I close the door behind him and move to the food cart to uncover the dishes. “Nancy is one of the finest chefs in the entire state,” I tell Emerie while I examine the food.
Just because I have no issues with someone doesn’t mean I won’t check to make sure what I’m being served isn’t messed with. It comes with the line of career I have.
“The boy seemed to know you well.”
“No one knows me well, but he does know me. I got him the job here and off the streets.”
“That was nice of you.”
I shrug and straighten to face her. “Come on, let’s eat. No reason to let the food get cold.”
Emerie watches me for another moment before looking at the food cart that held our dinner. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”
“It’s part of what I do.” I won’t tell her exactly what I do, but thinking and using my head were among them.
I motioned for her to join me and hold out the chair for the small table set up near the window. Emerie slowly makes her way and sits down. I bring the cart closer and set her dinner in front of her.
“You said we’re spending time here getting to know each other.”
“That’s what I said.” Taking the seat across from her, I grab my own dinner.
“What exactly does that entail?”
I lift my gaze to hers to see her lifting the fork to her mouth.
“What it entails is whatever we decide to have it be. Does that mean I’ll fuck you? Yeah, I wouldn’t mind that. I’ll take you straight to bed after we eat, and we’ll stay there for the remainder of the time we’re here. Does that mean we talk? We can do that too. What I’m not going to do is force myself on you. You’re gonna be willing.”
“How do you figure I’m going to be willing to do anything?” she asks, taking another bite of her food.
“Because, sweetheart, I can see it in your eyes. Saw it when you looked at me. I’m quite intuitive. I can read a person easily,” I tell her and point my fork in her direction. “Like now, you, my sweet, are more than a little annoyed that I know all I know. You hate that your father put you in this position in the first place, but you’re not upset with me because you find me attractive.”
“You think highly of yourself, Calder.” Emerie scoffs and rolls her eyes. “There’s no way I’m sleeping with you.”
The way her cheeks get rosy speaks for itself. “We’ll see.”
I knew what she didn’t, and soon enough she’d know it too. This bit of information was something she’ll soon learn. The room we’re sharing had a door that separated the bed from the rest of the room, giving somewhat of a living section feel to it. She’ll be sleeping with me, just like when we get her moved into my house, she’ll be sleeping in my bed.
Since the meeting with Reggie in Grant’s office, I’ve made up my mind about her. It’s one of the reasons I’m not pissed as all hell that I’m married to the enemy’s daughter. She’s mine.
four
EMERIE
“I can pack my things myself, you know,” I snap, glaring at Calder as he places yet another box by the door.
“Maybe so, but it’ll go quicker if we both do it.”
The man was insufferable. Completely and totally insufferable. Didn’t matter how sexy he was. Or how much I wanted him to be inside me.
During the past few days, while we were in Lanche, Calder drove me absolutely bonkers. I wanted to say it was because he was a know-it-all. But he didn’t talk much. Not unless he was asked a question or needed to speak up about something important.
I liked that about him. He listened to me, unlike other men I know. The men who have been in my life since I could remember always treated me like I was dumb and didn’t have an opinion about anything.
Hince how I ended up married to Calder in the first place, my own father treating me like nothing more than a business transaction.
“Maybe I don’t want you touching my personal things,” I grumble, not really meaning it. It was nice having help. I typically did everything alone, including celebrating Christmas.
On that thought, I turn to Calder and ask, “Do you have a Christmas tree?”
