She twisted her elbow, breaking contact with him. “You have to say that because you’re my fake husband.”
He parted his lips and from the look on his face, he wanted to say something to contradict her statement. But she couldn’t allow herself to stand here and listen. Instead, she dove into the water and swam away. She couldn’t fall for Reed Williamson. And she was moments away from doing just that.
Chapter Fourteen
Reed stood in the water, watching Lillian as she swam away. His skin still tingled where he’d made contact with her. He ran his thumb over his fingertips. What was happening to him?
One minute he’s basically complimenting her figure and the next? Turning into some emotional buffoon, begging her to tell him her deep, painful secrets. He must really be losing his mind.
Letting out a growl, he dove into the water and began swimming. Anything to get his mind off his horrible mistakes. Why had he said anything? He was obviously way more invested in this relationship then Lillian was.
Ugh. Even saying the word relationship made his stomach flip.
Hadn’t he been the one to make the deal that they weren’t going to fall for each other? Leave it to him to be the one to break that pack.
Thirty miinutes later, he stumbled onto shore. His legs and arms burned, but he felt more grounded. Nothing like adrenaline coursing through his veins to help clear his mind. It really was his grandfather’s fault. Not allowing Reed to move on. Forcing a relationship on him.
If it wasn’t for his grandfather, he would have stayed as far away from women as possible. Hide away in his office and drown himself in his work.
But because of this ridiculous stipulation, Reed found himself very confused and very tongue tied around this beautiful woman whom he was supposed to marry and pretend as if they loved each other more than anything.
As he pushed through the sand, he saw Lillian lying on the beach. She’d brought down one of the recliner deck chairs down from the house and set it up in the sand. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and she had on large sunglasses.
Reed couldn’t help but let his gaze trail down the smooth lines of her body. Cursing himself, he pushed the water out of his hair and trudged up the beach.
“Where’d you go?” Lillian asked, shielding her eyes with her hand so she could glance over at him.
“I needed a swim,” he said. She shifted, pulling up one of her legs while the other one lay flat on the chair. A very male feeling rushed through his body. He had half a mind to turn around and swim another half hour just to dispel the thoughts that were building up in his head.
He passed by her and up to the house where he went straight into his room and jumped in the shower. At least here, Lillian couldn’t distract him.
After a long hot shower, Reed dressed and made his way back to the kitchen. When he rounded the corner, he groaned. Lillian had made her way back up to the house and was now sitting at the bar. Thankfully, she was showered and dressed as well. No more siren swimsuit to muck up his brain. He was going to have a word with his sister when he saw her tonight.
Lillian turned when he entered the room. She was eating an apple. When she saw him, she covered her mouth with her hand. A sheepish expression passed over her face.
“I hope you don’t mind that I helped myself,” she said.
He shook his head. “Of course. Take what you need.” He walked over to the oven where he turned it on.
Before he could say anything, a phone rang. Lillian shifted around until she pulled her phone from her purse.
She glanced down at it and then over to Reed. “I’m going to take this outside,” she said. Her skin was pale as she pressed the phone to her cheek and stepped outside, pulling the door shut behind her.
He tried to busy himself in the kitchen while Lillian paced the deck. She paused every so often, holding her stomach with her hand and then a look of agitation would cross her face and she’d begin pacing again.
It took all his strength not to head out there to rescue her. He wanted to tell off whoever was making her upset and pull her into his arms and comfort her.
He flexed his hands as he fought in internal battle. Thankfully, a few seconds later, she hung up her phone. He watched her, hoping she’d come inside, but she didn’t. Instead, she remained on the deck with her arms crossed in front of her. The wind blew, ruffling her skirt.
Unable to keep to himself, Reed forced each relaxed step as he made his way to the sliding door and out onto the deck.
“Food’s almost ready,” he said as he approached her. He hoped that she bought that him telling her was the reason he’d come out.
Her gaze was fixed onto the water in front of them. There was a sadness to her expression that squeezed his heart. She closed her eyes and nodded. “Thanks,” she whispered. “I’m not that hungry.”
He had to lean closer to hear her before the wind picked up her words and whisked them away. Before he could stop himself, he opened his mouth and asked, “Is everything okay?”
She chewed her lip as she nodded which slowly morphed into her shaking her head. “No. Joshua is looking for me.”
“Your ex?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He leaned closer to her, placing his hand on the small of her back. He wanted her to know that he was there. That she could count on his support. There was no way this Joshua character was going to hurt her again. “Why do you think he’s looking for you?”
She turned toward him, putting her face only a foot away from his. She looked so small and fragile. His heart ached from the pain that emanated from her gaze. “He’s seen whom I’m marrying.” She nodded toward him. “At least that’s my guess. And he wants in on it.”
Anger boiled in his stomach. He knew what that was like. A person only caring for him based on how many zeros were in his bank account. He grasped her shoulders and turned his expression serious. “Lillian, look at me.”
She raised her gaze until it met his.
“There is no way this man is going to bother you. He has nothing over you.” He pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “I won’t let him hurt you,” he said as he cradled her head in his hand.
