I found myself wanting to bring that color to her skin more and more in a very different way.
“Your file said the board meeting is just weeks away and the will says we need to get this wedding planned,” she pointed out.
“We’re building to that.” I should have discussed the plan with her. “I’ve got it figured out. The timeline I have in place will work well.”
She nodded and glanced at the family in front. One kid on the mom’s hip screaming and the other pulling on the dad’s leg, whining about hunger, told me we were fine–they weren’t paying any attention to us. “So, it might be nice to include your fiancé in the planning of that timeline.”
“My fiancé? My fiancé doesn’t really want anything to do with planning afakewedding, does she?”
“Well, I don’t want to get stuck doing something I don’t want to.” She gripped the metal railing. “This gala is where we’re making our public entrance?”
“I think that’s best. We can go separately or together, whichever you prefer. Maybe make a display of it.”
“Display how?”
“People need to know I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“Because your dad did that for my grandmother?”
“Essentially.” I winced at how easily I lied. He’d taken advantage of her partnership but he’d also protected her in some capacity.
“Why can’t we just have the same understanding?”
“You’ll never be as protected. Your grandmother had ties to people overseas and refineries around the world. Now, you’re one lone woman with one ally.”
“And that’s you.”
“That’s right.”
“Grandma should have just let me sell the stock to you immediately.” She rubbed her forehead like this was all frustrating and confusing at the same time.
“I agree. I’m good to my word.” Even if her grandma hadn’t believed me.
“Yeah, well, grandma wasn’t stupid either. Yet, she only spoke highly of you. I’m guessing she wants us to fall in love and make the decisions together.”
“She was a tad delusional,” I grumbled and walked forward, almost at the ride. “The love aspect was far-fetched. But she was right about protecting you and it will ultimately benefit me. I’ll get an understanding of the company before I buy in.”
“Are you considering not buying in if you don’t like what you see?”
“No. I’m considering changing what I don’t like and evolving the port. This gives me time.”
“Couldn’t you just buy out some other shareholder?”
Although Morina was young and acted like a free spirit with no attention span, her questions were on point.
“Curious today, huh?”
“I’m always curious. It’s a curse of mine. I wouldn’t fall down rabbit holes if I didn’t inspect everything.”
I chuckled because just as she said it, we stepped up to the ride platform. We weren’t given many instructions as we boarded a log shaped boat on the channel of water. I pulled a bar over our laps and wiggled it over Morina’s hips.
She froze as my hand grazed her thigh.
My jaw ticked and every muscle in me tightened. Just a small touch set both me and her off now. I hadn’t been sleeping around or pursuing other women since the will hearing.
I probably needed an outlet.
Six months was going to be a long time, and we were still only counting down to our wedding. The marriage aspect would make it hard, if not impossible, to find another woman I could indulge with.