Page 29 of Call You Mine

Two hundred thousand dollars for the duration of the contract. I squint my eyes, looking over a recent addition he’s written in black ink.

Two months. That’s how long he’s willing to pretend. Two months and this charade will be over.

I blink away a tear threatening to fall and I’m not sure what’s caused it. The fear that’s crept over me from the messages I received, or that he’s put an end date on ourrelationship. I used to tell myself over and over that I didn’t want him that way. That despite the one night we spent together and the friendship that flourished between us, our happily ever after wasn’t written in the stars.

Damon Drake wasn’t for me. He's nothing like the guys I usually dated. We’re from two completely different worlds, even now that his bank account matches mine, we couldn’t be more different.

Yet after all this time, it’s my heart that still beats for him.

Two months. That’s how long I have to convince him that this is more real than he knows.

Chapter Seven

DAMON

Iwant to hire you not only as my date, but I need you to be my fake boyfriend.

I couldn’t believe it two nights ago when she said it to me, and I still can’t believe it now that we’ve both signed the paperwork making this contract between us official.

I’ve just agreed to be Wynter Servite’s boyfriend for two fucking months. I’d like to think it’s solely to help her, but I’ve never agreed faster to anything in my life. Adding the time stipulation was the only way I could guarantee this wouldn’t backfire because the worst thing that could come from this is one of us forgetting it’s all pretend.

Bullshit. Everything about this is fucked up in so many ways.

Though now that the paperwork is signed, I feel like she’s pulled away further, her mind wandering back off to wherever it was when she first arrived back in town covered in blood and bruises.

Scared out of her mind even though she expertly tried to hide it. Makes me wonder how she’s gotten so well at brushing it all off, using her charm and good looks to cover up her true feelings.

It’s been this way since the first time I met her. Wynter is well aware of her beauty and sex appeal and although she’s never been one to use it to her advantage, she definitely uses it to deflect from anything that makes her vulnerable.

Despite her efforts, I haven’t forgotten the reason she’s here. This ploy she’s thrown my way is meant as nothing more than a distraction to lead me away from figuring out what the fuck happened to her.

Now as she stands across from my desk, clutching the contract that’s just entwined our lives together tightly against her chest, she’s looking everywhere but at me when she speaks. “I’ll stop by the bank on my way back and bring you a check.”

“Wynter,” I mutter once again, but she’s determined to ignore me. Her demeanor completely shifted the moment she looked at her phone. I could tell by the look on her face that whatever she saw was connected to what happened back in New York.

The same fearful look was etched onto her face only this time she pulled her mask of nonchalance back over like a second skin.

Her chest heaves up and down as her breathing quickens, a telltale sign she’s anxious. My eyes drift down to the hint of cleavage peeking out under the silky dress she’s wearing doing absolutely nothing to hide her perky nipples. She’s always been one to embrace her sexuality and the flawless God given body she was blessed with which is why it’s no surprise she’s decided to not wear a bra.

The small coat in the same shade of cream, is short and fits her perfectly while her hair falls in delicate waves along her shoulders and down her back.

“Unless you want me to deposit it straight into your account. I guess I can have them do that too but I might need your information.” Her mouth keeps running and now I know for afact she’s nervous. But I need to know what’s making her bolt out of my office before we’ve had the chance to speak.

I stand, walking around the desk to meet her, reaching out for her, but I stop right before I grab her arm. Instead, I run my hand through my hair, completely perplexed and frustrated with the way seeing her like this is making me feel. Fucking useless.

I grit my teeth. “I swear to God woman, if you don’t stop talking about the damn money and start telling me the truth about what the fuck just happened, I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” she bites back, interrupting me, and just like that my girl’s back.She’s not your fucking girl, the voice inside my head reminds me as if I’d easily forgotten.

Regardless, the feisty Little Princess that’s not only quick-witted and sharp tongued but always ready for a fight, makes her well awaited return. The wicked gleam in her eyes whenever she argues with me is back and I revel in how fucking hot she looks with her hands resting on her hip with purpose.

“That wasn’t part of the agreement Damon. It’s not written in your fancy little contract that just because you’re doing this for me, I have to divulge all my secrets.” Her lip twitches in anger but the nervousness is still there hiding behind the anger in her eyes.

“Who texted you?” I growl, not able to ignore the fear that flashes in her gaze as she tries to come up with another one of her lies.

“What are you talking about?” she shrieks. Panic flashes in her eyes and she takes a step back to add more space between us. It’s as if the air in the room is pushing us together but she’s fighting to create some separation.

Smart girl.

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