Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“I know it may seem like a hassle, but I’m here to help. Please don't hesitate to let me know if there’s anything you need or any concerns you have.”
I look down, feeling a flicker of vulnerability. “Thanks. I guess it’s good to know someone cares.”
And I know she does. The thing is, I’m better here than living in the car again. Sure, things suck, but I can handle it. But maybe somewhere there’s a child who can’t.
Not everyone is lucky to have someone checking in, like Aiden...
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” I clear my throat. “Not like I can play the role of fake girlfriend for the rest of my life…” I raise a brow. “What else should we discuss?” I say, trying to get my mind off the day this will all end and we’ll go our separate ways. Again.
“As a formality, I should probably remind you that you signed an NDA. For all intents and purposes, you are my girlfriend, and nothing about the way I live is to ever be spoken about by you to anyone.”
My head jerks back, and I screw up my nose. “I won’t… I wouldn’t.” I have to reel myself in and remember that he’s just doing his due diligence. It’s smart because he doesn’t know me. Doesn’t know that I’m the girl who’s always held his secrets.
I take a deep breath, calmer than moments ago. “I won’t air any of your secrets. Ever. You have my word on that.”
“You want to remain in a positive light with people.”
“Yes. It’s imperative that I don’t get a bad name through this.”
He takes a deep breath. “You know I’ll shelter you as much as I can.”
His words hit me in the gut. He didn’t shelter me before. Will he now?
Can I trust him?
No.
That’s the thing about trust. Once it’s gone, it leaves a hole that can’t ever be filled.
But that doesn’t stop me from not being willing to abandon him, despite the fact that he did that to me.
“But the media does like to tear women apart, so you never can tell. Since I’ve never dated before, you’ll be under a microscope.”
Wonderful. I have a feeling I know where this is leading, and I can’t say it’s not a bit humiliating.
“I have something for you,” he says, moving toward the bedroom.
I’m not sure if I’m to follow him or stay in place.
“Cassidy, are you coming?”
My head lolls back on my shoulder. The last place I need to be with Aiden Slate is in a bedroom with him in a towel.
Lord have mercy, I only have so much willpower.
I won’t even think about hooking up with him again until the terms of this arrangement are agreed upon. Or ever.
When I make it inside the room, I see that the bed is entirely covered in bags from various stores. Just as I thought.
He motions toward my outfit.
“You…you don’t like how I look?”
Hurt flares, and my eyes mist even though I had just been thinking that same thing.
“No, Cassidy. It’s not like that. I like your style. Please know that.” His head falls back on his shoulders with a groan. “I’m only trying to protect you because people will judge.”
I huff out an injured laugh. “I get that. I knew this was coming. It just doesn’t make it any less embarrassing.”
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “You do realize I’ve never dated a single one of them, and I don’t welcome the attention, right?”
“I do,” I say, but that doesn’t change the fact that people will expect a certain type of person, and the fact I don’t fit that image is a real ego killer.
“We’ll have several events to attend. I hoped this would be helpful, not hurtful. I was trying to do something nice…”
I can see the turmoil roiling behind his blue irises and swallow down the lump in my throat. “It was very nice. You didn’t have to do it, but I appreciate it.”
He takes a step toward me. Then two steps. He’s standing right in front of me, and my whole body lights up.
His hand darts out, and he lifts it. For a second, I think he’s about to move the stray piece of hair that has fallen on my face behind my ear, but then he drops his hand just as fast. Almost like he’s been burned.
Ouch.
Figures.
I need to get my head in the game and remember why I’m here.
I’m not here for a relationship, only to fake one. I’m here to make my dreams come true, like he did all those years ago when I gave him the money he needed. This time, it’s his turn to pay up, whether he knows it or not.
11
AIDEN
“How long do you need to get ready?” I ask, taking a step back. I’m too close to her. The desire to grab her, throw her down, and have my way with her is all-consuming, and I’m sure if I wanted to, I could, but I can’t.