Mason cleared his throat into the microphone, jolting them apart.
He held her gaze, ignoring the rest of the room. Her cheeks were pink, her lips plumped from his kisses, her eyes giving away the emotion she’d tried to brush off earlier. She did want to kiss him more, be with him, regardless of what she’d said before. In her eyes he could see all the proof he needed to know she wanted the same thing he did—to be together again.
“Later, you’re mine,” he said.
“I’ll never be yours. Not really. But kiss me like that again, and I won’t be able to resist being with you one more time.” She focused on the stage again. “How was that, Mason?”
“Perfect. Let’s get started with the show.”
As she sank back into her chair, outwardly unfazed by their kiss, he couldn’t help notice how easily she seemed to be able to turn on and off the fiancée switch. He’d expected her to start acting on some of those old feelings for him, but so far she hadn’t. How could she go from wanting to spend the rest of her life with him last year to wanting nothing more than a one-time thing this year?
And why the hell did it bother him so much?
…
Daisy collapsed on her bed, letting her feet hang over the edge. She’d mistakenly thought the day would go by quickly. But between waking up hungover, kissing Cole, attending the fashion show, finishing the last day of the bridal show, and flying back home to New York City, she was completely beat. Thankfully, Cole seemed equally as tired by the time they had packed up their booths, and he hadn’t made another comment about being together again.
Being intimate with Cole had been great, but it had also been a huge mistake. And now she was stuck with the aftereffects of that mistake. That’s why it was best she kept her distance, starting with flying home immediately instead of spending another night in a hotel room alone with Cole.
She’d promised her night with Cole wouldn’t change how she felt about him, but she’d been wrong. So very wrong. Not only had it renewed those feelings she’d had for him last year, but it made her long for the things she would never have, like a real future with him… Maybe even a family someday. Why did that have to be such an unattainable goal?
If she were really honest with herself, she knew that her final argument with him over his lack of a proposal had been a reaction to losing her father at thirteen. And with her mother showing her mortality in a terrifying way because of her illness, Daisy had wanted a family of her own more than ever. Clinging to the idea of marrying Cole had been about creating stability in a world that was turning upside down. The truth was, she’d loved him, and she’d grabbed onto the possibility of a new family to make up for the one she lost. And now…
She could already feel her broken heart on the horizon. But before it took hold, she would put up a big wall to block it—starting with not seeing him unless she absolutely had to.
Her phone rang. Scrounging through her bag, she answered it before it went to voice mail. “Hello.”
“Hey.” Cole’s voice was cheerful.
She tried to infuse the same sentiment into hers. “Hey yourself. Miss me already?”
“Something like that.” He cleared his throat as if he was nervous. “I did a little thinking on the flight home.”
“Did you hurt yourself?” She giggled, unable to resist the opening to tease him.
“I’m trying to be serious.”
“Sorry. You were saying.”
“I think Mason might be right about the whole moving in thing.”
“Really? Are you actually asking me to move in with you? This is a first. And you must be suffering jet lag or something because you’ve become delusional.”
He sighed and when he spoke again, his tone was playful, teasing. “Yes, I’m asking you to move in with me. I think he’s right. People will think it’s weird if we said we’d move in together and then don’t. And I had a thought about your apartment that might change your mind before you say no.”
“I’m listening. And curious.”
“I’ve already spoken to Mason, and he’s agreed to put the apartment in his name until after the wedding, which means you can sublet it out now.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because it fulfills the expectation we will move in together, it keeps the press off our backs about your apartment, and you can save your rent money while you live in my guest room, rent-free. Think of all the extra money you could use for the business, or…or for Helen.”
He went for the heartstrings. How could she possibly say no when saying yes could mean so much? “You thought of this?”
“I know it was always tough of you to have your mom’s extra bills. I can’t imagine it’s any easier now since you’re in this mess with me. We have the investment money, but that’s meant for our businesses. This money could all go to her expenses.”
Daisy bit the inside of her cheek, desperately trying to hold back tears. When she finally swallowed the lump in her throat, she spoke softly. “Thank you. And yes, I’ll move in with you. Tell Mason we can start the sublet by the end of the month.”
“I’ll get the guest room ready for you.”
“Cole?”
“Yeah, Dee?”
“It doesn’t change our business agreement. This won’t be like the hotel.”
He chuckled. “I knew you’d bring that up. And I’ll be a gentleman and not remind you that you instigated that whole situation.”
“That would be very wise of you.” She laughed, then hung up.
She could totally share his apartment space, but not his bed.
Couldn’t she?
Chapter Twelve
Cole stood from the table as Daisy walked up, helping her out of her coat and hanging it on the hook beside the booth. The restaurant was crowded but not full since they were eating a little later than usual, both too busy at work to leave any earlier that evening. Aside from the darkening under her eyes, no one would ever know she was exhausted. But after living with her for more than a month since she’d moved in, he could read her like he could see the imperfections in himself.
And yet, every day he saw her, he was more amazed by her stunning beauty. Tonight was no different.
