Only Christmas

A tear escapes, making her smirk turn into a smile. I watch her stroll down the hallway, hating that she’s right. This had been a deal. Hunter said he would take care of me and this would get his family and everyone else off his back.

But he’d also had me believing we could be more. That we’d had some crazy connection. The way he stared into my eyes when he told me we’d tell everyone we’d been a whirlwind. A love at first sight story. Or maybe I was the one making myself believe those things.

I swipe at my cheeks. What have I gotten myself into? Hunter promised that he would take care of me. That I’d want for nothing. That he would always protect me.

I’m not sure that’s possible. Hunter is actually the one person that could destroy the only thing I actually have to give.

My heart.

19

Hunter

I scroll through my emails as we head toward my mother’s house, wanting to get everything handled before I get back. Once I see Aspen, I know my emails will be long forgotten.

I’ve already been getting a few remarks from the board asking if things are going to change now that I’m married. Most were happy to hear about the marriage. A lot of them have old school values. When they hear someone is married, they think of them as more stable and grounded.

It's bullshit. I’d never been out there partying or ending up in the tabloids. Hell, Jacob is married and puts his dick inside anything he can. He was the one to alert the board of my marriage before I got the chance. Not that I gave a shit. What I do care about is him questioning whether or not I’d gotten a prenup. He might be on the board, but he’s walking a very fine line digging into my personal business.

I didn’t divulge any information to him. A prenup had been drawn up. Not at my request. Marco took that shit into his own hands. It had been a waste of everyone’s time. I know I’m a giant hypocrite. I’d made sure my mother had them each time she got married.

The idea of having Aspen sign one had angered me. At first I didn’t even understand why, but I do now. A prenup included the possibility of a divorce. It meant that Aspen could leave me. Maybe even move on with another man.

“Don’t break the damn phone,” Marco says from the driver’s seat. “I’m sure she’s busy. She doesn’t need to text you every five minutes.” I shoot him a glare. “You were grumbling about her not texting you.” Had I been?

She’d only texted me once the entire time I was gone, and it had been in response to one I’d sent her. I was a bit annoyed by that fact. I thought she was worried about being needy. I suppose I was looking forward to her neediness.

Aspen is different. She doesn’t want my attention to get my money; she truly wants to spend time with me. And damn do I find myself wanting to give her every second of it.

“Mom told me they’re cooking.” Yeah, I texted my mother to check in on my wife. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I vowed to Aspen that I would take care of her. Checking in on her falls under that, if you ask me.

“See, she’s busy with your mom. That’s a good thing.” I nod in agreement. It’s good they’re getting along so well. Aspen’s mother is a mess. It’s a wonder how Aspen turned out the way she did. That has to be a testament to her grandmother.

“Did you see the emails?” I pocket my phone. This drive is taking forever. I hadn’t planned to be gone so long.

“Of course.” Marco has access to my emails and checks through them too. It makes it easier when I want to talk about something going on.

“Nothing to add?”

“I might have fucked up.”

“What?” I ask, worry starting to stir inside of me. Marco isn’t one to fuck up. It’s few and far between that he does.

“Jacob cornered me this morning asking about Aspen. If everything between you two is real or if you went and found yourself a fake bride. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I said the idea might have been tossed about, but everyone can see how Aspen and you are together.”

The car grows silent. “We’re real.”

“Starting to see that, sir.”

“Don’t do the sir shit.” I run my hand down my face. “I hate that I said that to her.”

“What? That you could benefit each other?” I nod. “Marriage is that in part. Just because it can benefit either of you in some areas doesn’t mean it’s not real.”

“And now you think it’s real?”

“It’s something. Even with me you’re being different. She’s changed you. Even in this short amount of time.”