Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36975 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
I pull her close, pressing her head to my chest, wrapping my arms around her as I let my heartbeat steady back down. She’s fucking mine. As much as I want to tell her to stay here forever, I can’t do that. She means more to me than anything in the world.
There are ways that I can make this work. I can move with her or at least have a base in London, which isn’t a big deal. I have access to a lot of friends and networks to make things work out in my favor. All that matters is that I get to see and provide protection to my precious woman.
“How does tomorrow sound?” I ask.
“Tomorrow?” her eyes comically bulge out.
“The wedding.”
She presses on my chest slightly to back up. “Whoa. I don’t have any of the details about the job yet.”
I just shrug because I’d marry her today if I could. “Well, I figure no sense in waiting.”
“But I’m sure your friends want more than a day’s notice. How about a week? Besides, the court offices are closed tomorrow.”
“You have a good point. We’ll get married next week. I’m going to have to make some calls before I take you to dinner.”
Chapter Fourteen
Andi
I turn down the offer the second I get to my apartment. Elijah has to go make some calls, so I go into my bedroom and draft the email to the director in London. As amazing as it was, Elijah is all I’ll ever need. He’s my rock, my stability, and when he was willing to let me follow my dreams, only asking that I stay his forever, I knew I didn’t need to play for strangers. I have what I need right in front of me—my best friend and lover.
There’s a lot for me to do before I’m bombarded with every female in Steeleville to plan the impromptu wedding. Elijah wanted to get married tomorrow. I managed to get him to push it to next week, which Penny was grateful for because baking a wedding cake of quality takes more than a few hours.
I overheard her squawking at him while I packed a suitcase to go stay with him in Steeleville while we planned everything. During the drive down, he smiles the entire time and I can’t help but do the same.
We are almost there when my phone rings. It’s Dean Morris. “How dare you turn down a tremendous offer?”
“Excuse me?” Elijah turns to me in shock. I planned on surprising him later and telling him I didn’t take the job.
“Did you not hear me?” This piece of crap not only has the nerve to speak to me so rudely, but he also ruined my surprise.
Inhaling so I have enough air to let this windbag have it, I say, “I heard you perfectly clear. You dare to tell me what to do with my career as if somehow going to London to play would be any better than playing here. I’m staying right where I need to, and I don’t take advice from anyone I deem unqualified or unimportant.”
“What are you thinking? Staying here and having babies with a loser, giving up your career?”
“I’m not giving up my career. What’s the deal with you? I don’t get your angle with me. Do you get a cut if I sign with them? Some prestige? Or are you working for my parents?”
“Uh… um…. uh,” he stutters.
“Enough said. Goodbye. Do not contact me again. I will no longer be affiliated with the school in any capacity.” I end the call and slam my phone down onto the dashboard. He pulls off onto the side of the road and cuts the engine.
“There’s a lot to unpack there. First, are you okay?” Taking off his seatbelt, Elijah turns and faces me, brushing his hand down my cheek.
“Fine. I’m just fine.”
“Bullshit.” He scoffs, chuckling. “You’re seething and nearly bit your damn tongue getting those words out.” He reaches out and takes my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it like he always does.
“There are other positions,” I mention, trying to be positive and sounding unbothered. “It’s strange, though.”
“What is?” he asks while playing with my fingers.
“He knew about the email I sent so quickly and he was so angry about it.”
“I can continue looking into it. The guy is in debt to his eyeballs. Gambling issue. My guess—you’re his golden goose. Someone is interested in you, and he thinks he can make a profit off getting you to work for that person. That’s the least fucked-up thing I could come up with. I’m not done researching it, but I will continue digging.”
So that’s what he was doing when he should be sleeping. “It has to do with my parents. I just know it. Can you look up Reginald Bakersfield? He’s nearly sixty, and that’s who they wanted me to marry.”