Brittany’s hair had grown out since she’d chopped it all off two months ago. Still a boy cut but not a breadth away from showing her scalp. With her reddened nose and tear-stained cheeks she looked young and vulnerable. The white mini dress’ shawl neck exposed her pretty skin, while the sleeveless top and fitted skirt accentuated her small frame and slender curves. Though her belly remained flat her breasts were already larger.
She was wearing makeup too, the first time Trey had seen her all decked out since she’d been so popular in school. Some orangey-red color painted her lips and the barest hint of blush tinted her cheeks. The mascara stretched her already long eyelashes to decadent lengths.
Her resolve and determination concerned him. He could’ve killed Bryson for inviting Karl and Cedric here. Trey, Bryson and Mitchell had already discussed Brittany’s resistance. And that was before he’d even picked her up from the airport.
Karl was the last person he wanted to have witness Brittany’s refusal.
From the moment Trey decided he’d marry Brittany, he, Bryson and Mitchell had planned and plotted counter arguments to overcome the hesitancy they all knew she’d have, and they all agreed her hesitation was deserved. He understood all her reasons, understood how insane he must seem. He’d sent her away from him, now he was trying to trick her into marriage.
He’d underestimated her decision to only allow him to be a part of their child’s life. After making love all afternoon, Trey had hoped she’d soften and hold to the belief they’d conquer any and everything together. She’d told him she loved him. Had shown him she loved him, sharing confidences with him. Her body. Loving him with her sweet mouth.
Looking at her adamant pose, her defiant gaze, Trey knew the rest of his life hinged on these next few minutes and his ability to sway Brittany. Everything he’d ever fought against, he craved with awkward desperation. A wife and a child.
No, not any woman. Brittany. The woman the universe had gifted him with.
He allowed his every emotion to seep into his words. “I was wrong to have let you walk away. I’ve missed you so much.”
“That’s why you called me.”
Other than begging her to come back and making a complete ass of himself, he hadn’t known what to say. He was afraid she’d send him away, afraid to hear she hated him.
“I’m still me with all my quirks and foibles, troubles and hurts. The only difference between now and eight weeks ago is I’m pregnant.”
“For me. You’re pregnant for me, goddamn it. That’s the difference.”
She snatched her hands out of his and turned away from him. “Go away.”
“Think about the baby.” Trey’s words were coming out all wrong. Later, after they were married, he’d convince he was in love with her. At the moment, if he repeated the words, she’d never believe him. She’d just think it was a ploy to get her acquiescence. “If you marry me, you’ll have access to very good medical care. You won’t have to worry about anything while you’re carrying my baby. I’ll be there at your side.”
That didn’t sound right either. It gave the impression he wouldn’t be at her side otherwise. But he was grasping at straws. Maybe he was pressuring her unfairly and in front of a captive audience but what choice did he have? Brittany could be a stubborn little piece of baggage. Once she got something in her head, and the longer she stewed in it, the harder it was to change her mind. If she didn’t become Mrs. Trey Wilson today, she never would.
“Have you had any prenatal care yet?” Bryson asked from behind him, his voice subdued.
“No.”
“Trey is making a lot of sense. If, after the baby is born, you decide you really don’t want to be married to him, then I’ll pay for you to obtain a divorce.”
Trey stiffened at Bryson’s comment but Mitchell narrowed his eyes and mouthed the words, shut the fuck up.
“Will you agree to those terms?” Brittany’s intent gaze never left his. “We’ll marry for the baby and when it’s born, we’ll divorce.”
“You know that isn’t what Bryson meant.”
He rose to his feet and she rose to hers, her head reaching his chin in the high heels she wore.
“Since you have everything all figured out, what did Bryson mean?” she asked.
“Why are you fighting me on this?”
“You expect me to believe you’ve suddenly reformed. Five hours ago, you were going on a date with one of your women. Now, you want me to think you’ll tie yourself to a single woman? I don’t think so.”
“I didn’t go,” he shouted, his patience ending. “I’ve spent three of those last five hours making love to you!”
Brittany blushed and Bryson sucked in a breath.
“Yeah,” her brother mumbled, “you two are getting married.”
“It seems like she wants the benefits of marriage but not the responsibility and moral obligation, Cousin,” Karl said wryly.
“Go away,” Brittany screeched. “Better yet go to hell.”
“So the little hellcat does still lurk in you,” Karl noted.
She gave him a dark look before refocusing her attention on Trey. “I refuse to share you with anyone and you share yourself with everyone.”
“Then don’t,” Mitchell put in. “Have separate rooms but marry him, Brit. If, after the baby is born, you still feel as you do, then I’ll split the cost of your divorce with Bryson and Trey.”
No way this side of hell would Trey agree but Mitchell silenced him with a meaningful stare.
“Judge Waynesberry will even preside over the proceedings,” Mitchell continued. “Your divorce will be as quiet as your wedding if that’s what you want.”
“You all are being so unfair.” She swiped at her tears. “Ganging up on me and not giving me a chance to think.”
“You’re pregnant.” Bryson bestowed an accusatory glare on Trey. “I heard you say you’re in love with Trey. I heard him say he—”
“Had her for the afternoon,” Karl interrupted.
“Yo, you better chill,” Cedric warned. “I wouldn’t fuck with Trey right now. Bro is ready to bust a serious cap in your ass.” He’d spend the next seven months convincing her she should remain his wife for all the days of their lives. Brittany was everything he’d ever wanted but never had the sense to know he needed.
“Be honest with yourself, Britty,” Bryson reiterated, noticing her crumbling resolve. “You want to marry Trey.” He dug in his pocket and dug out the two rings that cost Trey a quarter of the money he had saved away. “And I think he wants to marry you. He has wedding bands—not only for you but for himself as well. If that hasn’t convinced you, I don’t know what will. Marry him, though, and be his wife in name only if that makes you feel better.”
Shifting her weight, she met Trey’s gaze. Her eyes darkened and her lips parted, and he knew she was remembering their lovemaking. She was such a passionate soul and all that passion would be his to worship.
Although Trey understood Mitchell and Bryson were just trying to secure her agreement he didn’t want her to suffer any illusions about what he expected from her.
“Fine,” she whispered. “I’ll marry you.”
Relief hit him so hard Trey swore he’d been punched in the gut. Mitchell expelled a noisy sigh of relief and Bryson’s shoulders drooped.
“Come on, Judge Waynesberry,” Bryson encouraged, waving his hand. “Let’s get on with the service.”
Trey thought fast, his heart pounding in nervous anticipation. Brittany was going to be his wife. “On one condition.”
Mitchell threw his hands up in the air and looked as if Trey had lost his mind. Bryson stared at him in horror, his eyes widening to comic proportions.
Cedric cursed. “Yo, yo, yo, the woman already agreed to marry yo begging ass. If I was you, I’d quit while I was ahead.”
Brittany sat ramrod straight, her hands folded in her lap. Her mouth tightening, she crossed her legs. She did have a pair of gorgeous legs and he loved to have them wrapped around his waist. He wasn’t going to allow her to take her vows and believe she’d be sleeping any place else but in his bed.
“And that is?”
“You’ll sleep in bed with me and be my wife in more than just name only.”