Only Him (Only One 1)

“So what’s the plan today?” I ask after gulping down half my coffee. Though I’m definitely not complaining, I don’t think either of us got enough sleep.

“Well, my only plan was to ravish you, but maybe after you shower and change, we can go on that hike?” he suggests.

“I’d love that! We just have to be careful in public. I have to amuse Robert’s ridiculous idea for a bit. I should probably speak to my dad and triple-check that Robert’s telling the truth. And if he is, then maybe my dad will have a solution. But unless he drags me by my hair down that aisle, I’m not sayingI do.”

“We’ll think of something, baby. I promise,” he reassures me. “Don’t forget I have some connections in Vegas who could easily take care of him,” he teases with a wink, but I don’t think he’s joking.

After we finish eating, I help him clean the kitchen and take every opportunity to kiss him. It’s almost eleven when I get dressed, and Tyler walks me to my car. We look around to make sure we’re not being watched or followed before he kisses me goodbye.

“I’ll call you after I speak with my dad,” I tell him. “Then we can pack some snacks and hit the trails.”

“Sounds good. I love you.”

My heart nearly leaps out of my chest when I hear him say that. “I love you more,” I say.

“Pfft. Not fucking possible.” He gives me one final kiss and then opens the car door for me. “Drive safe.”

I can’t wipe the foolish grin off my face as I drive home. Every part of me is lit up with happiness, and nothing could bring me down when everything feels so perfect and right.

The moment I pull into my driveway, I realize I spoke too soon, and my world comes crashing down.

A moving truck is backed in, and a crew is loading up my belongings. I glare at them, confused, wondering what they think they’re doing. When I pick up my pace and turn the corner, I see Robert. “What the hell are you doing?” I shout as I storm toward him.

“Good morning, darling.” His eyes scan down my body in disgust. “Hope you enjoyed your final night of being a whore becausetoday,you’re moving in with me.”

“What?” I put my hands on my hips. “Have you lost your ever-loving mind?”

He steps toward me, closing the gap between us. “Watch your goddamn tone,” he hisses. “That was the deal. We get married, you move in, and you quit your job. Don’t like it? Then say goodbye to all of this because I’ll get a team out here this afternoon to bulldoze it down.”

Tears threaten to surface as I take in his angry tone and the bulging vein in his forehead. He’s not messing around, and I have no doubt he’d do exactly that.

“Ihateyou,” I seethe.

“Get over it, princess. They’ve already started packing and moving your shit.”

“You can’t do that! You can’t touch my personal property!” I argue. “I’ll call the sheriff!”

He leans back, pure amusement on his ugly face as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Go ahead. Remind him to bring a case of beer to our barbecue tonight while you’re at it.” Robert laughs as he walks away and goes toward the cottage. I’m going to lose my shit if they’ve touched my mother’s paintings.

At that thought, I march past him and barge through the door to check what they’re doing. “Stop! Get out. Don’t move anything else,” I demand.

Three men stare at me, expressionless, then glance over at Robert. When I turn and look at him, he shakes his head, and the guys continue working.

Goddammit!

Everyone’s on his fucking payroll, so no one will listen to me.

“You’ll never get away with this,” I say between gritted teeth.

“I already am.”

I storm out and go back to my car, feeling hopeless. Knowing Everleigh’s at work, I call Katie, and when she answers, I lose it. Tears fall and there’s no stopping them.

“Gemma? What happened, sweetie?”

“Robert!” I say between harsh breaths. “He has a company moving everything out of my place. He’s forcing me to live with him and get married to help his image.”

“What? That’s insane, Gemma!” she shrieks. “Tell him to kick rocks!”