What He Desires Read Online Free PDF Page A

I should be worried that everyone in my life seems perfectly okay with me throwing myself at the big bad wolf like a succulent piece of meat.
    “Yeah, I’ll try.” I grimace. “I don’t even know where we’re going.”
    Molly laughs. “Sounds like you got one that likes to keep you in a constant state of anticipation.”
    Oh, if she only knew.
    My phone beeps, letting me know I’ve got a text message. Molly’s eyes light up.
    “Speak of the devil, I bet it’s him!”
    I look at my phone and of course, she’s correct.
    ‘ Am I picking you up from work or your place?’
    ‘Work. I brought my bag with me just in case.’
    The new manager — her name is Nicole — joins us in the back.
    She grins at me, her green eyes shining. “Thanks again for hiring me! I won’t let you down.”
    Even though I know she’s older than me by five years, her enthusiasm makes her seem younger.
    “See that you don’t,” I respond with an equally nice smile. “Your continued employment here is based on how things are going when I come back in on Monday morning.”
    She nods. “Yes, of course, Ms. Bates.”
    A new message pops up from Tobias.
    ‘I’m outside. Let’s go!’
    “Well, how rude,” I mutter. “Guess he’s in a hurry.”
    “Go, go!” Molly practically shoos me out of the room, picking up my bag and handing it to me.
    “Have a nice weekend!”
    The parting shot is from Nicole as I head out the door, taking a deep breath while hoping the building is still standing on my return.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    After the first couple minutes of mundane chit-chat, I ask the question that’s been bugging me all day.
    “Where are we going?”
    We are heading out of town, I know that much. The further we go, the more nervous I become.
    “Promise you won’t jump out of the car first.”
    I laugh at the unexpected comment. “Sure, I promise. Jumping out of vehicles isn’t really my style no matter the situation.”
    “Good.” He reaches over and takes my hand in his, tone casual. “We’re going to my parents’ house.”
    I freeze. My heart thumps. My mouth goes dry.
    “Breathe, Jocelyn.”
    Easy for him to say. He isn’t the one who feels like they were suddenly hit in the chest with a two-by-four.
    “I’m not ready!”
    He chuckles, lifting my hand to his mouth and kissing the back of it. “Nobody ever is. But you’ve got a wedding to plan, and they’re the perfect people to help.”
    “What?” The kiss distracts me, just as I’m sure he hoped it would. “We don’t need anything big—“
    “Yes, we do. Sort of. My mother wouldn’t have it any other way. You’ll see what I mean.”
    I’m speechless.
    Totally fucking never-happened-before speechless.
    My head is spinning.
    Relationship.
    Marriage.
    Sex with the same person more than once.
    Meeting his parents.
    Meeting his family.
    Oh god, how can he expect me not to panic?
    I’m breaking every rule I always said I wouldn’t.
    Too fast! My life is changing way too fast!
    But there is nothing I can do. I need him.
    No, I need his money.
    He just happens to come attached along with it.
    Fuck!
    “Do they know? About…?”
    “About our deal? No. I don’t think there is any reason they should know that. Do you?”
    “So you are okay with them thinking we’re so in love we decided to get married before they even met me?” When he nods, I exclaim, “We haven’t even set a date!”
    “Three weeks.”
    My mouth drops open. He can’t be serious.
    “You want to get married in three weeks ? Are you insane?”
    “I know it appears that way, but I assure you, I’m not.”
    At this point, I honestly question his sanity.
    I yank my hand out of his and cross my arms over my chest. “No way! Three weeks is way too soon.”
    “Is it? I’m certain you have six weeks from the date of that letter to either pay the bank the money, or they will take the diner. Correct?”
    Tears spring to my eyes. “Yes. I received it nearly two weeks