Chapter five

The car ride was a silent one with him clicking away on his laptop and I staring out the SUV window not looking at anything in particular.

“I forgot my phone with my mom.”

“Okay.”

He said without lifting his head. It was the first time I spoke to him since saying our sham vows so I expected more of a reaction. 

“Where are we going?”

I prodded. Blinking back tears as I recall everyone waving goodbye to me and the paparazzi cameras in my unsmiling face.

“Honeymoon.”

He replied.

“And where is that?”  I was trying to hold on to my patience but if he gave me another unhelpful answer I would strangle myself with my hair.

“Los Angeles.”

“Los Angeles,” I repeated.

“Los Angeles.” He affirmed.

“That is quite the location you’ve picked.” 

“Hmmm.” He mused and I finally snapped.

“Are you usually this chatty?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“What?” He blinked. The most dramatic reaction I’ve gotten from my husband so far is a blink.

“Why did you marry me if you can’t spare two words for me.”

“I’m working.” He said and I could see the hint of a smile lurking in his features. He was deliberately annoying me. He had given me my two words.

“Stop the car,” I said and the driver didn’t even flinch and neither did Logan. He just raised one perfect scarred brow at me.

“Stop the car,” I yelled this time banging on the window with my fist. I saw the driver turn to Logan, silently asking what to do. 

“ I knew you were a lot younger than me but I didn’t think you were a kindergartner.” 

“If you don’t stop this cat I will strip myself in front of your driver.”

“And why should we stop?” He asked calmly which only served to infuriate me further.

“I am not spending another second in this car with a mute ghost.”

“I assure you I am neither mute nor dead.”

“No, you’re just very unimpressed with the broodmare you just won in an auction.”

“If I thought you were unimpressive I wouldn’t have bid on you at all.”

I could feel my face turn red. I know I started it he had no right to talk about me like that.

“How dare you?” 

“Are you that eager for our wedding night?”

“What? No. I asked you to stop the car.”

“Demanded more like and you’ve been going on and on about the honeymoon.”

“If I asked politely would you stop the car?”

“Yes.”

“Can you please stop the car?” 

“No.” He said without missing a beat.

“You just said-“

“Life isn’t that easy.”

“You mean being stuck with a jerk like you isn’t easy.”

“And yet you’re eager to get in my pants.”

“I was just making small talk.”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Although I might need a refund if you start humping me every two seconds.”

“What do you even think. .” I trailed off realizing he was toying with me. “ ugh! I hate you.”

And he chuckled and the sound did something to my insides.

“I have business in Los Angeles. Our honeymoon will be on one of my private islands. You can choose which one. I’ll get you a new phone and credit card once we arrive in Los Angeles. Anything else?”

“A sham honeymoon for a sham marriage,” I said sobering up.

“It’s not going to be a sham and we are way too married for it to be a sham, twice, if you recall.”

One in Vegas and one here. I sighed twirling at my wedding ring. He didn’t use the one Ethan had picked out but rather came with his own.

“You were prepared,” I muttered staring back out into the streets of New York.

“For the wedding?”

“You came prepared.” I nodded.

“You don’t go to the farm without a hoe.”

“Amazing, I’ve gone from brood mare to a tuber of yam. I wonder what more insults are to come.”

“It was a compliment earlier. You’re not unimpressive. I wouldn’t have done all that for unimpressive.”

“Why DID you do it?”

“I like to thwart my brother’s plans.”

“You married me to make your brother unhappy?”

“No.”

“Will you tell me the truth?” I scoffed.

“No.”

“You don't even know me why did you . . .” I paused as a thought came to my mind. “Did you plan it?” I turned to look at him.

“One would have thought that by now you’ll realize you cannot rely on what I tell you.”

“Did you plan the marriage?” I kept my eyes on him.

“Which one?” He smirked and I nearly clawed out my eyes.

“The first one.”

“No.”

“Are you lying?” The question seemed to make him smile.

“I’m not.”

“Can I trust you to tell me when you’re lying?”

“How do you know I won’t just lie about that.”

“What better option do I have?” I shrugged.

“I won’t mistreat you, you won’t always like me but I’ll try my best to make sure you’re happy.” 

“If you want me to be happy then divorce me.”

“I thought you weren’t my wife.” He said quietly throwing back my words about the sham marriage at me.”

I pulled off the wedding ring on my finger and placed it on the leather seat next to him. “I’m not your wife.” I repeated and turned away from him before I could see his reaction.