I jerked my head to the right. “She will? Why? We haven’t even met!”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Noah asked.
I let my eyes roam from Nile to Noah, trying to figure out what he was getting at. Was I really that bad? I mean, they’d picked me, which had to count for something.
I shook my head.
“Love, you’re essentially engaged to two men she raised for most of our lives. How do you think that’s going to go over?”
Damn, why hadn’t that wine guy filled the glass back up yet? I wanted to chug more of it down the hatch like cherry Kool-Aid on a hot day back home.
“Um, honestly, I wouldn’t begin to know the answer to that.”
Noah looked at his brother and then back at me before he finished with, “Unfortunately, we don’t know either. I just know it won’t be good.”
Episode 23
This Man’s Wife
DAKOTA
The limo drove all four of us back to the hotel. Once we exited, I pulled my sister into my arms and hugged her tight.
“Savvy, you be careful. Get a good night’s rest, and I’ll see you at the meeting in the morning.” I looked directly into her baby blues as she nodded.
I let her go and stepped up to her Viking. “And you.” I pointed directly at the handsome man’s chest. “You hurt my sister, lay a hand on her, force her to do anything inappropriate, so help me God, I’ll hunt you down like a wild animal. I’ll shoot you right between the eyes. Take off your whole head in one go.”
Erik wisely stepped back a pace.
Sutton curled an arm around my shoulders, coming up from behind. “Oooh, boy, she’s not joking. I know for a fact she’s a good shot too. I’d tread carefully.” He tipped his hat with his free hand. “You two have fun gettin’ to know one another,” he offered. “Come on, sweetness. We’ve got a wedding night to get to.” Sutton’s drawl was throaty and sexy, sending little pleasurable zaps of electricity down my arms. I hated him and my traitorous body for it.
I cringed and tried to shuffle my shoulders to buck him off to no avail. He held tight. Worst part, his hold around my body felt warm and comforting after I’d experienced the craziest day of my life.
“I’ve taken the liberty of having all of your things packed up and moved to my room,” he stated as he led me to the same elevator we’d come from earlier.
My entire body went cold, and I spun around and shoved him back. “You what!” I roared, the sound bouncing off the four walls of the elevator.
He smirked. “While you were talking to your sister at the chapel after the wedding, I left instructions for the hotel and Madam Alana. After we got married and signed the license, I snapped a picture and sent it to her. She was thrilled and happy to help. All too quick to start the process for the transfer of the first million and a quarter as well.”
I clenched my jaw so tight the muscle at the hinge ached. “Well, you’ve thought of everything, haven’t you, dear husband,” I snarled.
He grinned wide. “That I have, dear wife.”
The elevator dinged, and the door opened. Sutton took my hand and clamped down tight in order to hold on as he trudged down the hallway. Brute strength won the battle.
With his other hand, he pulled a keycard from his pocket and opened the door.
His room was much nicer than mine. A full suite with a stunning view of the Las Vegas Strip through the floor-to-ceiling windows. There was even a living room section, a bar, and a small dining area that currently had two long taper candles burning along with a bouquet of daisies. Not roses. On the table were two place settings with domed metal tops covering the plates. Champagne was chilling on ice.
I opened and closed my mouth as shock made it difficult to speak. “How did you… I mean, we’ve been together this wh ole time,” I said as I stared at the beautiful and romantic set up.
Sutton approached me from behind and wrapped his arm around my waist, pressing my back to his chest.
“Do you like it?” He shifted my hair off one shoulder and brazenly pressed his lips to the bare skin where my shoulder and neck met.
I couldn’t help but close my eyes and enjoy the liquid heat that soared through my veins at his simple touch. “I…I’m surprised.”
He hummed against my skin, then pressed another warm kiss to my shoulder. “Come, let’s have a drink.”
I nodded, suddenly at a loss for words as I stared at the beautiful setup he’d planned for me.
Me.
A McAllister.
His wife.
I stood up straight trying not to let the sweet gesture dig too deep. He held the chair out for me, and I took a seat, placing my hands in my lap while he uncorked the champagne and filled two flutes with the golden liquid. I watched the bubbles float from the bottom to the top in a dizzying display as he handed me one of the glasses.
The second I took the glass, I brought it to my lips and sucked back the entire thing.
Sutton’s brows rose up his forehead, but he didn’t say a word as he passed me his full glass, took the empty one, and refilled it. He lifted the glass in the air.
“To three years of wedded bliss?” He grinned, looking ridiculously handsome.
“To three years of us not killing each other?” I suggested.
“That sounds about right.” He chuckled and tapped the edge of my glass with his before taking a drink. He scrunched up his nose and set the glass down.
“Not to your liking? ”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Prefer beer or bourbon myself.”
That had me laughing. “Me too.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded.
“My kind of woman,” he said, his gaze on mine, those green eyes hypnotizing. I thought for the first time that I could possibly stare into those swirling orbs for a lifetime. If I didn’t hate him and everything he stood for.
Instead of responding, I pointed at the domes in front of us. “What’s for dinner? I’m assuming that’s what this is.”
He dipped his chin, then pulled off the lids and set them on a side cart that had a variety of other food items on it. Not to mention what looked like chocolate-covered strawberries—my favorite.
On the plate was a fat, juicy, sizzling slice of prime rib with mashed potatoes and broccolini stalks. The scents of butter and garlic wafted in the air, and I practically drooled.
While I was preoccupied with unrolling my napkin and setting it on my lap, Sutton was busy rifling through the fully stocked bar.
“You like?” He approached with a full bottle of bourbon and two tumblers. He set both on the table and poured two to three fingers’ worth in each glass before sitting down.
“What’s not to love? Meat, potatoes, and veggies.”
He smirked. “I know you better than you think, wife.” He accented the last with a knowing grin.
Stupid, sexy jerk.
I rolled my eyes, cut into the prime rib—noting the perfect pink center—and plopped it into my mouth. I closed my eyes and savored every nuance of the delicious meat as the flavors rolled over my tastebuds.