Something is wrong. I can feel it to my core. Jenna has been in the bathroom for thirty whole minutes. There’s something going on with her, but I can’t put my finger on it.

She’d been different all through the meal with her parents. I’ve been so excited to meet them, the people who brought the woman I love into the world, but now I’m worried I might not have made a good impression.

I’ve waited long enough for her, so I join her in the bathroom. She’s standing at the basin, rubbing lotion into her hands. I go to stand behind her. “You okay, sweetheart?” I put my arms around her waist, pressing my erection against her lower back, already craving her badly. I long to bury myself into her, but it feels like a brick wall is standing between us.

“Yes, of course I am.” She turns around and does the same thing she always does, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her forehead touching mine, she closes her eyes. “I’m happy.”

“But there’s something bothering you, isn’t it?” I pull slightly back.

She can never lie to me. I can always read the truth from her eyes. When I look into her eyes, I feel like I can see into her soul.

She steps away from me and returns to the bedroom. She sits down on the edge of the bed and looks up at me when I enter after her.

“Jenna, what’s going on?” I ask, my chest tight.

“It’s just that...” She nibbles on her bottom lip. “It was a little overwhelming. You gave my parents too much.”

As she says the words, her face is conflicted. Clearly she wants the best for her parents, so I don’t understand where this is coming from.

“Why?” I sit down next to her. “Your parents deserve the best. They brought you into this world. I owe them so much more.”

“But I think you went overboard. You gave them too much.”

“What’s too much? A room for one night in this beautiful hotel?”

She wedges her hands between her thighs. “Winston, I know about the clothes.”

“Shit.” I exhale sharply. “I should’ve known they’d tell you. I shouldn’t have asked them to keep it a secret from you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” She gives me a disapproving look. “My mom told me.”

“I don’t understand why you have a problem with me buying them gifts, though. It was just clothes.”

“Why did you do it? Did you think maybe they will embarrass you?”

“I don’t understand. Where are you going with this?” I can already feel a headache lingering at the space between my eyebrows.

She shrugs. “I mean, were you nervous that if they came in their ordinary clothes they might not fit in?”

“That’s what you think of me?” My voice is lowered, shaken.

“No.” She massages her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to this.”

I cock an eyebrow. “Used to what exactly?”

“To being given all these things. Whatever you give them, you give me.”

“And you feel guilty about that?”

“I feel kind of, to be honest, a little pressured.”

“You’re really confusing me, woman.” I place my hands behind me and stretch them, gazing at the ceiling. “What exactly are you trying to say here?”

“The thing is, we’re not married yet. I think we should at least be married before you start giving my parents expensive gifts. You have given me so much already in the past days.”

“The jewelry and the holidays do not mean anything. What you give to me every day is worth so much more. You’re giving me the opportunity to be a part of your life. I want to give you whatever brings a smile to your face. I don’t understand why I don’t see that smile right now.”

“It means a lot to me, baby, that you’re so kind and generous to me and my parents. But I can’t help feeling guilty.” She licks her lips. “What if—”

“What if we don’t work out?” I glare at her. Us not working out is not an option.

She doesn’t respond. That’s my answer. She’s afraid if I give her too much and it doesn’t work out, she might have to pay it all back.

I draw her near. “Sweetheart, you never have to worry about that. We are forever.”

“Yes, we are. I’m being silly.” She rests her head on my shoulder with a small sigh. “But you have to promise not to give my parents any more gifts, at least until we’re married.”

“I’m afraid that’s a promise I might not be able to keep.” I chuckle. “But I promise to try.”

“You’re really stubborn, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am. And I know you like that about me.”

Before she can say anything more to spoil the mood, I lower her onto the bed and get on top of her, sliding my hand into her bathrobe, cupping her ass with my hand. I love how warm she feels against my body. Every time I touch her, I want more.

I move her higher up the bed and pry her legs open. I slide a finger into her body and she gasps, the way I like it. As I move my fingers in and out of her, she squeezes her eyes tight, trying to contain the pleasure I’m giving her.

Before she can open her eyes again, I free my dick and slide it into her, inch by inch until I’m fully buried inside her warmth. I fuck her until the only word left on her lips is my name. Until she forgets any doubts she’s harboring inside her chest. Nothing will taint this bed tonight.

When it’s over, we lie on our backs, staring at the ceiling, panting with the aftershock of our orgasms. The moment is perfect until she brings it all up again.

“I don’t want my parents to get used to it. They’re used to a different kind of life.” She lays a hand on her forehead. “No more gifts. I mean it.”

I prop myself up on one elbow. “What if I’m doing all this because I’m actually enjoying it? It makes me happy to see your parents excited. Don’t you feel the same?”

“Yes, yes, I do.” She’s silent for a moment. When she speaks again, her voice is lower. “They really did look happy.”

“Then don’t deny them that. They worked hard all their lives. It’s time for them to let go and enjoy themselves.”

“But don’t you think funding my father’s business is a little overboard?”

“It’s the least I can do. He’s a great man. He told me about being a soldier when he was younger. I owe him not only for giving you to me, but for what he did for this country.”

“Stop pulling at my heartstrings.”

“That’s what I do best.” I nuzzle her neck, bringing out the giggles I love so much.

“Thank you,” she says. “I’m sorry if I sounded a little bitchy instead of thanking you for your kindness.”

“You’re welcome,” I say, relieved that this conversation is over and done with. I switch off the lights and pull her close, filling my lungs with the scent of her.

“I don’t want to go back to New York tomorrow,” she says in the dark.

I flick on the light again. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I haven’t seen my family in a while. I want to spend more time with them.”

“What about me, huh?”

“What about you?” She leans back to get a better view of my face.

