Page 18 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
“I’m assuming by your presence that you’re still willing to become my fiancée,” I say.
I was originally going to have the documents signed right after our little meal, but I didn’t want her to make any big decisions while intoxicated. It didn’t seem right to do it that way.
“Yeah, yeah. It’s my only option, so I’m here,” she says, her eyes closed.
“Right. I’m going to page my notary before you fall asleep on my sofa.”
She sits up in sudden alarm.
“Wait! Before we sign anything, I want one clause to be added,” she says. I look at her and see the tips of her ears starting to turn pink.
“There will be no sex.”
“Is that so, Ms.Dunn?” I smile, and go to sit next to her on the sofa. I lean in close next to her ear.
“I don’t know if you’ll be able to resist me.”
She shudders and then turns to face me. Her lips are so close— I’d only have to move an inch to lay mine on them.
“I don’t think that’ll be an issue, Mr. Gould. Besides, I want this to be professional.” She straightens up and holds out her hand.
“So, do we have a deal?”
I look at her hand, admiring her slim and elegant fingers. Piano fingers, my mother would call them. I envelope her hand in mine, and am surprised by the softness of her skin. My phone pings and I check it.
“That’s my notary. Let me make sure that he adds that clause before he prints off the paperwork and comes over.”
I shoot off a message, telling my notary to bring the contracts over. I send another to Bruce, asking him to come witness the signing.
She walks around the office while we wait. She’s uncomfortable, that I can tell. She stops in front of a framed picture behind my desk. It’s of a voluptuous model walking down a runway in a trendy dress.
“I love this dress. It’s so cute,” she says, and I get the feeling that she doesn’t like silence.
“My sister will be glad to hear that. She designed it. It’s from her New York Fashion week debut.
“You have a sister?” she asks.
“Yes. Penelope. You’ll meet her at some point during this charade, I wager,” I say, putting my hand in my pockets and leaning against the desk.
A few more minutes go by when a knock sounds on my door.
My notary, Ted, walks in, followed by Bruce.
“Hello, hello, hello,” Ted says.
He’s an older man, and friendly in a grandfatherly way. “You must be Hailey.”
Hailey nods and shakes his hand. She glances at Bruce from under her lashes, intimidated.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Dunn. I’m Bruce, Head of Security,” he says, sticking his hand out.
Her eyes narrow immediately.
“Oh, so you’re the one who did all the digging on me?”
Bruce’s expression doesn’t change as he pulls his hand away.
“Yes. My apologies for any discomfort, Ms. Dunn. Just following orders.”
