Page 93 of Sin With Me

Instead of continuing to argue with her, I get down on one knee and grab her left hand.

"W-what're you doin'?" she stumbles over her words, and I grin at the faint blush covering her cheeks.

"Delly..." I begin, licking my lips while trying to calm my racing heart. "I know this is quick, and you think we're going to fail, but if you give me thirty days to prove that I can be the husband you deserve, I promise not to let you down. If—for whatever reason—you still wanna get it annulled after that, then I won't fight you on it. But please, give me the chance first. Let me show you how great we can be together."

"Wilder..." she whispers my name, swallowing hard. "I don't wanna hurt you."

"Nothin' could top meetin' you for the first time and then havin' to see you with my twin brother. That's a level of pain I wouldn't wish on anyone."

Her eyes water, but she tries to hide it by closing her eyes and tilting her head back.

"It's only a month, baby. Move in with me and let's give this a real shot."

"Move in with you?” Her eyes pop open. “What about Mattie?"

"Well...as much as I like your roommate, I think squeezin’ the three of us in my bed might be a bit snug."

She playfully swats my chest. "I don't wanna leave her hangin'. She relies on me for half the rent and bills."

"I wasn't gonna charge you to live with me, Delly."

"Why not? If we're married and livin' together, shouldn't I be responsible for half?"

"It comes outta my check before I even see it. Plus, even if that weren't the case, I wouldn't let you pay anyway. And just to further prove that I want this with you, I'll cover your expenses so Mattie doesn't have to worry. Hell, I'll pay for both of yours."

"You don't have to do that."

"I wouldn't mind either way. Whatever it takes for you to give me a chance..."

She bites her lower lip, contemplating in silence, and I wait while the carpet digs into my bare knee. But I'll stay here for as long as it takes for her to decide.

"One condition."

"Done."

"You haven't even heard it yet." She laughs. "We continue todatelike normal. Just because we're married doesn't mean I'mexpected to be in the kitchen cookin’ dinner every night or doin' your laundry."

I smirk. "I've seen your apartment, so I wouldn't expect that anyway."

Her snarky glare has my smile widening.

"Yeah, well...it's been a rough year."

"I get it..." And I do. After losing her dad, I saw the spark leave her eyes. "Let me do those things for you. That should be my job, as yourhusband, to help you through your grief, make sure you're eatin’ and have clean clothes, and whatever else you need me to do."

She looks at me skeptically. "You can barely do those things for yourself."

"But for the right person, I'd put in the time and effort to do it for them. And in case you've been livin' in a fish bowl for the past nine years, that person is you."

"You're really serious about this?"

I nod, squeezing her hand. "Yes. I wouldn't have asked you to sin with me if I wasn't."

Her eyes roll but the grin on her face tells me she loves it. "Okay."

"Okay?" I blurt loudly, needing to make sure I heard correctly.

She sighs, nodding. "I'll give you thirty days."