As they got settled he asked, “How are things at the boutique?”
“Great,” she said enthusiastically, not looking the least bit tired after the long day. “It’s been so busy since the bridal shows. Seems everyone wants a custom gown. It’s going to be hard to get them all made, but I’m going to make it happen if it kills me. How’s the magazine?”
“Great. Subscriptions are triple what they used to be. I just wish there was more time in the day to get everything done.”
“Maybe you need to give over the reins a little. Take a bit of a breather so you can focus on the bigger things and let others handle the smaller stuff.” She sipped her wine, then scanned the menu as if she hadn’t just told him how to run his business. He needed another person telling him what he was doing wrong like he needed another fake fiancée. What happened to the girl who’d believed in his competence in Chicago?
“Would you let someone design your gowns?” he challenged. He wasn’t angry, but he couldn’t stand the thought of Daisy siding with his father, either.
“No. I design the gowns, but I would have another seamstress sew them. Actually, I’m looking to hire a couple of dressmakers right now.” She met his gaze. “There’s no need to get touchy. I was only offering a suggestion.”
“I’m tired of everyone insinuating I can’t manage my business effectively. I thought we agreed to stay out of each other’s work?”
“We also agreed to stay out of each other’s pants. Seems we don’t play by the rules very well.”
“If we’re going to break the rules, then I’d much rather break the sleeping together again one. At least that deviation from the plan feels good. Great actually.”
“I’m not discussing that incident with you.” She leveled him with a look that challe
nged him to push the issue further.
He mirrored her expression. “And I’m not discussing my business.”
She put her hand on his where it rested on the table. “I didn’t mean to imply that you couldn’t handle it all. I know you can.” His shoulders relaxed, and he twisted his hand in hers so that their palms were together. The feeling of her touch was strangely comforting. He ran his thumb over the diamond on her finger. It was strange. The more he saw her with it, the more he got used to it being there, and the more he kind of liked it. There was something satisfying about knowing even when she wasn’t with him, other men would see her ring and know that she was taken.
The waitress brought their meals, saving him from thinking too much about what he’d just admitted to himself.
“The magazine’s been extra busy featuring our engagement and wedding plans. The reader polls should close soon, too,” he said, moving on to safer-topic territory.
“It’ll be fun to see what options won,” Daisy said, cutting into her steak and taking a bite.
“Are you worried about what they’ve picked?”
“Not really. I know I’ll like the dress because I handpicked the options. As for the wedding ring, flowers, and everything else, it doesn’t really matter that much to me. Whatever they choose will be good enough.”
Good enough because this wedding didn’t really matter to either of them. The thought stung unexpectedly.
Only one poll concerned him: the honeymoon destination. If he was forced to take time off work for a vacation, he wanted it to be somewhere good. Unfortunately, Mason hadn’t given them any say in the options.
“I’m most curious about where they’ll send us on our honeymoon,” he mused around a bite of steak.
“Why’s that?”
“Because if they picked an Alaskan cruise, I’m going to be pissed.”
“I’ve heard those are really nice. You get to see a lot of wildlife and glaciers.”
“Animals and ice. No thanks.” He laughed.
“Where would you want to go on our honeymoon?” she asked.
The question hung in the air between them.
Our honeymoon. A honeymoon with Daisy. He never dreamed he’d one day be talking casually about his honeymoon destination. He’d feared it though.
He cleared his throat. This is just pretend. No different than any other vacation. “Out of the options people were given for…you know… I’d choose Bora Bora. Those huts right over the water look unbelievable. What about you?”
“Probably Hawaii. I’ve always wanted to see the volcanoes and lava tunnels. And lounging in a hammock with a view of the ocean would be awesome. I think sleeping over the water would scare me a little, but sleeping with an ocean-front view would be perfect.”
“Maybe we’ll get lucky, and we’ll end up with one of our choices.”
“If not, it’s still a free vacation, so how bad could it be? Well, as long as it’s not the Paris option.”
“Why not Paris?” he asked. “It’s supposed to be beautiful.”
“I’m sure it is, but if I’m flying over the ocean, it better be to bury my toes in the sand with a margarita in hand.”
“That sounds like a song.” He pictured her on the beach, soaking up the sun, wearing a tiny bikini. He could get onboard with anywhere tropical.
“I think it might be.” She pushed her dinner plate away and leaned back in the booth. “That was delicious. How have I never heard of this place before?”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in the city.”
“If it’s one of your favorites, then why didn’t you ever bring me here before?”
“I didn’t know it existed then.” The waitress took their dishes away, and they both ordered coffees, too full to indulge in dessert.
“One of your dates brought you here, didn’t she?” she asked quietly.
“We only went out a few times, but she suggested this place once, and I was hooked ever since. On the restaurant, not her.”
They finished their coffee with a combination of silence and clipped small talk. Why a past fling that meant nothing to him should bother her didn’t make sense. It wasn’t as if he still had feelings for that girl, and even if he did, was it Daisy’s place to make him feel guilty about it?
Holy shit. I feel guilty.
