Page 40 of Marrying a Billionaire

He shook his head as he leaned closer to her. Her gaze dropped to his lips and then back up to his gaze. “I want to kiss you,” he said. All his emotions flooded to his throat, causing his voice to deepen.

“I—”

He shook his head again, cutting off her words. “But I won’t. Not until tonight, when the priest pronounces us man and wife.” He bent closer and she tipped her face toward him. It was slight, but he reveled in the thought that she just might want to kiss him too.

Her hands were pressed against his chest. He wondered if she could feel his pounding heart. If she could, he was okay with that. For the first time, he didn’t want to hide behind their fake relationship. He wanted her to know just what she was doing to him.

“Will you kiss me tonight?” he asked as he met her gaze.

Her eyes were wide as she studied him. Then her expression fell as she pressed her hands firmly on his chest and pushed away. “I should get ready,” she said.

Reed allowed her to break the contact and step away. Even though this conversation hadn’t given him the response he wanted, he wasn’t going to give up hope. She had feelings for him. He could see it. She was as broken as he was. Perhaps she needed time. And he’d give that to her. “Of course,” he said, nodding his head as he extended his hand toward the hall. “I’ll see you when you’re ready.”

She hesitated and then turned toward the hall. Before she disappeared, she paused. “Reed?”

“Yeah,” he said, glancing in her direction.

“Can I tell Tamara? I really need her at the wedding.”

Worry floated into his mind, but he pushed it away. “If you think it’s a good idea, then I’m okay with it.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”

He nodded. “Of course.” Just as she disappeared, he whispered under his breath, “Anything for you.” But she was gone.

He turned and headed toward his room. He had thirty minutes to pace before Bert came.

Thirty minutes to think about what he’d done.

Thirty minutes to regret what he’d said.

And thirty minutes to hope that he hadn’t just made a huge mistake.

Chapter Fifteen

Lillian paced the guest room floor with her hand pressed against her stomach. This wasn’t happening. Her emotions couldn’t handle it.

But no amount of pushing her feelings down kept them from bubbling up. She was beginning to care for Reed.

She groaned as she flopped down onto the bed. The down comforter puffed up around her as she sank into the pillowy material. Why did Reed have to be so comfortable and hypnotizing? He’d pretty much told her that he wanted to kiss her for real. Why wouldn’t she let him?

Her fingers made their way to her bump. That was why. She was pregnant with another man’s baby. Joshua’s baby. She draped her elbow over her eyes. She was such an idiot to think that she could pull this off.

Tamara. She needed to talk to Tamara.

Sitting up, she reached over and grabbed her phone. Three rings and Tamara picked up.

“Hey, girl. I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I was beginning to think that you had been kidnapped by Mr. Billionaire Bachelor.” She laughed as if that was the funniest thing she’d heard all day.

“Tamara, I need a favor,” Lillian said, flopping back down on her bed and covering her face with her hand.

“Is everything okay?” Tamara’s tone had turned concerned.

“No. It’s not.” Lillian took a deep breath. “I need you to be my maid of honor.”

Sputtering erupted on the other end of the call. It went on for a few seconds before Tamara cleared her throat. “What?” she asked.

“I’m marrying Reed Williamson.” Before Tamara could respond, the whole story came tumbling out. The contract. The apartment. The pottery studio. The kiss. Everything. By the time she was done, it was so quiet on the other line that Lillian feared she’d lost the connection and would have to call Tamara back and tell it again.

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