Chapter 35: We’re Already Married
Brandon’s POV
“You haven’t saved my number?” I kept my voice carefully neutral, though something dark and possessive twisted in my chest at the realization. Through the phone, I could hear Summer’s breath catch.
“I’m sorry…” Her voice came out small, uncertain. “I forgot.”
“Explain.” The word carried more weight than I intended, but the thought of her not even having my contact information sparked something dangerous in me. My wife shouldn’t have to search for my umber.
“It’s just… so much has happened lately…” She trailed off, and 1 could picture her nervous fidgeting perfectly.
“I’m downstairs.” I watched the entrance to her building through the Bentley’s tinted windows, remembering how she’d looked this morning in my shirt. The memory made something warm coil in my stomach. Soon she’ll be permanently in my home, where she belongs.
“What? Already?” The surprise in her voice almost made me smile. Almost. “I need to pack some things-”
“Stay where you are.” I cut her off smoothly, already moving toward the building’s entrance. “Wait for me.”
The elevator ride felt endless, though I knew it couldn’t have been more than thirty seconds. My fingers tapped a restless rhythm against my thigh as I watched the floor numbers climb. When the doors finally opened, I found Summer already waiting in her doorway, wearing a simple sundress that somehow managed to look more appealing than any designer gown. She has no idea how beautiful she is, does she? •
Her eyes widened slightly as she took in my appearance. “You really came up yourself…”
“Obviously.” I moved past her into the apartment, scanning the space with new eyes. The place was smaller than my walk–in closet, but there was something undeniably… Summer about it. Books arranged by color on floating shelves, a small collection of throw pillows arranged just so on a modestly sized sofa, everything neat but lived–in. This is where she’s been living, while her family plotted against her.
“I haven’t finished packing,” she said quickly, gesturing to several half–filled suitcases scattered around the living room. “I didn’t expect you so soon.”
Without waiting for her to continue, I moved to the nearest suitcase and began efficiently organizing its contents. The sight of her personal belongings delicate blouses, well–worn books, carefully folded sweaters – stirred something possessive in my chest. All of this will be in our home soon.
Summer’s surprise was evident. “You don’t have to…”
Before I could respond, familiar footsteps sounded in the hallway. “Seriously, Brandon?” Sean’s voice carried clear annoyance as he appeared in the doorway. “You dragged me away from surgery for this? Edward couldn’t help?”
I continued folding one of Summer’s cashmere sweaters, enjoying how the soft material felt against my fingers. “Professional movers aren’t reliable enough.” And I don’t want strangers handling my wife’s belongings.
“Oh?” His eyes sparkled with barely suppressed mischief as he took in the scene. “So you thought a surgeon would be better? Though Brandon Stark doing manual labor – that’s a sight I never thought I’d see.”
–
I shot him a warning look while carefully placing the sweater in the suitcase. “Make yourself useful or leave.”
Sean’s grin widened as he picked up a box of books. “The mighty CEO of Stark Group, packing a lady’s clothes. If Wall Street could see you now…”
1/3
Chapter 35: We’re Already Married
“Shut up and work, 1 growled, though there was no real heat in it. them see. Let everyone see that Summer is different
Summer shifted nervously, clearly uncertain how to handle our interaction. There’s… quite a lot of stuff…
“That’s not a problem.” I moved to examine another open suitcase, methodically reorganizing its contents for maximum efficiency. The task was oddly satisfying each item carefully placed, each space perfectly utilized. Like pieces on a chessboard, everything falling into its proper place.
“But if I’m moving out, shouldn’t I give notice to-”
“Keep it.” The words came out more commanding than 1 intended, but the thought of her having no retreat, no space of her own, didn’t sit right. “The Hamptons estate has everything you need, but you might want to come back occasionally.”
Sean chose that moment to set down another box, his eyes dancing with barely contained amusement. “Well, well! Ms. Taylor, I’m Sean Sullivan, this tyrant’s best friend and occasional accomplice.”
I felt rather than saw Summer’s tension at the title. “Hello, Dr. Sullivan. I’m Summer… Taylor. The slight pause before her surname made something possessive stir in my chest.
“It’s going to be Summer Stark, am I right?” Sean’s eyebrows shot up as he glanced between us.
“Focus on the boxes.” I cut him off before he could say anything else, lifting a particularly heavy trunk myself. The physical exertion felt good – a tangible way to contribute to this transition in our lives. When was the last time I did something like this with my own
hands?
Summer, ever the perfect hostess, tried to salvage the awkward moment. “Would you like something to drink?”
“I’d love a- Sean started.
“He doesn’t need anything.” I interrupted smoothly, carefully stacking another box. “Keep packing.”
The next hour passed in a blur of efficient movement. Between the three of us, the apartment slowly emptied, each box and suitcase a step closer to our new reality. I found myself oddly invested in the process, taking particular care with anything that seemed personal or fragile.
“Thank you for helping, Dr. Sullivan,” Summer said once the last box was loaded, watching as I secured it in place.
“Please, call me Sean.” He flashed her that trademark charming smile that had half of Manhattan’s society women swooning. “Though I have to ask are you sure about moving to The Hamptons? That’s quite a-”
“Problem?” I asked quietly, letting just enough danger seep into my tone.
“Not at all!” Sean held up his hands in mock surrender. “Though Brandon, your reaction is a bit obvious, don’t you think?”
Summer glanced at her watch. “Why don’t you both sit down for a bit? I’ll just make a few simple dishes – it won’t take long.”
Neither Sean nor I refused, and she took our silence as agreement, heading straight for the kitchen.
I watched her move efficiently around her small kitchen, the sight of her cooking in that sundress doing complicated things to my chest. The domesticity of the moment felt dangerously appealing.
Once she was fully occupied with preparation, I turned to Sean. “You can leave now.”
“You can leave now.” I directed the words at Sean, who was already opening his mouth to accept. My shirt was slightly damp with sweat from the moving, but I felt oddly satisfied. This kind of physical work was far from my usual routine, but doing it for Summer felt right.
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Chapter 35: We’re Already Married
“Hey, this is still Summer’s apartment, and she offered lunch!” Sean eyes danced with mischief “You’re not her husband yet, what
right do you have to kick me out?”
“About that…” I couldn’t help the dangerous smile that curved my s as I watched understanding dawn on Sean’s face. “We’re
already married,”