He glanced out the front window, and his stomach dropped. He’d forgotten about telling Mason he’d be out for dinner with Daisy tonight. He’d thought it would be a good opportunity to snap a few pictures of them together. Now he worried what exactly the cameras had seen. Dinner hadn’t gone exactly as he’d planned.
“Before we head out,” he said while grabbing their coats. “There are some photographers outside who are going to want a few pictures of us.”
“There are? How did they even know we were here?”
“I told Mason, and he told them. We thought it would be good to get some pictures of us together, out in the wild, acting like a normal couple.” He said the last part quietly so none of the surrounding table would hear them.
“And how normal do we have to be for the camera?”
“Just hold my hand, smile, look at me like you like me…or maybe like you don’t want to throttle me. That shouldn’t be so hard, right?”
She sighed, taking his hand. “There are moments you’d be surprised how hard that is.”
At least she still had her sense of humor. They walked out of the restaurant, pausing as if surprised to see the cameras waiting for them. They laughed, hugged, and smiled for the photographers.
“How was your date night?” one of the photographers asked.
“Very romantic. I love this girl.” Cole beamed down at Daisy as a cold sweat broke out along his spine. That came out way easier than he’d expected. Too easily. He hadn’t even stumbled over the L-word this time.
Daisy stared at him, frozen since the L-word had passed through his lips. He was feeling pretty paralyzed right now, too.
“Show us you mean it,” another photographer called.
He wrapped her in a tight embrace, whispering in her ear. “I didn’t realize they’d expect a kiss.”
When he looked into her eyes again, all he could see was the way she’d looked at him in Chicago, her breast in his hand, her lips on his. Kissing her again definitely wasn’t a hardship in his books, but her opinion of the situation was unreadable.
Before he could wonder about what she wanted any longer, she went up on her toes and kissed him. He held her tight, savoring the moment when her tongue dipped into his mouth. The click and snap of cameras drifted into silence. All he heard was a soft sigh from her. He smelled the floral scent of her perfume. He tasted rich coffee on her tongue.
She pulled away from him, breaking their kiss but not the spell she had inflicted on him. He wanted to kiss her more, deeper, harder, press her up against the wall of the restaurant and have his way with her. But he couldn’t. Not if he was supposed to be on his best behavior.
Chapter Thirteen
Daisy put the last of her things into the chest of drawers. Cole’s guest room still didn’t feel completely hers. Of course it had been two months since she’d moved in, and she’d only now managed to finish unpacking the last box, so it was no wonder it didn’t feel like home.
And it was perfectly reasonable not to have finished her unpacking before tonight. Or at least that’s what she was telling herself.
She knew she should have been completely settled long ago, but she’d been so busy at work designing gowns for her clients and developing her new more affordable line, she simply hadn’t found time to fully unpack. Any time she’d had outside of work had been spent either going out with Cole to dinners so people would see them together, or staying in and hiding from the public. Mostly, she’d been so tired after her long days that at night she opted to relax with movies, television, or books. Not unpacking.
Now here she was—finally moved in with Cole. Sleeping down the hall.
And sharing one bathroom between them. Luckily they’d agreed on a schedule when she first moved in: she showered in the morning and he did so at night. So far they’d avoided any awkward moments of near nakedness. If they could keep this up, they may actually make it to the wedding without any more close calls. And she might make it through their business deal without falling into his arms again.
“You want Chinese for dinner?” he asked from where he leaned against her doorframe.
She liked that even though this apartment was his, he still respected her space enough to not enter her room without permission. Half the time he didn’t even ask to come in. Seemed he’d taken a liking to simply watching her from the open doorway.
“Chinese is fine. But you don’t have to ask me about dinner every night. I’m a big girl. I can find myself food.”
“You want our usual?”
She nodded, still not believing she even had a usual anything with Cole. Anytime they ordered Chinese, he’d get the beef with broccoli and she’d get the chow mein. Then they’d both get bored and switch halfway through.
He had also taken to making sure she ate breakfast each day, something she often forgot in her rush to get to work. For a guy who claimed to be the world’s best bachelor, he sure did know how to make a woman feel comfortable and taken care of in his home. And she did feel comfortable here with him. Possibly too comfortable.
Many times over the last few weeks she’d had to remind herself that they were only living together for show and not as a real relationship. But her daily pep talks didn’t seem to be sinking in lately. Every time he was thoughtful of her needs or wants, she felt her resolve to stay away from him crumbling a little more. If she didn’t put the brakes on her emotions soon, it would be too late. But she couldn’t help it. Cole was too damn likeable.
“Zombie flick is on,” he called from the living room.
She joined him on the couch, much preferring to watch zombies search for their dinner while waiting for hers instead of hanging out in the bedroom alone. She cringed and he cheered as a zombie was shot with an arrow through the head, blood splattering in a completely over-the-top and wonderful special effect. “Awesome,” they said in unison. They may not have the same philosophy about life, but they definitely found middle ground when it came to movie preferences. Both would rather watch a gory flick or a comedy rather than a drama that made you cry.
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