FOUR

The attendant's face went pale, then immediately she smiled. "There's no problem at all. I was just helping your... friend here find something suitable."

"My wife," Elijah corrected calmly. "She's My wife."

"Of course, of course. Your wife." She laughed nervously. "I was just saying how lovely she looks in everything."

Elijah was quiet for a long moment, just staring at her. Then he turned to me.

"Breanna, come here."

I stepped forward hesitantly, still wearing the black dress I'd just tried on.

His hand slid around my waist as he pulled me against him. Before I could process what was happening, his other hand cupped my face and he kissed me.

Actually kissed me.

His lips were soft as they moved against mine. I felt my knees go weak and I gasped against his mouth as he bit my lips slightly. I gripped his shirt, trying to steady myself.

When he finally pulled away, I was breathless.

"My wife," he said again, this time looking directly at the attendant who had gone completely white. His arm was still around me.

"Mr. Washington, I—"

"You're fired."

The woman's eyes went wide. "What? No, please, I didn't mean—"

"You disrespected my wife. In my presence." He said coldly. "I don't tolerate that. You're done here. I'll be speaking to the owner about your employment termination."

"Please, Mr. Washington. I need this job—"

"You should have thought about that before insulting Mrs. Washington." He turned to me. "We're leaving. I'll have everything sent to our home."

We go out of the dressing room, his hand still firm on my waist. I could hear the attendant's desperate pleas behind us, but Elijah didn't even glance back.

We were in the car before I finally found my voice.

"You didn't have to do that," I said quietly.

"You're my wife. It's my duty to protect you." He said it so matter-of-factly.

Wow. He was really taking this husband role seriously.

"So long as we're bound by that contract, I'll do everything within my power to follow the terms." He glanced at me. "As I said before, I'm very thorough."

"You didn't have to kiss me though," I mumbled, my face still hot from the memory of it.

I watched from the corner of my eye as he chuckled. The sound making me clench my thighs together involuntarily. God, he was so hot.

"Any woman would kill for a kiss from me," he said cockily.

I rolled my eyes. Again with that attitude. It was such a turnoff. Why did he think he was so special? Aside from his eyes, his physique, and okay fine, he did have really nice lips. My eyes trailed down his body, noticing the way his shirt hugged his frame perfectly. My gaze wandered lower—

Breanna. What are you doing?

I snapped my eyes back to the window.

"Get over yourself," I responded.

Ring. Ring.

His phone started ringing at that moment. He glanced at the caller ID then frowned before holding it to his ears. His eyebrows were scrunched together as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

"What do you mean he collapsed?" His voice became a bit agitated. "When?"

I sat up straighter and watched his facial expressions. I couldn't really make out the words of the person on the other end but whoever it was was talking really fast. 

"Is he conscious? What did the doctors say? Mom…just calm down.” He let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m on my way."

He hung up and I saw the way his knuckles became white on the steering.

"What happened?" I asked. 

"My grandfather collapsed." He said it calmly but I could clearly see the tension in his shoulders. 

I gasped inaudibly. "Is he going to be okay?" I carefully asked. 

"I don't know." His eyes were set straight on the road. I looked down at my hands not knowing what to say. I looked back at his face and it was surprisingly very calm now. 

Was he that good at keeping his emotions in check? It's his grandfather...shouldn't he at least show signs of being worried. 

“This is perfect.” He suddenly said making me look at him in confusion. “It's the perfect opportunity to introduce you to him.”

Was he bipolar or something?

He chuckled at my expression. “My Grandfather isn't going anywhere, he'll probably outlive us all and besides when he’ll be thrilled to meet you. After all the old dog is the reason I married you in the first place. So lighten up. You'll be meeting Harold Washington very soon. ” He smirked.