“I was checking on your friend. Is that not allowed, Cal? I mean, I am going to be your wife. I’d prefer it if your friends didn’t hate me like you do.” I pull my wrist away and he lets me step back.
“Stay away from Rooke,” he warns and I roll my eyes, but nod. I’m not in the mood to fight with him. Enough crazy has gone down in the last forty-eight hours. I need a vacation. Or maybe a trip to the spa.
“I have to get to class.” I start walking, but he grabs me again.
I am close to slapping him for thinking he has the right to manhandle me, but he growls, “Your grandfather is here.” That stops me in my tracks. He grabs my arm and pulls me into a hug. I freeze at the contact and he growls again. “Act like we can stand each other.” I relax and lean more into his hug. He’s right. We need to play the part, or this could end badly for a lot of people.
I still have a feeling my grandfather is keeping secrets. Some things just don’t add up still. I kinda thought he was going to announce he was in the mafia at dinner. I mean, it would make sense.
“Aw, this is what I like to see,” my grandfather says from behind me, and I take a deep breath in, making sure my mask is on, before turning to give him a hug.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, a little too cheery, going by Cal’s wince.
“I came to see you, darling. You left the restaurant so suddenly, I wanted to check on you. But I see now that everything is okay. I’m glad you two are working things out. Since we didn’t get to chat last night, I think we should grab lunch one day this week. We still have a lot to discuss.”
I look at Cal and he doesn't seem thrilled at that, but he knows as much as I do that we have to agree. I nod, and my grandfather claps his hands excitedly. “Great, I’ll have Marshall message you the time and place. In the meantime, just keep doing this, and stay away from any other boys, Patience.” Cal snorts and I fight not to elbow him in the ribs.
“That sounds like a plan. I’m sorry, but I need to get to class…” I trail off, waiting for my grandfather to take the bait. I’m not trying to be rude, but I can’t believe he showed up here. I’m still not happy with him.
“Yes, of course, my dear. You get to class, and we will chat later.” He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and shakes Cal’s hand, then walks away. I sigh when he turns the corner and Cal grabs my arm.
“Cal, what the fuck are you doing?” I growl as he manhandles me into a classroom. If he wasn’t six-foot-three, and two-hundred pounds of muscle, I would be able to take him.
“Stop resisting me! I just want to talk to you in private,” he shouts and I pause.
“You did not just yell at me!” I shout back, and he gets into my face, shoving me against the whiteboard. I have been in this position many times in this same room, but for once this is not some quickie. No, this is my fiancé being a dick.
I shove him back away from me so I can breathe. “I don’t know how you imagine this marriage being, Cal Reynolds, but I am not some simpering trophy wife. I will not submit to you.” His nostrils flare and he laughs.
“Oh, I know all about you,Lucky, and I know you’re fucking your step-brother.” I gasp and he gives me a smirk. “The question is, who else knows?” I freeze at his threat and get ready to deck him in the nose, or maybe a swift kick to the dick. I mean, no one talked about us having to reproduce.
He steps out of the way, as if he can read my mind, and gives me a smile. “Yeah, maybe you shouldn’t fuck in the kitchen where anyone could pop by. Poor Nate turned around and went home. I mean, really Patience, Kian?” He shakes his head and groans. I’m trying to think of some way to fix this, but he looks at me with defeat in his eyes.
“I know you don’t want this, and trust me, neither do I. But this really doesn’t have to suck as much as you’re thinking. I mean… we can have an open marriage, as long as we're discreet. Plus, I can admit, fucking you wouldn’t be a total chore.” He licks his lips, giving my body a once-over, and I curse my greedy pussy for actually being turned on by this asshole.
I laugh and shake my head. “God, you are such a dick. Seriously, Cal, what happened to you? Did Daddy not love you enough? Did someone hurt you? You were never like this before!” He steps into my face again, and I can tell I hit a nerve.
“Yeah, well, I can say the same about you! When did you become such a slut? Opening your legs for any guy. Including your step-brother. Seriously, Patience.” He shakes his head at me as if in disappointment, and now I really want to punch him in his mouth. “You’re hot as fuck. You could have anyone, so why would you choose Kian?”
Stepping closer to me, I can feel how hard he is right now. My chest is panting out of rage, and…arousal. Shit! I need to get the fuck away from him before I do something stupid.
“Don’t worry about Kian. He’s mine, and I’m not going to just shove him aside for some archaic arranged marriage agreement I never agreed to.” He goes to argue when someone knocks. I shove him aside and stride to the door. I startle someone as I rip the door open and storm out.
I leave the room and head straight for Ki’s class. I’m still pissed at him, and I know he’s in the middle of a lesson, but I need him right now. I walk into his room, ignoring him and his students. I march down the stairs, and over to his office door. I open it and let it slam shut. I am raging right now, and turned the fuck on.
I sit in his chair and dig in his drawers looking for his alcohol. I need a drink, badly. He enters a few minutes later and crosses his arms, his chocolate eyes are furious and it only makes me wetter. I push his chair back and uncross my legs, showing him how soaked my panties are right now.
“You want to tell me why you stormed into my class in the middle of a lecture, looking like you were just fucked? And that better not be another guy’s cum soaking the cloth between your thighs.”
I bite my lip and whimper. His nostrils flare and he locks his door before moving closer to me and dropping to his knees. He runs his nose up my thigh and inhales when he reaches my center, groaning.
“I don’t deserve you, Patience James,” he whispers into my skin, and I grip his hair, pulling his eyes to mine.
“Want to tell me what last night was about?” I ask, letting him go. He licks up my thigh and shakes his head. I sigh. I should just leave this talk for later and let him get me off, but something is bothering him, and I won’t be able to come if my mind is distracted.
“Ki, please, just talk to me. We have never had an issue with communicating and I won’t start now.” He groans and sits back on his heels, giving me his chocolate eyes that I love so much.
“It doesn’t matter. I just had a moment of doubt, but it’s gone now. You might not be able to give me a baby, but I will love you and stand by you, always.” He looks so serious and I’m about to have a panic attack. I take some deep breaths and wait for my heart to stop racing.