Lillian nodded as she slipped on a pair of sandals and shouldered a large bag. “Where are we going?”
Reed reached out and tucked his wallet into his back pocket. He grabbed his sunglasses and glanced over at her. “Do you have a swimsuit?”
“We’re going swimming?”
He nodded. “Something like that.”
Lillian studied him for a moment before she walked back to her room. She returned a few minutes later and patted her purse. “Got it.”
He started walking toward the door but paused. “And we should probably bring your wedding dress. Just in case we are running late. We’ll just have the helicopter drop us off at my grandfather’s estate.”
Lillian’s eyes widened. “Helicopter?”
He followed her as they returned to her room for the second time to gather her dress which was zipped up in a safety cover. Reed draped it over his arm and grabbed the shoe box that she dug out of her closet.
She had an uneasy expression on her face as he led her to the front door and opened it.
“Don’t worry. Bert, my helicopter pilot, is the best in the business.” He motioned toward his hallway with his head. When they got to the elevator, he pressed the up button.
“Wait. It’s picking us up here?”
Reed nodded as he stepped into the elevator. “Yep.”
Lillian let out her breath as she followed. The elevator rose the last few floors and stopped on the roof. It dinged, and the doors opened.
The whirring sound of Bert’s helicopter filled the air. Wind blew all around them as they approached. Reed and Lillian ducked down as Bert waved for them to board.
Once they were buckled in with their headsets on, Reed glanced over at Lillian. Her eyes were wide, and her forehead was furrowed. Sensing her uneasiness, Reed reached out and wrapped his hand around hers.
She jumped as her gaze whipped to him. But before she pulled away, the helicopter rose, and Lillian grasped onto his hand with her left one. He laughed as she leaned closer to him, tipping her face toward his shoulder.
“You’ll be fine,” he said into the microphone.
She glanced over at him. He held her gaze, hoping she’d see that he meant his words. She bit her lip and then began to nod.
“Okay,” she said.
He tried to keep his heart from pounding when she slowly turned her hand over so she could entwine her fingers with his. They held hands for the forty-minute ride to his house in the Hamptons. He almost complained when Bert descended onto the pad located in the southern gardens.
For some reason, sitting with Lillian in silence during the ride had felt more right than any time he’d spent with Hannah. There was something about this woman next to him that was reeling him in. He was losing control of his feelings, and that thought made his stomach twist.
He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t have feelings for Lillian. She was his contract wife. There wasn’t supposed to be any emotion there.
He needed to be smart and pull back. Put distance between himself and Lillian. Or he was going to be in trouble.
When they landed, Reed pulled his hand back and took off his helmet. Once he unbuckled, he helped Lillian with her equipment.
He clapped Bert on his back and motioned for him to return at four so they could make it to his grandfathers at five. Bert nodded in understanding, and then Reed jumped from the helicopter.
After helping Lillian down, Reed grabbed her items and handed them to her. He gave the okay signal to Bert who gave a thumbs-up and waited until Reed and Lillian moved far enough away so he could take off.
As soon as the rush of wind died down, Reed turned to find Lillian staring up at the Williamson’s summer home. Reed hadn’t been there in a long time. After Hannah broke up with him, it had become a place of bitter memories.
Maybe being here with Lillian would cure him of those. He nodded toward the large sliding doors that lined the house as he allowed hope to linger in his mind. Perhaps, Lillian was just what he needed.
Chapter Thirteen
Lillian tried not to stare as Reed led her in through one of the sliding doors that made up the far wall of what she could only assume was his home. He set her purse and dress down on a cream-colored couch and glanced back at her. She stood with her back against the door.
When was he going to realize that she wasn’t the right person for this job? That he had way more to offer her than she did him? Then the memory of his mother holding a pen above the contract raced back to her. He hadn’t asked her to this incredible beach home because he cared about her.
He probably had to. She hadn’t been too studious about reading the contract, but it must have been a clause.
Take Lillian to your beach home to keep up the fake relationship.
She swallowed. Everything had to be in the contract. Why else would he be doing what he was?
The smiles. The looks. The brushes with his fingertips. It all had to be in preparation for their wedding later. There was no way any of this meant anything. He didn’t want their touches in front of his family to be robotic and awkward. Practice was a necessity that he was getting out of the way.
“Are you thirsty? Hungry?” he asked as he made his way toward the large white kitchen that was located off of the room they’d just entered.
Everything was open and bright. Windows made up the front and back of the house. She could see the ocean on the other side of as it lapped at the white, sandy beach.
“Sure,” she said, slipping off her sandals and stepping tentatively into the home. This wasn’t hers. Reed wasn’t her husband. Her emotions were getting so out of hand that she needed to actually remind herself of this.
Especially since they’d spent the entire helicopter ride over here holding hands. She could still feel his skin against her own. She studied him as he made his way around the kitchen, grabbing bottles of water and a dish from the fridge.
There was no way any of the looks of touches meant anything to billionaire Reed Williamson. He was on a completely different playing field than her. He had assistants and maids. He had a helicopter on standby for Pete’s sake. She could barely make her rent or pay for the baby growing in her stomach.
