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My greedy hands roamed his back and sides, sliding under his shirt. I didn’t know how long we stood there, but I knew I wasn’t ready for it to end when Archer pulled back. We were both panting hard, standing close enough that the hard tips of my breasts brushed against his chest with each breath.
The stimulation was almost too much, but I couldn’t step back. This was everything I’d ever wanted. And I was about to screw it up. “You can’t tell anyone. He’ll be ruined if his business partners find out.”
Brushing a hand through his hair, he leaned into me. “What the fuck, Thea? Did you know about this before you married him?”
Not stepping back, I nodded. “I did. We have an arrangement. And it’s worked well so far. Well, at least it did until now.”
“Why would you do something like that? If you were that desperate, I would have married you. You didn’t have to sell yourself.”
Narrowing my eyes, I took a deep breath in. “You make it sound like I’m a prostitute. Which clearly I’m not, since my husband isn’t interested in what’s between my legs. He only needed someone to play his wife.”
But if I was honest, Ihadsold myself. It had always been one of my worries and the reason I’d nearly said no to William’s proposal. But the money I would get once I’d fulfilled my contract was enough to set me up for the rest of my life.
Archer groaned, then looked at the ceiling of the gazebo before stepping back. Pacing, he grumbled to himself before walking up to me, this time leaving room between us.
Pity.
He hung his head, shaking it, then turning his eyes back on mine. “Wait, does Ever know?”
“She found out that William was gay a little while ago, but she doesn’t know that we signed a contract. One that expires in four years.”
“Fouryears? And what happens then?”
“We get a divorce, and I walk away.”
“How much is he paying you to give up your life?”
I turned away from him, facing the ocean once more. “None of your business.”
A warm body pressed to my back, and I fought the urge to arch into him. The contact made my legs wobble, and my hands itched to reach back and touch him again.
“Now that’s where you’re mistaken. It’s my business becauseyouaremy business. Now, how much are you getting?”
“Five million dollars.”
He sucked in a breath. “You don’t need the money.”
Letting out a harsh chuckle, I turned my head to the side. “Now that’s whereyou’rewrong. I’m useless at pretty much everything. I’ve tried different college courses and failed them all. I have no skills. I barely even finished high school. I’m sick of only surviving each month. I want to live.”
“That’s a load of crap. You’re the most amazing painter I’ve ever met. You could easily sell your art.”
My throat closed up, and I turned my head back to face forward. “You’re the only one who thinks so.” My voice was a whisper, barely audible over the rushing of the ocean.
He tugged on a strand of my hair. “And who have you shown your paintings to besides me?”
“Ever, Sofie and William. But Ever’s my best friend, so she has to say they’re good. And William is too nice to say something bad about anything I do. He was even proud of me for getting 50 percent on a test. And Sofie would never want to hurt my feelings by saying she didn’t like my paintings.”
My voice cracked, my body softening, leaning into him. Feeling of his warmth at my back and his arm around my middle almost made me think everything would work out.
“I don’t know why you’ve never believed in yourself.” He lowered his head, his mouth now on the side of my head, his breath brushing against my hair with every word.
“Because I’m useless, just like Mom always said.” My voice came out in a hoarse whisper. I’d worked my whole life at not becoming like my mom. But it looked as if I’d turned into her anyways.
“That’s a load of crap, and you know it.”
Lowering my head, I took a deep breath. “You and Ever are the only people who believe in me. And now William.”
His arm around my middle tightened. “That’s because you have a rare talent. One you’ve always hidden.” Turning me around, he put a finger under my chin, lifting it. “Show me what you’re currently working on.”
