Page 153 of By His Vow

I’m going to be a wife to a man I’m not sure I even like.

My breathing begins to get erratic as a million and one thoughts race through my head.

What the hell am I doing?

What the hell have I agreed to?

“Tatum,” he says, his voice surer than it was a few moments ago.

He’s found some composure now that he’s done what he needed to do.

I kick myself for not figuring it out the second I stepped out of the bedroom. I expected it to happen last night in front of everyone. I thought it had to be public. I never even considered?—

“Will you marry me?”

38

TATUM

Istare down at him in disbelief.

I knew it was coming. Maybe not tonight or like this.

Alone

But seeing him down there isn’t anything like I expected.

I thought it would feel like a joke. An act.

I don’t know what it is, but this feels real.

His nerves are palpable. The way my heart races and my hands tremble are very real.

Too real.

He stares up at me, his dark green eyes boring into mine.

The air between us is charged, but it’s more than just the chemistry I’m becoming accustomed to when we’re together.

“Tatum?” he whispers, pointing out that I haven’t said anything in a really long time.

A small frown creases his brow as his eyes bounce between mine.

Waiting.

Lifting my hand, I pinch the pendant of my necklace between my fingers, fidgeting it as I try to find some kind of equilibrium.

His frown deepens and concern darkens his eyes.

Is he honestly worried that I’m going to say no?

Can I even say no?

I signed the paperwork. I agreed to this. I thought that the proposal was going to be some elaborate public show.

This…this is intimate. Romantic.

This isn’t telling the world and trying to convince them that our fake union is real.