Blake’s POV
When the kids heard that there was a picnic tomorrow, they were so happy and ran back and forth in the parlor.
For now, I shared my room with Noah on the second floor. Our room was next to Catherine and Hedwig’s room.
I went to the second floor and stood at the door of my room. Suddenly, someone opened the door next to the room and didn’t close it.
The feeling of kissing Catherine this morning flashed across my mind.
Her lips were soft and fragrant, with the sweet smell of milk. I was addicted to kissing her at once.
I didn’t know if it was because I hadn’t found my mate for too long. Yet somehow, I felt that the kiss made me lose control in the blink of an eye.
My wolf began to stir again, and I also felt suffocated. I reached out and wanted to push open the door, while someone beat me to it.
Catherine had changed from her suits and stood in front of me in a loose blouse.
My hand that was about to push open the door froze in midair.
When I saw the two buttons on her chest, I was aroused.
Damn! What was with me today? Why did I feel that she had a bewitching charm?
“What are you doing?” Catherine looked at me strangely and asked calmly.
“I have something to talk to you about,” I said hurriedly.
Though I was restless deep down, I restrained myself, looking calm.
“What is it?” Catherine leaned against the wall next to her and glanced at me.
“About Gina, I feel that I didn’t bargain enough. I have an extra request.” I was already wandering, yet I could still think of something calmly. Good job, Blake!
Catherine’s beautiful eyes suddenly widened, and she stared at me with slight annoyance. “Didn’t you name your condition this morning? How could you add more?”
“It’s up to me, isn’t it?” I raised my eyebrows indifferently.
Catherine was stunned, apparently aware of what I meant.
“Can’t you settle all the requests in one go instead of going back on your word? Name it. What else do you want?” Catherine compromised.
“I want you to be my mate.” I took the opportunity to make a bold and outrageous request.
“What?” Catherine was utterly shocked, her beautiful eyes staring at me in disbelief.
“Do you have any idea what you are talking about? I am not your mate. Didn’t your wolf tell you that?”
I said lightly, “You just have to pretend to be my mate. I won’t ask you for anything more.”
“No way. I don’t want anything to do with you.”
“Don’t you find your words ridiculous? If you don’t want anything to do with me, what about the kids?”
My mockery made Catherine speechless.
She and I would see each other every time I got back from work. We accompanied the kids like a family.
“I just can’t,” replied Catherine with a cold face.
I pursed my lips. After a few seconds of silence, I said, “If you don’t agree, I will make Gina even more miserable. Do you believe me?”
“I… Don’t push it. Don’t forget that I gave birth to two kids for you. And I have brought them to your place without strings attached. How dare you make such shameless requests?” Catherine was completely annoyed, but she did not dare to quarrel with me loudly. She could only talk back in a low voice.
I looked at her face filled with anger, which had become rosy.
I actually found her charming and cute when she was angry.
“Catherine, I have my reasons, too. My grandmother has asked me to participate in all kinds of mating gatherings everyday. If you can pretend to be my mate, then things will be much easier for me. Of course, I can assure you that we will just be faking it. I will never lay my hands on you,” I promised.
Catherine stared at my face for a few seconds as if she was judging my words.
“We can sign an agreement. Putting it into words should be enough to assure you.” I knew what she was worried about.
She had every reason to worry, because I wanted to mark her right now badly.
“Do I have a choice?” Catherine curled her lips and mocked.
“No! Now come with me to the study!” I did not expect her to agree so soon. I was a bit overjoyed.
I thought she would turn me down no matter what I said.
Catherine had no choice but to follow me into the study.
I turned on my laptop and began to draw up the agreement.
“Will my work be affected if I pretend to be your mate?” Catherine asked suddenly.
I typed on the keyboard, and soon, Catherine saw a detailed agreement I had drawn up.
She picked it up and took a look thoroughly.
“We will just claim that we’re in a relationship. It will not affect your work or the kids. There are many social activities in my life circle that require your attendance. As for your work… It will not be affected at all. As long as you want to work there, no one will dare drive you away. You can do whatever you want.”
I repeated the contents of the agreement.
“You seem to forget about my requests,” Catherine said sarcastically.
I said lightly, “Then add it yourself.”
Catherine sat in front of my laptop and typed fast. After a short while, a new agreement was printed.
I looked down and frowned.
“This much?” Her terms surprised me.
“When we are in public, you can only hold my waist and hands. Fix anyone who embarrasses me at once when we are at banquets. You are not to have an affair with any woman other than me, because it’s humiliating, and it will ruin my reputation. When we visit your family, if your family have any dissatisfaction with me, you must take my side. Any expenses incurred for my attendance with you are on your account. You can’t beat me, scold me, ignore me, or question me. Our cooperation is equal. I won’t suffer any grievances for you.” Catherine walked around me and quickly repeated everything. Indeed, women were scrupulous. She could think of certain subtle things at once.
She got me.
“What makes you think I will agree? You asked too much.” I threw the paper on the desk. “I don’t agree.”
Catherine shrugged and smiled. “Well then. I guess we don’t have to waste time here anymore.”
“Catherine, what do you think will happen to Gina?” I had to play my trump card.
Sure enough, Catherine instantly tensed up. She turned around and looked me in the eye.
“Fine. I only have two requests. First, you’re not allowed to touch me. Second, I won’t accept being pointed fingers at when we are out.”
Catherine gave in.
“OK. Deal!” I said triumphantly.
After adding these two terms, Catherine and I signed the agreement.
“Let me put the agreement into the safe. Don’t let the kids see it. They will be sad if they know we signed something like this,” I suggested.
Catherine did not object, so I threw the agreement into the safe.
“I hope we’ll have a good time when we take them for a picnic tomorrow.”