CHAPTER SIX

ADRIAN HALE POV

“Damien?” I waved a hand in front of his face. He had been staring into space for a while now, his fork untouched, his jaw tight. Ever since I pretended not to be jealous earlier, he had been acting… strange.

God. Why had I lied? Saying I wasn’t jealous when that girl practically threw herself at him was the dumbest move ever.

“Sorry, I was distracted,” he finally said, flashing me a smile that looked like it hurt him to wear. Fake. And weak.

My stomach twisted. Was he upset because I didn’t admit the truth? Did he want me to scream: Yes, Damien, I was jealous. Because she was a bitch and I can’t stand anyone touching you but me?

I stabbed at my food, chewing even though I couldn’t taste a thing. The silence between us felt heavy. He looked like he was holding back tears, and that broke me more than I wanted to admit.

“Adrian, I think I need to ”

No. No way. Was he about to dump me? My chest tightened like I couldn’t breathe, and before I knew it, the panic ripped words out of me.

“Okay, fine!” I burst out. “I’m jealous, alright? I hate it when people flirt with you. I lose sleep just thinking about it. My heart races every damn time I remember our kiss. Did you know I spent three hours just to look good tonight? Three hours! And still I kept repeating your name in my head like some lunatic. You’re too handsome, too impossible too much for me and ”

I couldn’t finish.

Because his lips crashed onto mine.

The sudden force knocked my brain blank. Heat flooded through me, sparks racing down my body. My fork clattered onto the floor, and I didn’t even care that food probably smeared onto his expensive suit. Neither of us cared.

For once, it was just me and him.

A sharp click made me flinch. Paparazzi? Someone snapping a picture? Or maybe just some nosy couple taking a selfie. It didn't matter. He didn’t stop kissing me, and there was no chance in hell I was pulling away.

When he finally broke the kiss, my lips felt swollen, my face burning hot.

“Does that mean you’ll marry me?” Damien asked, grinning like the arrogant bastard he was.

I froze. My brain screamed Do I love him? My chest answered Yes. Loud. Too loud.

But my mouth, being the idiot it always is, stammered, “No of course not. I just wanted to confess my weird feelings.” My sarcasm fell flat, my blush giving me away.

“Say it,” he whispered, voice low and demanding. “Say you’ll marry me.”

My teeth sank into my bottom lip. Every nerve in me screamed that I was falling, and I couldn’t stop it. “Yes,” I whispered. Then louder, “Yes, I’ll marry you, Hubby.”

In one smooth motion, he slipped a ring onto my finger. Right there in the middle of the restaurant.

It wasn’t plain. Silver with a violet stone that shimmered under the light. Girly, maybe. But gorgeous.

He kissed my hand, his eyes locked on mine like he could see through me. “You’re even more beautiful wearing my ring,” he smirked.

“Whatever,” I muttered, heart pounding. “Can we go home now? I’m tired.”

He chuckled, sliding his warm fingers between mine. His hands were huge compared to mine. Strong, steady, grounding.

And of course, my dirty brain immediately pictured those hands doing other things. Ugh.

“Wife?”

I blinked. Wait. We were already in the car. Crap. How long had I been daydreaming?

“You were mumbling about fingers,” he teased, eyes sparkling.

Heat shot to my face. “It’s nothing!”

“Whatever you say,   Wife. Where’s your place?”

“I… I just have an apartment. No house.”

His brow arched. “No house?”

“My sister Clara dominates it. She brings her boyfriend over all the time. They’re so loud, moaning loud. Sounds like a dying puppy. It’s torture.”

He burst out laughing, rich and deep. The sound twisted my stomach in the best way. God, why did even his laugh have to be sexy?

“Then why don’t you live with me?” he asked casually, kissing my knuckles again like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I nearly choked. “What?! Are you insane?”

“I’m insane for you.”

“Stop being corny.”

His hand cupped my chin, forcing my eyes up to meet his. “We’re engaged, Adrian. Engaged people live together. Move in with me.”

“Damien, I’d drive you insane,” I muttered.

He pretended to pout, then immediately brightened. “Fine. I’ll move in tomorrow!”

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly got stuck. “You’re impossible.”

The car pulled up at my apartment. Before I could bolt, Damien helped me out, then pulled me close and kissed me again. His lips lingered, stealing my breath.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,  Wife,” he murmured, kissing my forehead before climbing back into the car. He even blew me a kiss from the window like some over-the-top movie star. I couldn’t stop laughing as I stumbled inside.

Adam spotted me smiling like an idiot, but I ignored him. Straight to my room, I flopped on the bed and stared at the ring. The stone shimmered in the low light, and I swore I’d never take it off. Not even in the shower.

Later, in just my underwear, I sprawled on the couch scrolling through my phone. Sleep tugged at my eyelids, but before bed, I sent him a quick text.

Me: Hey, Hubby!

Damien: Hello,  Wife. Why aren’t you sleeping yet?

God. Even his texts were cute.

Me: I just wanted to say goodnight.

Damien: Yay! Dream of me.

I buried my face into the pillow, blushing like an idiot, before drifting off with his name spinning in my head.

The next morning, I dragged myself half-asleep into the kitchen, yawning and rubbing my eyes.

“Good morning,   Wife!”

My soul nearly left my body.

Damien. In silk pajamas. Standing in my kitchen. Smiling like he owned the place.

“OH MY GOD!” I shouted, bolting back into my room. “What the hell are you doing here?!”

“  Wife, relax. I came to help move your stuff. Adam let me in. Sorry for the surprise.”

“I can’t! I’m still in my underwear, you psycho!” I threw on a robe and opened the door. He hugged me immediately, laughing.

“Sorry. I thought it’d be funny.”

“Funny? You nearly killed me!”

“Well,” he said with a smirk, “you did look hot in your underwear.”

“Pervert!”

He laughed harder, which only made me blush more.

Before I could shove him away, Clara stormed in holding a newspaper.

“Adrian!” she shouted. “You’re on the news! Says you’re dating that selfish bastard who tried to marry me. Is this true?”

I froze. The front page screamed with a photo of us kissing in the restaurant.

“It’s uhm ”

“Yes, it’s true,” Damien cut in smoothly, wrapping his arm around my waist like he’d practiced it.

Clara’s jaw dropped.

“You weren’t ”

“Gay?” I cut her off. “Well, I am now.” I smirked just to see her reaction.

“But… you only did this to save the company, right?”

Before I could answer, Damien kissed me right in front of her.

“We’re dating,” he said firmly, pulling back. “Shouldn’t you be happy? You’ve got a very handsome brother-in-law now.” He winked at her.

To my horror, Clara actually blushed.

She cleared her throat. “Fine. Whatever. I don’t care if you’re gay.” Then she leaned closer, whispered something into Damien’s ear, kissed my cheek, and left.

“What did she say?” I demanded.

He grinned. “It’s a secret.”

“Ugh. I need orange juice.”

He chuckled as I stormed to the fridge. At least Clara wasn’t angry. She was fine with me being with him.