Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“My mother thinks I play in the dirt and need help to find a wife who can elevate me above that.”
Magnolia snorted. “Your mother is incredibly shortsighted and unfocused. You don’t promote your wealth.” She frowned. “You don’t wear it like a trophy. You’re humble. You’d rather talk about plants and the environment than money.”
“But I am wealthy.”
“I assumed you were, but not the kind of wealth you’re talking about.”
I leaned closer. “Does that make the idea of being married to me a little easier?” I teased.
“Not happening.”
“I disagree.”
“Go look in the mirror and argue with yourself, Bane. It’s the only way you win this one.”
She walked away, skirting the island so I couldn’t catch her. “I’m tired. Order something in, okay, Daddy Warbucks? I’m hungry, and I need a shower.”
“I’ll order Chinese and come wash your back.”
“I want two spring rolls,” she called over her shoulder.
But she didn’t tell me to stay put.
Win number one for the night.
Chapter Twenty-Two
MAGNOLIA
Ipadded toward the kitchen, rolling my shoulders. Alex had done an amazing job washing my back. Plus a lot of other areas he found especially dirty. Two orgasms and gallons of hot water later, I was a great deal more relaxed than I had been earlier. Hedgy was asleep on the bed, his head buried between the pillows.
There was a knock at the door, and I mentally did a happy dance, glad the food had arrived. I had built up quite the appetite, thanks to Alex’s wandering hands and mouth.
Alex appeared, heading for the door. “Get the plates,” he said with a smirk and a wink. “Unless you want me to eat sweet-and-sour off your naked body.”
I tossed my damp hair and rolled my eyes. “Not likely, Bane.”
He chuckled, the sound warm and low. “Never say never, Maggie darling.”
In the kitchen, I reached for the plates, then stopped, hearing his voice, now pitched low and angry. A female voice was speaking, and my heart sank when I recognized who it was.
“You are doing this to spite me! I know it.”
“Get over yourself, Mother.”
“You have always done this. Found ways to hurt me. Belittle the values I hold so dear.”
Alex snorted. “The only things you hold dear are money and social status. I’m interested in neither. And frankly, the reasons I’m marrying her don’t involve you in the slightest.”
“You are going to listen—”
“No. I have no interest in hearing what you have to say. Either of you.”
I set down the plates, hurrying to the door.
Alex stood in front of his mother and brother, all three of them glaring and looking unhappy.
Terry spotted me, a lecherous grin crossing his face. “Ah, the little assistant, now fiancée, appears.”
I was suddenly aware I was wearing a pair of leggings and one of Alex’s T-shirts. No bra or underwear. The shirt came down to my thighs and was loose, the color dark so he couldn’t see anything, but somehow, he made me feel as if he did.
“It’s fine, Magnolia,” Alex said. “They’re leaving. And whoever let them up just got themselves fired.”
Terry smirked. “Money talks, brother. Mine louder than yours, I daresay.”
Alex shook his head. “Whatever makes you sleep better. And stop calling me brother. We are in no way related.”
“You cannot marry her,” his mother informed Alex, indicating me and looking as if I were a bug she wanted to squash under her shoe. I glanced down, biting my lip to stop from laughing. She had to be agitated. She was wearing two different black pumps. “We came to put a stop to this ridiculousness.”
“I’m an adult, Mother. I can marry whomever I choose.” He slipped his arm around me. “And I choose her.”
“She’s no one!”
“She’s everything to me.”
My heart melted, and I wished with everything in me it was true. I knew without a doubt I had fallen for him. Hard. I only wished he felt the same, but I knew his words were simply uttered to anger his mother.
Terry laughed. “Gone sentimental now, have you, Alexander?”
“I won’t try explaining anything to you,” Alex stated dryly. “I don’t have enough time to break all my words into tiny ones so you can understand.”
I bit back another grin, but Terry saw my expression, as did his mother. It only angered them more.
“I will cut you out of my life if you marry her,” she threatened.
“Then I’ll take her to Vegas tonight and seal the deal. I want no part of your life, Mother. So cutting me out is the best present I could ask for.”
“You’ll embarrass me. The whole family. Marrying a nobody.”
“I won’t be in your life, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Why must you continue to hurt me? You have always been so difficult!”
Alex shook his head, looking sorrowful. “I think your expectations have been the difficult thing.”
“She only wants you for your money.”
Alex began to laugh. “Which you think I have none of. So, again, no problem.” Then he kissed my head. “And since you don’t know her, I’ll thank you to keep your mouth shut when it comes to your opinion. Magnolia is the most incredible woman I have ever known.”