She was a fool, and by the time this was all over, she was going to be broken. Again.
So, mustering down all her confusing feelings, Lillian decided the best thing to do was ignore all her irrational thoughts and focus on completing this task. Stay married to Reed until the contract was fulfilled and then get as far away as she could. Maybe she could move out of his flat when the wedding was over. Didn’t a lot of influential people do that? Live in separate homes than their spouse?
“You look worried.” Reed’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Lillian snapped her gaze over to him where she swallowed. “Really? I’m not,” she lied.
“Are you feeling okay? You know, since the helicopter ride seemed to freak you out.” He pulled some foil back and glanced down, then pressed it back against the edge and put the dishes in the oven.
She nodded as she pushed her previous thoughts from her mind and walked over to the bar stool where she settled in. She drummed the counter top with her fingers. “I’m not a big flyer.”
He nodded as he leaned against the countertop. “Jackson made us up some filet minon with cauliflower puree. I’m heating it up in the stove.”
Lillian glanced behind him and then shrugged. “I was hoping to go swimming.” Anything to get away from Reed and her confusing feelings. “Do you mind?”
His gaze met hers. His perfectly formed lips tipped up into a smile. “Of course not.”
She nodded as she slid off the stool and grabbed her bag. “Bathroom?”
He tipped his head toward the far hall. “First door on the left.”
She followed his instructions. Once she was in the bathroom, she let out the breath she’d been holding as she stared at herself in the mirror. She needed to get a grip. After she splashed some water on her face, she
turned to her purse and pulled out the swimsuit that Cassie had picked out for her.
It had been wrapped in a coverup and when Lillian shook it loose, she let out a squeak. Cassie had bought her a skimpy, black one-piece. It had cutouts in the sides that made it look more like a bikini. This was so far out of Lillian’s comfort zone, that she almost threw her dress back on. She would convince Reed that it was actually her swimming suit.
And then she felt like an idiot. What did it matter what she wore? Reed didn’t care. It wasn’t like he was attracted to her and that was okay. She couldn’t have a relationship anyway.
So, she wrestled herself into the swimsuit and pulled the lacy cover-up over her head. At least it gave her some protection until she got down to the water. After she pulled her hair out of the bun, she shook it out, allowing it to fall in soft waves around her face.
She hung her dress up on the hook on the back of the door and then turned the handle. Just as she stepped out into the hall, she rammed right into Reed.
“Whoa,” he said as he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her from falling over.
Involuntarily, she reached out and grabbed onto his bare arms. When she turned her gaze forward, she found herself staring at Reed’s very bare and very muscular chest. Her pounding heart carried heat to her cheeks. There was something so right about being held by Reed. It felt natural. Like she belonged there.
Despite her better judgement, she tipped her face up to look at him. His rich brown eyes shone with concern when he glanced down.
“Are you okay?” he asked, tightening his grip around her. Her breath caught in her throat as the sheer fabric of her cover-up allowed his body heat to warm her skin.
“I think so,” she whispered. Every nerve in her body was going haywire. All she wanted was for him to dip her down and kiss her lips. To care about her like she was trying hard not to care about him.
He leaned closer, his gaze dropping to study her lips.
Warning bells sounded in her mind, and even though her body ached to be held by Reed, she knew she needed to back away. This was not how she protected herself. She pushed back and cleared her throat. “Are you swimming as well?” she asked, nodded toward his teal trunks.
He pushed his hands through his hair. “If that’s okay with you.”
She hesitated and then nodded. Who was she to tell him that he couldn’t swim with her? This was his beach and his home. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
He shrugged, and Lillian tried to ignore how his chest muscles flexed from the movement.
No being able to stand the palpable silence between them, Lillian turned and made her way toward the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water off the counter and unscrewed the lid.
She could feel Reed’s gaze on her as he approached. But instead of stopping next to her, he walked over to the oven where he turned it off. “Don’t want the food to burn,” he said as he smiled over at her.
Lillian nodded as she took the opportunity of his absence to walk over to one of the large sliding doors and pulled it open. The salty breeze surrounded her as she stepped out onto the deck. A large hot tub rose up to the left of her. A patio set that included a couch and chairs sat in the shade of a large, white umbrella. A multi-colored rug rested underneath it all.
She took a deep breath and glanced out toward the crystal-clear water. The white waves peaked just before the shore. Green grass danced in the wind. This place was paradise.
Lillian left her sandals on the deck and made her way down the stairs and onto the sand. It was warm but didn’t burn her skin. It rose up between her toes and the side of her feet as she walked through it.
When she got to the water’s edge, she let it rush over her toes. It was cool against her warm skin. Feeling the need to dive into the water, she stripped off her swimsuit cover and dropped it on the sand next to her.
The sound of Reed clearing his throat drew her attention over. Heat raced across her skin as she watched his gaze sweep over her body.
Blast, Cassie.
Not knowing what to do, she stood there, watching him.
“Wow,” he said as he dropped an umbrella, blanket, and a pitcher of lemonade in the sand next to him.
