Page 21 of Terms + Conditions
“It’s not that far. I can manage the drive in the morning.” I don’t even know when it happened, but we’re suddenly much closer than we were moments ago. Faces centimeters apart. I’m starting to get the strangest sense of déjà vu. “I can stay with you tonight. Keep you company so you’re not all alone tonight.”
I can audibly hear her swallow at the suggestion. It’s not the first time we’ve spent the night together, but it would be the first time we werealonetogether. Her gaze falls to my lips before she leans in a little further, and our lips brush. I pull back slightly.
“It’s a four-hour drive,” Elizabeth whispers.
Four hours here and back every couple of weeks to keep up this charade. Normally, I dread the thought, but right now,the only thing on my mind is how close her lips are to mine. How every time we’ve accidentally brushed against each other—hands, arms, anything—there’s a spark that rushes through me. A small crackle of electricity beneath the surface, I’ve never felt anything like it before.
“I’ll manage,” I say softly, and our lips brush again, but we still don’t close the gap.
“Josh...”
My name on her lips is sweeter than honey, and it’s enough for me to finally jump across the line with both feet. I press my lips to hers, swallowing the gasp that escapes her. Lifting her off her feet, I plant her on the counter and step between her legs. Elizabeth wraps herself around me, pulling me closer as her hands explore my body—down my shoulders, arms, and chest. Her fingers play with the hem of my shirt, slowly lifting it, and the air is cool against my skin, breaking the trance. Pulling away from her, I lick my lips, tasting her still: a cherry tang on my lips from her chapstick. Separated, our chests rise and fall, trying to catch our breath.
We can’t go any further, no matter how badly I want to. Fuck, I want to, but we shouldn’t. Not yet.
Her gaze is fiery, longing…She wants this, maybe even as badly as I do, but it’s only because she’s lost in the moment. She’d wake up in the morning and hate me for it. We haven’t truly gotten to know each other. I’m not even sure I’d call us friends yet, but we’re getting there. We still have some work to do before we can go any further.
Brushing my nose against hers, I press another longing kiss to her lips. “I’ll see you in two weeks, Sugar,” I whisper against them and turn on my heel. I leave her there, sitting on the counter, and walk out the door because if I don’t do it now, I won’t do it at all.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
NOW
“YOU KNOW,” ALEX STARTS but takes a sip of his beer, and I have a feeling I’m not going to like what follows. “For someone in an arranged marriage, you don’t seem too happy about getting out of it.”
“Alex.” Nick pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Look, someone had to say it!”
“He’s not wrong,” Finn adds.
The four of us found our way outside not long after we finished stuffing our faces with various pies and desserts. Nina was putting Elena to bed. Dad and Uncle Jim were watching the football game while Michaela, Mom, and Uncle Jim’s girlfriend, Tessa finished cleaning up the kitchen. Tessa is the owner of a local cafe in Winchester. Nina had introduced them two years ago, and they started dating a few months later. Just before I walked outside to meet the rest of the guys, Kai snuck off to take a phone call (because, apparently, business truly never stops) while Eileen played with Ophelia. And Elizabeth…Well, I’m not sure where she snuck off to.
“I know he’s not wrong,” Nick says. “But—”
“No, he’s right.” I sigh. “I’m not happy about it.” Shit, this is the first time I’ve admitted that out loud. What good would it do anyway? It’s not like she’s coming back. “I care about her—”
“Not enough to fight for your marriage,” Alex protests, earning a warning glare from his brother. Alex rolls his eyes and leans forward to say, “What? It’s not like you haven’t thought the same thing.”
Nick doesn’t respond though, he just stares into the distance, taking a sip of his beer.
“It was never going to last.” I sigh. “Elizabeth didn’t want this. If it had been up to her, she would have married William.”
“Yeah, okay.” Finn scoffs.
Finn forgets that Elizabeth and William were headed for the aisle in the next few years had she not been forced to end things because of this arrangement. Not only a Cain, but an adopted Villa child, marrying the son of the local congressman was a match made in heaven. It was everything Ethel Cain could have wanted for her daughter, everything Brina could have wanted for her, too. But then I had to come along and mess up those plans.
“Despite his shortcomings, Will was a good match for her, in terms of lifestyle and—”
“You’re leaving out the part where him leaving her high and dry on the dance floor wasn’t part of this ruse,” Finn says. “That was just him being an asshole. Oh, and let’s not forget, he planned on breaking up with her at the beginning of the year anyway. So no, William wasnota good match for her.”
“Well, I think you should fight for it,” Alex says, taking another sip. “You guys are good together. I don’t care what you say, that wasn’t all for show.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, scratching at the wood arm of the chair. Elizabeth doesn’t need me anymore, she has Ryan, and she seems…happy. Despite how I feel, I won’t ruin heropportunity to be happy. I clear my throat and readjust my glasses, adding, “She’s already moved on.”
It’s Nick’s turn to scoff.
“Something you want to share with the class?” Finn asks.
