I walked around the car and slipped behind the wheel. After I started up the car, I glanced over and Abigail’s cheeks were bright red. I leaned forward to turn on the radio, my arm bushing over her leg. She jolted, tensed, and let out a sound that I could swear was a little moan.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
There were no rules that said I couldn’t screw with her while also taking care of business. I tried to pretend that it was all fun and games, but deep down some part of me knew that I was attracted to Abigail. Everything from the way she walked to the way she dressed to the curve of her pink lips set me on edge. Usually, she was the one showing me that fiery side and having a laugh at my expense. It was only fair that I should get to turn the tables just a little.
We pulled up to my place and I gathered up all of the bags before I moved them into the house. We didn’t have a lot of time and I needed to go over some things with Abigail to make sure that everything went smoothly tomorrow night. I let her upstairs and put her things in my bedroom.
“Wait,” she frowned. “Don’t you have another room for me?”
“We’re making this look as real as possible. The last thing I need is for one of my brothers, or god forbid my mother, to pop up and you’re in another room. It wouldn’t look right.” I waved a hand. “Besides, as you can see I have plenty of space.”
Abigail looked around and nodded. Instead of putting up a fight like she was so famous for, she gave in. I watched from the doorway as she opened each bag and began to put her things away one by one. My heart sped up in my chest. Would it be horrible if she stayed here all the time?”
At that thought, I forced myself to leave the room. I couldn’t get attached to Abigail. I had a lot to do, and I wasn't in the market for a relationship. I made my way to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of whiskey. I’d polished off the first by the time she walked in, grabbed the bottle, and sipped directly from it. I raised a brow.
“Thirsty?” I asked.
“Nervous,” she admitted. “I know how your family is.” She held up a finger. “And don’t even try to do that whole innocent thing. Trust me, I know. I don’t want to screw up.”
“You won’t.” I chewed my lip. “Although you might want to hit me. I had an idea.”
She raised a brow. “Oh? Why do I feel like I’m not going to like this?”
I grabbed a glass, dropped a few pieces of ice into it, and poured her a hearty drink. When she stared at me with the glass in her hand, I motioned for her to drink it. Abigail’s brow shot up more and she drank the whiskey before she hummed.
“Okay,” she nodded. “Tell me.”
I tilted my head. “I thought it would be better to bring a wife than a fiancée.”
Abigail looked confused before it dawned on her. “Wait, wait, a second! You said we’d worry about that later.”
“That was before. I know my mother though. If there’s a chance she can hook me up with one of her favorites, she’ll never stop. What she does respect is marriage.”
“Oh god,” Abigail groaned.
“How is this any worse than before? The only difference is we’ll have signed a piece of paper.” Abigail looked ready to object before I raised a finger. “And you’ll get paid double.”
Abigail’s mouth dropped open. “D-double?” She poured herself more whiskey and then shot it back before she pulled a face. Finally, she sighed. “Okay, I guess we’re getting married.”
I smiled at her. “Congratulations, Mrs. Rossi.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rossi.”
We laughed as our glasses met. At least she was on board. We poured drinks and went over the notes about my family that I’d given her before. By the time we were done, I felt like she had it down. I also felt a little drunk. I stood up and pushed my fingers through my hair.
“Holy shit, it’s two in the morning. We have to get married in the morning.”
Abigail gasped. “Oh shit. We should sleep.” She stood up and stumbled. I caught her and she laughed. “I forgot that I’m a lightweight.”
“Apparently so.” I scooped her up into my arms and she squealed as I carried her up the stairs to my bedroom. I laid her on the bed and grinned. “Just so you know, I sleep in my boxers.”
“Just so you know, I sleep naked.” Abigail tapped my nose and laughed. “Although you’re gonna have to help me get there, because I can’t get out.”
I laughed and helped her out of her clothes. I tossed them onto the floor before I pulled mine off as well and plopped down in the bed beside her. Abigail rolled over and laid a hand on my chest before she sighed.
“You’re not half bad,” she mumbled, a smile on her lips. “I’ve always liked you, do you know that? Everyone always said you were a real asshole, but I knew what you had to deal with even without you telling me.”
“And how did you know?”