Page 47 of One Billion Reasons

“I love how dramatic it is. I’ll take crashing waves over turquoise waters any day.”

We both turn as Amanda summons us, and the whispering group heads into the bowels of the spa. It looks like something from a movie. There are dim lights, crystals, and cavernous baths of different temperatures. Holy shit.

“Man, I’m glad I came to this wedding,” Catherine whispers.

“Were you not planning to attend?”

A shadow of emotion passes over her face. “I’m not close with these people.” She pauses by one of the baths and tilts her head at me to join her. The other girls have chosen the largest pool to soak in together, so we’re alone. The hot water feels like heaven, and I sigh as we settle onto the stone benches.

“So why attend the wedding, then?” I’m curious about Catherine. She doesn’t fit in here, but she’s clearly nice. And a little part of me wants to help Miles.

Catherine freezes. Her eyes dart to the group of women in the pool. “I’m looking for a husband,” she whispers.

“Excuse me?” I must have misheard.

“I know. It’s insane.” She closes her eyes briefly. “I don’t want any of these women to know. But you seem trustworthy.” She opens her eyes. “Are you trustworthy?”

“Absolutely.” I nod. “Though that’s exactly what an untrustworthy person would say.” She grins at me. “So why the husband? A wedding isn’t a terrible place to look for one, I guess.”

“For my inheritance.” She makes a face. “My family has made certain my hands are tied unless I’m married. Assholes. Men are the worst.”

Wow. “That’s really…fucked up. Sorry, I don’t have another word for it. I’m glad I’m not from your world.”

“Are you not?” She considers me.

“You can’t tell? Gosh, I feel like an imposter here.”

“I guess I’m not tuned in to things like that. But it doesn’t seem to matter. Miles is obsessed with you.” She smiles at me.

I try not to jerk back in surprise. “I, uh, thought we were being pretty discreet. Since this is Amanda’s wedding and all.”

“That’s what you call discreet?” One side of her mouth kicks up. “I’m scared to see what you think indiscreet is.” She settles deeper into the water. “I have to admit, I was surprised to see you two. Especially with the ultimatum I gave him. I thought he was faking it.”

My pulse thumps. We’re totally faking it. Except it doesn’t feel fake. “Ultimatum? What do you mean?”

She waves a hand in the air. “I told him that I wouldn’t sell this property to him unless he put his pride aside and showed me he cares about something more than himself. And it seems like he does.” She gives me a speculative look, and my cheeks heat. I wish I could tell her the truth. This is a game to him, and the only thing between us is desire. But I can’t, so I smile in what I hope is a mysterious, and not confused, way.

“He’s great, isn’t he?”

“He certainly seems obsessed with you,” Catherine agrees. “He tracks you with his eyes wherever you go. His eyes are such a crazy color, don’t you think? Like molten silver. Especially when he looks at you. When you were talking to Harold, I thought he was going to have an apoplexy.”

“He was the same way with me.” A woman’s sharp voice cuts into our conversation. I look up, and Amanda is standing over us. Catherine’s eyes narrow at the implications of her statement. Shit. Amanda comparing our relationship to their engagement is doing Miles no favors.

“What do you mean?” I don’t really want to know, but a woman in love with Miles would care. The thought of knowing what he’s like in relationships makes me feel a little ill, actually. She slips into the water with us, and I freeze. This is not the confrontation I want right now. But part of me expected this might be coming.

“He does this thing when he talks to you where he makes you feel like the sole focus of his world.” She shakes her head, and the blonde strands around her face wave gently. “I mean, listen, my engagement to Miles was mostly business, but he’s crazy hot. I would have been a statue not to feel a little something when he looked at me.”

Ah, shit. I’m frozen. I don’t know what to say. Liam would tell me that my charm and my kindness are my greatest assets. Time to find out. “But don’t you think he’s like, a little too rich?” I roll my eyes, and Amanda and Catherine are silent for one shocked moment before they burst out laughing.

“Too rich. Just like he’s too hot.” Catherine’s shoulders shake. “First time I’ve heard that one.”

“Yeah, and is his dick too big, too?” Amanda asks, jokingly, I think. But then Catherine makes an ooh sound and they both turn to me, eyes wide.

“Girl. It’s huge.” I would normally never share this, but desperate times and all. Sorry, Miles. I span my hands out, and their eyes widen. “And thick.” I shiver a little, and I’m not acting. “And he loves dirty talk. Like you wouldn’t believe.”

“Ooh,” Amanda gushes. “I always find dirty talk so cringe. You like it?”

I blush a little. “I’ve never been with a guy who liked it before.” I’ve never even been with Miles. The little shiver I gave is based off a stolen kiss and the knowledge that he’s a god in bed. “But honestly…” I lower my voice. “It’s so freaking hot. Partly because he’s really into it.” Even if he never wants to do it with me.

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