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An image of Stella, laughing as she conversed with Jason, pops into my head. I was angry at the jealousy I felt when I watched her. Or maybe I was angry at myself for feeling jealous when I have absolutely no right. A hollow feeling settles in my chest when I think about Stella and Jason. I can’t help but wonder if that’s a relationship she will pursue once our fake marriage is over. My stomach sours at the thought and I shove the ring back into my pocket. There’s only one way that I can make myself feel better about this situation. I glance at my watch and reach over to hit the intercom.
“Hold the rest of my calls and meetings for the day, I’m running out.”
I grab my jacket and head out of my office, not bothering to tell Florence where I’ll be heading. It’s nearly three thirty. Stella should be home by now. I don’t bother telling Mac I need a ride. Instead, I hail a cab and head toward Stella‘s apartment.
Her face is bright with a wide smile as she flings the door open. “Hey, I wasn’t expecting you to stop by. What are you doing here?”
“I changed my mind.” I can feel my brows draw together, the expression on my face probably conveying an emergency situation because suddenly her face drops.
“Changed your mind? About us?”
“What? No.” Her face softens, relief washing over her. “I meant I changed my mind about putting off the wedding. I want to elope today.” I pull the ring out of my pocket, reaching for her hand.
She does that thing again where she laughs but I don’t, and she quickly realizes I’m serious. “What? You want to elope today? Why, what’s going on?” She jerks her hand back.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just decided that there’s no point in waiting. Besides, I thought you would be happy because the sooner we get married, the sooner the year is over and you can move on with your life and get paid.” I give her my best, reaching for her hand and sliding the diamond down her finger.
“Oh, okay.” She looks a little concerned as she watches my movements, but again, she doesn’t seem to notice the diamond or at least she doesn’t comment on it. “Can we do that right now? Is the courthouse open?”
“They’re open till five. I double-checked, but that won’t be an issue. You’re also supposed to get your marriage license at least three days beforehand which we didn’t do, but trust me, they’ll take care of it.”
“Let me guess. It has something to do with being Atlas Knight?” She gives me that cute little grin and cocks her hip to one side. “Wow, so are we really about to go get married right now?”
“Unless you’re telling me no. Are you telling me no, darling?”
“Would you even allow me to tell you no?” Her tone and demeanor are flirty again. This time she holds out her hand and looks at it.
“Only if it was allowed in the contract.” She rolls her eyes and offers a halfhearted laugh. “Do you have a specific dress or outfit that you wanted to wear?” I’m realizing now that simply showing up to a woman’s apartment in the middle of the day and demanding she be wedding ready even if it is just an elopement at the courthouse is a bit of a stretch.
She looks down at what she’s wearing. She has showered since work. Her face is free of makeup, her half-damp hair hanging loosely around her face. She’s wearing a pale-pink top tucked into a cute pair of white shorts.
“No, no special outfit planned.” She gnaws on her bottom lip, looking down at herself once more than back to me. “I feel a bit underdressed, though, compared to you.”
I look down at my suit. I remove my jacket, tossing it to the side, then reach to undo the buttons of my white Oxford. She watches me, her eyes following every movement of my fingers. When I’ve unbuttoned the final one, I pull the shirt over my shoulders and down my arms, tossing it to the side next to my jacket.
“Better?”
She shrugs one shoulder. “Yeah, you somehow still look way overdressed compared to me. I’m starting to think you just look rich.” She laughs.
I take a step toward her and mindlessly reach out to run my fingers through her hair like it’s a natural thing between us. “You look beautiful, as always.”
“So, should we go, then?” She shoves her hands nervously into the pockets of her shorts, sliding her feet into the sandals by the front door. She seems jittery on the trip to the courthouse, her leg nervously bouncing. I reach my hand out and rest it on her knee, hoping it gives her the reassurance she needs.
“I don’t have a ring for you,” she says suddenly, looking over at me.
I reach into my pocket. “I took care of the rings.” I hold out my hand, revealing matching gold bands.
“Oh good, thank you.” She looks relieved for a second, then the worried look of consternation settles back onto her face.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Stella?” I don’t know why I ask it. She’s signed the contract, the contract that outlines clearly that if there’s any breach of contract, I will pursue her with full legal action. But looking at her right now, all thoughts of why I need to do this go out the window.
“And if I said no?”
I stare at her, then shift my gaze out the window. The devil on my shoulder, my constant companion, the one I let make most of my decisions, is warring with my often-neglected angel. I can’t explain it, what this woman has over me—then again, maybe it’s just lust and I’m thinking with my cock, but without another thought, I look her right in the eyes.
“I would tell you to tear up the contract and walk away.” I don’t need to look up into the rearview mirror to know that Oliver is looking at me. I’m sure if he could, he would tell me this is dangerous.
“You would?”
