The buffalo gave me a terse nod.
I dropped my empty mug in the sink and bolted, forgetting to grab my water. But it wasn’t worth the risk of running into him again to grab another.
Chapter 5 – Amanda
Knuckles rapped on the glass wall of my office. I snapped upright and met the smiling face of my boyfriend.
Fiancé.
Steven pushed through the door, an avocado-green polo hugging his body and a bright white sweater tied around his neck to hang off his back. He was the picture-perfect rich boy, wearing the designer look with an effortlessness that would make most women drool.
“I finished my squash game early, and then I thought to myself, why not take my girl out on the town tonight?” Steven dropped into the rolling chair across from me.
I flicked a glance at the clock. Crap. It was already six-thirty. After finishing the depositions, I meant to take a few hours to prep for Monday before heading out early enough to go to the precinct about the messages on my phone. I was now hours deep in preparing for the trial, and the main office at the police headquarters—which I was familiar with from the few cases that required delicate handling—was closed.
Reporting the text messages would have to wait.
A lump of guilt settled in my stomach. Normal couples would probably discuss the fact that one of them was being stalked. I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth and admit to this man what had happened.
So, I swallowed it.
Besides, I didn’t need him taking care of me. I could look after myself. And first thing Monday, I would tell the authorities about my little problem, and then the matter would be finished.
“Earth to Amanda? What’s on your mind, love?” Steven tipped his head to the side and studied me. His blond mustache twitched, but his eyes were hard. Something unspoken lurked behind the bright orbs.
Saying the first thing that came to mind, I blurted out, “What did my father mean about the inheritance terms and conditions?”
Silence beat like a war drum.
Steven rose and shut the glass door. As he returned to his seat, someone walked past in the hall. So focused on the situation, I only caught a wisp of black. It took my frazzled brain a second to realize no one in their right mind would wear a leather jacket in June, let alone in the offices.
My skin prickled with electricity.
“I need to be married to become the next Earl of Heartdown,” Steven explained. “I did mention that.”
I tore my gaze away from the glass wall and stared.
“But it doesn’t mean anything,” he insisted, voice hitched with panic. “I was going to propose by October at the latest. This just—” he shrugged “—sped the process up. Your father advised me to propose immediately.”
My head pulsed with a lingering headache, but I resisted the urge to drop it in my hands. Drawing myself up straight, I contemplated the offer before me. Did this change anything? I already said yes, because, well, I was selfish. I wanted to be married. To have that achievement of a good match under my belt. It seemed Steven was selfish, too.
“What will my duties be as your wife?” I wanted everything in the open. No more surprises.
“We’ll be required to make a few public appearances, but otherwise, you can continue as you have been.” He was beginning to smile again. “I’ll have my tech company to run when I’m not busy being a lord of the land.”
“And what about assets?” I rubbed my thighs under the table. “Should we discuss a prenup?”
“That’s being handled by your father.” Steven laughed, ease once again flowing through his posture. “As long as we marry by the end of the month, it’s all set.”
The end of the month.
The earth tilted. I gripped my desk for balance.
That was two weeks from now.
“Excuse me?”
Steven’s face scrunched up. The light hairs on his lip wrinkled. “Didn’t your father tell you?”
