Page 14 of The Billionaire's Wife

It’s then that Lilly turns to me, eyeing me tentatively for a moment before venturing, “So, how are things going with you and Alec?”

I raise my eyebrows, somewhat surprised by the question. “Um. Fine. I mean, I think we’re pulling it off okay.” Then, suddenly beginning to doubt myself, I add, “Do you?”

Olivia snorts. “Oh yeah. You guys are definitely playing the part convincingly.”

“Oh. Good,” I answer, relieved.

“When I first heard about all this, I was worried, to be honest,” Lilly admits. “Alec isn’t exactly known for his … warmth. I mean, he’s nice to the people he cares about, but he’s not a great actor.”

I nod. “Yeah, tell me about it.”

At this, Olivia raises an eyebrow.

I chuckle, feeling that I can open up to these women, at least somewhat. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? It gets back to Alec? So what? After this week, I’ll never see any of these people ever again. Other than Alec when I stop by to walk Betty. And he’s barely there anyway. “I always thought he was a bit of an asshole,” I admit. “In fact, he insulted me right before accidentally introducing me as his wife and then begging me to play the part.”

Olivia bursts into laughter. “God. Alec.”

“Sounds like something he’d do,” Lilly agrees.

“Tell us if he’s ever too much. We’ll put him in his place,” Olivia promises.

I laugh, but I’m also actually grateful for the sentiment. Knowing that I have someone willing to be on my side this week, out at sea in the middle of nowhere—it means a lot. And after having learned more about Olivia and Lilly the past few hours, it’s nice to be surrounded by people more … like me. At first, I’d assumed the other Mrs. Kings came from money just like the guys. But Olivia and Lilly are normal people. With normal jobs, and normal lives. Well, until meeting their husbands. But they have a grounded air about them that I find comforting.

And it’s good to hear that Alec and I are seemingly pulling it off. And if our vacation continues like this—the boys off discussing business, and the girls hanging out by the pool—it’ll be easier than I thought.

Chapter 10

Alec

“Enough shop talk,” Marcus insists as we make our way along the outer deck of the yacht. “Maybe finding those wives of yours will help shut this down.”

Asher and Aiden laugh along good naturedly. But as much as we’re all ready to enjoy some cool drinks by the pool, the five of us—Marcus, Julia, Asher, Aiden, and I—had had quite the productive conversation about the future of our companies. The merger seems to be happening—for real. I could pinch myself. And I know Asher and Aiden are feeling the same way.

We round the corner and make our way up a staircase to the top deck where the pool is. I hear Olivia and Lilly call out in greeting as the others reach the top of the stairs first. As I climb up behind them, the top deck coming into view, my eyes immediately land on Ella.

And my jaw about falls to the floor. She’s wearing one of the swimsuits I’d gotten her. It’s a white one-piece. Unsure of her comfortability and not wanting to seem creepy, I hadn’t sent her any bikinis. Although I hadn’t been wholly aware of how sexy a one-piece could be. At least on her.

The cut of the suit is high around her hips, accentuating her slim waist and curves. Her skin glistens in the sun, her auburn hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders.

Fuck, she looks good.

“Now that’s the way a newlywed looks at his wife.” Marcus chuckles, slapping me on the back.

Stunned back to reality, I quickly turn my gaze away from Ella, laughing along with Marcus, nodding and trying to hide the blush I’m worried is creeping up my cheeks. I’m not sure if Ella overheard the comment, but I’m suddenly self-conscious and hyperaware of my every move.

Aiden has already sidled up to Lilly, sharing her lounger chair with her and pulling her into his lap. Asher plants a kiss on Olivia’s cheek as he pulls up a chair beside her. Damn. I hadn’t thought about how my brothers’ affections toward their wives would affect how I look interacting with Ella.

Trying not to look stiff as a board, I take a seat in the empty chair beside Ella, reaching over to gently give her arm a squeeze in greeting. She smiles shyly back.

“So, what have you ladies been up to?” Julia asks.

“Just lounging around, getting some sun,” Lilly answers.

The conversation shifts to hobbies and pastimes, then to Olivia and Asher’s anniversary plans a few months out. “We’d been thinking of the Bahamas, but it seems like we’re already knocking that one out,” Asher says with a laugh.

Julia suggests Aruba, to which Olivia inquires more about. After a few minutes of chatter, Marcus veers the conversation back to me. “Alec, you said you and Ella are the most recently married couple—when did you get married?”

“July,” I answer, shooting Ella a smile the way a newlywed would.

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