CHAPTER FOUR

ADRIAN POV

Two days have passed since my meeting with Mister Gorgeous. No Mister Demon.

Ugh. I groaned at my own antics. Why was that man sticking in my head like bubblegum? Today was my last day, and I still had no answer.

I needed one. Desperately.

Climbing out of the car, I returned a few greetings and went straight to the elevator. I reached my floor and headed into my office. Lauren wasn’t at her desk, probably off to get my coffee.

Inside, I froze. A basket of white flowers sat neatly on my table.

Rolling my eyes, I picked up the note. No surprise it was from Damien Cross.

He’d been sending flowers ever since I stormed into his office. Impress me or mock me? I didn’t know. But this was the third delivery. The man was insane.

*Dear Future Husband,

Here are some flowers to lighten your day.

They smell good, of course.

Just like you.

Your utterly handsome and conceited Future Husband,

Damien Cross*

Heat crept to my cheeks. Damn it, why was I blushing?

At least his handwriting was neat. Unlike mine. Was there anything this man couldn’t do?

Truthfully, I’d been trying to find a way to pay the debt but had failed at every turn. It was like fate was shoving me toward that bastard. If I didn’t figure it out in a few hours, marriage would be my only option.

And I hadn’t even told Clara yet. She’d stop me for sure.

My phone buzzed. Still standing over the flowers, I put the note back and checked the screen. Unknown number. Maybe someone willing to help?

I answered quickly. “Hello?”

“Good morning to you, my future husband.”

Groaning, I pressed my hand to my forehead.

“What the fuck do you want?” I snapped.

He chuckled. “I wanted to know if you have an answer already.”

“I think you just want my attention.” Which was true. Flowers, calls he was trying too hard.

“Here I thought I was the conceited one.” His laugh rolled smoothly through the line, making me chuckle despite myself.

“Whatever. What do you want from me again?” I asked, walking to the glass wall overlooking the city.

“I said I wanted your answer.”

I cursed under my breath. I still had calls to make.

“I don’t have one yet. Which means I need to hang up and call people who’ll help me without asking for marriage.” I teased. He laughed again. Damn, his laugh was sexy.

“Who do you need to call?”

“What?” I frowned, pacing.

“Who are you calling for help?”

“Jason Rodriguez. Why?”

“Nothing. But how about a bet?” His tone shifted.

“Your unhealthy habit of deals again,” I muttered. He laughed. Was I his clown?

“If Rodriguez doesn’t help you, I’ll call you ‘wifey’ and you’ll call me ‘hubby.’”

“Are you sure you graduated high school?”

“I’m serious. What do you want if you win?”

I thought about it. “If I win, you’ll help me without marrying me.”

He snorted. “Honey, I wanted an endearment. You’re asking too much.”

I sighed. Fine. “If I win, you’ll… run around your company naked.” I laughed at the thought.

“Deal.”

My eyes widened. “W what?”

“Deal. You deaf?” He laughed again.

“Say what you want, Megalomaniac. Hang up now.”

“Call me after you call Rodriguez.”

“Hang up, Mr. Megalomaniac.”

“No, you hang up.”

“Fine.” I ended the call, smiling despite myself. Weird man. Weird, but… he made me feel lighter.

I quickly dialed Rodriguez Enterprises. After the secretary patched me through, his voice came on.

“Good morning, Mr. McKinley.”

“Good morning, Mr. Rodriguez. I know this sounds sudden, but ”

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you.”

My heart sank. He didn't allow me to finish . “Mr. Rodriguez, please ”

“As I said, I can’t. Good day.”

The line went dead.

I placed the phone down, despair crashing over me. A tear slipped out, then another. First my father’s death. Then being forced into this CEO role. Now selling myself to save the company.

And I wasn’t ready to marry anyone. Hell, I’d never even had a boyfriend. And the one man pursuing me was the most conceited bastard alive.

My phone buzzed again. Damien.

I answered weakly. “Hello?”

“Are you crying?” His voice was suddenly worried.

“It’s none of your business. And I’m not in the mood.” I hung up and shut off my phone.

I crossed my arms, laid my head on the desk, and shut my eyes. Maybe it would all disappear if I slept.

A hand shook my shoulder. I groaned. “Fuck off, Lauren.”

“Not a morning person, huh?” The deep chuckle made my eyes snap open.

The megalomaniac. Sitting on my desk. Grinning.

“Why the fuck are you here?”

“I came to check on my future husband. You didn’t sound okay earlier.” He patted a paper bag on my desk.

“What’s this?”

“Lunch. You skipped it.”

My stomach growled, betraying me. But still “How do I know it’s not poisoned?”

He laughed, infuriatingly attractive. “Most people would be thrilled if I showed up with food.”

“I’m not most people. But thanks.” I grabbed the bag. Inside a giant burger and soda. Heaven. I moaned after the first bite.

He smirked. “Glad you kept the flowers.”

“They’re beautiful. And even though I hate you, I don’t take it out on flowers.”

He chuckled, watching me devour the burger.

“So, why were you crying earlier?”

I sighed. “Since you brought food, I’ll tell you. Rodriguez rejected me before I even asked.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Please. I know you’re happy.”

“Maybe a little,” he smirked. “Wifey.”

“Whatever… hubby.” I rolled my eyes, blushing.

“How’s the burger?”

“So good I might marry it instead of you.”

His glare at the burger almost made me choke with laughter.

“Hey, I was joking!”

He sighed.

“Have you thought of an answer?” he asked nervously.

I laughed. “You sound like you’ll lose everything.”

“Because I want this to work. I want us to work.”

“‘Us’? All you want is my company.” The hurt on his face caught me off guard.

“I… uhm…” He stuttered, blushing.

“Whatever. I don’t have an answer yet.”

“This is your last day. Less than twelve hours.”

I pouted at the empty wrapper. My burger was gone.

He chuckled.

“Since I bought you lunch, I’m asking you out for dinner.”

“I knew there was a catch!”

“I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Fine. I’ll go.”

His grin widened.

“Where should I pick you up?”

“Oh my, what a gentleman.”

“Here. Six o’clock. Somewhere fancy. Don’t wear red.” He winked.

“Fuck you. Don’t wink at me, you gorgeous man-child.”

“Thank you for lunch,” I said honestly.

“The pleasure’s mine. And tonight, I want your answer.”

“You’ll get it. Promise.”

“I’ll see you tonight, wifey.” He leaned in, kissed my cheek, and left.

My hand flew to my cheek. My heart pounded.

Why did he make me feel this way?

It must be the soda.

“Adam,” I called after grabbing my phone. “Prepare the car. We’re going home.”

Something told me I needed to look good tonight.