Page 18 of Adrian

I chuckle and hand her a now-full glass. “Who needs Vegas? The courthouse in town opens at nine. If the weather clears, we could be there and back home to set up our love nest by lunch.”

Neither of us moves or says a word for long seconds. We simply stare at each other. We each hold a glass of wine. It’s probably for the best that I polished off the bottle.

Blair looks so fucking adorable without makeup and her hair damp, hanging loose around her shoulders, the waves natural. I bet she hasn’t left the house with her hair down like this in years. I bet no one sees her looking so natural.

And the only thing she’s wearing is one of my sweatshirts. I could get used to that. It’s sexy as fuck. My mind wanders, picturing her pregnant with my child, standing here, in this kitchen, nine months from now. She’s wearing nothing but this sweatshirt in my imagination, and she’s ten times sexier than right now. Her face is equally makeup-free. Her hair is longer and also loose and unkempt. But she’s glowing as she smiles at me. It’s such a vivid visual that I nearly drop to my knees.

I draw in a deep breath and hold her gaze as I tell her, “I’d marry you first thing tomorrow, Blair.”

Her breath hitches. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious.”

She hesitates and then says, “I wouldn’t insist on it being forever. If you do this for me, I promise it will only be until I get my family off my back. I won’t expect anything from you. I’ll even sign a prenup. I’ll file for divorce and take the blame, so your name isn’t tarnished.”

My eyes bug out. I take a gulp of my wine and set the glass on the counter before removing hers from her hand and placing it next to mine. I can’t decide whether I’m furious about her suggestion or not, but my heart is racing, and I need to set her straight.

Cupping her face, I back her up until she’s plastered against the fridge. I straddle her legs, holding her captive, making sure she’s paying attention to me. “If you want to marry me, princess, it’s for life. We’re not getting divorced. I’m only getting hitched once, and though this may seem ridiculously fast and irrational, I’m tied up in knots over you. My chest is tight. My heart is racing. You’re the first woman I’ve ever looked at and thought, ‘Fuck me, she’s the one.’ So, don’t agree to marry me unless you’re willing to commit to me for a lifetime.”

Her eyes are wide, and her jaw drops. “Adrian…” Her hands slide up my chest and curl around my shoulders.

I lean my forehead against hers. “If you marry me, I promise to do everything in my power to make you happy for the rest of your life.”

She swallows. “I wouldn’t put it past my parents not to show up here, drag me away, and force me to sign an annulment.”

I smirk because my devious thoughts are rampant tonight. “I dare them to try. If they think they can abscond with my wife and unborn child, they’ll very quickly find out otherwise.”

Blair gasps. “Now I’m pregnant in this fictitious plot of ours?”

“Yes, princess. Are you on any form of birth control?”

Her cheeks heat. “No.”

“Then I’ll do my best to ensure you’re bound to me by far more than just paperwork as soon as we get home from our appointment with the judge.”

I don’t think she’s breathing as her face changes from red to white. “Adrian…” she whispers. She doesn’t pull away, though. In fact, she doesn’t even turn her head from me. She’s searching my eyes.

I’m not sure what’s come over me, but I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. Call me crazy, but the more I put my thoughts into words, the more I believe this is the right thing to do.

Boldly, I slide a hand to her chest and cup one of her breasts through the thick material of my sweatshirt. I saw her tits earlier. They’re fucking fantastic. As I hold one, I thumb her hard nipple. “How many children do you want, princess?”

She moans. It’s a delightful sound. “I don’t know,” she mutters. “Five minutes ago, I would have said none. I’ve never wanted another human to be born into this world only to be bossed around by my parents. I’m certain they would control my kids just as much as they do me.”

I continue stroking her nipple, loving the way she rises onto her toes. “Your parents will have no say in the upbringing of our children, Blair. Every decision will be made by us. No one else. Until they’re old enough to make their own choices, and then we’ll stand back and let them forge their own lives.”

Her eyes are wild, but still fixed on mine.

I pinch her nipple lightly, loving the way her breath hitches, and then lower my palm to her belly. “When was your last period, princess?”

She bites her plump bottom lip.

I rub her flat stomach. “When, Blair?”

“Uh, two weeks ago, I think.”

I smile. “How long do you think we can hold your parents off before they show up unannounced? Long enough to make sure you’re carrying my child?”

She’s shaking now. I’m piling everything in my arsenal on top of her. I can’t stop myself. I want her. She belongs here. With me.