The Dotted Line

ANNA

The next morning, I got up to start my usual routine. Gavin was already shaving when I pulled my yoga outfit out of my bag.

I half expected him to protest, but he just smiled before saying Mark would drive me.

It was nice to return to some semblance of normal. Ashleigh met me at our usual class and seemed cautiously excited for my pending nuptials. She agreed to go shopping with me for a dress for my date.

I knew she wanted me to explain the situation further, but I didn’t know where to start. The fewer people whom I let in on our secret, the better.

Gavin hadn’t spelled out that our agreement needed to be kept hidden, but the implication was there.

However, I wasn’t quite sure what explanation I was supposed to give instead.

After class, I debated going across the street to my apartment, but I had no clue what time Gavin had set up for the attorney to go over our contract.

At some point, I needed to go back and get the rest of my things. Ultimately, I decided that without a job to go to every day, there was sure to be time later in the week.

I heard Gavin on the phone in his office when I got back to the penthouse, so I headed upstairs to freshen up.

My body felt so much more relaxed after my workout. Between the stretch of my muscles and the steam of the shower, I felt most of the tension that had built up over the last couple of days start to fade.

I chose a pair of simple trousers and a fitted top before quickly blow-drying my hair and swiping some mascara on my lashes.

An unfamiliar man’s booming voice filled the space when I opened the bedroom door. I assumed he must be Gavin’s attorney. Nerves tingled up my spine as I slowly climbed down the stairs to sign away my future.

“You must be Ms. Miller!” the stranger said with a beaming smile. “I thought Mr. Powell was exaggerating when he said he planned to marry the prettiest girl in Manhattan.”

“Oh, um, thanks,” I said, shifting under his gaze.

Gavin came over and wrapped an arm around my waist before kissing me gently.

I offered him a weak smile, and he winked.

“Let’s get this over with,” he said lightly.

I fought to keep my knees from buckling and followed the men to the dining room table.

I listened numbly as the lawyer reviewed the changes made to the original document, as if he wasn’t discussing how my future husband and I were agreeing to comport ourselves during our marriage.

When it came to the financial aspects, I felt the blood drain from my face.

The moment we officially and legally tied the knot, I could technically lay claim to dozens of residential properties as well as Gavin’s extensive real estate investments worldwide.

Not to mention the liquid assets or stock portfolio. I could see him looking at me out of my periphery and tried to keep my expression calm.

Still, when his attorney—I couldn’t even remember his name—slid me a pen, my hand was shaking uncontrollably.

Gavin took the free one and gave it a squeeze.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

I swallowed and gestured toward the contract. “Are you sure?”

He looked as calm as a cucumber. “Of course.”

“This is what you’ve worked for,” I pointed out. “When we sign it, you’re agreeing to give me half in the event of a divorce. I think you should give that more thought.”

“Trust me, I’ve tried to talk him out of it,” the man across the table chuckled, and my eyes snapped to him.

He shrugged. “He said he doesn’t want you to feel like you’re taking a gamble by marrying him.”

“I want to make you happy, Annalise,” Gavin said. “I am going to make you happy.”

When I met his gaze, there was only sincerity.

I took one last deep breath before picking up the pen and quickly signing my name. Gavin followed suit, but he had a huge grin on his face.

“Well, that about wraps that up,” his attorney said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll see you two lovebirds at the wedding.”

He placed the contract in his briefcase before shaking both our hands and showing himself out.

Gavin pulled me in for a crushing hug and kissed the top of my head. It was a fairly frequent action of his I was quickly growing to relish. I sighed and sank into his embrace.

Too soon, he pulled away to look down at me. “Set your calendar reminder,” he said. “In thirty days, I will be calling you Mrs. Powell.”

“Will we even have time to plan everything?” I frowned. “I haven’t even looked into venues.”

He waved me off.

“Wherever and whatever you want, Annalise.”

“It just seems like a lot to figure out in thirty days.”

“Hire a planner.” He shrugged. “That seems to be what people do these days. I have a couple names.”

~A planner~, I mentally facepalmed, ~Duh.~

“Right,” I said instead. “Umm, whoever you think might be available on such short notice.”

He chuckled again before kissing my lips.

“I’ll look into it,” he promised, and then stepped away to grab his coat and car keys. “Day of your dreams, baby. I’ll make it happen.”

“Well, I want it to be what you want too,” I said, following him to the entryway.

“Oh, I’m taking charge of the honeymoon,” he said with a wicked smirk.

“Okay,” I agreed, still spiraling from the whirlwind of the morning. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.” He wagged his eyebrows.

I groaned. “You know I hate surprises.”

“In fact, I do know that.” He turned to me with a devilish grin that made my heart rate spike. “But I love them, and I know if I told you, you would overthink it. Besides, you have enough on your plate with the wedding.”

I mocked a scowl at him, but he just laughed and shook his head before taking me in his arms.

When his lips met mine, I nearly moaned in ecstasy. How had kissing Gavin so quickly become my favorite thing?

He seemed to be equally as affected, guiding my steps until my back hit the wall behind me. He turned his head before his tongue dove in to conquer mine. I ran my hands over his chest and shoulders, loving the feel of his hard body under his dress shirt.

His hands reached down to my hips before cupping my ass. This time, I didn’t pull away. I melted into him, and he hummed against my mouth in satisfaction.

I was breathing hard when he picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist, gasping when he thrust his hips against mine.

“Fuck. I want you, Annalise,” he murmured, his voice dangerously low. I met his dark gaze as his hands trailed over the hem of my skirt. “Tell me to stop.”

My eyes widened, and I opened my mouth, unsure of how to respond.

“Ahem.”

We both jumped at the loud clearing of a throat. Gavin dropped me and whipped around so fast, I yelped. I peeked around his shoulder, realizing he was blocking my now disheveled state of dress from view with his body.

Gavin’s attorney stood in the doorway of the elevator, an amused grin on his face. “Sorry, I, uh, forgot my coffee mug.”

Gavin ran a hand over his face. “Get the fuck out, Chuck.”

Attorney Chuck sauntered over to the table and grabbed his tumbler with “World’s Best Dad” printed on the side.

“See you two later,” he nearly sang.

“Out!” Gavin rolled his eyes as the doors closed again.

I bit my lip to stifle my giggle.

He caught sight of me in his periphery and smirked. “You think this is funny? Two minutes later—and I might have had you bent over the dining table.”

My mouth was suddenly dry. “Umm…”

He smoothed a hand over my hair before tucking a strand behind my ear. “Relax, Annalise. I’m joking.”

~Maybe I want you to be serious.~ I wished I could be bolder with him, that maybe I didn’t constantly feel so nervous when things got physical between us.

“I like that way too much,” he admitted, pulling me from my thoughts. “But if I don’t get to work today, the board is going to oust me from my own company.”

I sighed and took a reluctant step back, straightening my clothes. “I guess you have sort of been a slacker lately.”

“Worth it,” he said before kissing the top of my head one last time. “I’m interviewing a couple of new assistants today.”

“Make sure they’re old…or ugly!” I called as the doors closed. I could hear him laughing from inside.

I took a couple of steadying breaths and looked around. That man had an uncanny ability to throw me completely off balance in the best way.

I touched my still-swollen lips, sighing as I thought about the taste of him.

My phone dinged, and I looked down at a message from Gavin.

Gavin

Would you have told me to stop?

My heart thudded in my chest as I typed out my short reply.

Anna

No.