A sob escaped her lips. “I just wish that my past would leave me alone,” she said. Her voice as muffled by his shirt.
A sentiment he was all too familiar with. He wished that as well. He pulled back so he could look down at her. She glanced up at him through her red eyes. Letting his instinct take over, he reached down and wiped an escaping tear from her cheek. “That man is a fool to think that he could ever hurt you again. He doesn’t know who he is messing with.” He leaned closer to her. “Orson will bury him in legal fees if he thinks that he can get a penny from you.” He needed her to know that he would take care of his fake wife.
She hesitated. “No matter what?”
He laughed. There was nothing in her past that would allow Joshua to lay claim on anything Reed owned. The man was a fool to try to attempt anything. “No matter what.” He met her gaze with as much force as he could muster.
“Thank you,” she whispered, another tear slipping down her cheek.
He nodded, cradling her cheek in his hand and wiping the tear with his thumb. “You’re going to be my wife in a few short hours. I will protect you. I promise.” He let his gaze slip down to her lips. The only thought on his mind was how much he wanted to show her that she could trust him. His arms ached to pull her close and press his lips against hers.
She stiffened and pulled away. “I believe you,” she said, wrapping her arms around her stomach and turning her gaze back to the ocean. “You’re a good guy, Reed. Any woman would be lucky to have you as their real husband.”
His heart squeezed as he watched her turn away from him. Why was she acting like this? Was he completely misreading what was happening between them? She seemed so happy one minute just to have her move away the next. Why couldn’t he figure her out?
Perhaps, he was a fool.
Was he just wishing so hard that she cared about him, that he forced himself to see it? He wouldn’t put that past himself. He swallowed, forcing down his feelings. What an idiot he could be sometimes.
He needed to stop putting himself out there. Women only broke his heart and he couldn’t let himself care for another woman only to have her leave him.
He shoved his hands into his front pockets and nodded toward the kitchen. “Let’s eat. Bert will be back in an hour to pick us up. We can get ready here that way Bert can just drop us off at my grandfather’s estate.”
Lillian’s shoulders rose as she took a deep breath. “Good idea.” Then she hesitated. “You still want to go through with this?” She peeked over at him as if she feared what he was going to say.
He studied her. What kind of question was that? “Of course. Do you?”
Her cheeks hinted pink as she nodded slowly. “Yes. I just wasn’t sure if my past was too much for you.”
He scoffed. “I’m not one to judge on past relationships or less than stellar people in your life. Just look at my family.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not exactly related to the most put-together people.”
A smile hinted on Lillian’s lips and despite Reed’s better judgement, his heart soared. It was just what he needed to see. Lillian was perfection. And oh how he wanted her to be his.
Feeling as if his emotions were getting the better of him, Reed nodded toward the kitchen. “Come on, let’s eat.”
They spent the remaining hour, eating the filet minon and talking. Reed couldn’t help but feel mesmerized by the little things that Lillian did. The way her gaze softened when she talked about Tamara. Or the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed about the stupid things she did as a kid.
Everything about her put Reed at ease. He was starting to grow used to her company. The way her melodious laugh floated around him, to the soft lines of her face when her expression grew contemplative. It was all drawing him in and taking hold of his heart.
She was so real and so raw. And so honest.
No woman he’d ever been with was anything like Lillian. Even though his mother concocted a crazy plan, he was beginning to feel very grateful that she had. If not, Lillian would have never come into his life.
When they finished eating, they both leaned back in their chair. Lillian’s hand rested on her stomach.
“That was amazing,” she said, smiling over at him.
Reed nodded as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Jackson knows what he’s doing. He’s in high demand on the island.”
Lillian reached out and twisted her plate on the table. “I can see why.”
Reed leaned forward. Before he could say anything, a beeping sound broke up the silence. Glancing down, he saw that it was a text from Bert. He was on his way to pick them up. He sighed and glanced over at Lillian.
“Bert’s on his way. We should get ready.”
Lillian placed the napkin next to her and scooted her chair back. Reed was out of his seat to help her the rest of the way. She stood and turned, her eyes wide.
She glanced down and chewed her lip. “You’re going to have to stop doing that,” she whispered.
He leaned in. It was beginning to feel like being here with Lillian was exactly what he needed. He wasn’t sure he was going to be able to ever let her go. “Doing what?” He reached out and ran his finger across the back of her hand. Her skin was smooth.
She dropped her gaze to study the circles he’d begun to trace. Suddenly, she pulled her hand away. She clutched it to her chest with her other hand.
Silently, Reed cursed himself. What was he doing? Why did he keep putting his guard down? He shot her a smile, hoping she bought the lie.
She studied the floor before she glanced up at him. “You need to stop being so nice to me.” She side-stepped him and headed toward the hallway. She’d left her things in a guest room.
He watched her retreat. “Lillian?” What was going on? He wasn’t a fool. He knew what it looked like when a woman was interested in him. And Lillian acted like she was interested.
She turned, raising her hand to halt his words. “Reed, we can never be more then what we are. A contractual relationship that will end.”
