She wanted to pull away. Break this connection she felt with Reed Williamson, but she couldn’t. Every part of her begged to get closer to this man standing in front of her.
He deepened the kiss, pulling her so close that she feared she wasn’t ever going to be the same. But, despite her better judgement, she slid her hands up his chest and to the back of his neck. She entwined her fingers together and pressed him closer to her.
Hoots and whistles could be heard around them as lights flashed against her eyelids. The reality of what she was doing came rushing back to her. She was kissing her not-really-in-love-with-her husband. Sure, they were getting married and she was finally getting the family she’d wanted since she was a kid. But it didn’t mean that it was real.
At least not to Reed.
In an act of self-preservation, Lillian released her hold on him and stepped back. Her lips felt swollen as she glanced up to see Reed peering down at her. His eyebrows were drawn together and his gaze hazy. Had he felt the same thing too? Or was he just trying to figure out why she kissed him like she did.
“That was. . .” he whispered.
Lillian wasn’t sure what he was going to say, so she turned toward the cameras and shot them a smile. Talking to the photographers seemed like a better idea then listening to Reed dissect what their kiss meant. Either conclusion scared her.
“What’s your name?” a reporter called out.
“Lillian Brunette,” she said. Her chest tightened. She hoped that she wasn’t going to regret telling them who she was. But it was her job to fake this relationship, and they were going to find out anyway.
“How long have you been dating the billionaire bachelor?” the woman with the bob asked.
Lillian stood there, with her lips parted. They hadn’t gone over any of that. What was she supposed to say? A day?
Suddenly, Reed appeared next to her. He wrapped his hand around hers. His warmth comforted her. “I’ve got this sweetie,” he said as he leaned closer to her. “My fiancée and I are leaving to spend the evening celebrating our engagement. You won’t fault us for not answering your questions.” He raised her hand and kissed it. “After all, we can’t make it too easy for you.”
The valet appeared and handed Reed his keys. Lillian let him lead her over to his car where he pulled open the passenger door and helped her in. Then he jogged around the front and got into the driver’s side. Once his door was shut, he shifted the car into drive and pulled away.
Once they were driving, Lillian relaxed onto her seat. She glanced over to Reed who was studying the road. His wrist was perched on the top of the steering wheel, and he seemed so relaxed. As if they hadn’t just experienced a mind-bending kiss.
She folded her arms and focused outside. Why was she being so ridiculous about this? It must be her pregnancy hormones that were out of control. They were making her feel and think things that weren’t real.
“Are you okay?” Reed’s voice broke the silence.
Lillian pinched her lips together and nodded. “Just tired. I’m ready for bed.”
Reed smiled over at her. “I’ll get you home as soon as possible.”
Home.
Lillian returned her gaze back outside. She wasn’t sure what Reed’s house was, but she knew it wasn’t home no matter how much she wanted it to be.
Chapter Eight
Reed drove the rest of the way back to his flat in silence. He was thankful that it gave him time to think and digest exactly what had happened to him.
Lillian’s kiss caught him off guard. It felt right and real. Something he hadn’t experienced in a very long time. And that scared him. How could he have a reaction like that for his fake wife? He was beginning to realize that coming out of this relationship unscathed might not be possible if he didn’t get his head on straight and focus.
He pulled up to the door of his building and put this car in park. Harold, his door man, hurried over. Reed smiled over at Lillian who was moving to pull on the door handle.
“Harold will get that for you,” Reed said, nodding toward Harold who was standing just outside her door.
Lillian glanced over and hesitated. Harold pulled it open and extended his hand.
“Good evening,” he said, smiling down at her. Harold was a short, balding man. He insisted on wearing a full suit in the middle of summer which made his head glisten with sweat.
Lillian nodded to him and took his hand, allowing him to help her out. Reed shut his door and rounded the hood of his car. He handed the keys over to Harold who nodded.
“Have a good evening?” he asked.
Reed glanced over at Lillian. “Got engaged.”
A pink hue tinted Lillian’s cheeks as he saw her twist the ring with her thumb.
Harold’s eyes widened. “Wow, boss. That’s amazing. Congrats.”
Warmth rose up from his stomach. Why did the thought of being with Lillian make him feel this way? It was ridiculous. Perhaps, marriage had been on his mind for so long but felt so far away that the fact that it was really happening was messing with his head.
Harold climbed into the driver’s side and pulled away. Turning, Reed smiled over at Lillian who was watching him. “Ready?”
She nodded and followed him as he made his way through the lobby and into the elevator. He punched in the code that took him to his flat. That was probably something he needed to tell her.
“My code is 1771. For when you want to go places.”
Lillian glanced over at him. “Thanks.”
The doors closed, leaving them alone in the elevator. The gears hummed to life and began carrying them up to the twentieth floor. Reed was racking his brain for something to talk about. But what does one say to a person that they just kissed and it kind of, sort of, knocked their socks off? Polite conversation didn’t seem like enough.
“Have you lived here long?” she asked.
