“In your dreams! You might have gotten away with a surprise engagement but not a surprise wedding!” She carried her food back to the table but this time she didn’t sit with Christian. The empty seat beside Lillian attracted her and she occupied it immediately. Christian sat down diagonally opposite her but his eyes were more on her than on his food.
“Hello, dear! Has Christian told you about me? I’m his favorite aunt Theresa from Connecticut. I’m so happy to see him settle down. When he was young, he hated the idea of marriage. I couldn’t imagine he would settle down with a girl of his parents’ choice.”
“People change as they grow, Aunt Theresa. I’m sure Christian has too. He was never averse to the concept of marriage. He just wanted to marry the person he liked!” said Lillian. Skylar gaped at her as the interesting piece of news seeped into her brain. So did Christian like someone?
“Had he chosen someone at such a young age?” chuckled Aunt Theresa with disbelief.
“Age is just a number. The heart likes who it likes,” said another cousin, sitting beside them.
“Who does Christian like? Why did he not marry her then?” asked Aunt Theresa with curiosity. Even Skylar waited for Lillian’s response with her breath caught in her throat.
“He…” started Lillian, but before she could finish her sentence, Christian arrived and stood behind them.
“Aunt Theresa, aren’t you interested in the signature dessert of the resort? Grandpa ordered it, especially for you.” It worked and Aunt Theresa forgot everything and stood up with her plate.
“I’ve got to check it out! Thanks for reminding me, Christian, my boy.” Christian helped her out and led her away towards the buffet table after casting a death glare at his older sibling. Lilian sobered up and followed him to get her share.
“I can’t miss the dessert,” she said awkwardly.
“Wait for me,” said the cousin, following her there. Skylar sat at the table, thinking about what Lillian had just told her. So who had Christian chosen for himself? Who did he love? Why did he not marry her instead? Everything looked mysterious to her and there wasn’t a soul who could answer her questions except Christian himself.
“What’s keeping you from checking out the dessert?” The sound of his voice near her ear startled her. She clasped onto her heart and turned to give him an exasperated look.
“You can eat it all day and get a cardiac arrest!”
He chuckled and pulled the chair beside her to sit. “I’m a fit guy. That’s not happening at all.”
“Don’t sit here. It’s Lillian’s place.” Christian waved her off and pushed the exotic raspberry and lychee Pavlova a little toward her.
“Lillian’s busy,” he said, gesturing towards the table beside them. Skylar noticed how busy Lillian was with Caleb, sharing the dessert she brought for him.
“Shall we do the same?” he asked, picking up a spoonful and bringing it near her mouth. It was too delicious to resist and Skylar ate it up without bickering. “How’s it? Did it melt your heart a little?”
Skylar rolled her eyes but shook her head. “It’s heavenly! Thanks for the treat. You can have the rest.” Christian didn’t seem to have understood her and fed her another bite. Skylar’s mouth watered and she greedily devoured it. He fed her more and it was impossible for her to resist it.
“Now it’s your turn.”
“What turn?” she gaped at him, licking her lips to savor the taste. It was too good a treat to share! Now she had a new favorite!
“Feed me, what else? All eyes are on us, you know,” he lowered his head towards her and whispered as if it were a secret. Skylar looked around and truly she found all eyes watching their interaction.
“Okay, open up!” she whispered back, rolling her eyes at the amused look on his face. She fed him the rest of the treat and colored as his gaze held hers in a staring contest.
“Stop staring, Christian! I’m just returning a favor.”
“Why should I stop? Don’t tell me it’s affecting you! Maybe your heart is racing faster than lightning,” he murmured, his low, husky voice causing a flutter in her stomach. Yes, it was! But she wouldn’t admit it!
“No, it’s making me cringe! Don’t forget this is a contract marriage! We don’t feel a thing for one another. I know you like someone else. Why didn’t you marry her already?” she hissed, annoyed by her reaction to him.
“Who said that to you?” he looked taken aback at her misjudgment of Lillian’s words. He had been following their conversation closely but had to put his foot down when his sister foolishly started giving him away. It wasn’t time yet. He would prefer to confess his feelings to her and not have someone else tell her. What if she got scared and canceled the contract marriage with him?
“No one, forget it.” She fed him the rest of the dessert, knowing he won’t at all open up to her. He didn’t trust her obviously. He considered her a spoiled brat who was too selfish to see beyond herself!
After lunch, the guests left to rest and later get ready for the engagement party in the evening.
“Skye, I’ll come over with the attendants to your room. You have two hours to relax your bundled nerves,” said Lillian with a wink, walking away with the twins. Skylar didn’t want to rest, locked up in a room with the hateful Christian, but what choice did she have? The hotel was now teeming with guests and there was no chance of finding another vacant room for herself.
“Don’t even think about it,” came his whisper, and she groaned. How did he always know what she was thinking? This was now getting creepy! Did he always watch her like a lunatic? She jumped when his arm clamped around her shoulders and he led her towards their room.
“You make it too obvious, you know!” She gave him a confused look, wondering what he meant by that.
“What do you mean?”
“You shouldn’t jump every time I touch you. We’re getting married after all! I think it’s time to sort this out!” She gaped at the mysterious man! Now, what did he have in his mind?
“If you don’t come near me, I won’t jump at all. Don’t touch me either. Agreed?” Christian just chuckled as they entered their room.
“I asked you something, dammit!” she prodded with her hands on her waist. Christian chuckled and closed the door, making her eyes widen.
“I can’t guarantee that, Skylar. I might have to kiss you after the engagement. My family is quite open-minded! It’s a norm, and they would expect us to do it too. Don’t worry, we can get a little practice.” He walked towards her and Skylar’s eyes widened, realizing his intentions.
“No, stay right there. We won’t kiss! I won’t practice kissing you! Umm, tell them I have a tooth infection!” she finished lamely, walking backward with every forward step of his.
Christian shook his head, his eyes glinting with amusement. “They know I don’t mind such petty infections.”
“Then tell them I’ve got the flu!” He slowly shook his head.
“I’d prefer to kiss you and fall sick!”
Skylar searched her brain for another excuse to ward off the crazy guy.
“Umm, umm, tell them I had a cosmetic filler job done on my lips.” Christian rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“I wouldn’t have allowed it before our engagement.” Skylar’s back hit the wall and she looked around helplessly to think of something.
“Stop, Christian. I won’t jump at all. I’ll give you a kiss after the engagement. Happy?” She gave in just to stop him from reaching her.
“Prove it then!” He stopped inches from her, his eyes penetrating into her soul. It caused her heart to pound erratically. Would he really kiss her again? Would it feel the same as earlier?
“No, I don’t want to prove it to you.”
“But I do. Kiss me, Skylar, before I grab you and devour your sweet lips.” Her eyes widened, and she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. His words caused a throbbing deep within her and she couldn’t control it. What was happening to her? Why couldn’t she control her own body?
“Don’t. I’ll kiss you.” She took a deep breath as he closed the gap between them and waited for her to make a move.
“I’m still waiting, Skylar,” he reminded her impatiently.
“F*ck you, Christian!” she grabbed his cheek and planted a little kiss on his lips, which had an opposite effect than what she had expected. It seemed to set him on fire.
“What the f*ck was that?” He grabbed her nape and smashed his lips to hers with such ferocity that her knees buckled like jelly. His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her flush against his feverishly hot body.