Page 23 of The Deal with the Playboy

“Right.”

“Let’s get out of here, so you can get situated in your new home.”

Once we are at his penthouse, the place I swore I would never come back to, Jasper makes a few calls to move my stuff here. I don’t have much but clothes and a mattress and a couch. I tell him to tell the movers to bring my clothes and leave the rest there. Someone else can benefit from the furniture when they move in.

Marriage.So many emotions swirl in my chest like a tornado. I can’t believe I’m going to be married to one of the wealthiest men in the country. The evening’s events play like a broken tune in my head. I’m going to be someone’s fiancée! I always thought the person I marry would be someone I’d be so in love with, someone who’d treat me with the respect I deserve, but now I’m making a lifelong commitment.

A marriage of convenience.

Can I survive this marriage without love? He said he can’t give me love, but that he can provide for me in ways I dream of. One day I wanted to have children. I might not be career-oriented like Lake, but I always wanted kids. I love kids. When I was a child myself I had a dream to open up a daycare, but my mother told me it was a stupid idea.

We need to discuss this sooner rather than later.

I’m still iffy about marrying Jasper, but I will go through with the marriage. So I’m going to get as much as I can out of it.

I watch Jasper type something on his phone, and several moments later a tall, muscular man comes from the back and stands in front of me. His suit is sharp, and he looks as if he used to be handsome when he was younger. Gray threads between his blond hair, and a small watch hangs from his breast pocket. He reminds me of Colonel Miles fromAvatar.

“This is Michael and he’s going to be waiting on you hand and foot. Whatever you need. From running errands to driving you to places, he’s here.”

“Are you trained as a bodyguard? Like, if someone would try to rob me, would you be there?” I ask.

I don’t want to tell Jasper about Link possibly stalking me, because it’s not his problem and I don’t want him to go back on his word, though I doubt he would because he needs me just as much as I need him, but I still can’t be too careful.

Jasper and Michael exchange a look before Michael clears his throat. “I carry a gun and I used to be Special Forces before I worked with Jasper. I assure you, I can protect you,” he says with a smile. “Nice to meet you, future Mrs. Barrett.”

I’m glad I will be protected from Link.

Even him saying my future last name brings chills to me. I glance at my future husband standing next to me with his hands in his pockets. My body is aware of him. His presence alone makes me weak in the knees. I swallow thickly, hoping the sexual tension eases up, but it doesn’t work because Jasper looks at me like he wants to devour me. I wish I could say I had my fill of him the night we last fucked, but I didn’t. His dick is addictive, and I don’t like feeling addicted to someone. So, I am going to have to work extra hard to keep my distance.

Jasper removes his cuff links one at a time and unbuttons his crisp shirt. I get a peek of his pecs. Sucking in a breath, I revert my eyes to an expensive painting on the wall.

“Follow me,” Jasper says once his shirt is fully unbuttoned.

He opens the room we had sex in—his bedroom. The room is a lot bigger than I remember, but then again I wasn’t focused on my surroundings at the time.

His bed sits in the middle of the room, like a throne. The floor is dark marble matching the ceiling, and the walls are made of glass, one side overlooking the lit-up city. This room is breathtaking and elegant.

“What about the sleeping arrangements?”

His eyes are hooded, and a lazy smile sweeps across his face. “You sleep in the master bedroom with me.”

Cheeks flaming, my gaze meets his as his fingers intertwine with mine before his soft lips meet my knuckles. My pulse accelerates and my breathing quickens. It doesn’t take much for him to get me hot like a firecracker.

“Bu—”

“No buts. We need to paint the picture that what we have is real. We’ve already slept together twice, and when my father drops by he needs to see that we’re sleeping in the same room. Besides… you’re already mine.” His finger trails to my neck, down the fabric around my breasts, then to the left side of my chest, where my heart is. “Not your heart, just your body, Angel.”

I take a step back, trying to collect my thoughts, and shake my head. “You’ll break my heart.”

He waits for several moments to respond. “You’re absolutely right, Poppy. Don’t trust me with your heart, it’s not in good hands.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to.”

I’m giving up on love because I want my mother’s approval, and I don’t want to be a disappointment anymore to her. She raised me as a single mother when I was five years old. My father passed away from his cocaine addiction. I don’t remember much about him, except he was a well-known artist during his youth. We loved to make breakfast together and he used to walk me home from school. My mother had to do things that she wasn’t proud of to get the lifestyle we have—or in my case,had. She married my stepfather and had his two kids. When we grow up, we have to do what’s best for our family. My mother spent her life making sure I had the life she never had, and I need to return the favor. I owe her. That’s what family does, take care of each other even when we don’t want to.

Jasper keeps his eyes glued to mine, and he grabs a white t-shirt, and a pair of basketball shorts.

“Wear these until your clothes arrive.”

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