A Bet

Emma~

The women leave me alone in a flurry of various colors and fabrics to tend to their kids and meet back up with their other halves before the ceremony. Apparently being friends with me is a sure way to earn yourself an invitation, and I’m glad that I’m able to give them something back for being nice to me.

I can’t help but feel my nerves returning the second they leave though; all of the Dutch courage seems useless, and I turn to the full-size mirror to give myself a final once-over before leaving for the door.

The sight in front of me is enough to make me gasp; with this color and all of the makeup, I’m the spitting image of my late mother, and here I was always thinking that it was Owen that had the resemblance.

Tears start to form in my eyes; only these ones are for happier reasons compared to the usual, and it’s always a gift when I am able to get a glimpse of her. It gives me the courage I need to walk out of the door and face the man waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

Catching sight of him, it’s hard to deny the attraction towards him. He’s beautiful.

His dark curly hair has been combed and styled to perfection, while those bright blue eyes stare up at me, taking in every step I take to bring me closer to him.

“You look perfect, Princess,” he says while reaching a hand out to me.

That’s the first time he’s called me that little nickname in a while, and it’s probably because he thinks that he can get away with it now that I’ve stopped disputing this whole party. Not a chance.

“Thank you,” I nod towards him politely while walking past his outstretched hand without a second glance.

My subtle rejection will annoy him far more than any snarky comment, and he needs to realize that the more time he spends with me, the more I’ll learn how to get on his nerves.

“How my little fiancée wounds me.” He places a hand to his heart in a theatrical manner, and this tells me that we’re currently alone with no one else to see his dramatics.

I find this odd considering we’re walking toward his blacked-out car, but maybe I’m mistaken.

“There are plenty of other ways for me to try if it’s not painful enough for you?” I offer sweetly while referring to the progress I’ve made in the last two training sessions.

I’m basically new to all of this, but Donovan says that I have a ‘knack for finding pressure points’—whatever that means, but I’m assuming it has something to do with the fact that everyone seems to tap out whenever paired against me.

“Don’t make promises you won’t keep,” Orion replies smoothly as he opens the door of the front passenger seat.

“No driver?” I question, considering how odd this is when talking about the mighty Orion Neville.

“Are you so used to the servants already, my love?” He teases me effortlessly, and I decide that it’s better not to say anything more. Clearly, he’s on top form tonight, and most of the arguments won against him are earned by simply learning when to stop talking.

With this strategy in mind, the drive is quiet as neither of us speaks, and I can’t help but wonder if this will be my first trip out of his land with his permission.

But then the thought has me laughing at myself not even a second later as of course it isn’t. Without this stupid marriage bestowed upon me, I doubt he’d risk letting a toe of mine pass the border and if it wasn’t Orion I were talking about, I’d say that’d be sweet.

I’d always dreamed about a man wanting to protect me, I just never imagined they’d go this far.

There are some lights up ahead of us that are made up of Edison bulbs, fairy lights, and even a few candles. It looks breathtaking against the darkness and the cover of the trees.

I don’t think I’ve seen this place before and I wonder what made him choose here over our place. I’ve seen the dining room and if he wants 40 people over he’d have no issues at all. Not that I should start thinking of that mansion as our place, it’s his.

“Are you nervous?” Orion asks as we pull into the prime parking space which has naturally been saved for his vehicle.

“Should I be?” I deflect, not wanting to tell him how far my anxiety has gone and referring to the surprise of what this whole event is even about.

“That would be telling.” He retorts with the widest grin I’ve ever seen him pull. The expression has me almost swallowing back bile and what on earth could he have up his sleeve?

Before I can beg him to turn back around and explain himself, he’s already left his side and walked around to open my door.

“Don’t look at me like that, Emma, it’s not a bad thing,” he sighs at the expression on my face, but forgive me if that does little to ease my conscience. We don’t exactly see eye to eye on the distinctions between good and bad.

Rather than fall for his tricks again, I fold my arms and refuse to budge unless he tells me what sort of game he has in store for me here. It’s one thing to be embarrassed by him alone while it’s another entirely to be humiliated in front of a room.

“How about we make a bet?” he offers and I raise my eyebrows in suspicion. “If you don’t like my next surprise, you don’t have to attend the party.”

My eyes grow wider than I’d have thought possible at this offer, and I stop myself from taking him up on it right here and now.

“You do realize that I could just lie, right?” I can’t help but point out, though I do admit that this isn’t my smartest move.

“Trust me, Princess, you won’t be able to hide your delight,” he chuckles before holding out his hand for me to shake. “Do we have a deal?”

I hesitate for a second when I realize that the standard convention of a bet is that both parties stand to gain something from the gamble. I know what I want, but what does he want?

The marriage sooner? An heir? Sex? My mind goes to a thousand different dark places before my mouth can ask the question, and he rolls his eyes at my suspicion.

“What if I do like it?” I finally get out.

“Then you go through with the party.” He shrugs.

“The engagement party?” I clarify because that is a trap far too easy to fall down and I’m not that stupid.

“Yes, Emma, the engagement party. Do we have a deal?” His eyes are shining at me as he offers his hand, but I fail to see the catch.

I was going ahead with it anyway; all this means is that maybe I’ll get some enjoyment out of it. With this in mind, I reach for his hand to shake it while stepping out of the car.