tomorrow, sweetheart.We’re going to be more than friends.”

I don’t understand him.One minute he’s stating the cold hard truth of this marriage of convenience, then next he’s flirting with me.

“Don’t worry,” he adds quickly, “I won’t lay a finger on you.”Our gazes lock and I feel my cheeks blush.I don’t know what to say to him.“Unless you want me to,” he adds.

The scoundrel.He really does think I’m like most of the women he’s met.That I’ll crumple at the morsels of attention he’ll throw my way.

I rush to reassure him.“I won’t.Believe me.”

“You sure about that?”

I arch a brow, then look away, because Dexter, when his gaze burns through me, makes me feel like I’m at his mercy.

How can there be so much chemistry and sizzling attraction between us?So much heat and desire.And how can he be kind and also annoying so much of the time?

As they get ready to leave, I remember the little gift I bought for Brooke.Jett’s carrying her in his arms, and though she’s not asleep, she keeps yawning.

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