She smiles softly, but the corners of her lips crease as though she’s still thinking about the show.
I can’t blame her. The fact that I have to pretend to be attracted to someone else tomorrow is killing me, tearing me up inside. I need to find a way out that won’t sabotage the company…
But I can’t think of any, and every instinct I possess roars at me not to do this, to call up the showrunners and tell them I’m done.
I’ve already found my one true love.
Pushing away those depressing thoughts, I smirk. “So how many children are you going to give me?”
She looks so damn adorable when she turns her face away, her smile trembling. “I’m not sure if I can, you know, tonight…”
I make an effort to hide the feeling that settles in my gut. There’s the beast inside of me that doesn’t care what she says, that knows she’s going to tremble and shiver for me the second I thrust into her tight virgin slit.
I beat that part of me down, focusing instead on the emotion in my woman’s expression.
“That’s okay, Kyra. We don’t have to rush.”
“I just wanted to get it out there. I want to, Kayden, so badly. But…”
“The show,” I say gruffly.
“Yeah, it’s partly that. Maybe mostly that. I’m freaking jealous enough as it is. But the thought of being with you, being that vulnerable and intimate, and then you going off to be with another woman…”
Her words stoke a fire inside of me, flickering flames hissing and spitting a message in each ember.
End the show. Fix this. Claim my woman.
“But in the future,” I say.
Her smile spreads widely across her cheeks, her eyes sparkling. “In the future, I’d say let’s have as many freaking children as we can stand. Maybe four, five… I don’t know about specific numbers. It feels crazy that we’re even talking about this. All I know is, when I picture our future, it’s in a house full of love and happiness and laughter.”
“That sounds perfect to me,” I agree. “And I don’t care if they’re boys or girls.”
She nods eagerly. “As long as they’re healthy and happy, that’s enough.”
“Exactly.”
Our eyes meet, sharing a moment, and then we return to our food.
My happiness dims a little when I think about the show tomorrow, having to flirt and smile for the contestants. I know it’s important – I know it’s what I agreed to – but after everything Kyra and I have shared, I’m not sure I can do it.
But what else am I supposed to do?
Chapter Eighteen
Kyra
After our date Kayden kissed me passionately, and then we said our goodbyes. Shock rioted through me as our lips met, something sparking deep inside of me.
I was ready.
Knowing he didn’t just want me for sex, knowing he feels the same way I do, it ignited something in my belly. I felt my body humming and urging me to change my mind, to grab onto his muscled shoulders and lean in for another kiss.
But I was telling the truth when I said I didn’t think I’d be able to hold back my jealousy. After all we shared – the stuff about our childhoods, the revelation of our need – I knew I wouldn’t be able to make love to him and then watch him with another woman. I knew I’d end up freaking out and putting my job at risk.
I believe Kayden when he says those women mean nothing to him. When he told me it was a PR stunt and nothing else, there was no doubt in my mind. I could feel his desire emanating from him, the same way it burned inside me too.
But that doesn’t change the fact that he still has to go along with the show, that people all over the world think Kayden is attracted to the contestants.
For this evening’s shooting, Lisa doesn’t have any specific jobs for me. I almost want her to send me on a bunch of errands so I don’t have to watch Kayden and Hallie on stage together.
Online, people are saying the CEO and the tattooed socialite are going to make a great couple. I’ve even seen photoshopped pictures of them standing beneath an altar together, with countless people cheering them on. It makes my belly churn.
I stand at the back of the room, ready if Lisa has any tasks for me, almost praying for it when Hallie and Kayden appear on the stage.
She’s drop-dead gorgeous. There’s no other way to describe her. She’s wearing a silver dress with a slit up the side, revealing her athletic tattooed thigh, making her pink short hair in cool waves pop. She looks punk and cool and interesting.
Kayden appears on the other side of the stage, handsome as always in a navy-colored suit, his iron hair catching the light.