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The hunger disappears from Gabriel’s eyes. Suddenly, he’s the calm, disciplined boss that leads one of the biggest businesses in the world.
As we turn towards the Officiant, I tell myself to get a grip. I can’t control myself the way Gabriel did. No matter how much I’m looking forward to being bedded by him, I must take care to make sure I don’t develop feelings for him.
That would lead to misery. If I can keep myself to only feeling lust and respect for him, there’s a chance this marriage might bring some kind of contentment. As long as Oscar can stop having painful crises, that would be enough for me.
Thank God our personalities are opposites. There’s no way I’ll fall in love with a grump.
CHAPTER TWO
Gabriel
I FELL IN lust with Harper the first time I saw her, two years ago. She came up to the executive floor to deliver something to my personal assistant. She was wearing one of the black pencil skirts that seems to be her self-designated uniform and a flowery blouse.
Maybe she thinks those long skirts are conservative, but they stretch over her ass as if they were made just for her. Just thinking about it makes me hard. Which means I’m perpetually hard, since I can’t stop thinking about her.
In the last two years, no other woman has made me forget Harper. My cock just isn’t interested.
She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Yet, she’s never looked more beautiful that today, in virginal white.
Since she entered the wedding hall, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off her. The simple white dress is perfect for her curves.
She tried hard to look strong and happy in front of her brother, but there’s a vulnerability in her dark brown eyes, that’s endearing.
I try to focus on the Officiant’s words. I want every single one of them to be true. For this marriage to be real and bring true happiness.
Until I proposed to Harper, I didn’t know how much I wanted to have her permanently in my life.
Oh, I was mad with need for her. There was no other way to describe it apart from obsession. What else would I call the fact that she was on my mind in the morning, at night, and day when I should be thinking about work?
Every time I thought no one was looking, I watched her secretly. I looked up her records, so I’d know as much about her as I could. Six months ago, when she moved up to the executive floor to assist Mrs. Hall and I could see her daily without having to make any excuses to wander to the admin department, my obsession intensified.
The three weeks she covered for my personal assistant, and I had to talk to her, were hell. Because I discovered it wasn’t only her body I liked. Her perky voice and bright smile became a new thing to obsess over.
I’ve liked Mrs. Hall’s reserved temperament for years as it matches mine, but suddenly hearing Harper’s cheerful voice and watching her smile makes me feel good.
Seeing and hearing her constantly made it impossible to drive her smile and delectable curves away from my mind. Only the strong will I developed over years of hardship and hard work enable me to focus.
However, I didn’t realize I wanted to wake up next to her every day of my life. The moment I figured out she was about to give her body to the highest bidder at The Club, I knew. That was only going to happen over my dead body. So, like the negotiator I’ve become, I put the best terms on the table that would make it impossible for her to refuse my offer.
“Gabriel, do you take Harper Elaine Hamilton to be your lawfully wedded wife from this day forward–to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? Will you love, honor and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?” The Officiant asks.
“I do,” I say, meaning the words, as I watch Harper.
She keeps her gaze on me as the Officiant asks her the same question.
“I do.”
I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
My friend Damon comes forward with the rings.
I’m so nervous, my hands feel heavy as I take Harper’s hands and slowly glide her ring over her finger.
She places my ring on my finger, too.
“By the power vested in me by the beautiful state of Arizona, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The officiant smiles at us. “Congratulations. You may kiss the bride.”
I watch pink stain Harper’s cheeks and my heart races. Something about her innocence drives me wild.
