But this, this isn’t sexual. He’s not making a pass at me or trying to sneak a feel of my tits to see if they’re real and as spectacular as they look. He’s simply happy. He’s having fun and so am I.

Tears drip from the corners of my eyes and trail down my temples to my comforter as Aleck’s unrelenting fingers make me laugh so hard, I snort. He lets up, leaning back, as his laughter deepens at my ridiculous impersonation of a pig.

“I’ll take that as a yes, Grimm.” He plops back into his spot, a pleased grin lighting up his face. “I bet you prefer your own fingers over a vibrator, too.” His eyes narrow on mine.

I sit up and wipe my eyes clear of tears, my laughter settling into a devilish smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“More than an insider tip on my most lucrative stock, Winter.” His eyes linger on mine before he takes a deep breath and exhales, cutting the tension between us. “Get dressed. We have to be at Candlelit Hall in twenty minutes.”

* * *

Entering Candlelit Hall—impressive room, ridiculous name—we interrupt a woman in a pantsuit slouched in a chair, boredly flicking the screen of her phone. Her head whips up as we walk toward her. Her spine straightens, and she jumps to her sensible heels, pocketing her phone quickly.

“Ah, here is my beautiful couple.” She steeples her hands, walking toward us with a warm, welcoming smile. “Preston and Sondra, I presume…”

“Oh no,” I start. “We’re not—”

“On time,” Aleck interrupts, grabbing my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “I apologize. My fiancée couldn’t decide which leggings to wear. Thankfully, she didn’t choose the ones covered with little wedding cakes.” He chuckles, then squeezes my hand, eyeing me like he’s winning the war I’m merely sitting sideline to.

I don’t know what his game is, but whatever it is, I’m going to win it. I love battle. Let’s do this.

Turning toward Aleck, a flirtatious smile curls my lips as I step toe-to-toe with him. Looking up into his glacial blue pools, I push my bottom lip out, feigning a pout, and flutter my eyelashes. His head tilts, acknowledging how quickly I’ve adapted to his game. I pull the fingers he’s threaded through mine to my lips and kiss his knuckles one by one, making his nostrils flare and his eyes narrow into sharp slits.

“You said you liked those leggings, babe. You said I looked the perfect amount of sexy and adorable…”

The corner of Aleck’s lips slowly lift into a smirk and his chest expands with a large breath. He quickly wraps his arm around my waist and pulls my body into his. I yelp from the abrupt movement, hearing Ms. Pantsuit gasp beside us.

Aleck’s hand opens wide across my lower back and his thumb grazes the exposed skin just above my ass. He dips his head down, resting his forehead against mine. “I do like those leggings. I will like them even more when you let me tie your arms above your head with them later.”