Page 21 of Stuck with the Billionaire Celebrity

Ah, Sarah, the eternal optimist who sees the good in people when it’s clearly not here.

I nod because I don’t want to argue with her. She has this fairy tale belief about life and love that I don’t share at all. Devon walks off to find Theo while Sarah stands next to me, spinning around and looking at the place in awe.

“You’ve never been here before? I thought you knew him well.”

“I do, and no, I’ve never been here before.

I meant what I said when I told you that Theo doesn’t normally let anyone in.

Devon has been here because the two of them are like brothers, but Theo keeps everyone at arm’s length after what happened with Alexia.”

“I’m sure he does. It’s much easier for people to see the devil behind the mask when they’re close to you.”

“He’s not the man the media has painted him to be,” she says softly. “If you give him a chance, you’ll see that.”

“The only thing I see is that he’s a cranky old bear of a man,” I sigh.

“You protect yourself in certain ways, he does the same.”

“You ready to go Sarah?” Devon asks as he walks back into the living room with Theo.

Take me with you.

She nods and the two of them both head back to Devon’s car, leaving me standing in the doorway, staring out at the sprawling estate. I take a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering irritation.

It’s only temporary.

Later, I’m sitting on the couch in the living room, scrolling through my phone, when Theo walks in again. I can feel his presence at once, the air around him charged with tension.

He doesn’t say anything at first, just stands there, looking at me like I’m some kind of puzzle he can’t figure out.

“You’re not exactly making yourself at home,” he finally says, his voice low but still carrying that edge.

He can’t be serious right now.

I look up from my phone, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

He gestures vaguely toward me. “You’re just sitting there like you don’t want to touch anything. Like you’re scared of breaking something.”

I bristle at his words. “Maybe it’s because every time I do touch something, you act like I’m invading your precious space.”

He frowns, his brows knitting together. “This isn’t about that.”

“Oh, really?” I snap. “Because it sure feels like it.”

He sighs, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “Look, I didn’t ask for this either. But Devon thinks you’ll be safer here, and I owe him. That’s the only reason you’re here.”

It’s the only reason you’re here.

Why do those words sting so much?

“I know why I’m here,” I reply, my voice rising. “But that doesn’t mean you have to treat me like I’m some kind of criminal. I’m not the asshole here.”

“You’re not a criminal,” he says, his tone softening just a fraction. “And I’m not an asshole either. But this… it’s not easy for me.”

“And you think it’s easy for me?” I stand up, frustration bubbling over.

“Do you think I like being here? Depending on you for safety because some psycho won’t leave me alone?

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