“If I filed for bankruptcy, would you leave Reyna alone?” he asked.
I snorted, covering my mouth so my mother wouldn’t hear me laugh.
I don’t know what my mother was saying, but James rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Pearson, but we have to go.” He hung up and handed me the phone.
“Sorry,” I said, taking the phone back.
He shrugged. “I still win in the worst parents ever contest.”
I laughed. Realizing that James wasn’t in a mood and in fact was being light and funny, I studied him. “Good day at the office?”
“Nah. I didn’t like coming home and finding you crying.”
I shook my head. “It was nothing. Momentary sadness about my parents.” I rose from my chair, gathering my books and tea. “I’m going to shower and get ready for tonight.”
He nodded, but as I passed him, he took my arm. “You’re not miserable here, though, right? With me?”
“Not miserable, no.” Bored, maybe, but that was partly my fault for not having a goal in life.
“Good.” We stood, our gazes holding, his hand still on mine. This time, I felt the zing of his touch. His gaze drifted to my lips, and I licked them, hoping he’d kiss me again. James could be gruff and aloof, but he kissed like no one's business.
His gaze returned to my eyes and he let go. “I’ll meet you at the door in thirty minutes.”
“I’ll need an hour. My hair takes a long time to dry.”
“Hour, then.”
I headed to the shower, disappointed but not surprised that he didn’t kiss me.
An hour later,I walked to the foyer. He stood, leaning against the wall, his gaze downward on his phone. I stopped, taking a moment to admire him. Good God, he looked amazing in a tux. It made my breath catch.
His gaze jerked up to me, then took a long tour of my body.
“Is this okay? I know it’s a little plain in cut, but—”
“You’re perfect.”
My breath hitched at the reverence in his tone. Or I thought it was. Maybe it was wishful thinking that he’d think I was as beautiful as he was handsome.
He cleared his throat. “It’s just right.”
“Good. I could have gotten something sexier—”
“I don’t see how.” His eyes were still on me, taking another long perusal. He gave a sheepish smile. “Any sexier and we might have a repeat of the bikini incident.”
I smiled, my chest filling with pleasure, although I wasn’t sure why. Was it because he was being more engaging? Was it the words he was saying? Then I remembered the bikini incident had led to sex. Perhaps that was the repeat he was trying to avoid.
My smile faltered despite my trying to keep it in place. “We couldn’t have that.”
“Are you ready?” he asked, holding out his arm.
I nodded, letting him escort me to the car. As we drove, James reviewed the people who’d be in attendance and whether they would be friend or foe.
I sat quietly, like I was listening, but mostly, I was shoring up my psyche to deal with a night in which James would be a loving husband, reminding myself that it would be fake. My initial reaction to his response at seeing me in my dress was a reminder that despite James’s surly personality, there was something about him that I was attracted to. I needed to find a way to walk the tightrope of showing love and devotion while making sure it didn’t become real.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
James