Isabella was silent for a while, her dilated eyes staring at me with lips slightly parted in surprise. However, I could tell she slowly gathered a hold of her senses by folding her hands that were on my chest into a fist, and her response came, breathless. “Thank you.” She blinked, her walls slowly coming back up, though her own lips slanted into a teasing smile. “You do not look so bad yourself.”
I tilted my head to the side, arching a brow slightly. “Just good?” I asked, suggesting something more. “I was expecting, handsome, hot, jaw dropping or anything else synonymous.” I hummed, asking silently asking her to pick any of her choice or come up with anything akin.
Instead of doing that though, not that I expected it from her to be honest, Isabella simply released a slight scoff, before a smile akin to a smirk made its way on her face. “Not so fast there, Mr. Kingston.” Uncurling her hand, she pressed a finger on my chest and stepped out of my hold-I allowed it, watching as she put a small distance between us. Then, her voice came. “You seem to be getting quite comfortable and it has only been what? Three days?” Her tone, albeit professional, was not as cold as it was before.
I nodded, despite knowing her question was not much of a question but her reminding me of what we have. “Is there something wrong with getting used to it?”
“Of course,” She nodded, her walls slowly stacking back up in place. She masked her expression of anything that showed her wavering earlier-and in place, she has this strong woman façade of hers, though still sporting a mischievous smile, no doubt knowing what she is doing to me and enjoying it as well. “One-year contract.” She reminded, her words firm, imprinting itself on my mind. “Always remember that.”
My smile slowly widened, not taking offence in her reminding me of the duration of our contractual marriage because knowing her, she will remind me every chance she gets. So, I knew to get myself used to it, else it will hurt then. Luckily, I am just as good as masking my insecurity as well, and instead of letting her see the side that gets kicked in the gut every time I feel her drawing a firm line between us, I stuck to my smug smile-the one she knows me with.
“Keep saying that love, and you may fall for me under that one year.” I said, half joking, and half serious because I will make sure it happens.
She scoffed, shaking her head. “I doubt it.”
“Do not speak too soon,” I warned, pushing myself to stand straight while straightening my spine. Now standing, I towered over her short frame despite the heels she has on, and to speak to her at eye level, I had to crouch down to meet her gaze, an action that seems to annoy her but she did not mention it. “save your precious breath for when you fall in love with me,” I then leaned close to her ear, so I can whisper. “My little chipmunk.”
I heard her visibly gasp, and when I pulled back to meet her gaze, her look of disbelief at being compared to the little creature had me laughing.
“You did not just call me a chipmunk!” Isabella stated in disbelief.
I chuckled, making my way to open the passenger door for her. Then, I turned around and spoke. “What? You are as small as they are,” I said, earning me another glare, so I added. “Only cuter of course.” Her glare remained, lips puckered slightly. “Way cuter.” I added. “Now get your pretty ass in here unless you want us to really be late.”
Isabella seemed like she wanted to argue further, but she did well to keep her words in. Instead, she huffed out a breath, grumbling something under her breath along the lines of, “I am not short, you just happen to be ridiculously tall.” As she got into the car.
Before I closed it, I leaned down to clarify. “I am not ridiculously tall. You’re what? 5’6?” Her silence and prominent glare showed I am right. Of course I am, I knew it before I spoke out. “I am in 6’2, love. Do not blame me, blame the genes.”
“You are insufferable.” She stated as a matter of fact, obviously fed up by my never ending teasing. And believe me when I say there is a lot where that came from because she is in for a long ride. It will keep our relationship interesting.
I shrugged, my wide grin still in place. “You will love me that way, trust me.” Before she could say anything again, I closed the door firmly before making my way around the car to get to my side.
Opening the driver’s door, I got in and closed it behind me. Turning around, I realized she was staring at me, still sporting a small glare and a pout, though she does not seem to be that upset. Smiling, I moved out of my seat and leaned over to hers, so we were mere inches apart. I heard her took in a sharp inhale of breath when my face came close to hers, and I stared directly into her orbs. She tried to keep it in, but I could tell from the way her eyes moved from mine down my face that she was nervous, then back to meet my gaze again.
I leaned closer, and closer till our lips were mere inches apart. Isabella’s eyes flicked close tight at the action, her hands curling by her sides. I stared at her inviting lips, just seconds away from meeting mine. Any move forward from me, and we would be in a lip lock, and though every fiber of my being was screaming at me to close the space between us and kiss those lips of hers that I have been yearning for two years, I held myself back.
Instead, I took a hold of the seat belt, and according to my original plan, I placed it right in place, safely tucking it in place. Once done, it seemed she still has not realized what is going on, so I whispered. “You can open your eyes now.”
That seemed to snap her out of the trance as well, because her eyes peeled open and her startled response came. “Uhm…what?” She blinked, trying to get a hold of the situation.
“It is over.” I said, then gestured to the seatbelt around her. As realization dawned upon her, blood rushed to her cheeks as her eyes dilated, embarrassed to be caught after her words just two minutes ago.
I chuckled, then settled back on my seat. Pulling my own seat belt, I placed it before I turned the car. “Let us get going then, love. It will take a few minutes so you can get a hold of yourself then. Don’t want you to be too dazed when you meet my family. They will think I did something to you.”
She glared at me, her words a mumble as she vocalized. “Screw you, Kingston.”
I chuckled deeper. “All in good time, love. All in good time.”
Isabella threw her head back, groaning. “I am so regretting this already!”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.