Chapter 3

Callum Davenport didn't like to waste his time and that was what the little Covey princess was doing as she stood by his car her eyes wide and filled with a suspicious sheen

" Are you deaf, get in" he growled again for nearly the fourth time he may have been exaggerating but the girl was becoming annoying. Callum had done his research after his father's plan had gotten to him, at twenty-five years of age Liliana Covey wasn't a young girl even though she looked like one, and carried an air of innocence about her. No woman was innocent, not even teenage girls.

She opened the door and got in and he followed suit, pulling out of her family's home. He didn't say anything else having no time for small talk, the only reason he was agreeing to this sham of a marriage was that it benefited him, the Covey industries were a prize he'd been eager to get his hands on and while Travis Covey hovered on the brink of bankruptcy, he still had a damnable pride and had only agreed to this if a marriage deal was sealed. Callum wasn't sure what the man thought would happen but if he was expecting his daughter to have a child then he was in for a big surprise.

They arrived at the restaurant, one of the many his family owned, he got out of the car and handed the key to the valet, striding ahead, the click of heels told him she was following which satisfied him, once they were seated had ordered he turned his full attention to her.

He couldn't avoid the truth, Liliana Covey was stunning, her eyes a luminous sky blue, paired with bright red hair that seemed as smooth as silk and small pink lips that seemed to be quivering the longer the silence got.

She was every man's dream but he knew better, women like her will always get men at their mercy but he was a different breed. He played with them and dumped them whenever he was tired and he will never allow any attachment like a child to bind them.

" Are you aware of the reasons for our marriage?" he asked genially.

She glances at him her gaze falling almost as quickly

" I do" she replied softly with a sad face

" Then you should know that I'm not very fond of this arrangement–" he paused sipped at the wine and looked back at her

" Your father was very insistent in this marriage, the only reason I'm going through with it is that he has something I want"

She winced, looking away, then back, she reached for the wine and took a sip

He could feel her nervousness and he was enjoying his influence on her.

" And how would we live, we are getting married," she asked eagerly

" I live in the family's home, a concession to my father, you will move there. We cannot escape sleeping in the same room but that can be sorted out"

" I see." She whispered and he shrugged

" And children," she asked

" I don't plan on them, I don't plan on touching you at all, as far as I'm concerned you are collateral and that is all you will ever be" he finalized which caused her to flinch.

He didn't care about the weight of his words and how it was trolling her emotions.

he signaled the waiter

" Pack this to go" he ordered, since most of her food was left untouched.

the young man nodded, and once the table was cleared he looked at her

" I'd want us to get the ceremony over with as soon as possible, plan it alone with your mother and I want it done in two weeks"

" That's not enough time" she protested

" You will make it enough" he rose, and she rose along with him.

And also I want a simple and quiet wedding, he added.

" You can't possibly be serious, my mother expects us to find common ground, love even"

" Then your mother is either incredibly naive or incredibly stupid"

" You have no right to say that" she protests, mustering all her courage to counter his statement.

How took a slow step towards her, before whispering in her ears.

You looked so hot while talking back to me but I will let it slide for now Darling”. His voice rose toward the end of the sentence.

The warm air of his breath tickles her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. From the devious smirk on his face, she can tell he knows the effects of his sudden action on her

But this is my wedding, I've always dreamed of a beautiful- dreamy one, she protests.

" You're making a scene" he muttered out of patience, he took her arm squeezing it hard enough to leave a mark.

" You will be my wife, we will ignore each other and you are free to explain it to your friends or family however you like, but make one thing clear Liliana Covey, you should never want my attention because you will never get it and I am very certain of that"

"Do you understand?" he asked harshly, she whimpered

" Yes" he turned imposingly and she nodded

" Good, now–" he straightened

" I'll let you find your way home because I have a meeting to attend, " he said, taking one final look at her and nodding before walking out of the restaurant.

Lillian’s shocked and pained expression didn't escape his notice. And yes he had noticed all the emotions playing on her face but Callum had groomed himself for years, women lied, and they cheated. His mother had, rationally he knew that she had been protecting him, but that hadn't helped when he'd grown and realized that unlike his mother most women wanted to use you for what they could get. He would not fall into such a trap, not ever. So Liliana Covey could cry and claim sadness all she wanted but he wasn't falling for it, not again.