Chapter 3 Lets Do This

The rough hair, the tired face, and the well-exposed gown all messed with his mind but he had some things to get to that morning and he needed to get this over with, or else he wouldn't have the time again.

"I'm sorry," her mum said, embarrassment flushed over her face "She didn't know you were here, I thought that would make her hesitate coming down."

"I understand, it's alright" he went up the spiral stairs to the room Vivian directed him to.

On the door was a sign "Do Not Disturb, Queen Queening"

"Really?" He thought? "Someone still doing this?"

He knocked once, and then again

"Mum, you didn't need to let me come down there in the same dress I wore yesterday, he didn't need to know I was frustrated!"

She cursed and took hard steps to the door, swinging it open and having her jaw drop the second time that morning.

Grace's first instinct was to slam the door right back in his face but somehow, she stood there unable to move, embarrassed and dazed at the same time.

Who the hell was this man?

He cocked his head and flashed her a smile "Can I come in?"

She turned and moved inside awkwardly and for a moment, they both stared at each other

"I'm glad I didn't miss seeing you in this dress," he confessed.

She swallowed, her eyes searching his to see if he meant what he said

"Why are you here?" Her tone was not a good one

"To make up for yesterday"

"Well, to start with, you should be apologizing"

He pressed his lips together and hesitated "I'm sorry"

Ignoring the twitch in between her legs, she turned and walked towards the window, looking out into the open field that would belong to the bank if she and Lucas didn't stop playing games and get the deal sealed. "I'll be out in a while," she said

She waited for the door to close behind her but she didn't hear any movement. So when she turned, only to bump into his chest, she went mute with shock.

"You were frustrated I didn't come yesterday?" It was more of a statement than a question so she didn't say anything.

"You're in my way" she pointed out. She was stuck between the table and his body frame and she knew any careless moment would land her in his arms, where she had been aching to be since she saw him downstairs.

"Am I? You have the option to push me away" he reminded

His breath was heavy on her ears and his voice was hushed, almost as if they were heavy with arousal

"You know if we're going to be married, we better start practicing" he brought his hand to her hair and everything in her got excited.

"Stop" but he could barely hear her

"You don't mean that"

She hated that he could see through her without her having to say anything.

His scent engulfed her and she wanted nothing more than to throw herself at him and let him do whatever he wanted.

All of a sudden, he backed away "I'm just down the hall"

She collapsed on the bed when she was sure he was far away.

He made it so easy for her to like him and hate him at the same time. It was exhausting, but there was no time to think, she needed to get ready and if luck was on her side, the marriage preparations would begin in the evening.

Since he was dressed formally, she decided to wear something that would go with him but was careful to not overdo it.

In a green flowered shirt gown and boyfriend shoes, she came down to meet him. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and she held her head high like nothing had transpired between them in the room.

"Ready?" He asked, giving her his hands

She never knew he had "gentlemanly" as one of his attributes. "Ready" she responded as she placed hers in his.

With a nod of acknowledgment at her mum, she followed him to the waiting cars.

Guards were waiting outside and it caused Grace to roll her eyes. Although she had been brought up in a similar fashion, she had kept all those things out of her lifestyle. She preferred riding alone, at the same pace at which she did in bed, fast, hard, with music blasting her ears.

The fun was different when you had guards trailing behind you and looking like robots.

"Really?" She asked "The guards?"

"It seems you take pleasure in complaining about everything."

She sealed her lips as they stepped through the already open doors and into the car.

He was beside her in an instant and with a command, all three cars were heading out of the driveway.

"Where would you want to go?" He asked her

"Somewhere nice and quiet"

"You don't have a place you would love?"

"Oh, please, don't act like you care," she looked at him "Like you said the last time, let's get this over with."

He nodded and faced the front. The next twenty minutes in the car were unbearable. For some reason, he found her silence more disturbing than her chatter.

They pulled into the driveway of the five-star hotel and as she prepared to alight, he brought his hand to her shoulder "I'm sorry about last time, and about yesterday," He smiled "Let's do this, shall we?"

She nodded "Let's do this."