Page 40 of Jordan

"Take these and then finish the coffee."

"Uhm, I thought you would have left. I remember you saying something about going to the office."

"I wanted to wait until you were up." He did not add that he had been up and doing some work as he watched her sleep. He had slipped into the role of husband and protector seamlessly and was loving it. Last night had been wonderful, mind blowing and potent and he could not wait to get his hands all over her again. But for now, he was going to have to restrain himself. She was sending him wary looks, even though she assured him she had no regrets. And he had no idea where he stood with her.

"What are your plans?"

"To do some catching up." She was almost finished with the coffee and the painkillers were kicking in. She did not feel like death warmed over, not so much. "I am behind, and my agent keeps calling me."

"Was he aware you were on your honeymoon? And speaking of that, why wasn't he invited?"

"He was on a retreat – one he could not get out of." She handed him the empty cup. "Thanks. I should shower and get dressed."

"Why don't you stay in bed for a little bit? I was thinking we could go out and have dinner later. How about it?"

She gripped the sheets over her breasts and heaved out a sigh. "We should talk."

"About?"

"This. Us. What's happening." She avoided his eyes and started pleating the cotton.

Tilting her chin up, he forced her to look at him. "I want this to be a real marriage."

When she jerked, he swore softly. "That cannot come as a surprise to you. It was heading in that direction. We made love without using anything for Christ's sake. Surely you're not telling me that you believe that this is just an arrangement." His fingers tightened when she started to pull away.

"That was not the plan."

"Plans change." He tugged her face up. "I want more." He shook his head when she opened her mouth. "I want to be your husband in every way. And I am sure you want that too."

Her eyes flashed. "Don't presume to know what I want."

"Then tell me." His deep voice was quiet and patient and sent her heart tumbling.

"I don't know." She lied.

"I don't believe you."

"Look--"

"We went into this with other things in mind. You wanted revenge against my family, and I wanted to break free from the life they had planned for all of us."

"So, you married a black woman – one who is the daughter of a maid to piss them off."

"It started that way and now--" His touch gentled. "Now, it's not about them. It's about us. I want a family with you darling."

Her breath caught as she stared into his earnest eyes. Vulnerability washed over her, mingling with the lingering doubt. The walls she had so carefully erected threatened to crumble under his unyielding gaze.

"Why now?" she breathed. "Why are you talking about this now?"

"Because I can't pretend anymore," he said softly, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "I can't act like this is just a convenient arrangement when my heart is screaming for more."

Her heart pounded in response, a dangerous rhythm that echoed his sentiments. Could she trust this? Could she believe in the sincerity of his words when everything they started with was tainted by ulterior motives?

"I need time," she whispered, the plea barely audible.

He nodded; his expression serious but understanding. "Take all the time you need. Just know that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

She offered him a tentative smile, a fragile peace offering. "Dinner sounds good."

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