“Good morning,” calls Aaron’s voice.
Closing the fridge, I find him in the kitchen—and still in his bathing suit.
My breath catches in my throat. “Hi…uh, good morning.”
He dries his hair with a towel and eyes the yogurt in my hand. “Strawberry, huh?”
“Yes.”
Aaron makes a face.
“What the hell is wrong with strawberry?”
“Nothing.” He steps up close to me. Chlorine tickles my nose.
That breath of mine is still missing in action.
Eyes on me, Aaron opens the fridge. Breaking our gaze, he studies a shelf then pulls out his own yogurt.
“It’s not blueberry,” he says. “That’s all.”
His eyes are back on me. I want to look away. I don’t want to look away.
Hell, I have no clue what I want.
Slowly, Aaron peels the top off the yogurt. He licks it, taking his time getting every last bit.
I gulp. My knees go weak.
He’s too busy turning around and tossing the top in the trash to notice me clutching the edge of the counter in order to stand up straight.
“I think I saw granola in here,” he says, opening the pantry. “You want some of that?”
He’s so blasé. I can’t tell if he was trying to be seductive or if I imagined that. The only thing I know for sure is someone must have left the oven on in this kitchen.
“I’m fine.”
Not because I don’t like granola. I love granola. Yogurt’s not complete without it.
I just don’t want to accept anything from Aaron. Call me paranoid, but I have an itching suspicion that as soon as I let my guard down around him, he’ll pounce. He’ll find some new way to talk around me, to get me worked up.
And all because he can. He loves the thrill.
“What are you scowling about?” he asks, turning from the pantry with a box of granola in hand. “Yogurt bad?”
“No.” I locate the spoons and jam one into my breakfast. “Are you going to walk around in your bathing suit all day?”
“Do you have a problem with it?”
“It’s kind of inappropriate, don’t you think?”
Grinning, Aaron reaches past me into the spoon drawer. His arm brushes mine.
“What’s inappropriate about it?” he asks. “Considering we’re married.”
“We’re not married,” I growl.
“Rachel.” His face grows serious, all fun and games gone. “That was a real ceremony. We’re legally married now.”
“And we’re getting divorced in two weeks. So, basically, this union, if that’s what you wanna call it, will be nothing more than a blip in our lives. One day, I won’t even remember your name.”
Hopefully.
He snorts. “Okay, fine. I see your point. I don’t want to see you ever again after this is over, by the way.”
“Wonderful,” I snap.
I whirl around, about to stomp my way back upstairs. At the doorway, though, I remember something very important.
Aaron leans against the counter, blocking the coffee maker. As I approach, he just looks at me.
“Coffee,” I say.
His eyes squint. “Sorry, what was that?”
My hands curl, and the yogurt is close to flying all over the kitchen.
“I would like to get coffee,” I say through gritted teeth. “Please.”
“Oh. Why didn’t you say so?”
He opens the cabinet above him. “What kind of mug would you like?”
“As long as it holds liquid, I’m fine with it,” I say with a frustrated shake of my head.
Aaron takes his sweet time getting a mug down. As soon as he extends it to me, I snatch it from his hand.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
At least I don’t have to ask him to move away from the coffee pot. He does that on his own, and I pour myself a cup to the brim.
“No cream?” Aaron asks.
He’s so close his breath flows over my cheek. I don’t dare look at him.
“I prefer it black.” Putting the coffee pot back, I take my mug and yogurt, ready to finally leave the kitchen for good.
Except I can’t.
My desire to have the last word wins out.
“You know, I’m never going to be into you,” I say.
The silence that follows is long.
Really long.
Heat rises up my neck. I pray to God that the blush isn’t obvious.
“You don’t say,” Aaron comments like I’ve made a note on the weather.
I send him a look that could cut steel. “Maybe this,” I wave my hand at his exposed abs, “works on some girls, but it’s not going to work on me.”
He snickers. “What have I done that makes you think I’m attracted to you in the slightest?”
“I didn’t say that. I can tell you’re messing with me, though. You probably think you can hook me, screw me, and dump me within these two weeks.”
“Really?” His eyes dance with amusement.
“You’re not that hard to read, Aaron. Sorry to break it to you. You’re not going to get me worked up.”
“Rachel,” he says, matching my tone. “You do a pretty good job of getting worked up all on your own.”
I open my mouth, ready to give it to him, but then I realize that would only confirm what he’s just said.
Blowing out a breath, I take my breakfast and make for the doorway.
“I like your boots,” he calls after me. “Cowgirl,” he adds in a husky voice.
I might melt into a puddle.
The doorbell rings, saving me from finding out for sure.
Going to the front, I peek through the peephole to see four members of the crew and two cameras on the front porch. Behind them, more crew members unload a van.
I suck in a sharp breath. Are they planning on walking in here filming? I’m dressed for the day, but still, it sucks to go on camera without any warning. Setting my coffee and yogurt on the entranceway table, I smooth my hair. Where’s the closest mirror? Didn’t I spot one in the living room?
“Who is it?” Aaron asks.
