Love Drunk

The Marriage Proposal

"Good?" Jacques asked as he watched her clean her plate with a smile.

They're still in the hotel room— a honeymoon suite he booked, wearing only the provided bathrobes on. Alex had been famished that she ate the dishes she ordered with gusto, which reminded Jacques of his cousin, Charles, the food monster.

"Mnn Mnnn," Alex murmured with approval as she chewed and gave him a thumb's up.

"Do you want some more? I can order again," he offered but she shook her head.

"It's okay. I'm already full," she answered and Jacques leaned back on his seat and studied his 'accidental lover.'

There was nothing accidental about it, though. The moment Jacques saw Alexandra Lee, even though he had no idea who she was, he knew one way or another that he would make love to her. He just didn't know when. He just knew that he wanted her, and his smile widened, for it was obvious that he had. His gloriously satiated body when he woke up told him so. The scratches and love marks on his skin weren't something he could miss either.

He liked her— he was sure of it. If he had to wed someone, he reckoned it should be someone he was attracted to, right? Alexandra Lee was the best candidate for the position of his wife— not that he had many choices. Still, if he had been given more time, he'd still pick her.

Coming to Las Vegas seemed not to be in vain, after all. He thought he was over, but as soon as she walked into the bar with her gloomy, yet beautiful face, he felt hope surge. When she spoke in Korean, he made his move. He's more than a good businessman. He always went for the kill. He just didn't expect to have such a good time he let himself get drunk. He frowned a bit, trying to remember last night. He could only remember bits and pieces after they left the bar. But it's not important at the moment. What's important was what needed to be done.

Now, he thought as he glanced at the clock on the far wall which said it was already ten in the morning. Today was his thirtieth birthday, and he only had the remaining hours of the day before it’s game over for him. If he could convince Alex to marry him before then, he would be very thankful. Jacques had been catering to Alex since they woke up to sweeten her up— and he wouldn't take no for an answer. He wouldn't. He couldn't.

"Alex," he called softly and he watched those doe eyes zero on his face. Yep, this was the best decision, and Alexandra Lee was the best person for what he had in mind.

He hated being tied down, but if he'd be tied down to a person as beautiful as this, it wouldn't be so bad anymore. Right?

"Yes?" Alex asked with a breathy quality Jacques found appealing— well hell, f**k appealing.

It was so damn sexy he could feel lust stirring in between his loins. Clearing his throat which became dry by watching those lips part when she spoke, Jacques shifted on his seat, placing his leg over the other to hide his arousal. He shouldn't let his lower 'head' butt in when he's talking serious business, he reckoned.

"Let's get married," he announced, and he watched as her face switched from one expression to another— from being dumbfounded to incredulous to confusion, then finally to indignation.

"No!" Alex answered flat out and Jacques raised a brow.

"Why not?"

"B-Because, b-Because…" Jacques watched her struggle for reasons and decided to cut her off.

"I asked you this already earlier, so I'll ask you again. Am I ugly?" he probed and Alex shook her head. "So I suck at s*x?" he queried and the incredulous look on Alex's face as she answered "hell no!" made him smile.

"So why don't you want to marry me?" he asked as she placed her arms across her chest with a frown.

"Because I don't know you," she answered and Jacques shrugged.

"Well, I don't know you too, and the last time I checked that's not a problem. We can always get to know each other better after we get married."

That made sense, right? A person would only get to really know another when they're married.

"Before today I liked somebody else!" Alex countered and again he shrugged.

"Well, I'm glad that's in the past tense. It'll be complicated if you like someone currently, but since it's not the case, I don't see any problem. Because, as of last night, I like you more than anyone— well, I've never liked anyone until you," he answered bluntly and he was pleased by the telltale blush on her face.

It was clear she was not expecting compliments from him.

"I-I don't love you," Alex then blurted and Jacques sighed.

He was a little disappointed that for what seemed to be a very modern woman, she was a damn romantic.

"Well, I won't lie and say I love you because I don't," he retorted once again, and Alex was taken aback by his bluntness.

"Then why do you want to marry me?" Alex whispered as she turned her face away. She was trying her best not to pout, Jacques observed as he sighed again.

"Last night at the bar, I already told you the reason. I’m thirty years old today," he said softly and she turned to him once more with her eyes widening, her mouth forming an "o" as she remembered and the businessman nodded. "That's right. I need to get married or else I will lose my inheritance."

"I see— I mean happy birthday, and I’m sorry about your circumstance," Alex murmured; her face clearly spoke of her inner turmoil. Of course, nobody would want to get married out of the blue if there wasn't an important reason. "But, why me? You can marry anyone, right?"

"That's right— but I don't want to."