living that close to my family. The rules and discipline and Daddy constantly…” Elle caught my bewildered glance. “Let’s just say, my father is a bit overbearing. After my mom died, he lost it. Became someone different. Domineering. Unrepentantly strict. You know how dads can get.”
“Not really,” I said. “My dad split a long time ago.”
“Lucky.”
I wouldn’t say that. “Yours that bad?”
“Picked out our clothes every day. Wouldn’t let us have friends outside the family. Destroyed any contraband like secular music or books or magazines. Curfew was six o’clock every night, and we couldn’t participate in any extracurricular activities that distracted from our academics. Plus…” She hesitated. “He wouldn’t approve of us.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m…and your…”
“A football player?”
Her eyebrow rose. “A very pale football player.”
Oh.
“He’s very…old-fashioned. Has a lot of views of the world that…well, I don’t see things the way he does, and I knew the world wasn’t as terrible as he said. So…I left when I was sixteen and found out for myself.”
Damn. “And?”
She pointed to her knick-knacks and collections. “I wanted to see everything in the world. Oceans and deserts and prairies and forests and busy streets. I didn’t have the money when I was young, but I took enough pictures of my travels to get a decent eye for photography. I had enough skill to impress Peter, and he hired me as his assistant. I get to travel the country with the Rivets, and it’s a great chance to see a lot of America.”
“And the junk?” I pointed to her mass of snow globes, touristy ornaments, and memorabilia.
“They’re trinkets.”
“Sure, they are.”
“I’ve been collecting things. Everywhere I go. Little memories.”
“What’d you bring back from Vegas?”
Elle snorted. “A lot of trouble.”
“Did you pick a shelf for me yet…or did you want to tuck me into your bed?”
She rose from the couch. “Nice try, Charming.”
“I’m good for a cuddle.”
She ignored me, covering her eyes. “I can’t believe we did something so…stupid.”
“Hey, hey, hey.” I followed her, but she was smart enough to stay out of arm’s reach. “We were just drunk. Trying to have some fun. I wanted to do something exciting, but you’re the one who refused to bungee jump off the Stratosphere.”
“A prudent decision with that much alcohol in our systems.”
“True, but we’d wanted an adrenaline rush…so we eloped.”
“God, the romance.” Elle feigned swooning. “Take me now, Romeo.”
“We compromised on the marriage. That’s a good sign for our future.”
She wagged a finger. “Oh no. None of that. We’re getting an annulment, Lachlan. Like, yesterday.”
“Are you sure?”
She sputtered, those red streaks in her hair nearly bursting into real flame. “Am I sure? Of course I’m sure! We are ending this marriage.”
“Okay, hear me out.”
“Nope.”
“Let me just say—”
“Na-uh. I know what you’re going to say.”
“I’ve been thinking a lot lately.”
She nearly growled. “Could have fooled me.”
“Did you know I almost died a few days ago?” I asked.
Elle said nothing.
“A woman rescued me. This out-of-control, speeding car barreled down the road, coming straight for me. But this beautiful, fearless woman cared enough about me to risk her life for mine.”
She hummed. “Or maybe she was just concerned about jaywalkers crossing dangerous intersections.”
“Or maybe she couldn’t stand to see me get hit by a car.”
“Then someone better give this hero a medal—or find the driver to finish the job.”
I smirked. “This girl…she gave me a new outlook on life.”
“Something other than sexing up the first girl you spot in Vegas?”
I exhaled. “I’ve been thinking a lot about you, Elle.”
If it intrigued her, she hid her excitement behind a feisty, raised eyebrow. “This should be good.”
“Let’s try to make the marriage work.”
I expected the laughter, but I didn’t realize how much I’d like hearing it.
“Give me a chance, Elle,” I said.
“Absolutely not. Are you crazy?” Elle shook her head. “I don’t even know you.”
“So get to know me.”
“How?”
Easy.
If she went for it.
“We got married after spending three days together neither of us remember,” I said. “Before we divorce, let me take you on three dates you’ll never forget.”
Elle didn’t speak, but her big, beautiful eyes rounded with curiosity. Now was my chance.
I made the promise with a smile. “I’m only asking for three dates. Three of the most fantastic, amazing, and the most romantic nights you’ve ever experienced.”
“That’s a bold claim.”
“We don’t agree to divorce until after those dates.”
“Why after?”
“Because if you haven’t fallen in love with me by the sunset of our third date…I don’t deserve you.”
Elle wasn’t intimidated or smitten. She grinned, just as cock-sure and deliberate as the one I cracked