“The crew.” I pause, hand on the doorknob. “Don’t you wanna…”
“Get dressed?” He folds his arms, which makes his biceps pop further. “Nah. Not if it annoys you.”
I roll my eyes. “In that case,” I answer, completely dry, “walk around like this always. I love it. So much.”
It takes about two seconds after me opening the door for everyone on the porch to spill inside. Luckily, they aren’t filming yet.
Tina is one of the last people in. There are bags under her eyes, and I’m pretty sure that’s the top she wore yesterday.
Her voice is cheery, though. “Good morning,” she sings out. “I was up all night looking at yesterday’s dailies, and guess what? You two are even a better couple on camera. Viewers are going to ship you so hard they won’t be able to handle it.”
By complete accident, Aaron and I catch gazes. I’m the first to look away.
“Great,” I say.
It is great. My acting yesterday paid off.
Tina’s brow furrows. “Nice outfit, Aaron.”
“Um, thanks.” He rubs the back of his neck.
“Go and get changed, please. We’re rolling cameras and rolling out in ten.”
He looks annoyed at being barked at, but he does as he’s told and goes upstairs.
“How is everything going so far?” Tina asks me as the sound guy tapes a mic to the inside of my collar.
I hesitate. Part of me wants to tell her the truth—that living in a house with someone I despise is wearing me down after one night and morning. I check myself right in time.
“Good,” I smile. “This place is beautiful.”
“But what about you and Aaron?” She taps her chin. “All good there?”
“I mean, I barely know him.”
“But the chemistry, right? The sizzle is there?”
I chew on the inside of my lip. The physical aspect is, sure, but that’s not all that matters. You can’t build any worthwhile relationship on lust alone.
“It sure is,” I lie, eager to change the topic. “What are we doing today?”
“Did someone already tell you?” She looks me up and down.
“No. Why?”
“Because you’re dressed perfectly for it. Super cute, too, by the way. It totally goes with your good-girl look.”
“Thanks,” I say. “So, what’s the date?”
Tina claps her hands. “Horseback riding along the coast.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
And she didn’t even think to check if Aaron and I can ride?
Not that I mind. I basically grew up in the saddle.
“That sounds great.” My smile’s so big it makes my face ache.
“We’re leaving once Aaron gets back down.” She checks her phone.
We don’t have to wait long. He’s back in a few minutes, wearing jeans and a sky-blue shirt.
“Excellent!” Tina waves her arms at the door. “Okay, everyone out. We’re rolling the cameras as soon as we get into the car.”
We’re ushered into a waiting SUV, where Aaron and I are put together in the back seat, two cameras trained on us. His mic is put on, and Tina gets into another car, her walkie talkie connected to the one in the front seat of our car.
Some people would probably find being directed this much on a reality show difficult and stifling, but it’s exactly what I need. The more Tina tells me what to do, the less I have to worry.
“What are you grinning about?” Aaron asks me as the cars pull out of the driveway.
“Oh, nothing. Just that this cowgirl is about to show you that the boots are for more than show.”
Chapter 11
Our driver goes north, leaving the picturesque neighborhood behind. I kind of miss it, but I’m also excited to go horseback riding.
Cocky as Aaron is, I highly doubt he’s as good on a horse as I am. When I was a little kid, I competed in local rodeos. I can even lasso a calf on a good day.
“You’re still smiling,” Aaron comments as we leave the last parts of the city behind.
“I’m happy,” I say, turning briefly from the window to shrug at him.
“Where are we going?” he asks.
“Tina didn’t tell you?”
He doesn’t take the bait. Hands laced in his lap, face relaxed, he’s cool as a cucumber. Then again, for all I know, he’s faking it.
“Doesn’t matter, I suppose,” he says. “Anywhere with you is bound to be…”
I arch an eyebrow.
“Amazing,” he finishes, and smiles.
We both know what he really wanted to say was “awful.”
“Ditto,” I say. “And we’re going horseback riding. Have you ever been?”
“No.”
I can’t help it. I actually giggle from glee.
“What?” Aaron asks. “Is it some kind of lifelong dream of yours?”
“Sure.”
The walkie talkie crackles to life. “Talk about what you guys did last night,” Tina says over it.
Panic takes over. What we did last night was bicker until I slammed my bedroom door and went to bed early.
“I liked exploring the house with you,” Aaron says, coming through and proving not to be completely useless.
“Yeah,” I say. “It was fun.”
“How about that body we found in the attic, though? That was crazy.”
My lips turn down.
“Aaron,” Tina says. “Keep it realistic.”
Disdain flashes in his eyes. Before I know it, I feel some respect for the guy.
Yeah, he wants to keep it realistic, Tina. So realistic that he’s tired of going along with this charade.
I’m tired, too, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be dropping the ball. I don’t know about Aaron, but there’s way too much on the line for me.
“You know what woke me up this morning?” I ask.
“Hm? What?”
“The sound of you diving into the pool.”
His gaze intensifies. There’s a question there, but it’s not clear exactly what it is.
“You wake up pretty early,” I say.
“I’m not a morning person, naturally. To get myself going, I like to exercise. Hence the swim.”
