Page 26 of The Husband Contract
“You had a…” I pause. “Well, I thought that little wisp of hair deserved to be behind your ear so I could look into those pretty eyes of yours.”
“Ooh.” She frowns slightly, looking self-conscious and pretty, and I have to admit she has the innocent damsel look down. “Look, I don’t know if you’re coming on to me, but?—”
“What?” I say, surprised.
“I’m just saying, when I met you at the club, you weren’t particularly nice. I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt because I don’t know you, and yesterday you were kind of nice, but now you’re trying to flirt…” She shrugs. “I don’t know. I’m just confused. What’s going on here?”
“What do you mean, what’s going on here?” This is a weird part of hersnag a rich mangame.
“I just mean, you’re tucking wisps of hair behind my ear, and we don’t even know each other…” She shakes her head. “I’m just trying to understand what’s going on.”
“I am not sure... Maybe I’m just interested. Have you ever gone stargazing?” I ask, changing the subject.
Her eyes narrow slightly as she shakes her head. “No. Why?”
“Well, you’re into astrological signs, and a lot of that is based on the stars. Sometimes I think it’s really cool to actually look up at the sky and see what guides so many of our thoughts and feelings about the world. The universe is so much larger than?—”
“Sorry, what?”
“I’m just trying to connect with you, Willow.” I gaze deeply into her eyes. “I’m deeply apologetic about the night at the Magnolia Club. I just think it’s very fortuitous that I happened upon this hotel and saw you again. Don’t you believe in signs? Don’t you believe in fate bringing two people together?” I lower my voice.
She nods slowly. “I mean, kind of. Do you think fate is real?” She sounds surprised. “I didn’t think men really believed in fate.”
“I do,” I say softly, grinning. “I think the world has a way of making everything just right.”
“I guess,” she says, smiling—this time, a genuine, excitedsmile. “I guess I’m just a little apprehensive because my life… well, it hasn’t necessarily gone according to plan. But maybe the world does have a way of rewarding us when we really need it to.”
I smile to myself at her words, because I hadn’t said anything aboutrewardinganyone, but maybe in her greedy mind, all she could think about was my money and howrewardedshe would be when she ran off with more millions.Mymillions, this time.
“Would you like to go stargazing tonight?” I ask softly. “There’s not much light pollution if we drive about twenty minutes north, closer to the woods. We can probably see some constellations. I can check and see if it’s going to be overcast or not.”
“Oh, you want to take me stargazing?” Her eyes widen as she pulls the duvet off the bed and holds it in her arms.
“I’d love to take you stargazing,” I say. There’s such an innocent look about her. I don’t know how she does it, but maybe that’s the trick. That’s how she pulls men in. I’m not weak-willed, and I don’t go for women based on looks alone. In fact, there’s never been a woman who’s drawn me in just because of how she looks. But there’s something about Willow that I find… titillating. Engaging. Something that makes me want to talk to her more, really get to know her, and figure out what makes her tick. The thought makes me angry inside, because I don’t want to have anything to do with this woman. Not really. I don’t want to care about the inner workings of her brain.
“I think it could be really cool to go stargazing,” she says, nodding. “I mean, if that’s something you really want to do.”
“It’s a date, then,” I say, grinning.
“A date?” Her jaw drops. “Like… a date, date?”
“I guess I’m asking you to go on an official date with me, Ms. Willow Montgomery. Do you accept?”
I grab her hand.
She nods slowly. “Yeah, I guess I’ll throw caution to the wind.” She giggles slightly, and I step closer to her. I can feel the duvet crushed between our bodies as I stare at her. Something in me wants to kiss her, but I don’t want to move too quickly. She needs to feel like she’s emotionally invested—or at least likeI’memotionally invested before we take it to the next level. I’ll have to pretend I'm falling.
“I had a dream about you last night,” I say as the idea pops into my head.
“You did?” She stares at me in surprise. “Really?”
“I guess seeing you again just brought you into my subconscious. It was like a part of me was waiting to see you again.”
“Really?” Her eyes narrow slightly, and I can tell she’s not buying it. I remind myself not to push it too hard. “I mean, maybe it’s because I find you so sexy,” I say, reverting to base instinct—and this time, I’m not lying. I do find her sexy. I stare at her long, slender neck, the way her breasts curve, and the way her slim waist curves into her hips.
“You’ve got a body under that shirt,” I grin.
“Excuse me?” she says, affronted.
