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I cup her face.
“You can run all you want from me, Charlotte, but I will tie you to me, one way or another. You might not need me, but I need you in my life. So, go ahead. Run. I’ll follow you wherever you go. I don’t care how much time it takes to convince you that I love you.”
Her lips tremble, and mine curve.
“What?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I love you. Why else would I let such an aggravating woman drive me crazy?
“I’m not aggravating,” she says automatically, and I chuckle.
“You’re the most exasperating woman I have ever met.”
She scowls at me.
“You’re the one who says you’re in love with me. Fall out of it if I’m so exasperating and aggravating.”
I bury my nose in her neck.
“I don’t want to.”
“Well, I’m not in love with you.” She tries to push me away.
“I’m working on that.” My voice is muffled. She stops shoving me away, but sounds annoyed.
“You always were pushy.” I glance up at her, and then pull away.
“How about this? I’ll sign those papers.” At her hopeful look, I wag my finger at her. “On a few conditions. You have to wait three months. Live here with me. Let me convince you otherwise. And if after three months, you don’t fall in love with me, I’ll back away. I’ll find some other way to be a part of your life.” When she looks like she is contemplating my offer, I add, “Also, I want you to let me invest in your bakery.” That throws her off.
“What?”
I shrug.
“I can’t help it. I’m a businessman. I see an opportunity, and I want to take it. Your place has potential. I want to have a stake in it as you expand. Which you will eventually, considering you’ve been taking those MBA classes.”
When she gapes at me, I smirk.
“Yeah, I got that from Agatha.” She purses her lips and I say, “Think about it. This is the only deal you get.”
After a few seconds which feel like someone is gripping my heart, she mutters, “Fine. You get three months.”
She looks so satisfied, as if she is sure she won’t fall prey to my charms. She has no idea how I plan to sweep her off her feet, right into my arms.
“Also,” my expression is serious. “I’m assigning a guard to you. This whole break-in seems to be targeted at you.” When she starts to protest, I silence her. “No. This is not up for negotiation. You’re also my wife, and that means you need your own security. You won’t feel stifled. I promise.”
She clearly doesn’t believe me, but right now her safety is my priority.
“One last thing. No matter what happens, you are not to go anywhere with Detective John. I don’t trust him. I didn’t like the way he looked at you.”
That is one thing that she agrees with at least.
10
Charlotte
“So, you’ll be staying here?” Agatha asks, as she chews on a cookie that I just baked.
I have been adamant that I use the kitchen if I was staying here.
