AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t do things I don’t want to do. There are downsides to being born into the sort of wealth most people can’t comprehend. But autonomy has never been an issue. Especially when it comes to big, life-changing choices. If I didn’t want to marry Scarlett, I would have found a way out of it years ago.
“She’s stunning and has a shit-ton of money. I could do worse.” I’m not sure why I’m continuing to indulge this conversation. No one else has shown up early for the meeting, I guess. And I like working with Isabel. I’m eager to rid her of any notion there’s a chance of anything ever happening between us. “We’re colleagues, Isabel. If I wanted your input on my life outside this office, I’d ask for it.”
Her cheeks turn pink at the chastisement. “Of course. Just looking out for you.”
We both know that wasn’t all she was doing, but other people are finally arriving for the meeting, so I turn my attention back to my notes. I’m not absorbing anything I’m reading. Not paying any attention to Isabel sitting across from me. Nor any of the greetings aimed my way.
She’s stunning and has a shit-ton of money.
That’s how I described Scarlett just now. Both true. The second fact is the main reason I’m marrying her. The first is a nice, albeit somewhat inconvenient, bonus. But pretty and rich are no longer the first two adjectives I’d use to describe Scarlett Ellsworth. After two conversations, I’d describe her as ambitious.
Fearless.
Vivacious.
That’swhat I need to look out for.
CHAPTERTHREE
SCARLETT
It would be very easy to break this glass, I decide. To watch the fragments shatter and the golden liquid spread. I roll the thin stem of the champagne flute between my pointer finger and thumb, trying to decide if the temporary thrill will be worth the inevitable mess.
I decide not to and take a sip of fizzy alcohol.
The bubbles burn a trail down my esophagus and simmer in my empty stomach. I hate caviar, and it’s all that’s been served so far tonight. Part of the endless posturing. I would kill for some fries. To be anywhere else.
Moonlight glimmers off the surface of the pool, bathing the perfectly even stones and pristine landscaping that surround it in a luminous glow.
I suck in a deep lungful of air as I continue staring at the dark surface of the water before me. Oxygen circulates in my bloodstream. Carbon dioxide tries to escape. I don’t let it. Even once the uncomfortable sensation turns painful. Finally, I exhale.
Sweet relief flows through me. I feel alive. Refreshed. Cleansed.
“Contemplating a swim?”
I don’t react to the sound of his voice, even as awareness sparks across my skin. I do bristle at the taunting comment. As far as I can tell, Crew has two settings: privileged asshole or obnoxious asshole.
“Do Ilookdressed for a swim?” I tug at the shimmering silk gown I’m wearing for emphasis. It’s gold. My mother picked it out and had it sent over to my penthouse to wear tonight. Probably as a reminder to the Kensingtons I’m a trophy—a prize.
“You could skinny dip.”
I snort. “I bet you’d like that.”
“Yeah,” Crew replies, stopping beside me. “I would, actually.” His voice has turned deep and husky, and it wreaks havoc on my insides.
Crew grew up surrounded by the same beauty I did. I’ve seen women flit to him like moths to a flame for years. There’s no way he’s not getting laid on a regular basis. I didn’t expect he would act like I’m anything different—like I’m special. He’s probably not, and I’m misreading his tone because I’m tired and hungry and more susceptible to feigned honesty than usual. BecauseIam attracted tohim.
“You have to buy the cow first,honey.” I continue our nickname game with an indifferent tip of my glass. It doesn’t matter what he says. What he thinks. What he suggests.
“I signed,pumpkin,” he replies.
I don’t respond. He did, and it made me wish I’d never made the changes to our prenup in the first place. I wasn’t worried Crew would try to seize control ofHaute. Iamworried it’s made things uneven between us. His refusal was supposed to give me reason not to trust him. Instead, I feel indebted. No gift comes without consequence, in my experience.
Crew hums as he looks outside. “Unseasonably chilly tonight.”
“Feel free to take your weatherman audition elsewhere.”
This time, the hum almost sounds like a laugh. “I was referring to your personality,dear.”
