Page 27 of Made For You
“I know enough,” I responded as genuinely as I could muster. “And we’ll have time.”
Aurora seemed to think for a minute as she trained her eyes on the contract, then surprisingly lifted her gaze to lock eyes with me, signing her name on the dotted line at the same time.
“So.” My voice cracked, so I cleared my throat. “You agree?”
“Yes, Talon Beckett. I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Eight – Aurora
The boat ride with Talon had been romantic, which left me more confused when we docked than when we set off. It was unexpected. In the short time spent together, I’d grown accustomed to his snarky, one-word responses and stand-offish demeanor.
When I met him, I was already flustered. Running late was not something I made a habit of. Neither was lying. And I fibbed to Talon when I told him I was late because of a massage. That was only partially the truth, and if he cared to check, he would see I left the massage table three hours prior to our meeting.
Unfortunately, I used up my time on a call with Franny. She could tell I was out of sorts, even though I tried to play it off as being forlorn about leaving Miami and flying home. She didn’t buy it for a second, but I had a suspicion Talon didn’t want anyone knowing about his proposal. Franny kept prying for information about my mood, and I tried to be strong and fend her off. But I’m not sure I was that successful.
She let it slip that Jeremy and his family had begun infiltrating the town as they prepped for the wedding in a couple of months. His fiancée had been nowhere in sight though, which left everyone suspicious.
I’d been suspicious from the start. I didn’t know what game Jeremy was playing, but I was going to be prepared. And now I’d have Talon by my side to fend off my grubby ex.
Talon. He was so handsome it hurt to look at him in those finely made suits. When our eyes locked, I felt like a giddy schoolgirl catching the attention of the most popular boy. And though Talon’s smiles were few and far between, they were lethal. My heart stopped beating anytime he shot one in mydirection. I was worried about taking another risk by agreeing to marry him, but then he looked at me and I feared I’d never feel those butterflies in my stomach again.
After six months with him, I was likely going to need an intervention to break the spell he’s going to unknowingly put me under.
That was if we were together more than the few events he had listed in the contract. For all intents and purposes, it seemed like he’d stay in Miami for work, and I’d continue on with my life in Ashfield. I had no reason to get worked up about close contact with Talon, because it would be a rarity.
Or so I hoped.
Something about the way he was looking at me with a mixture of anticipation and worry left me with no choice but to sign the contract. Though, if I were being honest, I had very little reservations about signing to begin with. Something about Talon intrigued me. Maybe it was the mysterious air he had about him or that he looked like a man who desperately needed a hug.
And if anyone was going to give it to him, it was me.
Well, my tamped-down rebellious side.Shereally liked Talon.
I knew what I was signing up for—six months as Mrs. Talon Beckett. My identity was no longer my own. All of me was going to be wrapped up in him.
A quick internet search could have told meeverythingI was signing up for, but I felt like that would’ve somehow been a betrayal to him. He asked for help, and I was willing to give it, because what did I have to lose? Well, my last name for starters, but that could be easily rectified after the six months were up. My boss was either going to fawn over the development or horrified. I could only pray it was the former. The latter could very well cost me my job. And there weren’t many alternatives for teachers in Ashfield. My heart was safe and secure in herpretty little lockbox deep inside my chest. I learned my lesson about falling for pretty words and a dashing smile. It happened more than once—a fool, I was.
But I was on guard around Talon, and as he escorted me back to my room that night, I tried to remember this was nothing more than a farce. He pressed a quick kiss to my cheek at my door and hurried away when his phone rang. It was strange, but I knew he was a busy man.
I was leaving Miami the next morning and hoped to have some sort of idea when Talon and I were going to be officially married. But I had to rely on the fact that he said he was going to handle it all. That knowledge left me feeling like a mail-order bride.
Those were some of my favorite romance books.
That night, I was afraid I wouldn’t sleep a wink, but the minute my head hit the pillows, I drifted off into the best kind of dreamland.
My alarm shrieked in an obnoxious tone earlier than I cared for. My flight from Miami was scheduled to depart at 8:00 a.m., and I wanted to give myself plenty of time to get to the airport and head over to the terminal. There was likely a chai latte in my future as well. And possibly a mimosa in the first-class lounge.
I packed my suitcase the night before, so all I needed was a quick shower and to order a ride share to take me to the airport. The warm spray was something I’d definitely miss compared to the showerhead in my little house. The poor pressure and standard setup were something I hated since I moved in.
As I packed up my toiletry bag post-shower, I glanced in the mirror and was surprised at the flatness in my eyes. I looked… sad. Lost. Like I was leaving a piece of myself in Miami.And maybe I was. Talon was staying here, and he was going to be my husband, after all.
“That’s all it is,” I murmured as I carried the small, clear bag to my suitcase and zipped it in the front pouch.
I triple-checked the room to make sure I wasn’t leaving anything behind. The fresh grant packet Talon procured for me was still sitting on the coffee table, and I hastily grabbed it and placed it in my bag.
After my final walkthrough, I grabbed my suitcase and checked the app for the ride share's distance. The vehicle was still around fifteen minutes from the hotel, since I’d chosen the option to get my ride cheaper if I waited a little longer, but I decided to go wait in the lobby instead of sitting in my room. The quicker I left this beautiful suite, the faster I could get back to my normal, boring life, which would hopefully equate to getting over this low feeling more swiftly.
Strangely deflated, I opened the door with my free hand, not expecting to come face-to-face with Dean. He reminded me of a hitman awaiting my arrival. If he hadn’t smiled when I stepped over the threshold, I might have worried he was going to end my life.
