Chapter Four
Magnolia
I release the biggest sigh of relief the second he leaves the room. Thank goodness he’s gone. I relax and let all the bravado wash away. I spent the time in the shower trying to figure out how to act now that we crossed this insane boundary. We haven’t even known each other for more than an hour, and I let him do all sorts of nasty things and wanted more. What does someone do after they have sex with a fucking man who can make you come with no damn effort? Who is this epitome of perfection and dominance?
When you’re in the throes of passion and you realize that you have a fetish for being controlled after spending your whole life running away from those trying to control you, you brush off your fears and treat him the way you would any other person who wanted something from you—indifference. But I’m not sure I can keep it up. Especially when he touches me.
When I first looked at the account, it said transaction in process, but I didn’t see how much money. Now I’m finally looking, and my mouth falls open because he paid a fortune to marry me. I was supposed to get eighty percent of the money, so I nearly hyperventilate. There are way too many zeros. The host of the event told me that my minimum was a hundred thousand. “There has to be a mistake.”
“What?”
“The money,” I mutter. “When I looked earlier, it was saying the money was being processed, but now…”
“Is it not there yet?”
“It is, but they put way too much in there.” He chuckles and climbs on the bed and barks out, “Those fucking bastards.”
“Charged you too much. I’ll give it back.”
“No, they fucking robbed you.”
“What? No, that’s nuts.” There’s over two million dollars in my bank account.
“I don’t discuss money, but you’ll be my wife so if you must know, I paid them ten million.” That means…eight million should be mine.
My mouth falls open, staring at him like a dumbass, but all he does is get up and shake his head. A second later, he’s pacing and on the phone. He’s cursing someone out in a hushed, violent voice that screams he’s in charge. I watch his muscular body move like a wild animal that is primed to strike. It gives me a moment to silently examine his form, and that’s when I spot the scars on his body that I’d been too damn horny to notice. Most of them are small, but there’s a good gash down his side. I stare with amazement, so many questions in my head, but mostly I wonder if he’s as horny as I am right now.
I’m tempted to run my fingers between my thighs and strum away the ache he’s created by just being his bold, intense self. Instead, I’m interrupted by my phone that dings with a notification, and there’s another transaction for six million added. They had us all set up offshore accounts because larger sums of money would be questioned by the IRS, of course, and where could we say we got it from?
Prostitution is legal in other countries, but not here. Hell, are we even in the US? I’m not even sure. I was brought over in the middle of the night, but I could be in Canada or even in South America. Where do they have beautiful mountainsides?
“Oh, my goodness.” I look at the number and look back at him. “You didn’t really pay…”
“I needed a wife.”
“Wow. I can’t take all this money.” I shake my head, but he kneels on the bed and cups my cheeks to stop me.
“Well, you will.” He reaches over me and turns off the light next to the bed, then climbs in behind me, pulling me into his broad, bare chest.
“Well, then, I’ll consider it an advance on the divorce settlement,” I mutter with a defiant huff.
Could I just have a baby and abandon it? Or would he give me custody after we met the agreement? I’m sure he’s just trying to meet the demands of the will. He didn’t even want a family. I do want a child, and he looks like he’d produce a strong, handsome child with good genes, so I could do worse. Heck, I know I could do worse since I couldn’t pick a good boyfriend.
“Whatever. It’s time for bed. We have a wedding to attend tomorrow.” My eyes shoot open in the darkness as my body stiffens. “Go to sleep, Magnolia.” He snuggles his arms around me tightly. I take a deep breath and tell myself not to get used to this. When we get back, he’ll probably demand we sleep in separate bedrooms. I’m only there to give him a baby and then a divorce. Maybe I’ll suggest a separate bed.
****
A breakfast spread arrives for us about nine a.m. It’s brought in by one of Killian’s men that were at the door last night. “Ah, you’re awake. You need to eat, and then they’ll be here to help you pick a dress and do your makeup.”