Grateful that Lillian had be the first to break the silence, Reed smiled over at her. “Since Hannah—” he pinched his lips together. As soon as her name came spilling out of his lips, he knew that a conversation about his past was the last thing he wanted to have on the evening of his engagement. She should be the furthest thing from his mind. And Lillian didn’t need to know his history. “For about five months.”
When he turned his attention over to her, Reed noticed that Lillian was studying him. As if she suspected what he was going to say. And maybe she knew. The magazine articles weren’t too kind about the situation. But Lillian didn’t seem like the kind of person that would read the gossip columns, so Reed decided to go with the assumption that she knew nothing. It was less painful that way.
Thankfully, the elevator chimed, and the doors opened to the small hallway that led to his door. He walked across the plush carpet and pulled out his key. “I’ll have Harold make you a copy,” he said as he unlocked the door and stepped into his flat.
Once Lillian was inside, Reed shut the door and hung his key on the wall next to him. He made his way into the kitchen where he grabbed out two bottles of water and offered her one.
“I know how much you love water,” he said, giving her a wink.
She was standing close to the door as if she felt like she didn’t belong. That was the last thing Reed wanted. This was going to be her home as well—or at least that was what the contract stipulated. She might as well feel like she belonged.
“You okay?” he asked as he wiggled the bottle in her direction.
Lillian smiled and took the water. She studied him for a moment, parting her lips as if she wanted to say something. Then she shook her head and untwisted the cap. “You’ve got quite a decorator,” she said, glancing around his living room.
Reed followed her gaze. He wasn’t sure he would classify his flat like that. “My mom’s decorator came in and did this.” He waved his hand around. “Not really my taste, but what can you do?” He took another swig of water.
Lillian wrinkled her nose. “Yeah. It’s a little too black and whi
te for a home. A dentist’s office, maybe. It needs some color.”
“Feel free to add anything to the decor. I want you to feel like you belong here.”
There was a shift to the intensity of her gaze. Almost as if she didn’t know how to process what he’d said. Then she swallowed and raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure?”
“Yep. This is going to be your home, too. I want you comfortable. Besides, I’m rarely here anyway.”
Her eyes widened as she glanced over at him. “Really? So, I’m going to be here alone?”
Maybe his mom really didn’t think this through. From the expression of Lillian’s face, being his wife was not the profession she wanted. He gave her a quick smile. “You can do anything you want.” An idea popped into his head. “In fact. I have an office right next to the guest room you’re staying in. Why don’t you turn that into your own office?”
She dropped her jaw. “I couldn’t do that. It’s your office.”
He shrugged. “You are going to be my wife. I want you happy.” He thought for a moment. “Don’t they say, happy wife, happy life?”
She tapped her water bottle with her finger. “Yeah. They do say that.”
“I aim to please,” he said, waving his hand toward his chest.
Lillian began to nod her head more enthusiastically now. “Okay. I can get on board with that.”
Reed reached out and brushed her arms with his fingertips. What started out as a comforting gesture quickly had his skin tingling and his heart pounding. But, there was no going back now, so he kept them there for a second longer before he dropped his arm and shoved his hands into his front pockets.
Lillian glanced over at him. There was something in her gaze that hinted to him that she might have felt something, too. Before he drove himself crazy trying to decipher her expressions, he smiled. Saying something seemed like the best distraction. “Just no fluffy pink pillows or pictures of babies dressed as vegetables.”
Her she raised her eyebrows and she forced a shocked expression. “But that’s the only thing I decorate with.”
“I knew it. I knew it when I looked at you that you were that kind of decorator.”
She laughed. A soulful, genuine laugh. It was the first real laugh he’d heard from her and he liked it. Once it died down, a wave of exhaustion passed over her face. “I should get to bed. I’ve got a big day of unpacking tomorrow.” She nodded toward the small stack of boxes.
“Yeah. It’s been a long day.” He glanced in the direction that the guest room was. “Can I walk you to your place?”
She hesitated but then nodded. “Sure.”
They walked next to each other the one hundred feet from the kitchen to the guest bedroom. She paused and nodded toward the door. “This is me.”
He reached past her to get the door handle, bringing his chest inches from hers. He could smell her perfume and the feeling of her body so close to his almost paralyzed him. When he turned the knob and pulled back, he glanced down at her. She was right in front of him. It would be so easy to lean down and kiss her again. Was it wrong that he wanted to?
She gave him a small smile and then ducked her head. “Thanks for walking me to my place.”
Reed chuckled as he watched her walk into the room. He leaned one arm against the door frame, not wanting to leave her presence. When she turned, she met his gaze.
A sudden need to say something washed over him. “Thanks for doing this.”
Lillian scoffed and motioned to the room. “I should be thanking you. This is the best place I’ve ever lived in.” She pinched her lips together as her cheeks turned red.
“Well, you’re doing me a huge favor.” He pushed off the door and gave an exaggerated bow. “So I owe you.”
Lillian laughed again. “Any time.”
Reed grabbed the door handle and began to close the door. “Have a good night, Lillian.”
“You too.”
Just before the door was shut, Lillian said his name. Reed hesitated, wondering if he’d heard right. His mind was swimming from everything that had happened tonight. It was possible he’d imagined her speaking.
“Reed?” her voice was low as she appeared in the slit of the door.