He walked toward her. Why was she saying this? That couldn’t possibly be how she felt. “That can’t be how you feel,” he said.
Her forehead wrinkled as he stepped up to her. He dropped all inhibition and pulled her to him. She hesitated but then relaxed when he glanced down at her.
“Lillian Brunette, I don’t know why you keep pushing me away, but I’m going to tell you right now, I’m not Joshua. I will not leave you.” He hesitated. “Unless you ask.” He steadied his gaze. She had to know what he was feeling.
“But—”
He shook his head as he leaned closer to her. Her gaze dropped to his lips and then back up to his gaze. “I want to kiss you,” he said. All his emotions flooded to his throat, causing his voice to deepen.
“I—”
He shook his head again, cutting off her words. “But I won’t. Not until tonight, when the priest pronounces us man and wife.” He bent closer and she tipped her face toward him. It was slight, but he reveled in the thought that she just might want to kiss him too.
Her hands were pressed against his chest. He wondered if she could feel his pounding heart. If she could, he was okay with that. For the first time, he didn’t want to hide behind their fake relationship. He wanted her to know just what she was doing to him.
“Will you kiss me tonight?” he asked as he met her gaze.
Her eyes were wide as she studied him. Then her expression fell as she pressed her hands firmly on his chest and pushed away. “I should get ready,” she said.
Reed allowed her to break the contact and step away. Even though this conversation hadn’t given him the response he wanted, he wasn’t going to give up hope. She had feelings for him. He could see it. She was as broken as he was. Perhaps she needed time. And he’d give that to her. “Of course,” he said, nodding his head as he extended his hand toward the hall. “I’ll see you when you’re ready.”
She hesitated and then turned toward the hall. Before she disappeared, she paused. “Reed?”
“Yeah,” he said, glancing in her direction.
“Can I tell Tamara? I really need her at the wedding.”
Worry floated into his mind, but he pushed it away. “If you think it’s a good idea, then I’m okay with it.”
She gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “Of course.” Just as she disappeared, he whispered under his breath, “Anything for you.” But she was gone.
He turned and headed toward his room. He had thirty minutes to pace before Bert came.
Thirty minutes to think about what he’d done.
Thirty minutes to regret what he’d said.
And thirty minutes to hope that he hadn’t just made a huge mistake.
Chapter Fifteen
Lillian paced the guest room floor with her hand pressed against her stomach. This wasn’t happening. Her emotions couldn’t handle it.
But no amount of pushing her feelings down kept them from bubbling up. She was beginning to care for Reed.
She groaned as she flopped down onto the bed. The down comforter puffed up around her as she sank into the pillowy material. Why did Reed have to be so comfortable and hypnotizing? He’d pretty much told her that he wanted to kiss her for real. Why wouldn’t she let him?
Her fingers made their way to her bump. That was why. She was pregnant with another man’s baby. Joshua’s baby. She draped her elbow over her eyes. She was such an idiot to think that she could pull this off.
Tamara. She needed to talk to Tamara.
Sitting up, she reached over and grabbed her phone. Three rings and Tamara picked up.
“Hey, girl. I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I was beginning to think that you had been kidnapped by Mr. Billionaire Bachelor.” She laughed as if tha
t was the funniest thing she’d heard all day.
“Tamara, I need a favor,” Lillian said, flopping back down on her bed and covering her face with her hand.
“Is everything okay?” Tamara’s tone had turned concerned.
“No. It’s not.” Lillian took a deep breath. “I need you to be my maid of honor.”
Sputtering erupted on the other end of the call. It went on for a few seconds before Tamara cleared her throat. “What?” she asked.
“I’m marrying Reed Williamson.” Before Tamara could respond, the whole story came tumbling out. The contract. The apartment. The pottery studio. The kiss. Everything. By the time she was done, it was so quiet on the other line that Lillian feared she’d lost the connection and would have to call Tamara back and tell it again.
“Are you still there?” she asked.
Tamara must have blown out her breath because a whooshing sound caused Lillian to pull the receive away from her ear.
“This. . . Is. . . Incredible!” Tamara’s voice went from quiet to loud.
Lillian stared at the phone. Had her best friend not heard the right story. “How is this incredible? I have to marry a man that might have feelings for me while I carry the baby of the man who dumped me. Oh, and Joshua has decided that this would be the perfect time to come waltzing back into my life.” Ugh, this was a huge mess. One giant doozy. Why did she think she could pull this off?
Tamara tsked. “Seriously? You have a billionaire fawning after you, and you’re worried about Joshua? That man is an idiot. I wouldn’t worry about him.” She sighed. “But you have to do something about the baby. You have to tell Reed. Before this gets too far.”
Lillian’s stomach twisted. She couldn’t do that. For so many reasons. What if she had the baby early, and it passed away? She couldn’t deal with that again. Especially if other people knew.
Then an equally painful thought entered her mind. What if Reed found out and broke off the contract because she didn’t tell him? Could she really handle the rejection of two men because of a pregnancy?
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