Page 40 of Acquiring Ainsley
“Do you want children? Do you see yourself as a dad?”
A long pause passed before he answered me. “I never did,” he said. “But I think that’s starting to change.”
A shiver ran down my spine. “Is it?”
He nodded. “And what about you, do you want kids?”
“I do. At least one.” I studied him for a breath, chewing the edge of my lower lip. “So, I’m curious. Is this still just a contract to you? An acquisition?”
He moved closer to me. “I’m surprised you haven’t realized this yet. You are more than just a business deal, Ainsley.”
His lips found mine, and we molded together again, twisting ourselves under the covers as we shut out the rest of the world.
Three Weeks Later
I had a lot to be grateful for, and I knew that. Life hadn’t dealt me that huge of a blow. I was marrying one of Wall Street’s most eligible bachelors, and my family’s legacy was saved. Plus, lucky for me, IlikedTrevor. A lot. In fact, in the deepest corners of my heart, I was falling for him.
So, I knew that I had it good. Despite the recent setbacks, things weren’t as bad as they could be, or as disastrous I had expected on the night that Ashton delivered the unexpected news about our family’s finances.
And that was where I wanted it to stay.
“So, tomorrow I have us booked at European Bridal on Fifth at noon, and House of Brides at two. Do you want to go to the bridal salon at Bergdorf’s, too? They can fit us in at four,” Brooke said as the plane from Palm Beach prepared to land at La Guardia Airport. “It’s up to you.”
“Let’s see how it goes.” I stowed my tray table in the armrest. “Thank you for doing this.”
“What are maids of honor for?” She placed her hand on my arm. “And you’re going to be a gorgeous bride.”
“I hope so.”
Brooke unlocked her phone. “I still can’t believe you managed to book the Flagler Museum for the engagement party on such short notice.” She turned the phone screen toward me. “Speaking of which, I found this the other day on Pinterest. What do you think of this for table decorations?” The photo on the screen showed a floral arrangement with shells as a base, all in a glass container.
“I love it,” I said. “I’ll have to tell the event planner.”
“Let me text you the link.”
“Perfect.”
“This is going to be an awesome party.” Brook leaned closer to me and whispered her next words. “And the best part is, you’re falling for him. At least,Ithink you are.”
I held up a hand. “I wouldn’t say that. Just more that I’m finding out that he’s not as bad as I remembered.” I tried, and failed, to hold back a grin. “He’s… he’stolerable.”
Understatement of the year. Maybe the decade. I thought back to our weekend together a few weeks earlier. It had been the most fun I’d had in a while and ended with some of the best sex I’d ever had.
Which I wanted more of. As soon as possible.
“I’ve never heard anyone describe a kiss that way.” Brooke wrinkled her nose. “Don’t deny it. You like him.”
I hadn’t told Brooke that Trevor and I had slept together. Usually, she knew things like that—or just assumed—but in this case, I wanted to keep that major development in my relationship with Trevor just between the two of us.
So, I’d only told her about the kiss after our rec center visit.
“Idolike him,” I admitted. “You’ve got me there.”
She let out a small squeal. “I love this. This is basically the best twist ever. You didn’t want to marry him, and now here we are. It’s all working out.”
“I guess, in a way, it is.” I laughed. “And damn if I know where we are going.”
The flight attendant came over the loudspeaker with instructions, and we landed a few minutes later. From there, we took the car Trevor had sent over, and we rode to my building to drop off our bags. When we arrived at my apartment, we found a note on the front door. At first, I thought it would be from Trevor. But then I recognized the slanting script.
