CHAPTER 7 (GREENLEE)
705 Words
The nerve of this guy. “Know your place.”
Screw that. f**k you very much.
I storm into my room and slam the door so hard it bounces back open. Figures. I flip on my playlist, grab my books, and settle onto my bed instead of the desk. The music helps drown out the chaos in my head. I’m halfway through my notes when I realize someone’s standing in the doorway.
“Hey… can we talk?” Luca asks, lightly knocking on the frame.
I don’t even look up. “I don’t know. Is it my place to talk to you?” I roll my eyes.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Oh? Because you didn’t mean it?” I raise a brow.
“That… and because if my mother were here, she’d have whipped me for it.” He winces.
I can’t help but laugh a little. He looks up, flashing that million-dollar smile. Damn it. I know I’m supposed to reject this whole thing, but I set my books aside anyway.
“So,” I say, crossing my legs. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Us,” he says simply, stepping a little closer.
“What about us?”
“The agreement. I know it’s not ideal. I’m just trying to help. Your uncle’s a close family friend. Our families have always been tight.”
“But why marriage? It’s not like we love each other. Hell, we barely like each other.”
“Marriage was a last resort,” he says, voice low. “If Ivan gets ahold of you…” He trails off, eyes dropping to the floor.
“I’ve been dealing with Ivan since I was eleven. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.” I cross my arms under my chest, not realizing how much that pushes my boobs up in this damn tank top.
“I know you can, GreenLee.” The way he says my name sends a weird flutter through my core.
He licks his lips. His eyes flick from mine to my lips… then lower.
Nope. Nope. Nope.
This cannot happen. I will not be another one of his conquests.
“Marriage is the only way to avoid a full-blown war with Ivan,” he says, locking eyes with me again.
“I get that. But marriage is… I mean, this isn’t how I pictured getting engaged.” I glance down, suddenly feeling small.
“I know. I never thought I’d be getting married either. Like you said—I’ve got a reputation.”
“Sorry I was out of line downstairs. My filter doesn’t always work when it should.” I giggle, trying to lighten the mood.
“Don’t be. I like your fire, GreenLee.” He smiles again. “Do you think maybe you could agree to this? We’ve got time. It’s not like we’re getting married tomorrow.”
“I don’t know…”
“What’s stopping you?” he asks gently, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
I pause. “Would this be a real marriage? Just you and me?”
“Well, I don’t think we can add others to the marriage. It’s usually just two people.” He winks.
“No, I mean a real relationship. Or are you still going to be a fuckboy?”
“Oh.”
“Oh?” I raise my brow. “Look, I get that you’re trying to help keep me safe. But marriage means something to me. If you plan on sleeping around and making a fool of me, then I don’t want it.”
I stare him down, daring him to lie.
“Is that a deal breaker for you?”
“Sí.” I nod.
He sighs. “I understand. I won’t pretend I’m easily tamed… but I’ll try my hardest. If it helps, we can put something in the agreement. Like a prenup.”
I smirk. “Like what? If you cheat on me, I get to cut your d**k off?”
He blinks. Then laughs. “That’s… one way to phrase it.”
“Good. Keep laughing, Luca. Just remember—I don’t make empty threats.”
- Writer
