Once we’re alone, Tess rounds on me. “Why didn’t you tell me we were going to have dinner with your parents?”
“I didn’t want you to freak out and refuse to come. They’ve been calling me non-stop, saying that they want to meet you, yada yada yada. It would have been weird for me to say no.” I pause for a moment. She does’t look happy—maybe I should change my tack. “Anyway, Dad is still a major shareowner in Adler Industries, so, technically it was still a business meeting.”
“And why are we pretending still that we’re happily married and everything’s normal?” she asks. “I take it you haven’t told them the real story, that we’re getting an annulment?”
“I am happily married,” I say, giving her what I hope is a charming smile.
Tessa
Man, he can be just so infuriating. I really don’t see why he had to keep up the pretense that it was a business meeting, when I would’ve been quite happy all along to meet his parents—as his PA, not his wife, of course, but still.
They seemed like perfectly sweet, lovely people—way more down to earth than I would have expected for super-rich billionaires.
It’s a shame that they’ll be disappointed to learn about the impending annulment. But then again, they don’t know the details of how we actually got married.
I got the impression they think Luke and I had been secretly dating for a while and he just didn’t want to tell anyone about me—not that we met, got drunk, fucked, then married, all in the same night.
I’m not sure they’d approve.
We walk back up to our rooms, not arm in arm, but close. He rambles on about this city—no doubt he senses my soured mood and is trying to fix things. I’m feeling really mixed up inside.
On one hand, he’s funny, he’s charming, and he makes me feel appreciated. He obviously wants to give us a go.
But I have to keep certain things in mind. He’s a playboy who’s used to having whatever he wants, whoever he wants, whenever he wants. He probably just sees me as a new challenge to overcome.
Remember that rotating cast of models you’ve seen on his arm. You don’t want to be just another one of those girls. You’re worth more than that.
It’s easier said than done, though.
This hotel is so gorgeous, with it’s chandeliers and its paintings and it’s staff all dressed up in tuxedos. I feel out of place, like an imposter, like someone’s going to expose me for the penniless chancer that I really am.
We arrive back up outside my room and Luke invites himself in.
Be careful. No more repeats of last night’s shenanigans, no matter how tasty he looks.
“You don’t mind if I come in, do you?” he asks as he enters, not waiting for an answer.
“No, sure, be my guest,” I say sarcastically, following him in.
“It’s just that it’s been such a great night, and it’s not late. It’d be a shame to let it end so soon.” And then, obviously catching something in my expression or my body language, he continues, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try anything, if that’s what you’re worried about. Cross my heart and hope to die. I’ll be the perfect gentleman.”
He looks so sincere I almost believe him. Almost.
Luke helps himself to a bottle from the little fridge filled with overpriced things and pours some wine for himself, but I refuse again and just stick to soda water.
“Still no alcohol? Damn, that night in Vegas really did a number on you, huh?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” I say drily.
“They really like you.” Luke sits his cute butt down and takes a sip of the wine. “I can tell. Most of the time they hate my girlfriends, so good job there.”
My face twists in a grimace as I perch on a chair, deliberately avoiding the bed because I don’t want to send the wrong message, no matter how subtle.
“I’m just your PA, Luke, remember? And I liked them too, they seem like a sweet couple. But . . . well, I can’t let your parent’s feelings influence my decision. I’m sorry, I really am, but it’s just how it needs to be.”
I brace myself, preparing for him to press me about the annulment, but he just shrugs. “It’s your decision, of course. They’ll get over it, I’m sure.”
He leans forward in his chair and looks into my eyes, and I feel a little shiver go through me. Why does he have to be attractive? It makes this all so much more difficult.
“But what about your family?” he asks. “I’ve never heard you talk about them.”
“Ah, well, that’s because as a rule, I generally don’t.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Well, if you want to make an exception tonight, I’d love to hear all about them.”
I hesitate. Do I really want to do this? “Well . . . I don’t have any real relationship with my parents these days. I haven’t done for many years now. It’s a . . . difficult topic.”