Internally, I tried to convince myself that it didn’t matter. The man I would be spending the rest of my life with wasright here.He pushed back from the table and unfolded himself to what seemed like an impossible height as he rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt.
Dark, rolling tattoos covered every inch of his pale, creamy arms. My eyes continued their slow perusal and landed on his incredibly gorgeous face. His dark auburn hair was brushed back from his forehead, and more tattoos snaked up his neck and kissed his sharp, clean-shaven jaw. A small smile graced his full, dark lips. But his eyes stopped my casual observation. They were the bluest eyes I’d ever seen.Ivan’s eyes were icy and glacial. Donovan’s were as blue as the ocean. They practically sparkled in the dim lighting.
“I finally get to meet you and you wear a number like this…” His gaze greedily ate me up as he whistled softly. I didn’t miss his thick Irish accent, and for a moment, it made my stomach dip. He was the full package, it seemed. Why on earth did he want an arranged marriage? Why on earth did he want me? He could have anyone, I was sure of it.
Money.
I almost forgot. This was all about the money I’d inherited and the deal my brothers had brokered. At least he wasn’t ugly and old.
“Your brothers didn’t mention how pretty you were.” His lips curled into a smirk as he sank deeper into his seat. I didn’t know what I’d expected, but it wasn’t this. Maybe for him to at least stand and greet me? I pulled my chair back and sat down as he continued to watch me. His eyes tracked my every movement like a predator. He leaned forward suddenly and smiled at my wariness.
“Pretty isn’t the right term. Radiant would be better suited for you or even stunning.” He hummed in the back of his throat, and I felt my stomach clench slightly. It wasn’t hard to be attracted to him. It wasn’t difficult to find pleasure in his compliments.
“Thank you,” I said softly as I looked down at the table, expecting to find a menu, but there wasn’t one. My brows pulled together as I looked back up at him.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and ordered for us.”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
It would tell me a lot about him, based on what he ordered for me. Plus, I wasn’t so sure I would like much in this fancy place.
“I’m sorry,” he chuckled. “Obviously, I’m Donovan. I don’t have a nickname and I don’t want one.”
I nodded my head. “I’m Poppy.”
A dimple popped up in his cheek at the sound of my name. “Such an odd name for such a beautiful creature. Your parents aren’t hippies.”
I shook my head and shrugged. “No, I don’t know why they chose to call me that, and I honestly never thought to ask.”
All of my other siblings had more classical names, but I hadn’t ever dwelled on it. I hadn’t ever wanted to, because somewhere deep down I knew it would hurt when I found out the truth. It was probably because I already knew what it was like to grow up and not be the favorite. Digging into my name would only bring up old pain that I didn’t care to entertain.
He reached forward and wrapped a large hand around his wine glass before taking a generous sip. “Tell me about yourself. Your hobbies, your pleasures, everything.”
This was my time to shine, for him to truly see me and not whatever version my brothers sold to him,
“I love to read, but I’m more of a science and history girl. I don’t care much for fiction. I always enjoyed school and my studies, and I would love to continue them one day.”
I didn’t want to read into it, but I swore his lips turned down slightly. “Go on.”
“But as much as I love my studies, I love the outdoors. Camping, snowboarding, swimming.” I smiled as warmth spread through my chest, sharing these things about myself. “Honestly, anything with the outdoors. But I really do love camping. There is just something special about being under the stars. The knowledge that we are just a spec of dust in this vast universe gets to me every time.”
He blinked, and I watched as his eyes practically glossed over. Had he actually listened to what I said? “Interesting. Well, snowboarding will be out, I hate to say. We can’t have you injured, especially while trying for an heir.”
There it was. All out in the open. The talk of making a baby being so casual caused me to frown. He didn’t seem to care; he continued on between sips of his wine. “Which will start immediately after the wedding. Of course, after you give me children, you are free to do as you please. Except take on a lover. You will be loyal to me.”
His eyes darkened as his gaze zeroed in on me. I nodded. I knew this would be a possibility, but it felt so cold and lifeless, laying it all out like this.
“I don’t ask for much.”
“Would you like to come with me on a camping trip either before or after we wed?”
His brows inched up his forehead, and he looked like he was considering it. “Maybe. I’m not really one for the outdoors, but I think I could humor you a time or two.Trying for an heir under the stars doesn’t sound too terrible.”
Thank goodness he didn’t expect me to sleep with him before the wedding because I wouldn’t be able to get through it if he thought he was taking me home tonight.
“What about you?” I asked. I was no longer interested in sharing about myself as I knew it would go absolutely nowhere. I didn’t want to have all of my hopes and dreams for my future crushed in one night. I needed something to give me hope.
“I like mixed martial arts, and I spar several times a week. Boating is another passion of mine.”
