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“You’ll find out about me in due time, Elena,” I assure her. “In the meantime, I’d like to get to know my future wife.”
She scoffs. “Good luck with that. Rosa might be kind with the biggest heart ever, but even she isn’t okay with being sold into marriage.”
“Take it up with your fiancé, not me,” I mutter.
“I have. But there are some things that are out of my control,” she says sadly. “If you hurt her, I’ll?—”
“I’ve heard enough threats, thank you,” I say, cutting her off.
She frowns. “I really don’t like you.”
“Things change.”
She rolls her eyes and walks away, toward the back of the house where the party’s being hosted. I should follow her, but for some reason, my legs stay in place in front of the sculpted pieces. A few seconds later, I’m rewarded when I hear footsteps descending the steps.
I turn and Rosa appears. Something inside me sinks at the sight of her. She really is beautiful. Like a rose. She was aptly named. Beautiful and fragile. I’d hate to break her, but I’m not sure I know how not to. Her dark hair flows past her shoulders and she’s wearing a white dress that stops at her mid-thigh. It’s simple, understated, and yet the way it hugs every single one of her curves is a sight to behold.
I’ve always liked a little weight on women. Rosa’s body is full in ways that make me itch to hold her. Her gaze is fixed on her phone as she steps down, high heels clacking against the surface of the shiny light brown steps. She’s almost at the bottom when her head finally lifts and her eyes collide with mine.
She sucks in a breath and her blue eyes widen. For a moment, we just stare at each other. And then her eyes narrow and she turns around. I immediately move, climbing the stairs. My arms close around her wrist before she can go back up. I tug gently.
“Hey,” I say.
She turns, albeit begrudgingly. “What do you want?”
I smile, amused. “That’s hardly the way to talk to your future husband.”
Her gaze sharpens and she rips her hand away. “Listen, I already agreed to marry you. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to be subjected to any time in your presence right now. I’m still coming to terms with all this. So, if you could leave me alone?”
I pretend to think about it for a moment, placing a finger against my chin. “Rosa, I…” I begin, trying to find the right words.
Her eyes flutter shut and her hand goes up to her forehead, massaging it gently. “Why did you even ask for me? Why do you want to marry me?”
“It’s not about marrying you, per se. Don’t get me wrong, you’re a beautiful woman, but I would have married anybody to guarantee the stability of my family. I needed you, Rosa. It’s as simple as that. Do with that information what you will.”
Although, I would have married Rosa for nothing. There really is a fire in her that draws me in.
She pauses, letting that sink in. “That’s honest of you.”
“You’ll come to realize this in time, but I don’t lie.”
She scoffs. “What? Never?”
I shake my head. Lying signifies a fear that someone can use whatever you say against you. To hurt you, whether intentionally or not. I don’t have such a fear.
Rosa seems to consider this for a moment. “So if I asked you something, no matter what it was, you’d answer me honestly?”
“IfI answer, then yes, you can be sure it’s honest,” I state.
She nods in understanding. “Okay. So why did you approach me? Before.”
“I was trying to gauge your reaction to me. Our natural chemistry,” I reply with a smirk.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m guessing you were sorely disappointed?”
“Actually, you seemed to like my good looks, so…” I trail off.
Her eyes widen. “What? I didn’t!”
