“From now on, you’re going to eat healthy foods several times a day. You’re undernourished, sweetheart. We need to get some meat on you.” He strokes a finger under my chin, tickling me enough to make me smile.
“The sandwich you made me was delicious,” I tell him.
“Good. I can make you one every time you’re hungry. My brothers and I usually eat together in the main house, but I’ll bring whatever you like to our cabin, too, in case you get a craving in the night.”
He’s not pulling my leg. “You really want me to stay here?”
“Yes.”
“You only have one bed,” I point out, feeling stupid. Duh. He’s going to expect me to let him into my body. The idea makes me nervous, but I’ll do it. For him. I’ll open my legs, even though I know that’s not what a good girl does.
“Rebekah, I’m not going to force you to do anything. Never. I don’t have another bed in the cabin, so you’ll either have to sleep in mine with me, or…” He draws in a deep breath. “Honestly, that’s the only option. I wouldn’t be able to rest if you were anywhere else. I know I said you could stay with one of my brothers, but I take it back. You belong with me. I don’t even want you in another room. That doesn’t mean I’m going to force myself on you. It just means you’ll be sleeping in my bed.”
“It’s not proper,” I mutter, feeling stupid. He probably has sex with women all the time.
Adam lifts my chin again. “Rebekah, I need you to understand what I’m saying. Frankly, I don’t give a fuck about proper. I care about your safety. When you’re with me, you’ll be safe, and I’ll worry when I can’t see you. Always. You’re alone with me right now. Is that proper?”
I shake my head.
“Would it make you feel better if we were married?”
I frown. “Of course. Married people can be alone together.”
“Then let’s get married.”
My heart races. He can’t be serious. I blink rapidly.
“I mean it. Right now. If it helps you feel more proper.” He might be sort of joking.
“You’re teasing me.”
“I’m not.”
“You just met me like two hours ago.”
“Not true. I met you fifteen years ago. But what matters is that when I look at you, I know in my heart you’re meant to be mine. I’ve never had that feeling with a woman before. It’s got me all twisted inside. We can discuss it to death for days or weeks, but why bother? If you marry me now, you won’t feel like you’re breaking any sort of propriety code. Plus, your father won’t be able to do a damn thing about the fact that I’ve claimed you.”
My mind is reeling.
Adam’s phone rings, and he picks it up from the end table. He taps the screen and holds it in front of him. “Asher. ’Sup?”
I flinch when Asher responds through a speaker. I don’t have a cell phone. Neither does my dad. I’ve seen them, but it’s been a long time since I looked at one. I didn’t know they had speakers. “I’m at Rebekah’s property. No one is here.”
“Oh, good. We’ve had a change of plan. We’ll head there now.” Adam helps me to my feet and then stands.
“Your voice is a bit more chipper than usual,” Asher growls. He really is surly.
Adam tips my head back and smiles at me. “We’re getting married.”
“What?” Asher’s voice is so loud through the speaker that I jump.
“Yep.”
“When?”
“Today. We’ll head there and then into town.”
“What the fuck?” Asher must have ended the call because the line drops.
