CHAPTER 41 Charlie
CHAPTER 41
Charlie
W hen we get home, I do laundry and get organized for the upcoming week while Rowan fiddles with his phone. He receives a copy of the trust from his father, and I read it over. It’s as Nana said. My scalp prickles. I’m all too aware how money makes people file lawsuits. Do I need to marry him to avoid the estate ending up stuck in litigation for years?
I come up behind Rowan where he’s curled like a kitten on the armchair in the living room and bend down to kiss his neck. He shivers, then half-heartedly pushes me away. “Don’t do that,” he mutters.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m thinking.”
I move to the front of the armchair, tug him up so he’s standing, then spin and fall back into the seat with him in my lap. I trace his face with my fingers, and he closes his eyes under my touch. “What are you thinking? That it’s a lot of fucking money?”
“That’s part of it. But it’s all twisted up with me not wanting to hurt my father and wishing he weren’t dying. Also, what the fuck is up with my family wanting people to get married? ”
I nuzzle his face, the hair lifting on the back of my neck. “Are you tempted?”
“No, and I feel like I’m a fool for not being tempted. Who turns down access to that much money? What if it all goes away before I’m twenty-five?”
“You do have access to some funds. The trust your father set up for you.”
“This is true. And, even if I wanted to be a dick and take the family fortune away from my father, you and I agreed we’re not getting married.” He pauses. “I suppose the trust wouldn’t care who I married. I could marry Xavier or Gideon or?—”
Hot flames travel through my body. “You’re such a brat. Rowan, you’re mine. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” He grins, then sighs. “Besides, it feels wrong to marry for money, not love.”
“Exactly.”
Rowan sets his head under my chin, and I play with his hair. “Who’d’ve thought I have a conscience?”
“You have a conscience and a moral code,” I say. “I do, too. I want you to have no doubts as to my reasons for being with you.” I tilt his head up and kiss him. “It’s not for your money—whether you have it or not. It’s because you’re the one I’m choosing . I don’t want you to get mixed up, thinking that I’m with you for any other reason.”
“I understand,” Rowan says quietly. “I promised you I wouldn’t marry you.”
“I know. But apart from that promise or the trust or anything else, what do you really want? Our relationship shouldn’t be all about my issues. Part of being together is, you know, we compromise.”
He finally looks me in the eye. “I’ve teased you about tuxedos for our weddings and going on dates and having a daddy, but with my background, do you blame me if there’s some underlying truth to it? I want stability. ”
“I can see that.” I hug him, and he wraps his arms around me tight. “The only way I know how to give you that is to just keep showing up for you every day.”
“That’s enough,” he says into my chest.
I vow to prove it to him. To be there so he knows he’s loved and wanted—forever.
“I do want my rings, though.”
“One for every finger but your ring finger. I will keep that promise.” I pull back so we can see each other’s faces, hoping my sincerity is evident. “And I suppose your ring finger is open, in case we both change our minds. Since I’ve been changing my mind so much in the last few weeks.”
He bites his lip and nods, looking at his hands.
“So, are you sure you’re good with waiting for the money?” I press.
“Yeah, especially since my father seems happy to give me everything I need.”
“Then tell me if that changes, baby. And we’ll revisit it.” I kiss him on the forehead, and he closes his eyes. So I kiss those, too. Then move down to his lips. “I’m willing to compromise if we have to. But maybe we won’t have to.”