“Arjen,” he introduced himself, reaching out his big hand. His gray-blue eyes caught me off guard, snatching my attention as I found myself helplessly focusing on them. Not only was the color mesmerizing, but there was something that had flashed in them when we locked gazes. Usually, men were more determined to check out my body than to stare into my eyes, but Arjen was content holding my gaze hostage.
I took his outstretched hand and found his touch more delicate than I expected. His hand swallowed mine, and the warmth emanating from it ran up my arm before zipping through me. I ignored the weird sensation and introduced myself.
“Mecca.”
He flashed a playful smile.
“Mecca, like Islam’s holiest city?”
I fought the smile that threatened to show itself as I remained locked in the tight grips of his stare.
“Yes, but unlike the city, I can’t claim the holy title.”
He chuckled, shaking his head and eyeing me like he knew I was trouble. Once he decided to let my hand go, he remained standing next to me. I found Desiree and Khane in the crowd and concentrated on them.
After our handshake, Arjen seemed a bit restless standing next to me, and I could sense him glancing at me more than he was the happy couple. He hadn’t mentioned anything yet about the last-minute wedding change he’d made.
Was the restless energy I was picking up due to him expecting me to be upset about losing my fiancé?
A smile traced my lips when a funny thought hit me. Was all that restlessness swirling because I didn’t fawn all over him like the women in this building were doing before he had taken the stage?
The sight of Khane and Desiree recaptured my curiosity. Their infectious joy affected me emotionally despite me fighting like hell to pretend it didn’t. How could I not want to see my cousin happy? Neither of us had encountered much happiness in our lives, and although this was unexpected, it was something to be celebrated.
Desiree gleefully returned everyone’s congratulatory hugs, but Khane was content shaking hands and blocking people’s attempts to embrace him. His actions had caused me to giggle. I didn’t blame him one bit. I was particular about who I hugged too.
“Story of my life,” I said. The smile on my face dropped and I finally allowed disappointment to creep into my expression.
Now, my focus was being drawn back to the towering man standing beside me. Why hadn’t Arjen left yet? I wasn’t very friendly to people I didn’t know, although there was something about him that kept shouting for my attention, nonetheless.
“You can wipe that look of disappointment off your beautiful face,” he said, recapturing my full attention. “The way I see it, you’re getting the best part of this whole deal.”
“And what deal is that?”
One of my brows lifted, waiting for his answer as my metallic nails tapped against my arm.
“Me. I’m the deal. Since my ex-fiancée is in love with and has married my brother, it appears it will be you and me tying the knot.”
The laugh I didn’t fight too hard to keep to myself, escaped. Was that his idea of a proposal? Was he really about to flip-flop us around like we were pieces on a game board?
Shut the fuck up, Mecca! The voice of reason in my head yelled. Arjen is the head of the Vallin family, and your uncle left you in charge of an empire on the brink of collapse.
At those inner thoughts, a smile slowly materialized.
“Is that what you believe? That I’m getting the best deal?”
Being cocky, I folded my arms across my chest, which caused my tits to lift and flash some cleavage.
“Don’t get it twisted. The way I see it, you’re the lucky one.”
A wide smile lit my face, flashing him a trace of my devilishness. I didn’t miss his eyes zeroing in on my tits. The sound of my voice lifted those pretty eyes back up to meet mine.
“You’re the one that almost missed out on the best thing you didn’t even know you needed,” I stated boldly.
I may not have been getting the man I was supposed to marry, but with Arjen, I sensed that things would be interesting. This was also a way for us to make the Vallin-Evans alliance a more solid pact.
“Are you ready?” he asked, pointing across his shoulder, so broad, I swear they muffled the sound from behind him.
“Ready for what?” My gaze raked him from top to bottom again before locking with his as I shifted my stance from the left foot to the right.