Page 35 of Marrying a Billionaire

Everything was open and bright. Windows made up the front and back of the house. She could see the ocean on the other side of as it lapped at the white, sandy beach.

“Sure,” she said, slipping off her sandals and stepping tentatively into the home. This wasn’t hers. Reed wasn’t her husband. Her emotions were getting so out of hand that she needed to actually remind herself of this.

Especially since they’d spent the entire helicopter ride over here holding hands. She could still feel his skin against her own. She studied him as he made his way around the kitchen, grabbing bottles of water and a dish from the fridge.

There was no way any of the looks of touches meant anything to billionaire Reed Williamson. He was on a completely different playing field than her. He had assistants and maids. He had a helicopter on standby for Pete’s sake. She could barely make her rent or pay for the baby growing in her stomach.

She was a fool, and by the time this was all over, she was going to be broken. Again.

So, mustering down all her confusing feelings, Lillian decided the best thing to do was ignore all her irrational thoughts and focus on completing this task. Stay married to Reed until the contract was fulfilled and then get as far away as she could. Maybe she could move out of his flat when the wedding was over. Didn’t a lot of influential people do that? Live in separate homes than their spouse?

“You look worried.” Reed’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Lillian snapped her gaze over to him where she swallowed. “Really? I’m not,” she lied.

“Are you feeling okay? You know, since the helicopter ride seemed to freak you out.” He pulled some foil back and glanced down, then pressed it back against the edge and put the dishes in the oven.

She nodded as she pushed her previous thoughts from her mind and walked over to the bar stool where she settled in. She drummed the counter top with her fingers. “I’m not a big flyer.”

He nodded as he leaned against the countertop. “Jackson made us up some filet minon with cauliflower puree. I’m heating it up in the stove.”

Lillian glanced behind him and then shrugged. “I was hoping to go swimming.” Anything to get away from Reed and her confusing feelings. “Do you mind?”

His gaze met hers. His perfectly formed lips tipped up into a smile. “Of course not.”

She nodded as she slid off the stool and grabbed her bag. “Bathroom?”

He tipped his head toward the far hall. “First door on the left.”

She followed his instructions. Once she was in the bathroom, she let out the breath she’d been holding as she stared at herself in the mirror. She needed to get a grip. After she splashed some water on her face, she turned to her purse and pulled out the swimsuit that Cassie had picked out for her.

It had been wrapped in a coverup and when Lillian shook it loose, she let out a squeak. Cassie had bought her a skimpy, black one-piece. It had cutouts in the sides that made it look more like a bikini. This was so far out of Lillian’s comfort zone, that she almost threw her dress back on. She would convince Reed that it was actually her swimming suit.

And then she felt like an idiot. What did it matter what she wore? Reed didn’t care. It wasn’t like he was attracted to her and that was okay. She couldn’t have a relationship anyway.

So, she wrestled herself into the swimsuit and pulled the lacy cover-up over her head. At least it gave her some protection until she got down to the water. After she pulled her hair out of the bun, she shook it out, allowing it to fall in soft waves around her face.

She hung her dress up on the hook on the back of the door and then turned the handle. Just as she stepped out into the hall, she rammed right into Reed.

“Whoa,” he said as he reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her from falling over.

Involuntarily, she reached out and grabbed onto his bare arms. When she turned her gaze forward, she found herself staring at Reed’s very bare and very muscular chest. Her pounding heart carried heat to her cheeks. There was something so right about being held by Reed. It felt natural. Like she belonged there.

Despite her better judgement, she tipped her face up to look at him. His rich brown eyes shone with concern when he glanced down.

“Are you okay?” he asked, tightening his grip around her. Her breath caught in her throat as the sheer fabric of her cover-up allowed his body heat to warm her skin.

“I think so,” she whispered. Every nerve in her body was going haywire. All she wanted was for him to dip her down and kiss her lips. To care about her like she was trying hard not to care about him.

He leaned closer, his gaze dropping to study her lips.

Warning bells sounded in her mind, and even though her body ached to be held by Reed, she knew she needed to back away. This was not how she protected herself. She pushed back and cleared her throat. “Are you swimming as well?” she asked, nodded toward his teal trunks.

He pushed his hands through his hair. “If that’s okay with you.”

She hesitated and then nodded. Who was she to tell him that he couldn’t swim with her? This was his beach and his home. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”

He shrugged, and Lillian tried to ignore how his chest muscles flexed from the movement.

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