Page 14 of Calculated Kisses with a Scorpio
“Like I told you earlier, I’m just paying attention, Finley. I saw that you had several photos on your social media from the factory, so it was an easy choice. I am being intentional with my actions because that’s what you deserve. I’m trying to make things plain with how I move. Plus, we still have a yellow pages, so finding your address wasn’t hard?—”
I scoffed. “You looked in the yellow pages?”
Kairo tossed his head back and laughed.
“Nah, I didn’t, but it sounded better than saying I had one of my guys pull the information.”
I grinned and rolled my eyes.
The crooked smirk on his lips caused me to shift in my seat. I looked down because Kairo’s eyes were like lasers that had access to every part of me. How was that possible? I wanted to be creeped out, but I couldn’t be.
Seeing Kairo beyond today was out of the question, but I could enjoy him for the time being.
“Of course you have people.” I laughed. “I figured that’s what it was, but tell me what you needed to talk to Daddy about. The suspense is killing me, and he wouldn’t come up off the information, no matter what I wagered.
A smile spread across his face, and it had to have been the most beautiful thing.
“I did tell you I’d tell you over lunch, didn’t I?”
“Mhm. Sure did.”
Kairo had me nervous because he shifted in his seat and looked down at his plate before bringing his eyes up to mine.
My mind immediately went to what happened at the jewelry store. When Kairo gave me the bracelet, he said everything was settled, but if that were the case, why did he look so nervous? I squinted, watching his actions. This was the first time he wasn’t a ball of confidence, and that made me worried. Kairo scratched the back of his neck, sat up straighter, then looked me in the eyes.
Lord, what was this man about to tell me, and why did it look like it hurt him to spit it out.
“I asked your father how he would feel if I asked for your hand in marriage?—”
A bark of laughter left me in the most unladylike way.
I sobered when I noticed Kairo wasn’t smiling. “Wait. You’re serious? You asked for my father’s blessing, and we don’t even know one another . . .”
“Let me finish and explain.” His eyes searched mine, and then he nodded when he got what he had been looking for. “My wedding is in ninety days.” My eyes bulged, and I started to speak but remembered he asked for grace to get his thoughts out. “In order to become the CEO of Diamonds & Moore, I have to be married. I’ve been dating since I was fifteen and had never fallen in love. Honestly, I thought I’d have to settle, because there was no way I could let my family’s business fall into the hands of someone who didn’t share our blood. At the store yesterday, watching that cop and Camille crowd you did something to me, and that had never happened before. Then I came to your house to deliver your bracelet, and it was like just being in your presence made me breathe easier. I felt like I hadofficially lost my shit.” He chuckled, but with every word he spoke, I melted a little more.
“I need a wife, and I want that to be you. This arrangement can be however you want it to be. Your father suggested I date you for thirty days, and I’m down with that if that’s what you want. I just need you to consider it.”
Kairo let out the deepest breath as if he’d been holding it although he’d been speaking.
TheKairo Moore wanted to marry me? My brain had watched the words leave his mouth, but my ears refused to believe what they heard. I felt like the only reason he wanted to marry me was because he didn’t know the real me.
My shoulders dropped because I hated that he’d wasted his time.
“I’m flattered, Kairo, but you don’t want to marry me. I live with my parents, have an eviction and repossession on my record, plus I just lost my job today.” I put my hands out like I was providing physical evidence.
“I know all about that, but I don’t care about none of that. All I care about is you telling me what you want out of our marriage so I can deliver. It’s whatever you want. Anything that happened before you agreeing to be my wife doesn’t matter, and no one is bold enough to approach you about it.”
“Can I have the rest of today to think on it?”
He smiled and nodded.
I relaxed because I would have been anxious if he had needed an answer right here and now. Marrying Kairo Moore sounded outlandish as hell but right on brand for my life. He changed the course of conversation, and I was grateful. Although our food had gotten cold, we finished eating and walked it off with our tour.
This place was even better than I could have imagined.
“Do you want to grab any souvenirs before we go?” He looked down at me, and I looked at the gift shop, chewing on my lip.
“I probably shouldn’t. Right now, I need to account for all my little coins.” I let out a dry chuckle.
