I glare at him, "You seem in a rare, fine mood, ass wipe."
"Temper, ol' chap. Gotta watch that old ticker, now that you’re getting into a different phase of your life. You’re going to have your hands full, as it is, dealing with the wife… The kids."
"What?" I gape. "No kids," I cut the air with my hand, "no way."
"No patter of little feet in your living room then?" Damian prowls over, his golden locks glinting in the light from the chandelier above. "You mean, you don’t want the little devils waking you up early in the mornings?"
"Nope."
"But…but, you’ll have so much fun teaching them to play Cricket. Oh, wait, the potty training comes before that. That could be fun; you’d be a natural at it."
I stare at him in growing horror," Jesus, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I will never have kids as long as I live, okay?" Why is my voice rising, making it sound like I’m panicking?.
Victoria glances across the room at me. I meet her gaze, my features rigid.Did she hear what I said?Well, best that she knows. Not that it matters. I don’t intend to get into any situation where that is a likely problem between us.
"What do you have against children?" Weston frowns.
"Nothing, so long as they aren’t mine."
How can I explain that I don’t want my DNA to be propagated? Not after I’d realized exactly how out of control I could get. Not after the time I’d almost killed the man who’d tortured me, who’d hurt me like no one else ever had. The only way to forget those images was to lock them away deep inside, along with my ability to feel. If I can’t feel, I won’t feel that burning anguish that came from my body physically breaking down—when my mind couldn’t steer my responses, when I had lost all ability to be in command. I’ll never lose control again. Never.
I widen my stance. "I won’t hear another word on this topic from any of you." I survey their faces. "Ever again."
"These guys getting to you, huh?" Sinclair ambles over. He seems rested, his suit impeccable, as always. Fucker looks about ready to walk the ramp, while I?
I raise my arm and sniff myself. "Shit! I think I forgot to shower after the gym."
"No time for that now," he grins.
"We can push this back by an hour…" I shuffle my feet, "Maybe two?"
"Now come on, you got us all here. Hell, I had to put off taking Summer Christmas shopping, so we could attend your nuptials. The least you could do is give me the satisfaction of going through with it."
"Because, of course, that’s a good enough reason to get married, huh?" I glower.
"As good a reason as any, considering you aren’t acknowledging the real reasons why you’re doing it," Sinclair snorts.
"And you know that, how?"
"Because I was in your place."
"Don’t listen to Sterling," Weston leans forward on the balls of his feet. "He’s not in any position to give you advice, considering he’s got the old ball and chain firmly attached to his ankle."
Sinclair bares his teeth, "Watch what you say, Kincaid."
"Not saying anything wrong."
"Maybe not, but it’s not as bad as it’s cut out to be either.’
"Isn’t it?" Weston drums his fingers on his chest, "That’s what the pussy-whipped ones always say."
"I’m not—"
"Sin, darling."
Sinclair whips his head around.
Summer waves at him from the corner, where she’s huddled with her friends. "Come over, babe. You gotta hear this."