Page 129 of The Truths that Deceive

“Do I look like a woman who wants that?”

“You look like a woman who’d cut me if she got a chance, jump me and fuck me if she got half a one, and then run, taunting me into chasing her down to show her just who she belongs to and who’s boss.”

“Me. I’m boss.”

He kisses me. “I’m your fucking master, sweetheart.”

“So was that a proposal?”

“Calista, to blow up your life, I blew up mine. On paper, I no longer exist. I went down with you in that car. We don’t exist.”

The words hit. For the first time, they sink in deep. We’re out of water, except he already has money, and he no doubt has various aliases. I don’t have money; it’s going to take me a while to set something up. And…

“Oh shit. Smith, I can’t get a job, even with a fake name. If they see me, then… How do I make money?”

“Sweetheart, you know I’m a billionaire and I’m very good at making money.”

“Yes, but?—”

“I’m not asking you to pay your fucking way if you’re with me.”

“Let’s go back to the flower thing,” I say. “I’m not a housewife.”

“Thank fuck for that. Like I said, the people I work for, they could use someone like you.”

“Really?” I chew my bottom lip. “I thought you were just saying that to throw out your horribly pathetic proposal.”

He groans. “I’m sorry. It’s not how I meant it to come out. But if we get married, you can sidestep a lot of the red tape involved in passing all their tests and vows of secrecy.”

“This isn’tFight Club, is it?”

“What? No. I’m saying getting married cuts the tape.”

“Is that all it’ll do?” I ask the question, holding my breath to hear his answer. Because I don’t want to become his wife out of convenience. I want him to want me in that way, to cherish me inhisway.

“Fuck. I want to marry you, Calista. How is this so fucking hard?”

My mouth twitches as my heart soars. I know he did it again, proposed in a lame way, but Smith’s only getting on one knee if he’s going to fuck me in a really interesting position.

Because maybe he’s not the “I love you” type of guy. Maybe this is it.

But I don’t know if it’s enough.

“Are you sure, Smith? Because I fell in love with you, and I’d like to think you might love me back.”

“About that.” He slides around me, walks into the kitchen, and opens a drawer. “I fell in love with you, too.”

My knees shake, but I stay with my back to him because I don’t want to think I just made that up in my mind. I need it to be real.

“Calista?”

I slowly turn.

Smith’s standing there.

“Dakota came to see me. She wants me to go to the wedding. As long as I bring you.”

I can’t stop the smile. “Does she like me?”

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