“I thought you said this wasn’t something special.”
“It’s not, but I’m not going to let you get married in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. We need pictures and stuff.”
“Because the documentation isn’t enough?”
“I’m going to post it in the papers as well.”
“Oh, so we have to actually look like we’re a real couple.”
He cups my jaw a little harder than necessary. “We are a real couple. Remember what I told you. Don’t think about straying, Magnolia.”
“You know, other people just call me Mags.”
“Yes, well, I’m not other people. I’m going to be your husband. I prefer Magnolia.” I do too, but when he says it, it feels so personal—too personal.
“Whatever,” I answer with a shrug. I head to the giant spread of food. “Is there enough food? Please tell me it’s more than you and me eating?”
“Yes, the guys are eating as well.”
“Good, because I can’t possibly eat that much even if this looks and smells amazing.” I grab a plate and give myself a small portion of eggs, bacon, and then country potatoes with a bit of fruit.
“That’s all you’re going to have?”
“No offense, but I’m five six, one sixty. It’s not like I don’t eat. If I want more, I’ll get it, but there’s no reason to over-fill my plate like a piglet.” I roll my eyes.
“Have you seen the two guys over there? I’m just making sure you eat enough.”
“I promise I’m good.” I eat my food and it’s delicious, but he’s right. The guys devour most of the food easily. I go back for some of the fruit because I love it. Killian snatches a grape off my plate, and I pretend to stab him with my fork, so he bends down and kisses me.
“I like when you’re fiery.”
There’s a knock at the door, and Killian’s security checks it. “Sir, it’s the ladies for your bride.”
“Very well. Let us go and get everything else ready.” He bends down and gives me a brief kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you in a little while. Behave, and don’t even think of running.” The look in his eyes tells me that he’s deadly serious. When he moves his suit jacket, I see something shine that I hadn’t noticed before. Is that a gun?
He walks up to the ladies and says something to them that startles them, and they enter with huge smiles on their faces. “Mrs. King, we will make you the perfect bride.”
“I’m not Mrs. King yet.”
“Yes, but you will be. Please forgive us for speaking out of turn.” They look to the door as if they’re afraid. I don’t press my luck by asking them anything. Instead, I work on getting me ready for my wedding. Something seems off, but I knew my husband was dangerous from the start. I should have run when I had the chance, but did I really have a chance? The dang tiger was ready to pounce the second our eyes locked, and I’d had nowhere to go.
“Wow, you look beautiful.” I gasp because he’s standing at the door. He looks to the ladies. “Please leave us.” When they’re gone, he smiles at me and my body lights up, making me forget my brain and turning my panties into a soaking wet mess.
He takes my hand and brings it to his lips, making me forget the animal I’d just been imagining. “I couldn’t wait. The judge is downstairs.” He pulls a box out of his pocket and then opens it. He gives me a smile before sliding a beautiful diamond ring on my finger.
“This is too much,” I say, shaking my head as I stare at the gorgeous piece of jewelry set in a platinum band.
“You’re about to be my wife,” he says.
“Yes, I am.”
“They’ve set up a beautiful room for the ceremony. It’s amazing what their staff can put together in a few hours with a nice bonus.”
“Sir, they’re ready.”
“Shall we?” I nod, and then we walk down the stairs. Several professional cameras capture our photos like a happy couple, and then I realize he didn’t do it because he was excited to see me; he wanted to put on a show for the press. My smile falters for a moment, but then I remember that fat bank account that I can live off after we divorce and that my child will be set up for their lives if I invest wisely.
The ceremony goes off without a hitch, and I’m now the wife of Killian J. King, whoever he really is.
Goodness, what are my parents going to think when they find out? They’re going to flip. How am I going to explain that I’ve married a stranger, a man like Killian, without them? My mom’s going to be upset about not being included, and my father’s going to be angry that he didn’t meet him first. My brothers will be furious. I’m going to have to talk to Killian about all of this.
What have I done?