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I’m over reacting, and if it was me that had put sex toys in her friend’s luggage, I would have been teasing them and laughing it off. That’s what I should be doing.
I look down at my hand, grasping my phone. The light reflects off of the ring on my finger.
It’s a beautiful ring.
I’m not going to keep it.
When this is done, I’ll give it back.
Alex
You’re right, sorry, a lot has gone on in the last twenty four hours. Speak soon.
With that, I switch off my phone and slink down to the floor. Doubt starts to creep in as a heaviness settles in the pit of my stomach. I hate lying to people, especially nice ones like Miriam and George. As I look around the closet, I wonder if I can hide out here for a week.
No, I can’t do that. I have to remember what I’m doing this for.
Just before we left Chicago, Sebastian confirmed he’d paid off my student loans. A quick online check confirmed that was the case. Now I’m stuck in my own web of deceit.
When did everything get so out of hand?
FOURTEEN
Sebastian
I’d have to be blind to have missed the look of hurt that flashed across Alex’s face before she turned away. A heaviness I’ve never felt settles on my chest, and I rub my fist across it in an attempt to relieve the ache.
She’d been in the bath for so long and I’d contemplated leaving her in there, but when I knocked on the door and she didn’t answer, I knew something wasn’t right. Seeing her so close to going under was… terrifying. Her chin was already under the water that had long since gone cold, and her lips were on the cusp of turning blue. I could feel the shivers wracking her body as I pulled her out.
A knock sounds at the door, pulling me from my thoughts. Reluctantly, with one last look at the closed closet door, I go to answer it. George greets me with a wide smile that I don’t return.
“Sebastian, are you and Alex ready for lunch?”
“Alex is just getting ready. Give us five and we’ll be right with you.”
“Of course. I’ll wait at the top of the stairs. Take your time. Jensen, our youngest, has arrived and is looking forward to meeting you both.”
“Can’t wait. We won’t be long.”
Closing the door on him, I turn to the closet door. Hesitation has me pausing before I suck in a breath and cross the room. My hand is on the door handle, ready to walk in, but I pause. She’s already pissed at me, and I need her to at least pretend she likes me when we go downstairs. I rap my knuckles on the oak.
“Alex? George has come to collect us. Do you want me to tell him you’re not fe—” the words die on my tongue as the door swings open and Alex emerges.
She looks fucking delectable. Her hair is tied in a low bun with two pieces left out to frame her face. She’s wearing a white dress that hugs her at the waist but is puffy on the sleeves and hem. It comes to mid thigh, and she’s paired it with a pair of green wedged heels.
What catches my eye is the deep v-neck on the dress. It’s just the right amount of cleavage to make the dress sexy, yet still classy. She breezes past me and I get a whiff of her spicy lavender-amber perfume.
Fuck my life.
“Do you need to change?” she asks as she walks into the bathroom and applies a sweep of lipgloss to her full lips.
Her gaze connects with mine in the mirror and when she raises a brow at me, I spring into action, tugging my t-shirt over my head as I walk into the closet.
Business.
I’m here to do business, not get my dick wet.Again.
From my case, I put on a white tank before pulling a shirt from the hangers, glad I’d organized myself while Alex was in the bathroom. With a squirt of aftershave, I leave my black jeans on and slip my feet into a pair of black suede loafers, then walk out to meet her.
