“Thank you, Josie,” Ryker said jovially.
Hunter still looked grouchy as Ryker bid us goodbye. I slid into the chair he’d just vacated.
Hunter asked one of the waiters to bring the moussaka he’d ordered for me. I was so hungry that I’d completely forgotten why I’d wanted to see him in the first place, but I remembered after a few mouthfuls, once the couple next to us asked to pay.
“I got a call from my bank,” I said.
A grin appeared on his face.
“Of course. As we agreed.”
“I don’t remember the agreeing part.”
His grin broadened. “I suggested it, you gave me shit. I persisted. You said I was very convincing.”
Damn it, this was where I was supposed to have a smart comeback. Instead, I was lost in those blue eyes. I couldn’t look away from his lips. They were so full. They always had been, but after knowing how they felt against mine, I couldn’t unthink it anymore.
“Tess called today to inform me she wanted you all to herself one afternoon this week to go dress shopping for the wedding. You will need that money.”
“Has it ever occurred to you that Tess will never believe I’d let you pay for my wedding dress? Or let you give me money, for that matter? She knows me too well.”
“She also knows me well, and I have no doubt that she’s sure that if you were really mine, I would make sure you’re taken care of and want for nothing.”
God, that was sweet. A bit tyrannical, but sweet.
“You’d have a hard time convincing me.”
“I remember you saying my kiss threw you off your game. Want to test that theory some more?” Hunter moved from the chair opposite me to the one next to me.
He was slightly towering over me, and by the delicious glint in his eyes, I could tell that if I pushed, he’d kiss me just to prove his point.
I shook my head. “This is insane.”
“I know.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him, but he seemed unfazed.
“I didn’t authorize the transfer. Aside from my personal reasons, it would be a huge red flag for the immigration office, Hunter.”
His smile fell. “I didn’t think about that.”
“It would look as if you’re paying me to marry you.”
“You’re right.”
“So... this arrangement will have to work differently. I will deal with my wedding dress. As to all the other dresses I’ll need for functions and so on... you and I can go shopping before every event. It would make me feel better than having a joint account or credit card.”
He stared at me. “That’s my punishment, right? I hate shopping.”
“Right. Of course, you do.”
“You can bribe me into coming.”
“How?”
“Promise me a peek while you’re changing.”
His eyes smoldered. I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t have a comeback. Was he joking? But that heat in his eyes... Oh, God, he wasn’t joking.