I cleared my throat, tearing my gaze from his when it felt like he was trying to read my mind. “Right.” I forced a smile as I brushed past him. “I’m not ready for bed just yet. I think I’ll watch some TV.” I couldn’t have sex with him again tonight, not when I was feeling so… raw.
He grabbed my wrist before I could leave the room. “Feel like some company?”
I needed time alone to collect myself, to process my thoughts, but I couldn’t let him know how rattled I was. I’d just sneak away for a bubble bath before bed, claiming I needed to unwind before I could sleep.
“Sure.”
“I just need to get changed,” he said, gesturing to his black suit. “Give me five.”
“Take your time.” I took a few deep breaths as soon as I stepped out of the room.
I triple-checked to make sure all the doors were locked, even though I was certain Rhett wouldn’t have overlooked that detail. He was meticulous about security. When he was out shopping for my birthday gifts, he’d purchased outdoor security cameras and motion lights that he claimed would act as a temporary solution until he could get his contact out to ‘do the job right’. I didn’t even want to know what that meant, but I had a feeling the extra security measures would cost me thousands, because there was no way I’d let him pay for it. He’d already gone above and beyond for me.
I was peeking out the window flanking the front door when he came up behind me, setting his hands on my shoulders. “Relax, Briar. There’s no one out there.”
I sank back against his chest, cursing myself for relying so heavily on him. It wasn’t like me toneeda man. I’d learned to change my own oil and a flat tire the year I turned sixteen. According to my dad, I hadn’t earned the right to drive unless I could change a flat without having to call for help. Those were the kind of messages I received loud and clear growing up.Don’t rely on anyone to do for you what you can do for yourself.
“I know.” I sighed. “I’ve just been on guard for so long. It’ll take a while to feel safe again, I guess.” I hadn’t heard a peep from Dave since Rhett sent the text warning him off, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t plotting revenge. I shivered. I’d been watching too many shows highlighting stalkers and disgruntled spouses packing pistols. I needed to get a grip.
He brushed his lips across my temple. “Find something you’d like to watch. I’ll make you some hot cocoa. Whipped cream or marshmallows?”
I turned to face him and a look of awareness passed between us before he winked. “Whipped cream it is.”
I closed my eyes, trying to process my feelings. I liked having him here. Too much. I’d sworn off overnight dates because I was a blanket hog who loved sleeping in the middle of the bed, yet when I was spooning with Rhett I slept better than I had in years. I didn’t like committed relationships because having a boyfriend meant having someone to answer to. It meant fewer nights out with the girls. Yet when I thought about curling up on the couch with Rhett to watch a movie, I had no desire to be anywhere else. This was bad.
I trotted into the living room and snagged the faux fur throw before turning on the TV. I was too tired to commit to a movie, but the evening news was too depressing. In the end I chose an old sitcom I’d seen a couple of times before Rhett returned with a tray containing two mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream.
“You’re the best,” I said, with a grateful smile when he handed me the oversized white mug. That’s when it hit me.This guy is serious boyfriend material.
“My pleasure.” He sat beside me before reaching for his mug.
I handed him the remote. “You can choose something else if you want, I’m not really into this.”
“Doesn’t matter to me what we watch.” His eyes drifted to the huge diamond on my hand and he smiled. “I have to admit, you wear it well.”
Too well. I was kind of falling in love with the way the fancy cut rock looked on my finger. “Thanks.” I grinned, trying to ease the knot in my stomach. “You don’t believe in doing anything in half measures, do you?”
He frowned. “Why would I want to do that?”
I rolled my eyes. “This is a fake engagement, Rhett. No one would have known the difference if you’d given me a cubic.”
“I’d have known,” he said, sounding affronted. “And it probably would have turned your finger green.”
I tried and failed to keep a straight face. “God forbid.”
“What kind of losers have you been dating, Bri? The fact that you’d even consider a fake engagement ring to be acceptable—”
“I didn’t say I’d accept a fake ring if the engagement was real.” I peeked at him over the rim of my mug. “But since this isn’t… real—”
“You do realize my mother is already on me about booking the church, right?”
I stared at him, wide-eyed. “Excuse me?”
“You had to know she would be. She’s been harassing me about getting married for years. She loves you and she’s dying for grandchildren.”
“Shit,” I whispered. “I never thought of that.”
Rhett’s mom was a lot. She clucked her tongue at him when he swore. Scolded him when he failed to return her phone calls within twenty-four hours, and embarrassed him by playing matchmaker like it was her job.