He had heard her. He pushed open the door. “Yes?”
“Do you mind helping me with my zipper?” She turned slightly and motioned toward the back of her dress.
His heart hammered in his chest as his eyes widened. Had she really asked him for that? Before she changed her mind, he nodded. “Sure,” he said. His voice had come out lower than he’d intended.
Get a grip, Williamson.
Lillian turned so her whole back was to him. He couldn’t help but stare at how creamy her pale skin on her neck and arms looked. He reached out and grasped onto the top of her dress, letting his fingers linger against her skin. A fire ignited in his stomach.
She tensed and tilted her face toward him. Reed cleared his throat as he focused on the task at hand. It was as if everything was moving in slow motion. He grabbed the zipper and slid it down. Lace from her undergarments became exposed and Reed forced himself to step back. This was not where he was supposed to be. He needed to leave.
“There,” he said, moving out into the hall.
Lillian turned, holding the front of her dress against her body. “Thanks,” she whispered. Her gaze held his for a moment.
He gave her a smile, nodded and then grabbed the door handle and pulled the door closed.
Now alone, Reed leaned against the wall and blew out a breath. What was happening to him? He scoffed as he pushed off and headed to his room. He was losing his mind, that’s what was happening. Somehow, this woman had turned him into a babbling idiot.
Scrubbing his face with his hand, he closed his bedroom door. He needed to get a grip. All of this was fake. She was leaving, and if he didn’t get a hold of himself, he was going to end up hurt. And that was something he’d promised himself that he would never do again. Only an idiot would allow feelings for a woman who was contracted to be with him.
And he wasn’t an idiot.
The next morning, Reed’s phone buzzed next to his bed, waking him up.
He groaned and slapped his nightstand, trying to find the offender. Once he found it, he hit the talk button and then flipped onto his back. “Yeah?” he asked, draping his elbow over his eyes.
“Mr. Williamson?”
“Um hum.”
“It’s Persephanie. Johnson wanted me to ask you if you’ll head to Dallas today to speak to Motor Designs. Apparently, they are considering pulling out of the deal.”
Reed pulled his arm from his eyes and glanced over at his phone. “He can’t handle it?”
“They want you. Won’t talk to anyone else.”
He clenched his jaw and pulled off his covers. “Got it. I’m up. Tell Drew to ready the plane. I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Yes, Mr. Williamson.”
He grabbed his phone as he headed across his room to the door. He needed coffee before a shower. When he got to the kitchen, he started his machine. As it whirred to life, he leaned against the counter and yawned.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Lillian’s soft voice startled him.
He turned to see her standing on the outskirts of the kitchen. She was wearing a baby blue night shirt, and her hair was pulled back in a loose braid. His heart raced from how beautiful she looked with the early morning light peeking in through his windows.
“You’re up early,” he said.
Her gaze kept flicking down to his chest and he became very aware of the fact that he was standing there without a shirt. It amused him that her cheeks had turned pink. He made sure to fold his arms, hoping it caused his muscles to flex.
She dropped her gaze, tucked an escaping curl behind her ear, and stepped into the kitchen. “I needed to use the bathroom and heard some noise.”
Reed tried to keep from staring at her long, creamy legs as they came into view. When he saw her bare feet, he smiled. He l
iked that she felt comfortable enough to be casual around him.
“Ah. Just me.” He cleared his throat and turned, grabbing down two mugs from the cupboard behind him. “Sleep well?”
“Despite the need to pee every hour, yes,” she breathed out. He glanced behind him and saw a content look cross her face.
And then she swallowed and her cheeks reddened as if she had suddenly realized what she’d said. “You didn’t need to know how many times I went to the bathroom.”
He shrugged. “Hey, I like it that you feel comfortable enough to tell me everything.”
She let out a nervous chuckle. “Your mattress is amazing. I haven’t slept on a bed that comfortable in”—she glanced up toward the ceiling—“in ever. I’ve never slept on something that comfortable.”
He smiled as he turned his attention back to the coffee which he poured into the mugs. “I’m happy you liked it.” He handed her one.
She wrapped her fingers around the handle and studied it. Then she sighed and placed it next to her. “I’m on a sort of coffee fast,” she said.
Reed raised his eyebrows as he took sip. The warm liquid ran down his throat, heating his stomach. “I have heard coffee addiction is a real killer in the modern world,” he said as he lowered his mug.
She gave him a small smile. “Well, one can’t be too careful.”
Reed studied her. What was her story? “So, no alcohol or coffee, huh?”
She pursed her lips and nodded. “Yeah, I’m boring that way.”
“It’s intriguing.” His phone chimed so he put his coffee down and pulled it from his pocket. Persephanie had sent his itinerary. And he was already running behind.
He turned back to Lillian. “I’m leaving town for a few days on business. I have to go to Dallas to talk an investment off the ledge.” He paused as he glanced down at her and her eyes widened. “I’ll be back. Until then, make yourself at home. Desiree, my housekeeper, she’s quite a character. She’ll be here at eight. Let her know if you need anything. Do you still have that card I gave you?”
Marrying a Billionaire Page 6
