AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m kidding, but you can’t tell me you didn’t think I was some guy who charmed women left and right.”
“Well.” She rolls her eyes up and smirks. “You give off that vibe. Besides, you did ask me to pretend to be your girlfriend after meeting me twice.”
“Best idea I ever had,” I say, smiling.
“Tristan,” she says, squeezing my hand. “I like you, too, but—“
“Don’t say but.” I cut her off.
“I have to. We have an agreement. Our relationship is based on lies. I worry that isn’t a solid base for a relationship.” She chews on her lower lip.
“Then we start again. Although, we were both honest with each other. You know me. The person I’ve been around you isn’t a lie.” I squeeze her fingers.
“I know,” she says. “But I can’t accept money from you if this ends.”
I lean my head back and stare at her, searching her eyes.
“Does that mean the money is more important to you or that you won’t accept it if I gift it to you?”
“I won’t accept it. If we do this, then there are no stipulations. However, if it interferes with you getting your trust fund to finance your non-profit, then we leave things as they are.”
“I can’t. I can’t pretend this isn’t real between us and put on a happy face in front of others. I need you to know how I feel, Sage.” I slide my hand into her hair and tug her close, pressing our foreheads together. “Let’s scrap our deal. Make a new one. You and me, a real relationship. No acting or pretending to be one thing or another, especially with each other. Do you agree?”
A soft smile appears on her face, and I sigh in relief.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I don’t hesitate. “I had no idea what was missing in my life until you entered it. I can build an empire and it wouldn’t matter if I couldn’t share it with you. Now, every dream I have includes you in it.”
When the time comes, I’ll find a way to give her that money.
“You’ve got yourself a deal.”
My face breaks into a wide smile. My hand moves to the back of her neck, and I pull her to me, kissing her. I angle her head, tasting her minty breath. Everything feels right in the world. Things will work out exactly as they should so long as Sage is by my side. I’ll make sure of it.
When her hands grip my shoulders, I deepen the kiss and soak up everything that Sage makes me feel. I’m a better man with her in my life. I feel full and invincible. She makes me believe I’m more than a rich guy traveling the world in search of his place. I’ve found my place with her.
I pull back and smile. Sage’s eyes lazily blink open, and she looks at me as a slow smile creeps up her lips.
“Wise Sage, I’m going to prove to you that I’m more than a globetrotting rich kid.”
“You don’t need to. I already know you are.” She wraps her fingers around my wrist and tugs my hand from behind her neck, kissing my palm.
“We should finish getting ready to leave,” I whisper, not wanting to break away from her, but now that we’ve come clean, I can hold her as much as I’d like, not just when trying to convince someone we’re a couple.
I never thought I’d feel this way.
“Does this mean we can throw out rule number three?” My eyes gleam.
Her body shakes with laughter, and I vow to make her this happy each and every day.
25
Sage
I finish up my shift at The Bean and grab my purse from the back before saying goodbye to Julie. My phone buzzes, so I fish it out to check who’s calling. It’s not a phone call but five messages from Tristan.
Tristan: Hey what time do you finish work today?
