I gesture at the clothes in his arms. “Fancy clothing is an investment purchase. I’m investing in our image as a couple. We are paying for it. If this was a proper marriage, I’d want to merge our bank accounts. The whole what’s-mine-is-yours thing, ya know? Since it isn’t, we can take turns paying for things or something. I’ll pay for the clothes, and you can buy groceries this week. It’ll all even itself out in the end.”
Mateo’s panic subsides, but his eyebrows are turned down and so are his lips.
I don’t like that look.
“Holly, I know you have money and you live in a fancy house. But I don’t want to take advantage of that. I didn’t marry you for your money.”
The sincerity in his statement has my heart racing. I step closer to him, the clothes the only barrier between us. “I know, Mateo. I know you.Which is why I’m okay spending money on you and on us. I’m a self-made multi-millionaire, Mateo. Let me do this.”
His mouth drops open, and his eyebrows have joined his hairline.
A giggle escapes before I can contain it. I’m starting to think he didn’t knowhowmuch money I have. “You really didn’t marry me for my money, did you?”
His mouth snaps closed as he shakes his head. “No, ma’am.”
I know he didn't marry me for my money, but what made him agree to marry me so readily? He mentioned escaping meddling family, but that doesn’t feel like enough of a reason. I feel like I’m the only one benefiting from this arrangement. “Why did you marry me?”
A smoldering smirk grows and his eyes have me hypnotized, the space between us seeming to shrink. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he whispers.
I rest my hand on his arm, keeping myself steady as I lean in, my eyes dropping to his lips before meeting his eyes. “Actually, yes. I would.”
His eyes are on my lips. I’m afraid to move.
“You’re not ready to hear my answer yet, Holly.” He straightens, the motion forcing me to step back and my hand falls from his arm.
“We’re not getting the jeans.”
I fold my arms. “Yes, we are.”
His smile widens. “Fine. But we’re only getting one pair, and I’m going to Walmart to get the rest of my jeans for our unofficial outings.”
I narrow my eyes and give him the glare that usually works on Alex.
Except, Mateo doesn’t back down.
I huff. “Fine. We’re taking the tuxedo home, and we’re definitely getting you the suits and some of the business casual clothes. They just need to be tailored first.”
Mateo closes the distance between us until we’re toe to toe. He leans down, his cheek brushing against mine as he whispers in my ear, “Fine by me, mi amor. I know you like me in a suit.”
The air conditioner in this store must be broken because it has gottenstiflingly hot in here.
Mateo walks away and I wait until he’s in the dressing room to fall into the couch, fanning myself and forcing myself not to acknowledge the growing feelings I have for my husband.
I’m afraid if I know what he’s saying, my heart might never recover.
Granted, I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from this shopping trip.
My husband is a dreamboat, and I can no longer deny it.
Chapter 21
Fancy Snacks
Mateo
I’m in the driver’s seat tonight. It’s a good thing because it’s forcing me to take my eyes off of my wife in her stunning gown. Holly dresses professionally and conservatively daily, preferring long sleeves over sleeveless outfits when going out on the town. She has the most stunning lilac-colored gown on, and it perfectly complements her curvaceous figure.
My thoughts about my wife are interrupted by a growling noise coming from said wife.
