have to rely on my irresistible charm to woo you.”
She laughed.
Once they were back in the penthouse she turned to him. Her humor was fading over other thoughts. She just had to make sure of something. She would have liked to know if Lance had any more surprises so she wasn’t gaping like an idiot just like everyone else. She felt herself get frustrated over the situation because, she realized, she was no different than their assumptions thinking he was a poor farm boy at one point. “I don’t like to play games Lance. For future reference, could you please let me in on your surprises?”
“I wouldn’t have told you I was filthy rich if I didn’t think you had a need of coming to my defense. Besides, Tammy, this penthouse should have indicated something.”
“Yes, I know. I felt like an idiot though. As your fiancé I should know these things. Can you imagine if someone saw my expression when you confessed how much you’re worth?” She rubbed her face with her hands. “It’s just so complicated. Stupid and complicated. I’ve never deceived anyone before. Maybe I’m just taking it out on you. I’m sorry. It shouldn’t matter what you’re worth. I don’t know why I’m so worked up.”
He watched her closely. “First, I know it doesn’t to you. Second, you’re worked up because of the intense scrutiny your family has you under. Here.” He reached over and removed her wrap. “She’s wrong by the way. You are perfectly capable of getting any man you want. I think Richard was drooling.”
She smiled. Did he have to be so calm, and such a gentleman? She was coming unglued. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. He noticed it.
“Tammy, we only lied about the engagement. Not anything else. We can easily end it a few weeks down the road.”
“A few weeks?” That was two weeks longer than she wanted to mislead people.
“We certainly can’t spoil your brother’s bliss. He cares about you. Besides, your mother will keep off your back through it all.”
She never thought that far ahead. He was right though, and very sincere about it; her mother, and her brother. Royce would be worried about her if he thought she was going through heartache during his honeymoon. Her mother would probably make sure she sat next to Richard through the entire day. Now there was no worry of that. She lowered her shoulders in defeat and nodded. Lance was only looking out for her. “I just don’t like the games, you know, especially deceiving my brother and father by pretending we’re in love.” She averted her gaze feeling the blush rise. God, why was she so transparent? He caught it right away. How could he not? It was so obvious at that moment, her attraction to him. Lance never missed anything. Then to her ultimate horror, he had no qualms about voicing it.
He smirked, crossed his arms and leaned against the opposite wall. “Now I see. There’s more to this.”
“Don’t look at me like that.” He knew ! He knew exactly how he was affecting her this whole time. He had to.
He feigned innocence. “Like what?”
“You know. The cat that got the canary. It’s like you’ve just proven a theory.” There she said it. Oh no, and there was the exact thing she was referring to; his insightful ambrosial grin that made her viscera liquefy. He didn’t even deny he was doing it.
“Is that what this whole discomfort is really about?”
“Some of it.” Yes. It was as if he’d discovered another game between the both of them that was more appealing than just helping her out. “I should have never told you I was a virgin.” What the hell was wrong with her? She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. She was horrified at herself for saying that.
He chuckled. “Honestly Tam, do you think that’s when it started.”
Was he serious? She blinked and looked up at him. Her
She laughed.
Once they were back in the penthouse she turned to him. Her humor was fading over other thoughts. She just had to make sure of something. She would have liked to know if Lance had any more surprises so she wasn’t gaping like an idiot just like everyone else. She felt herself get frustrated over the situation because, she realized, she was no different than their assumptions thinking he was a poor farm boy at one point. “I don’t like to play games Lance. For future reference, could you please let me in on your surprises?”
“I wouldn’t have told you I was filthy rich if I didn’t think you had a need of coming to my defense. Besides, Tammy, this penthouse should have indicated something.”
“Yes, I know. I felt like an idiot though. As your fiancé I should know these things. Can you imagine if someone saw my expression when you confessed how much you’re worth?” She rubbed her face with her hands. “It’s just so complicated. Stupid and complicated. I’ve never deceived anyone before. Maybe I’m just taking it out on you. I’m sorry. It shouldn’t matter what you’re worth. I don’t know why I’m so worked up.”
He watched her closely. “First, I know it doesn’t to you. Second, you’re worked up because of the intense scrutiny your family has you under. Here.” He reached over and removed her wrap. “She’s wrong by the way. You are perfectly capable of getting any man you want. I think Richard was drooling.”
She smiled. Did he have to be so calm, and such a gentleman? She was coming unglued. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. He noticed it.
“Tammy, we only lied about the engagement. Not anything else. We can easily end it a few weeks down the road.”
“A few weeks?” That was two weeks longer than she wanted to mislead people.
“We certainly can’t spoil your brother’s bliss. He cares about you. Besides, your mother will keep off your back through it all.”
She never thought that far ahead. He was right though, and very sincere about it; her mother, and her brother. Royce would be worried about her if he thought she was going through heartache during his honeymoon. Her mother would probably make sure she sat next to Richard through the entire day. Now there was no worry of that. She lowered her shoulders in defeat and nodded. Lance was only looking out for her. “I just don’t like the games, you know, especially deceiving my brother and father by pretending we’re in love.” She averted her gaze feeling the blush rise. God, why was she so transparent? He caught it right away. How could he not? It was so obvious at that moment, her attraction to him. Lance never missed anything. Then to her ultimate horror, he had no qualms about voicing it.
He smirked, crossed his arms and leaned against the opposite wall. “Now I see. There’s more to this.”
“Don’t look at me like that.” He knew ! He knew exactly how he was affecting her this whole time. He had to.
He feigned innocence. “Like what?”
“You know. The cat that got the canary. It’s like you’ve just proven a theory.” There she said it. Oh no, and there was the exact thing she was referring to; his insightful ambrosial grin that made her viscera liquefy. He didn’t even deny he was doing it.
“Is that what this whole discomfort is really about?”
“Some of it.” Yes. It was as if he’d discovered another game between the both of them that was more appealing than just helping her out. “I should have never told you I was a virgin.” What the hell was wrong with her? She covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. She was horrified at herself for saying that.
He chuckled. “Honestly Tam, do you think that’s when it started.”
Was he serious? She blinked and looked up at him. Her
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