Page 95 of Tinsel & Chrome

“I’m more inclined to want you in bed then him, honey,” Annie stressed the word honey, clearly getting irritated with Sienna too. This chic seemed to have a talent for it.

“What did you just say?” Sienna asked, frowning now.

“I need to get you back to your hotel. Clearly this was a mistake,” I said, reaching for Sienna’s elbow, but she must have tracked what I was about to do and stepped away.

“She’s a lesbian?” Sienna asked, apparently not wanting to let this ridiculous exchange go as she stared at me with her eyes widening.

“Yeah, so?” Annie said, crossing her hands over her chest.

“Oh, thank fuck. You do see how I’d be upset, right? I mean you’re fucking gorgeous,” Sienna said, smiling now.

“No, I don’t see,” I said, my anger piercing my words. “I’ve known you for a few hours. You don’t have any claim on me.”

“I need to explain,” Sienna said.

“I’ll leave you to figure this out,” Annie said and as she pivoted to go, Sienna’s words stopped us both.

“I need you to marry me,” Sienna said and stopped talking like that made any fucking sense.

“What the actual fuck? Are you on medication?” I asked, clearly missing the thread. I could fill the ends of my hair sticking up as I ripped my fingers through my hair in frustration.

“Well, I didn’t see that one coming,” Annie said and walked over to the cabinet and brought down three mugs. “Maybe let’s fix some coffee, and I’ll leave so you guys can talk.

“I don’t mind you hearing it,” Sienna said. “I might need your help to convince him.”

“Sorry, sweetheart, I don’t think anyone can help you with that,” Annie smirked as she poured the hot liquid into the mugs.

My brain felt like it was going to implode. I was speechless as I watched Annie doctor her coffee. She murmured good luck as she left us to it after a few minutes of me watching Sienna. She moved nervously under my penetrating gaze. Who was this person?!

Chapter 5

––––––––

Sienna

––––––––

“I’m not crazy, I promise,” I said and stood awkwardly watching Noah start to pace.

Noah stopped suddenly and glared at me, “well, don’t you figure a crazy person would say that!”

I hesitantly walked up to him and grabbed his hands as he frowned down at me.

“My inheritance stipulates that I must be married by my 21st birthday to inherit $30 million dollars. I turn 21 on Christmas Day.”

Apparently, I’d stunned Noah because he just stood there staring at me, but somehow, I don’t think he was looking at me anymore.

“Say something,” I said, quietly.

“I’m going to take you back to your hotel,” Noah said as he spun on his heels and headed out the door.

*****

Nerves were rioting in my stomach as I waited for Noah to meet me at the restaurant he suggested. I chose a patio seat so we’d have a little more privacy. It had been three long days before I heard from him and I was getting nervous that his answer would be no. My birthday was looming over my head. A part of me couldn’t wait to know my fate and the other part wanted to run screaming to the other side of the world where I’d never have to think about it again.

Lost in thought, I jumped when I heard the scrape of the chair beside me. I’d been so lost in the view in front of me that I’d not noticed Noah, still wearing what I now knew was known as a cut over his button-down shirt. His expression was serious, but I’d already grown accustomed to him not being the most smiley of guys.

“Thanks for meeting me,” I said.