“This isn’t mine,” tumbled from her mouth.
He quirked an eyebrow.
“Your sister bought it for me,” she said, wrapping her arms around her stomach. Could he see the bump? Did he know? Why did she think it would be a good idea to wear a suit that exposed that part of her body?
Reed nodded as he opened the umbrella and stabbed it into the sound. “Makes sense. That’s Cassie’s style.” He squinted over at her. “For what it’s worth, you look amazing.” He shot her one of his mesmerizing smiles.
Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she dropped his gaze and glanced out to the ocean. Deciding that she didn’t know what to say, she waded into the water. Once she was waist deep, she dove into the ocean, letting the temperature change shock her system.
When she popped out of the water, she glanced around, trying to look for Reed. But the shore was empty. Glancing around, she tried to find him. Suddenly, something grabbed her leg and she shrieked.
Reed popped up next to her with a smile on his face.
She splashed him and took a few steps back. “Way to scare the crap out of me.”
A sheepish look passed over his face. “Sorry,” he said.
Lillian smiled. “It’s okay.” His close proximity was scrambling the sensible part of her brain. Whenever she was around him, her heart took over, causing her to say and do dumb things.
“I mean it,” he said, his expression going serious. “I’m sorry for everything I said and did. Here”—he nodded toward the ocean—“and on the beach.” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “I sounded like an idiot. And I apologize if I said the wrong thing. I promise, I’m not always this big of a dork.”
Lillian eyed him. Why was he apologizing? “You didn’t offend me,” she said as she dipped down until the water rose to her neck.
A relieved expression passed over his face. “Thank goodness. I can’t believe I said what I did. It’s just when I’m around you. . .” His gaze met hers. “I forget how to be a functioning person.”
Lillian parted her lips. It was nice to hear that he felt just as discombobulated around her as she did him. “It’s weird, huh? There are moments that I feel so comfortable around you and then other times. . .” She plugged her nose and went under the water. What was she doing? Why was she still talking? Getting emotionally involved with Reed was not what she was here to do.
Fake a relationship. Yes.
Nothing more.
When she broke the surface of the water, Reed was watching her. He had a contemplative expression on his face. She pushed her hair back and met his gaze.
“What?” she asked.
He dipped down until the water covered his shoulders. “Maybe we’re trying too hard. What if we were to tell each other something personal about our past, that will help humanize each other.”
Lillian watched her hands as she moved them in the water in front of her. “Okay. You go first.”
Reed scoffed and then pushed his hands through his hair, spraying water around him. “I guess that’s only fair. It was my idea after all.” His expression grew serious as he focused on the water. “I was engaged once.”
Lillian’s heart picked up speed. He was telling her about Hannah. She swallowed as she studied him.
“I’m sure my mom or Cassie told you.” He glanced over at her, and she shrugged. He groaned and muttered something about never keeping things quiet. “Well, I loved her, and she broke my heart.” He swallowed which caused his Adam’s apple to bob up and down. “Well, broke’s not the best term. Ripped it from my chest. Pulverized it.” He paused and then nodded. “Yeah. That sounds about right.”
Lillian’s heart squeezed at the thought of him hurting. What kind of fool did that to Reed? From what she knew, he was the
kindest, most considerate person she’d ever met. Ten times better then Joshua.
“Thing is, she was seeing my half-brother on the side.” He scrubbed his face with his hand. “He got her pregnant. And now, he just might take over the company that I’ve worked my whole life to build up because of my grandfather’s stupid stipulation that says I have to be married to become CEO.”
Lillian watched as his expression went from anger to sadness. What a horrible year it must have been for him. It almost made her feel bad about wallowing in her depressing past.
“I was married,” she said.
Reed’s gaze shifted over to her. His eyebrows rose. “Married?”
She swallowed. What was she doing? Why was she getting emotionally involved with this man? That was the last thing she should do and yet, she couldn’t stop herself.
“His name is Joshua. I married him young. I thought we were prefect for each other.” She sighed as she pressed on her stomach. “Apparently, we wanted different things. He wanted to be free and I held him back.” Well, her and the baby. The memory of him staring her down, threatening her that if she didn’t abort the baby, he would leave, rushed through her. She closed her eyes. It hurt too much to breathe right now.
The sound of Reed walking through the water caused her to open her eyes. He must do water aerobics because he was inches from her. The feeling of his hand surrounding her arm sent shivers across her skin.
“Lillian,” he said. His voice was low, and she reveled in the sound of her name rolling off his tongue. He dipped down so that she had to meet his gaze. “That man is an idiot. Who plans their life without someone like you in it? He was a fool to let you go.” He gave her a small smile.
Her heart hammered so hard in her chest that she thought it might explode. No man had ever talked to her like that. Or looked at her in such a way that made her believe for a moment that what he was saying was true.
And then a fluttering sensation raced across her stomach bringing her back to reality. This wasn’t real. None of this was. It was a contract. A legal document that needed to be fulfilled. And Reed knew how to accomplish his obligations. She was even starting to believe him.
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