Priceless

There’s no doorbell or intercom system so I settle for banging my fist against the steel structure. It’s five long, torturous minutes before the door finally opens. Wearing a pair of cute spectacles at the end of her nose, Maple sticks her face out. “Oh.” She blinks owlishly as if she just woke up. “It’s you.”

“Didn’t my lawyer call you?”

She shakes her head. “I was working and didn’t hear the phone ring.”

“Get your stuff. I’m taking you to meet my mother.”

“Meet your mother?” Maple’s confused.

I cup her arm and pull her out into the alley. “That’s right. It’s customary for a new bride to meet the parents of her beloved before the wedding. My dad’s an asshole so we’ll skip him, but my mom’s a good egg.”

“Did you say wedding?”

“I sure did.” I wink at her and start walking. It’ll all come together for her soon enough.

Chapter 10

Maple

“How did I get here?” I mumble to myself as Major drives at a snail’s pace. He has this fancy-looking fast car, yet he’s driving it as if it were his first time and he’s nervous.

“My mother. You need to meet her,” he reminds me. That was one of my stipulations when I finally gave in to Major’s stupid lawsuit. To be honest, I’d actually given in before I’d even left his building. I knew he was right. A legal battle with him and his deep pockets could take years. I have no doubt that I would win in the end but would it be worth the victory? No, time is more precious than anything. It took days to get my brother to finally call in our settlement agreement. He hadn’t wanted to give in but I’d worn him down with the help of Levi. Both of us reminded him that we all have better things to do than have a legal battle with a Bennington. I think me mentioning the planning of his upcoming nuptials may have been the thing that finally did it. Speaking of a wedding, I need to clarify what the hell Major Bennington is talking about.

“Am I meeting a bride too?” I ask, confused. No sooner had my brother called in the settlement than Major was at my shop manhandling me into his fancy sports car that for some reason isn’t fast at all. My body unwillingly heats thinking about him handling it. I shouldn’t like it because he’s pushy and arrogant. He’s adorable while he does it which is the part that softens me toward him. I wanted to smack his hand away when he guided me from my shop into his car but I only leaned into his touch going wherever he led without a fight. So to answer my own question, that’s how I’ve found myself in this predicament.

“You’ve met the bride,” he answers, glancing over while winking one of those emerald colored eyes at me. Either I’m crazy or none of what he’s saying is making sense. With each answer he gives my confusion grows. Okay, I can do this. I’ll simply meet his mother then I’ll craft the necklace and Major will be out of my life. The faster we get on with it, the faster I can get away from him and all the crazy things he makes me feel. I have to remind myself for the millionth time that I’m not attracted to him. Even if he’s ruled my every thought since I met him.

“For a sports car this thing goes slow,” I huff. I mean, I could walk to where we’re going quicker. It’s funny how when I’m working I have all the patience in the world but put me in a slow moving vehicle and I’m ready to lose it. It must be my urgency to get away from him that has me on edge.

“Precious cargo,” he tells me, his tone serious for once.

“You don’t have to sweet-talk me. I already agreed to make the necklace.” I sigh, leaning back in the seat. It’s actually rather comfortable. I look out the window so I don’t stare at him because that’s what I want to do. He’s still too damn handsome for his own good. For anyone’s good, in fact.

“Would you rather I dirty-talk you?” I jerk my gaze back to him. He’s got a playful smile on his face and I don’t know if he’s messing with me or if he’s serious. Again, my body heats. I clench my legs together and pray my cheeks don’t show how I’m feeling on the inside. I doubt I’m that lucky. Gavin always said I’d never make it as a lawyer. My poker face is really crappy. I let every emotion show.

“I’d rather you not talk at all,” I say tartly.

“There are other things I can do with my mouth.” His eyes flick over me before they go back to the road. He’s baiting me and I’m not going fishing, so I change the subject instead.