She entered the kitchen, and the sweet scent of her filled my nostrils. I bit back a groan as my dick started to swell.
"If you could just point me to the coffee, I can make my own. That's one thing I absolutely need to learn in my new home first. What's that saying?But first, coffee."
I laughed. "Note truer words were ever spoken. There’s a carafe brewed, and cups are just above.”
We managed small talk through breakfast, and I felt pretty sure that I wasn't a jerk. After breakfast, I did the dishes while she went to get dressed. While she was in her room, the jeweler showed up, and the engagement ring was even more spectacular than it had been in the picture. I wondered whether maybe it was too much. Not the cost, but the extravagance of the ring? I didn't want Reyna reading more into this arrangement. I reminded myself that she was the one who kept pointing out that this was an arrangement. Plus, it would definitely make people buy into our marriage to have a ring that cost a year’s salary for many people. Finally, it would be something she could sell later. Not that she wouldn’t have enough with five million, but at least she'd have a significant asset at the start of the marriage.
Mr. Montgomery left, and I was just pouring myself another cup of coffee when Reyna entered the kitchen. Once again, my jaw dropped. But this time, she wasn't looking mussed and wanton in her pajamas. She was wearing an ivory-colored lace dress. The style of it wasn't necessarily sexy, but the way it draped over her curves made my mouth water. It highlighted the contrast of sexiness and innocence all mixed into one.
"Is this okay? It's the nicest thing I have. I was planning to wear it to... Well, I was going to wear it somewhere else, that's why I have it with me.”
Reyna never told me the details about how she ended up in Las Vegas, but Mrs. Curtis had given me enough information to suggest that Reyna had been eloping and something went wrong. I imagined this had been her wedding dress. A part of me didn't like that she was wearing a dress that she’d intended to wear for another man. At the same time, seeing her in it, I had to think the other man was a fucking idiot to do whatever he did to her that led to their not getting married.
"It's perfect." I was glad I didn't sound irritated, but I definitely had a husk in my voice. I shoved my hands in my pockets because they itched to touch her. “It’s lovely.”
She smiled as if she was pleased by my reaction. “Good.”
We stood in awkward silence, or at least awkward for me as I couldn’t take my eyes off the vision of her.
I cleared my throat. "Here, I got this." I handed her the box Mr. Montgomery had dropped off.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Well, you thought of everything."
"Just another element to maintain the illusion."
She lifted her gaze to me and blinked, making me think my comment that our marriage was an illusion had hurt her feelings. I hoped it hadn’t, not just because I didn't want to hurt her, but also because if I did hurt her feelings, that meant she was bothered by my reminding her that this was all fake. Last night, she told me the attraction was mutual, but could that mean there was more than attraction for her? I couldn't afford to have that happen.
Unfortunately, it was too late for me to change my mind. We had to move forward, and I had to hope that she would continue to understand that this was just a business deal.
I nodded toward the box. "There's an engagement ring and two bands. We’re expected at Amelia's at twelve thirty. She's arranged the ceremony."
I didn't think it was possible, but her eyes widened even more. "She arranged the ceremony?"
I nodded. "She thinks we're playing a dangerous game, but she’ll help us. She thought if we got married in one of the chapels on the strip, our marriage might look suspect. She was right, so I let her handle it."
She glanced down at the rings again. She was quiet for a moment, but I couldn't figure out what was going on in her head. Was she having second thoughts?
Finally, she lifted her attention to me. "I know this is just a business deal, and I have no problem with what you've done so far, but in the future, I think I'd like to be a part of the decision-making."
Irritation flared even though I knew she was right. We were partners in this, and she should have a say in the decisions that involved both of us. "Noted. I chartered a plane to Hawaii. I suppose I have time to change that if you want."
She narrowed her eyes at me like she thought I was being snarky. "I think we already agreed on Hawaii."
I nodded, not liking how this conversation was starting to go off the rails.
"I’ll go get my tie and coat, and then we can head out. We’ll stop by my lawyer’s office on the way for the prenup. We talked about that before too." I reminded her of that because I didn't want her accusing me of making decisions without her.
She nodded.
"Then we can go get the license and then head over to Amelia's. She said we need to stay until at least three, which leads me to believe there's a reception afterward. It's quite possible that she's going to have pictures that will go up on the company’s social media account. I'm not sure. I haven't talked to her about that, but if you have a problem with it, we’ll need to talk to her beforehand."
“It’s fine.” Reyna set the box on the counter and walked over to the coffee machine. "It's okay if I get another cup of coffee, right?"
I ground my teeth because except for the fact that I walked out on our kiss last night, I felt I'd been very accommodating and welcoming of her into my home. "Of course." I felt like I should say something to try and ease the situation, but I couldn't find words that I wasn't worried would make it worse, so I left the kitchen, heading to my bedroom for my coat and tie.
We were both silent as we left the house and got into my car and drove to my lawyer's office. My lawyer tried to explain the contract and ask for more time, but I told him we were in a hurry. Reyna did read through the entire contract, asking questions that reminded me that she had been in law school. I suspect she'd already taken the class on contracts.
Once she finished reading it, she felt comfortable with it and signed it. I signed as well, and my lawyer’s secretary notarized it. After getting two copies, one for me and one for Reyna, she and I headed to the County Clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. Luckily, being the day after Christmas, the line wasn't very long, and we were able to get the license and then head out to Amelia's.