Page 32 of Cherished Lands
Tessa was still seated at the opposite end of the table. She studied me, chewing on her bottom lip, like I was a tricky puzzle she needed to solve. I had the uncharacteristic urge tosquirm. A hot blush spread over the back of my neck and burned behind my ears.
"Your other options are abandoning the project entirely or waiting a year for the non-compete agreement to expire."
I sighed, closing my eyes and rubbing at the growing ache in my temples. This was a clusterfuck of epic proportions. None of those other options would work. That left us with only one choice.
When I opened my eyes, I fixed them on Tessa.
"Can you guys give us a minute?"
"Sure, sweetie," Mom said. "Hank, why don't we walk next door. I'm sure Herbert and Joann would love to see you."
Tessa and I sat still as statues, staring at each other until my parents and Hank were out the back door, on their way over to my Nana and Papa's house.
It felt like neither of us was blinking... or breathing. Someone had to budge. Of course, it was me. I couldn't even win a staring contest with this damn woman.
I leaned forward, bracing my forearms on the table. My heart thundered against my ribs, but I forced my voice steady.
"So, you wanna do this?"
"Do you?" Tessa furrowed her brow at me, still working through that puzzle. Her full being twisted in a thoughtful pout, and I wondered how they would feel wrapped around my cock. Damn her for looking so fucking sexy when I needed to keep my head clear.
"We can't wait a year, and we don't have time to find another investor," I said, focusing on the practical rather than how soft her lips looked when she worried them between her teeth. "Plus, you're the right person for this."
Tessa's eyebrows rocketed up her forehead, and she rested her chin on her hand. "Elliot Everton, is that acompliment?"
"Don't let it go to your head."
"Too late," she sing-songed.
When I stared at her with a deadpan expression, she burst out laughing. The sound was hypnotizing. It made me wish I'd spent less time arguing with her, and more time making her laugh.
"Alright. Control yourself, woman."
She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. "Sorry, sorry," My eyes tracked the movement of her chest as she inhaled theatrically. "I am composed. Now, let's get down to business, shall we? If you'd really like to enter into this little marriage of necessity, I'm going to need you to do something for me."
I swallowed. "What's that?"
"I'm going to need you to get down on one knee and propose."
"Are you out of your fuckin' mind?" I knew this would happen. She was going to make this entire situation a goddamn nightmare.
"Not even a little. If we're doing this, people are going to have tobelieveit, Elliot. We need to convince this whole town, my father included, that we are head over heels in love. So you'll get a ring, get down on one knee, and make some big beautiful speech about how I'm the girl for you."
"We don't— I can't—" I dragged a hand down my face, imagining myself on my knees in front of Tessa. Not that I hatedeverythingabout that image.
Come on, Elliot. It's for Ever Eden. Take one for the team.
"Fine. I'll propose."
Chapter Twelve
TESSA
Oh,holy hell.
We were really doing this. I just convinced Elliot Everton to propose to me. So we could get married. Husband and wife. Till death do us part.
Well, till one year do us part.
