My Unexpected Vow: California Billionaires Book 2 Harlow James (scary books to read txt) 📖

me down the righthand side of the hallway to a room that is just as bright and inviting as the rest of the house. The dark grey, light grey, and white color scheme continues in here as I take in the massive bed covered in a white down comforter with dark grey accent pillows and a mint green throw blanket folded over the edge. Another large and open window offering a view of his backyard complete with a pool catches my eye as I walk closer to the edge of the room.

“Will this do?” he asks, forcing me to turn around and grant him my attention as he leans against the doorjamb, crossing his arms over his broad chest and drawing attention to his strong pecs under his shirt. His dark hair and stubble on his face give him an air of mystery as he penetrates me with his gaze, waiting for my response.

“I mean, it’s not a Morgan Hotel, but I guess it’ll do.”

His boisterous laugh fills the room as he pushes off the doorjamb and walks closer to me. “You have your own bathroom through there,” he explains, pointing to a door that is slightly ajar. “There’s also a gym up here that you’re more than welcome to use and a theater room in the basement you can help yourself to.”

“Well, aren’t you just fancy?”

Hayes shrugs and then moves toward the door again. “I like what I like. I’ll send the movers up here with your things,” he says before stepping back into the hall.

“Hayes?” I call out to him before he’s out of earshot.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks,” I mumble while staring at the ground before flicking my eyes up to him. And the softness of his smile in return has my heart pounding against my ribcage.

“Don’t thank me just yet, Beaverly.” He winks and then saunters off just as his sarcastic response leads me to clench my jaw in frustration.

I can do this. It’s going to be fine. I’m probably anticipating the worst and then will be plenty surprised when Hayes and I sink into a comfortable coexistence that will make the next six months seem like nothing more than an extended vacation in someone else’s home.

* * *

“We’re going to be late!” I shout as Hayes continues to cruise along the freeway.

“Well, someone took forever to get ready this morning,” he tosses over at me from the driver’s seat of his car.

We’re currently driving up the coast of California, headed to Santa Barbara for the opening of the facility that my brother has been working tirelessly on for almost a year. The construction has only taken place over the last four months, but this idea—to provide a sanctuary for our half-brother who suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident in which Wes was driving—has been something he’s dedicated so much energy to that I can’t believe I’m about to be late to the opening of it.

“You told me to be ready by seven.”

“We left at seven-fifteen!” he fires back.

I roll my eyes, clutching my phone in the palm of my hand. “Fifteen minutes shouldn’t make us late.”

“Well, then someone wanted coffee,” he seethes, glancing over at me with fury in his eyes.

“I believe your response was, ‘we have time’,” I reply sarcastically and in my best impression of Hayes’s voice.

“Yeah, well, traffic in California is unpredictable, Beaverly. Maybe we should have used my teleportation device instead.”

“I swear, Hayes. If you weren’t driving right now, I’d punch you in the junk!”

He huffs out a laugh and then presses on the gas pedal, forcing me back into my seat.

“Great, now you’re going to speed? If we get pulled over, I’m going to chop your balls off.”

“No need with all the threats to my junk, Beaverly. If you want to see the goods, all you have to do is ask.”

I growl and turn to face the window, forcing myself to take deep, calming breaths so I don’t combust in this car.

How’s married life going, you ask? Well, isn’t it clear by the conversation you’re reading how it’s going?

I’m going to fucking stab him in the eyes, and then the dick, and rub salt in his wounds.

It’s been three days since I moved in with Hayes, and this is the first time we’re going somewhere together in public. It’s also the first time either one of us is seeing my brother and his fiancé. We agreed not to say anything about our marriage today since the focus of the facility opening needed to be priority number one.

And since we’re both liable to attend as the best friend and little sister, it made sense for us to drive together. The good news is, this isn’t the first time Hayes and I have ever carpooled up the coast to Santa Barbara for my brother’s sake, so no one should think too much about us arriving together.

Hayes spins the car into a parking spot once we arrive at the facility, and I don’t bother waiting for him as I vacate the vehicle and march up to the front of the building. A crowd of people is gathered outside, and I can hear my brother’s voice over the speaker system situated around the building and parking lot as I inch closer to the front doors.

“Although this project is much different from the traditional hotels the Morgan Empire is known for, I can’t think of a better use of our funds and time. I am proud to declare that Wings & Wheels is open.”

I pop up on my toes just in time to see Wes cut a red ribbon with a giant pair of scissors and then pose for multiple pictures with the three managers that will be in charge of running the facility since Wes can’t take on the responsibility himself.

“Wes!” I call out as I run up to him and Shayla in my heels, with Hayes trailing behind me somewhere. I can sense him there, but I don’t dare wait for him.

“Wave.