“It looked nice.”
“Which part?” Aaron lifts his chin. The slightest hint of a smile ghosts his face.
Asshole.
“The only part,” I say, matter-of-fact. “The being in the water part.”
It’s a full-blown smile, now.
I can’t help myself. I smile back.
Realizing what I’m doing, I quickly look away. My gaze burns into the window.
“Nice day for a ride,” I comment, desperately needing to change the topic.
I expect him to make a remark about how the weather is the same in Southern Cali every day, but he only murmurs in agreement.
That smile I gave him was a misstep. It snuck up on me.
But at least it worked with the character I’m selling to the cameras. Reality Show Rachel is completely smitten with Reality Show Aaron and wants nothing more than for the whole world to see their love story play out.
While we were talking, the houses got further and further apart. A fence appears, and in the distance, several horses graze. The sight makes me sit up straighter.
Rolling down my window, I let my hand trail out and catch the breeze. I half expect Tina to come over the walkie talkie and tell me the open window is causing sound issues, but maybe it doesn’t matter since no one is talking.
The cars go down a long dirt driveway. At the end of it, a farmhouse waits. My heart spouts wings.
While the country out here is nothing like the flat landscape I grew up in, there’s a familiarity about being in any wide-open space.
I’m the first one out of our car, my boots hitting the dirt and causing dust to rise up around the broken-in leather. Aaron’s close behind, inspecting the farm with a wary eye.
“What?” I tease. “Are you too much of a city boy for this?”
“Who ever said I’m from the city?”
He’s right. I have no clue where he’s from.
A woman with a gray braid swinging against her back emerges from the house and comes toward us. Tina meets her halfway, and they exchange some words I don’t hear.
Not that I mind. A tall horse, a Palomino, has approached the fence. It lifts its nose and sniffs the air. With no hesitation, I offer my hand.
Velvety lips run across my palm.
“Sorry, girl,” I say. “I didn’t bring any treats.”
“What about this?” Aaron yanks up a tuft of grass and offers it to the horse. She huffs at the grass, her heavy exhale blowing it out of his hand.
I laugh so hard it’s difficult to stand up straight. “That’s the same grass that’s in her pasture.”
Aaron frowns. “Oh.”
Past his shoulder, I catch the red light on one of the cameras. Our whole conversation has been filmed.
A chill passes through me. There’s nothing about the last five minutes that I would want edited out, but I’ll need to remember that I could be filmed at any moment and not know it.
Which means I’ll need to be sure I’m always in character.
Tina approaches with the gray-braided woman. All three cameras are on, making it full throttle go time.
“Aaron, Rachel,” Tina says, “this is Jean. She’ll be setting you up with the horses and giving you a lesson. After that, you’ll go on a trail ride.”
“Have either of you been on a horse before?” Jean asks.
“Yes, ma’am,” I answer.
Her eyebrows raise a bit. Maybe at the East Texas accent I’ve decided to let completely drip from my words.
Aaron clears his throat. “No.”
“Don’t worry,” Jean says. �
��It’s not too difficult, and we’ll stick to the easy trails.”
Aaron stiffens. “I’m not worried.”
It takes pressing fingers against my mouth and staring at the ground to not laugh.
“First,” Jean says. “We need to get you some horses.”
“What about this one?” I nod at the pretty mare who’s still watching us.
“That’s Clover. You like her? She’s real gentle. Good for starters.”
Jean’s looking at Aaron, but I’ll have none of it. My heart melted for the horse the moment I saw her.
“Can I ride her?” I ask.
The sound guy’s boom mic gets a little too close to the fence. Clover tosses her head up and tries to bite it. The sound guy yelps and jumps back.
“I thought you said she was gentle,” Aaron says.
“She’s gentle,” Jean chuckles. “Just hungry. That girl loves her snacks.”
“A mare who knows what she wants,” I say. “Sounds perfect for me.”
Jean winks. “Then you two should get along just fine.”
A short time later, Clover’s saddled up and in the yard. When I offered to tack her up myself, Jean looked surprised, but Tina ate it up, gesturing at one of the cameramen to get right in there and capture every action.
Aaron’s been assigned a docile buckskin, which Jean tacked up and brought into the yard. He watches the horse, and I watch him.
“What?” he asks.
“Nothing. Come on, Clover.” I swing into the saddle. The instant my butt hits the leather, a grin breaks out across my face.
“Here you go, Aaron,” Jean says. “Put your foot in the stirrup there and swing your other leg over.”
He’s seemed so nervous up to this point; it’s a complete surprise when he follows her instructions with confidence. The grin falls right off me.
“You okay?” Aaron asks. “You don’t look that happy.”
“Fine.” Cue another smile. I need to stop letting my character slip.
I want to blame it on Aaron. He has a way of distracting me. It’s probably my fault, though. If I were more focused on the end goal here, I wouldn’t be getting distracted by him.
Jean brings out her own horse, and the necessary crew, meaning Tina, the cameramen, and the sound guy, jam into a golf cart. We’re going to look pretty funny out there on the trails.
How To Wed A Billionaire (How To... Book 3) Page 9