“You’re simply going to let me go back alone?” Anger bubbles up inside me.

“I don’t see that as a problem. And I don’t plan on staying long.”

“Do you have any idea how much work is waiting for us in New York?”

“I don’t have a job. I get bored doing nothing all day.”

“I keep telling you to go shopping. Do things you didn’t get to do when you were working.”

“Shopping is not really my thing. Most of my shopping is done online.”

“There are other things you can do in the city. Get out of the apartment, mingle with the New Yorkers. Don’t you have any friends you can meet?”

“The few friends I have, have jobs to go to.”

“I can arrange for you to meet my friends.”

“No, I’d rather spend a few days here with my family.”

I scrub a hand over my face in frustration. “I don’t see why you want to stay on longer. We had dinner with your parents. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast with them and your sister.”

“I want to have more than dinner and breakfast with them. I want to go and see my home, to sleep in my bedroom.”

“But you’ve outgrown the bedroom, for God’s sake.” I blow out a breath. “That was your childhood bedroom. You’re a woman now.”

“I’m well aware of that, Winston. I don’t understand what the problem is here.”

“You don’t understand what the problem is?” With each word, I’m getting more and more annoyed. “The problem is, you’re my fiancée. I thought I’m now your priority.”

“Don’t say that. You are one of the most important people in my life.” Her fingertips touch my cheek.

“Then why are you making me second best?”

“That’s not what I’m doing. I simply want to spend more time with my parents and you’re making a big deal of it.”

She swings her legs out of bed and shrugs on her bathrobe. I’m expecting her to stomp out of the room, but she just stands there, her emerald eyes gleaming with tears. “What exactly does family mean to you, Winston? I have a different view of how I perceive family to be.”

“And I have a different view of how a relationship should be. As my future wife, you belong by my side. In New York there are interviews lined up about our relationship and upcoming marriage, and I want you there.”

“And I won’t be here more than three days...at the most.”

“You have already decided you’re doing this, haven’t you? Even if I’m against it.”

She plants her hands on her hips. “I don’t need to ask you for permission to be with my family.” Her tone hardens with each word.

I jump out of bed, fire burning its way up my throat. “You know, there are things I didn’t think I needed to explain to you.”

While she stands there, looking upset, I disappear into the walk-in closet and yank shirts from hangers. After a moment, she comes to join me.

“What are you doing?”

“Since it’s your family you want to spend time with, it might be best for me to leave right now. I’m clearly not needed here.”

“You’re completely overreacting,” she shoots back.

“And you’re being ridiculous. You’re not a child anymore. Stop acting like one.”

She shakes her head slowly. “Now you are being ridiculous.”

“Well, I’ll take myself out of the picture so you can spend time with the people who mean the most to you. I’ll go back to New York.”

Her face falls. “Tonight?”

“Why not? I don’t feel like you want me here.”

“My parents are expecting us for breakfast tomorrow. What will I tell them?”

“Tell them whatever you want to.” I rub my eyes, exhausted. “Or tell them I have important meetings to attend in the morning, which is true.”

“Fine.” She spins around and walks away. “Since you won’t be sleeping here, does that mean I should check out of the hotel?” she calls from the room.

“Do you really think I’m that cruel?” I plant myself in the closet doorway. “You think I’ll just throw you out of this hotel room in the middle of the night?”

“No, I—”

“Stop. Don’t undermine me.” I can feel my face reddening. “Of course you can spend the night. Spend as many days as you want here. I’ll pay for it.”

“I’ll only spend the night. Tomorrow I’ll go back to my parents’ place.”

“I’m giving you three days and that’s it. We have a wedding to plan. The wedding planner was already expecting us tomorrow evening.”

“Wedding planner?” She dips her head to the side.

“You really think you can plan a wedding of over a thousand people alone?”

Her eyes widen with shock. “A thousand guests?”

“A little more than that. The guest list is already drawn up. Invitations will be going out within two days.”

“Are you kidding me? How could you not discuss it with me?” Her voice is shaking now. “What if I don’t want a big wedding?”

“I’m a public figure. I know a lot of people.”

“And I’m nothing but a small-town girl, is that it?” She pulls in several breaths before continuing. “What are we doing here? Are you sure we can really fit into each other’s worlds? Maybe we’re too different.”

“Jenna, are you saying we shouldn’t get married?”

“We’re supposed to be meeting each other halfway. You’re making all the decisions for both of us. You don’t see anything wrong with that?” She uses her fingertips to dab the moisture from her cheeks. “I kind of feel left out of my own wedding.”

“By choosing to stay here, you’re choosing not to be involved for three whole days.”

“It’s only three days, for God’s sake, not the end of the world.”

“I can’t do this right now,” I say and grab my phone. I call Marion, my driver—

and pilot—who’s also staying in the hotel.

Fifteen minutes later, during which Jenna and I don’t speak, he shows up ready to go.

Before leaving, I try to give her a kiss on the lips. She gives me her cheek. Begging for anything is not my thing, so I walk out.

When I’m settled in the car, she calls me. “Sweetheart, please, don’t go, not like this.”

“It’s fine.” I feel myself calming down. “It’s actually best that I go back to New York right now. I have a lot of things to take care of, business. So don’t worry about this, okay?”

I wanted to hold onto my anger, but it kills me to hear the pain in her voice. It doesn’t, however, change the fact that I hate feeling like second place in her life.

After the wedding, there will be changes. She will be starting a family with me. I’ll make that clear to her. No one will take my wife away from me, not my brother, not her family, not a damn job. I’ll call my lawyers tomorrow morning.

As a man with a lot on the line, it would be irresponsible of me to enter into a marriage without a prenuptial agreement. There will be a lot of clauses she won’t see coming, but they will help prevent future misunderstandings.