Page 63 of Keep Me

I wince.Six years.

Turning on my side, I prop my head on my arm and stare at him. “Why?”

He mirrors my position and stares at me with a bemused scowl. “Why haven’t I left? Because I don’t want to. I don’t like people. I like ithere.”

After a deep breath, I reply with a shrug. “Fair enough.” I don’t want to press Killian too much. That’s what his sister does. That’s what they all do. They push and prod and meddle and call it caring. But if he truly hasn’t left the house in six years (before last night), then there must be a reason.

I genuinely wonder if any of them have thought to ask.

“So, let’s prove them wrong and go to the party,” I suggest.

“No.”

I let out a scoff. “Come on.”

When he doesn’t bend, I reach out a hand and touch his chest, letting my finger drift around his pebbled nipple. “I’ll sweeten the deal.”

“Oh yeah? How will you do that?” he asks with a mischievous smirk.

“I’m sure you can figure it out,” I reply, giving him a light shove.

He rolls onto his back. “Whatever you’re thinking, you were probably going to do anyway.”

As he folds his hands under his head, I let my jaw hang and shoot him an offended glare. “Don’t be so cocky, brute. I never wanted you.”

He smiles at me, the dimples on his cheeks barely noticeable through his beard, and I have to press my lips together to keep from smiling.

“Yeah, you did. Don’t lie,” he says with so much charm it makes me hate him more.

Pounding the pillow, I scurry off the bed with a huff. “Well, unless you agree to go to that party,nothingis happening.”

“You vindictive bitch!” he calls after me, but I don’t reply. I march down the hall to my room, still biting back my smile.

***

I’m still upstairs, getting dressed in my room, when I hear Killian’s brothers and sister coming in. It’s Christmas Day, which isn’t normally something I celebrate much at home.

Aaron and I rarely exchanged gifts. In fact, I don’t think I bought him anything for Christmas last year, but immediately my mind returns to the leather gloves sitting in my coat pocket downstairs.

I’m not an idiot. I see what’s happening here.

It only took three months, but somehow, I stopped hating Killian and started feeling things that look like—

No. I won’t say it. Not even to myself.

That is simply not an option. Killian and I have no future. Come September, this marriage is over. I’ll have my ten million, and I will have to move on with my life.

That is the thought that has comforted me since I arrived here, but suddenly, it makes me sick to even think.

As I descend the stairs, laughter echoes from the parlor. I can clearly make out Anna’s voice as well as Lachy’s and Declan’s.

Rounding the corner into the room, I smile at the sight of Killian and his siblings gathered on the sofas, smiling and opening presents.

When Anna sees me, her face lights up. “Happy Christmas, Sylvie!” she shouts, coming toward me with a cone-like hat and a popper.

I laugh as she places the hat on my head and pulls me in for a hug. “Merry Christmas,” I reply softly.

There’s a spot on the sofa next to Killian, and I take the seat, carefully glancing in his direction. His arm casually slinks around me, which only strikes me as odd after I remember that everyone in this room knows our marriage is fake. There is no reason to pretend.

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