“No, I didn’t. You didn’t plan your own wedding, not even one?”
She rolled her eyes. He didn’t pull out of her. He knew deep in his heart he should tell her he’d come without a condom, but it would spoil the moment, and they’d had so fleeting of them.
This was what he wanted, to get to know her, where she wasn’t tempted to get away.
“Fine. Fine. I always thought I’d get married in a garden or a meadow. I don’t see it in a church or a building. It has to be in the summer when the flowers are in full bloom. I see the sun up and shining. People are happy. It’s corny, I know. My dad would have been here. The dress your mom picked out, it’s how I imagined my dress being. Anyway. My father’s dead, and this isn’t a real wedding. I better get your dinner on the table.”
She started to wriggle and he groaned, his cock starting to fill as she moved on his length.
“I want you again.”
“Again?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Are you ever sated?”
“With you, it seems I can’t get enough,” he said.
She chuckled. She didn’t take him seriously.
What had started out as an agreement between them was fast turning into something … even more.
Did she feel it? Or was she just playing the role he’d asked her to? There were moments he caught her looking at him, that he thought she felt something but now, he was starting to wonder at his own ability to understand what a person was thinking.
His feelings for Lauren weren’t crazy. He wanted her. Their time together was the best fucking time of his existence, but … how could he get her to fall for him, and to make this real?
****
“You’re going to do great,” Caleb said.
As she nibbled on her lip, Lauren’s heart raced. “I think I should go home. Can you turn the car around?”
“My parents are going to be there. My sister even asked for you.”
“But, I don’t think I can do this.”
“You’ve already spent the weekend with my family.”
“Yes, in private. This isn’t private.” She pointed out the window at the press as they flashed their cameras. “This is very much in the public eye. Hello, Caleb, we’re not even supposed to be getting married.” She was starting to sound like a broken record, repeating the same stuff over and over again.
She had started to wonder why the hell she kept saying it. Was it to remind Caleb or herself?
The dress was purchased and hung up in their shared wardrobe. She didn’t even know when it happened but she now slept in his bed rather than her own.
Her apartment was now getting dusty from the lack of her presence. Her landlord had even asked if she was going to continue renting. Her life had gotten crazy within a matter of weeks. And she really liked staying with him.
Now, she was due to exit a limousine on Caleb’s arm. She wore a red designer dress that hugged every single curve. He’d given her a diamond necklace and earrings. She looked the part to be on his arm. Her hair and makeup had also been done for her. This was supposed to be some kind of charity event to help raise funds for Cassie’s hospital, or at least that was what Caleb had told her.
His family was there, expecting her.
“Our car is next.” Caleb pulled out a small velvet box. “Please, wear this.”
“Caleb, I’m already in expensive jewelry I’m terrified of losing, now you want me to put on another item? I worry if I trip near any kind of water, I’ll drown.”
“You’re not going to trip. There’s no water. There’s a fountain and an ice sculpture but you’re going to be on my arm the entire time. You need to wear this.”
“Why?”
“Open it.”
“I don’t like it when you go all vague on me. It makes me nervous.”
“Then we’re both nervous and there’s not a lot we can do about it.”
She took the box from him and opened it.
An engagement ring.
“Caleb, this isn’t telling them we’re not getting married. This is telling the world I belong to you.”
“I know. I just … I haven’t gotten around to it. You know, my father’s health and all. I just, I want him to enjoy this, you know.”
He loved his father.
She cupped his cheek. “Okay, fine. Put it on my finger.”
Caleb gave her the smile that made her heart melt. Why couldn’t he go back to being the rude, arrogant, mean billionaire who was a neat freak?
The ring fit perfectly. It was like it was meant to be. This was crazy. She was starting to sound irrational to her own ears.
Closing her hand, she smiled at him. “It’s perfect.”
“Just like you.” He kissed her cheek.
This was becoming real and what was worse, she didn’t mind, not in the slightest. In fact, she knew deep in her heart, the crazy truth was she’d started to have feelings for this man. It was insane but she couldn’t help but enjoy being with him.