Page 25 of An Inevitable Marriage

How did it feel to have the people who were bound to you by blood actually care enough that they’d upend their entire lives just to help you?

“Anyone with access to the internet can do a quick search and know exactly how much you’re worth,” he went on. “What if she wants more money? What if she sells your furniture to line her pockets? Or worse, to support a boyfriend you don’t know about?”

She won’t.

The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t voice them. Tristan was right about all of it. It was the reason I’d asked him to do a background check after Snow had left my apartment, and why we’d postponed applying for the license until after the contract was signed.

I gave him a pointed stare. “Isn’t that why we’re doing this?” I said, jerking my head toward the contract and prenuptial agreement. “To cover the just-in-cases?”

Before he could respond, his office phone rang. After three sharp rings punctured the air, he pressed the receiver against his ear. Whoever was on the other end had little to say because he was off the call barely a breath later.

“She’s here.”

Two words. Two fucking words and my body went haywire. That jumping thing my knee did earlier intensified. Somewhere behind my rib cage, my heart pounded so fast and so loud, it was painful.

This was new.

It was inconvenient.

And freaked me the hell out.

Behind me, a soft knock sounded then the door slowly creaked open.

Tristan’s eyes flicked to mine. “Ready?”

I most certainly wasn’t. Instead of saying that out loud, I drew in a quick breath and pushed to my feet. Swiping my palms down the front of my jacket, I turned to face the door.

And, holy shit.

One look at her, and the air rushed from my lungs. My mouth went dry, and my fingers itched with new, unfamiliar sensations.

She. Was. Gorgeous.

Dressed in the same type of pantsuit thing as the other day, this one dark green, she’d pulled half of her hair into a knot on top of her head while the rest tumbled over her shoulder in soft curls.

I shifted from one foot to the other and slid my gaze farther down her body. Heels. Shiny, golden heels covered her feet, and dammit, I barely suppressed the shiver running down my spine at the sight of them.

“Miss Sutton. Thank you for coming,” Tristan spoke from behind his desk. “Have a seat.”

Snow’s attention stayed on my friend for one heartbeat longer before she finally turned her attention to me. And just like our first meeting, the brilliant green of her eyes hit me square in the chest. My lungs collapsed. My skin stretched tight, too tight, as she held my stare.

One, two, three seconds passed before she closed her eyes. I felt the loss of her attention deep down to the marrow of my bones. Swallowing hard, I kept my attention on her.

Her chest rose and fell on a deep, slow breath, immediately followed by another one. Maybe I wasn’t the only nervous one. On her third breath, her lids finally parted, and I was once again assaulted by those eyes.

She held my stare for a few more seconds then tucked a few wayward strands behind her ear and walked to where I stood.

Everything about her screamed the same energy I felt coursing through my veins. Until she parted her ruby-red lips.

“You remembered a shirt this time.” Her eyebrow steadily rose. “I’m impressed.”

A grin tugged at my mouth. “I could always take it off if it’ll make you more comfortable.”

My hands went to the tie around my neck. Before I could even pretend to pull at it, an awful choking sound filled the room.

Tearing my gaze from Snow, I looked over at Tristan. His face was red, and he stared at me like he didn’t know who I was.

Maybe he didn’t.