Page 16 of An Inevitable Marriage

“…my job… And what the heck is he thinking? I know we live in the so-called concrete jungle and all, but did he really have to take it so literally?”

What?

Furrowing my brows, I gave myself a quick once-over.

I wasn’t wearing a shirt. My hair, still wild and unruly, hung loose over my shoulders, and I hadn’t even bothered with socks or shoes. Shit, my jeans weren’t even buttoned properly.

Oh well.

“Does he think he’s Tarzan or something?”

Tarzan, huh? I chuckled. Maybe she’d like to be Jane and swing on—No. I cocked my head mid-thought and thoroughly studied her. This woman was no Jane. With those inky locks tumbling over her shoulders, porcelain skin, and impossibly full ruby lips, she could easily pass for Snow White.

Yeah, a fairy-tale princess. Seemed appropriate since I had no idea someone so beautiful existed.

And apparently, that was enough for my brain to short-circuit completely. Because for reasons I couldn’t explain, my damn lips parted, and words I had no intention of saying out loud rolled off my tongue.

“Hey, Snow, you do realize I’m standing right here. Why don’t you try talkingto meinstead ofabout me.”

Those emerald irises met mine once more, and for a fraction of a second, something hot and wild stirred behind my breastbone. But it was gone again the instant she arched her brow and parted those red lips.

“Like anyone could miss you with all that hair and skin you’ve got hanging out.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Last time I checked, I can wear as much or as little as I want. Especially in my own home.”

“Hmm,” she huffed. “Last timeIchecked, anyone with decent manners covered themselves up.”

My legs moved without permission, closing the distance between us. We were so close she had to tilt her head back to hold my stare. From my new vantage point, I had a close-up view of everything I couldn’t see earlier.

Like the small stud in her nose and how deep the bow of her lips dipped.

But what really caught me off guard were those eyes again. They were unlike anything I’d seen before. All the shades of green came together to create the color of her irises. Dark and bright all at once, giving me an eerie feeling if this woman tried hard enough, she’d be able to see right through me.

I didn’t like it one bit.

And yet, I leaned closer.

Her eyes widened, and she sucked in a sharp breath. And fuck if my spine didn’t rattle in delight.

“I never did get around to learning some manners,” I told her, shrugging a shoulder. “You know, with me growing up in the jungleand all.”

Snow let out a loud, obnoxious groan. “This is a mistake.”

Shaking her head, she took a step away from me. I immediately wanted to follow.

Rafe, either oblivious to the tension spike in the room or simply not caring, happily smacked his hands together. “No, this is brilliant. You’re already getting along like an old married couple. Now, let’s make it official.”

“No!” Snow and I yelled in unison.

Finally, something we agreed on.

I glared at Rafe. “Whatever the hell you were thinking, think again. She’s not marryingme, and I am most definitely not marryingher.” My gaze shot back to Snow. “You wasted your time coming here. You can leave now.”

With an entirely new annoyance flooding my veins, I stomped back to the kitchen.

I didn’t even know why I was even more pissed now than I’d been earlier, and I didn’t care. Yanking the cupboard open with a hell of a lot more force than necessary, I grabbed a coffee mug.

“What the hell was that in there?” Rafe’s voice came from somewhere behind me. “You can be a real dick sometimes.”