Page 27 of The Fake Fiance's Billionaire Adversary
There was also the issue of the contract. What if she was just playing a part? If he ran full steam ahead and it turned out that she wasn’t feeling the same as him, there was a good chance his heart would be crushed.
He’d been lonely a long time, and now that a spotlight was trained on it, he realized the depth of it. What if an act was all this was? Could he be reading too much into their interactions? She had kissed him. Twice. It was circular reasoning at its best and enough to make his head hurt.
With a groan, he pushed off the wall and kicked off his boots. Lonely. Yeah, that was true, but Reagan more than filled that spot. Still, it was better to walk than run. Otherwise, he could face-plant, and he didn’t want that outcome for either of them.
Chapter 12
During the drive to town, Reagan had debated over and over how she’d tell Hunter she knew about the lottery. The longer she kept it from him, the worse she felt. What if he found out she knew from someone else? When she thought back to their financial interactions, she worried that the times she’d asked for more money or had taken money he’d offered would be looked at differently, like she was gold-digging. Surely he would believe that she didn’t know. Would he hate her or question her growing affection for him?
The thought made her heart race. Growing affection? Well, she couldn’t deny it. Hunter was a sweet man and someone she enjoyed being with. His kisses were mind-melting, especially that last kiss. It was something straight out of a fantasy. He’d pulled her flush against him, kissed her, and then told her she was beautiful. Plus, the little kiss on the nose? Holy wow. It had been such a little thing but so, so intimate.
“Uh, Reagan?” The sound of Hunter’s voice broke through her thoughts.
She smiled. “I’m sorry.” Now she realized the truck was parked and the engine was silent. How long had they been sitting in front of his childhood home? “I…”
What if she told him and hedidget angry? Could she really risk losing the other half of the money? It wasn’t her fault that she’d found out, but they’d started this trip as barely friends. What if he didn’t believe her?
“Are you okay?”
For now, she’d act as if she had no idea. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
He took her hand and smiled. “Come on. Let me show you the house. After we get your ring, we’ll take a walk around town before dinner.”
For a man who thought he lacked charm, he sure had a lot. “Okay.”
He helped her out of his side of the truck, and what she found herself liking more than anything was that he kept holding her hand when he didn’t have to.
The outside of his parents’ home appeared to be freshly painted, and the wrap-around porch looked perfect for an early morning swing and watching the sunrise. She could imagine Caroline and King rocking back and forth. “This is a cute house.”
“I think so.”
They walked to the door, continuing to hold hands. He opened it and held it for her to enter first.
Her mouth dropped open as she stepped inside. “It wasn’t locked?”
“There’s no one in this town who’d steal. I don’t know that we’ve ever locked a door. Everyone knows everyone,” he said, following her in.
Reagan looked around the modest living room. Compared to the home at the ranch, this one was tiny, but it had been updated recently. “I love the colors. The soft gray is nice.”
“Yeah, we all pitched in and had the house remodeled earlier this year. I would have done it myself, but I was in the middle of a few projects at the time.” He let go of her hand and turned in place. “The men who worked on this did a really good job.”
She studied him as his gaze roamed over the room. Somehow, he’d grown more attractive since they’d arrived in Caprock Canyon. He was gorgeous from the get-go, but now…now it went so far beyond looks. She’d peeked into his heart and found gold. “You really enjoy remodeling homes, don’t you?”
He brought his attention back to her and nodded. “I do. Or better, I did.”
“Did?”
“Guess if anyone’s going to know first, it should be you. I finished my last house before we left Georgia. When I return, I’m going to ask Stone, my partner, if he wants to buy my share of the business.” He inhaled long and slow like he felt the words now that they were out.
Reagan approached and leaned in to catch his gaze. “You seem sad about that.”
A tiny smile lifted his lips. “Not sad. Just…torn. In a way, I feel like I’m leaving my success behind. I’ve flipped houses so long now that it feels like I’m having one of my legs kicked out from under me. I mean, I know that’s not true, but change isn’t easy.”
She touched her fingers to his temple then slid them down the side of his face and along his jaw. His eyes closed as he pressed his face into her hand. They stood there, letting the silence encase them and shut the world out.
“It’s not true. You can’t leave success behind, Hunter. It’s who you are. The rumor on Tybee Island was that this house flipper wasn’t like all the others. He used quality material, paid close attention to details, and worked efficiently so he could offer solid, well-built homes that lasted. Every home you’ve touched is a standing reminder to your success.”
His eyes opened, and their gazes locked. “You think so?”
