Chapter 6

Fiona's POV:

"Dad, I can't marry Josh. He's a womanizer, and I've already agreed to marry my boss. Please, let me handle this. I'll explain to you and Mom when I get home for my bag," I said.

"Fiona," Dad said, his voice laced with disappointment. "Your mother and I raised you in a Christian home, and this is how you embarrass us—by secretly hooking up with your boss?"

"Dad, I'm sorry. I knew you and Mom would object. If I'd remembered you wanted me to meet Josh Edwards, I wouldn't have accepted my boss's proposal," I said, my voice breaking as I saw Rowan walking out of the store toward the car.

"I want to see your boss. He has to come meet us and ask for your hand properly. My daughter won't secretly marry any man. We won't support or accept it. Get home quickly," Dad said, his voice thunderous as he ended the call.

My father had never yelled at me like that. I wiped my tears as Rowan sat in the car and looked at me.

"What's wrong?" Rowan asked, his voice soft compared to how he'd spoken to me earlier.

"Nothing. It's my dad. He says I should come home quickly—and bring you too."

Rowan stared at me in silence. I kept my head down, avoiding his gaze. He exhaled. "I wasn't expecting this to get more complicated. I'm sorry, Fiona."

"What do you mean? Aren't you coming home with me to see my parents?" I asked, thinking he wanted to back out.

"Of course. I haven't forgotten. Here's the gold ring I chose for us. I hope you like it," Rowan said. He unlocked the ring box and revealed the two gold bands inside.

The gold rings sparkled in the sunlight streaming into the car.

"It's so beautiful," I said, my cheeks flushing.

"I'm glad you like it," Rowan said, peering at my face.

"May I put the ring on to see if it fits—or if we need to exchange it?" Rowan asked politely, holding out his hand for mine.

Nervously, I extended my hand. He picked up one ring and slid it onto my finger. It fit perfectly, as if made just for me. My cheeks flushed as I smiled and admired it.

"Thank you," I whispered nervously, pulling my hand back.

"Won't you put the ring on my finger?" Rowan asked, his voice warm.

"Oh, I forgot," I replied shyly. My long lashes fluttered as I picked up the second ring and slid it onto his finger.

Holding my boss's hand sent a wave of arousal through me. I tried to act normal and quickly fitted the gold ring in place.

Rowan smiled as he watched me slide it onto his left ring finger. It fit perfectly, like the bands were crafted for us.

"This is only a fake marriage, sir. We shouldn't wear rings," I said after meeting his smiling face.

Mr. Carson's face twisted into a scowl. He met my gaze and smirked.

"If we don't wear rings, how will people like Josh or Albert believe we're legally married? You belong to me now, Fiona—for these two years. Okay?" Rowan said firmly. I nodded.

"Okay," I mumbled. He continued peering at my face.

"Or do you still think you're single?" Rowan asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he studied me.

My cheeks flushed. I looked away from his handsome face.

"I don't think our marriage is fake," I said. His eyes locked onto mine.

"Do you have feelings for me, Fiona? Why do you avoid my face? That reminds me—you should stop calling me Mr. Carson when we're together. Call me your husband or my name. Understood?" Rowan asked, his voice firm, like in the office.

"Um, I prefer Mr. Carson. I can't call you husband or by your name," I replied shyly.

"Is that so? Why, if I may ask? I know you have no feelings for me, so calling me by name shouldn't be an issue," Rowan said. I pouted.

"Sir, I don't want to develop feelings for you. Calling you by name feels too intimate," I replied coldly, finally meeting his gaze.

"What if I want to hear you call my name—and moan it?" Rowan asked shamelessly.

"What?" My jaw dropped in shock. I went speechless.

"Sir, I can't call you by your name. I am—" Before I could finish, Rowan pulled me forward in the car and crashed his lips onto mine. He kissed me tenderly at first, then passionately, leaving me breathless.

My heart raced, pounding in my chest. I couldn't believe my boss had just kissed me.

"Now you can call me by name. Any more issues?" Rowan asked, licking his lips as he released me.

My face burned. I couldn't believe he'd stolen my first kiss. Did he know it was my first? How dare he kiss me without asking? He just grabbed me and claimed my lips with his firm ones.

His taste lingered in my mouth. I couldn't believe he'd kissed me with the same lips he used for his true love.

Had Mr. Carson planned to kiss me all along?

My mind raced with thoughts as I wondered why my boss had married me—even if it was fake.

"Are you angry because I kissed you?" Rowan asked, noticing my silence.

I didn't look at his face. My mood soured, overwhelmed by our fake marriage.

"Fiona," Rowan called my name more intimately than he did at the office.

Was I overthinking how he said my name now?

"Fiona," Rowan called again. I looked at him.

"What's wrong, sir? Keep your eyes on the road," I said as he started the car and drove toward my parents' home.

"I'm sorry about the kiss if it upsets you. But we're married now, so I can kiss you whenever I want," Rowan said firmly.

"You don't have the right to kiss me whenever you like—not without permission. You don't love me, and kissing me like that isn't right. Besides, that was my first kiss, and you stole it," I snapped, annoyed that he'd kissed me without warning.

"Seriously? So I need your permission to kiss or touch you?" Rowan asked shamelessly. I looked away, arms crossed over my chest.

"Yes. You need permission before kissing or touching me, so I can brace my heart for the fake affection. We both know it's not real love—we're not in love, so we won't catch feelings," I said firmly.

Rowan stayed silent, driving his black sports car toward my father's house.

"We're going to see your family for your bag. After that, we'll head to my house. Or do I need permission for that too?" Rowan asked, his voice laced with mockery.

"No. You don't need permission for that," I replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Fiona, don't give me attitude. First, I warn you not to pout your lips like you do. It made me want to kiss you. As my wife, I don't owe you an apology. I have the right to kiss you whenever I want—and you can kiss me too if you want. Understand?" Rowan demanded. I stayed silent, refusing to reply.