Page 24 of The Temporary Fiancée
There’s an intensity to her voice that makes me feel uneasy. History has shown that it can be difficult for me to avoid women from my past. But I’d be an idiot to ruin this chance over one request. Besides, Olivia is doing me a massive favor, and I probably owe it to her.
I’m not overjoyed by the arrangement we’ve made, but at least it’s settled. I try to tell myself that it’ll all be worth it in the end, though my thoughts keep straying to Olivia’s no-sex clause.
Six more months without sex.It’s going to be a struggle to resist her, especially when we’re living together.
I can do it, though. I have to. I’m determined to make her comfortable in this contract. I’m asking her for a lot, and the fact that she agreed to help me was a weight off my chest. I never would’ve dared to hope that she’d go for it.
I can manage to go without sex for six months.
The waiter returns with our food, which is exactly what I was hoping it would be: piping-hot piles of hash browns, perfectly cooked omelets, and greasy bacon.
Before we eat, I lift my coffee cup in a mock toast, and Olivia obligingly clinks her mocha mug against it.
I grin at her. “To the future Mrs. Eastwood.”
Chapter 7
Olivia
Even though we’vebeen discussing it the entire time, it’s Reed’s toast that really sets my nerves on edge.
Oh, god. We’re really doing this.
“You got any more rules you want to add?” Reed asks. I can’t think of any, so I shake my head. He gestures to the food. “Great. Then let’s eat.”
I was hungry when I first woke up, but now, my stomach is fluttering with nerves. I can’t eat as much as I would’ve liked to. I do manage to drink the entire mocha, though; I’m grateful for the sugar and caffeine.
After breakfast, I assume that we’ll go our separate ways, but Reed follows me back to my apartment. When I give him a quizzical look, he says, “You have to pack a bag.” He winks at me flirtatiously, teasing. “Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you get cold feet. Don’t back out on me, Olivia.”
“I’m not backing out,” I scoff. “Do we have to do thisrightnow?”
“I’d rather,” he says. “Unless you have somewhere else you need to be.”
I don’t. Plus, I have to admit that he’s not entirely off-base. Part of why I wanted to be alone was a little lingering hesitation. It’s best if we do this now, before I can second-guess myself.
Reed waits while I pack a bag, which takes me about an hour. I don’t have much to throw together, and since I’m keeping the apartment, I can always swing by to grab more if I need it. Then Reed ushers me to his car.
“You’re taking me to your place right now?”
“Yeah. No time like the present.”
He drives us across the city, all the way to downtown, and pulls up outside of a modern-looking building. Atop the front awning, there’s a glowing sign, big white letters that read:The Luxe.
A valet takes Reed’s car, and I wheel my bag into the lobby of his building, following in his wake.
Reed approaches the front desk, where an older man peruses a computer screen, rectangular spectacles resting halfway down his flat nose. He looks up as Reed approaches, smiling.
“Hey, Henry,” Reed says with a nod. “This is my fiancé, Olivia. Olivia, this is Henry Peters, the doorman here. Olivia’s going to be moving in, and she needs access keys for the penthouse and my personal elevator.”
Henry’s eyes widen, and his gaze slides to me. He regards me in amazement for a moment, the way someone might look at a unicorn, then shakes his head with a soft chuckle. “Well, I’ll be. You’ve finally got someone to keep you on your toes, eh?”
“I guess I do.” Reed shrugs, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
Henry smiles down at me. “It’s nice to meet you.” He looks back up at Reed and adds, “About time you settled down.”
“Thanks, Henry,” Reed says. He’s smiling, but it’s hard to tell whether the expression is genuine or not. I guess it doesn’tmatter. There are going to be a lot of disingenuous interactions from now on; I’d better get used to them.
Reed takes me to a hallway off to the side, swiping a key card to his personal elevator. The elevator’s interior, like the lobby, is impressive. The walls are mirrored, and the light fixture on the ceiling is adorned with crystal. I stare at it, wondering if it’s real or made of glass.
