Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“It’s hell. I can tell you that. I don’t know how you handle marriage, much less fatherhood.”
“Trust me, it’s easy when you find the right person. But that’s not really your style, is it?”
“No,” I say, looking toward the door. “I guess not.”
Adler hangs up. I sit in the silence that follows, thinking about Isabel. I have no idea how she’ll react to this news. She might even want to change the terms of our deal, make it so that we can end sooner.
Then she’ll be out of my life.
I don’t want that. It’s a fucking mess, but I want her to stay. I got a taste, and that’s not enough. I need more—I want more.
Like Adler said. Find the right person and marriage is easy.
For now, I’ll sit on this. We have to watch over Allison anyway, and I need Isabel for that. When everything’s officially done, and Allison Leyland is out of my life, I’ll tell Isabel.
But not before then.
Chapter 26
Isabel
A few days of blissful marriage pass. Conlan keeps making me coffee in the morning, but he does other things too: a foot rub here, dinner there. Small gestures, like we’re actually together.
Like he’s really thinking about me.
That night in the sauna left me reeling. For a lot of reasons, but mostly because I really liked it. Not just the sex, but the intimacy. I loved the way he touched me, the way he looked at me, and the way he held me afterward. I felt safe in a way I’ve never felt before, not for a very long time at least. That safety is something I’ve craved ever since my father died, and while I definitely don’t love linking Conlan with my dead dad, I can’t deny the feeling I have when my fake husband is around.
It’s simple. It’s stability.
When I’m at the Lincoln, I spend most of the workday chasing Allison around. Lisa and some members of her team are actively trying to keep Allison in line, but I’m the only one the girl seems to listen to, which means babysitting duty. Exactly what I didn’t want to happen.
“She’s worse than I thought,” I say on a Tuesday night. I’m sitting on the couch in the living room with Conlan, my feet in his lap. I have a glass of wine, which he got me without asking, and now he’s going to town on my soles.
Fuck, he’s so good at that.
The man’s got hands.
“I tried to warn you.”
“Don’t start. I’m annoyed with you, too. You’re the one that dumped her on me.”
“Hey, I’ve been trying to get the whole hotel involved, but you have the magic touch.”
I sigh, closing my eyes. I’d snap back at him but he’s doing such a good job and I don’t want him to stop. “I just wish she’d chill a little. This next party’s looking even more over the top than the last one. At least she’s sticking to the budget this time.”
“I told you, she needs structure and guidance. You’re both.”
“I’m not a fan of being either.”
“Allison’s a military brat. Bark at her like a drill instructor and she’ll fall into line.”
I roll my eyes. “This explains so much. You have no clue how to handle her.”
“And I never want to know. It’s bad enough I made a mistake and spent a night with her. If I can keep my distance, I absolutely will.”
“What is it about her that you hate so much?”
“She’s insufferable.”
“Well, yes, true, but that’s not it. There’s something else you keep dancing around.”
He looks at me, his lips pressed down. His hands pause their rubbing and I curse myself.
Quit asking him hard questions! Let him keep kneading!
But the foot rub resumes, to my massive relief.
“You really want the story?”
“Only if you want to share it.” The idea of Conlan opening up disturbs me and excites me in equal measure.
“It’s not some big secret. It’s just not something I like to talk about.” He’s not looking at me now but staring at the window like he’s looking into the past. “It happened a long time ago.”
“Conlan. I can tell her age bothers you a lot. And it really should, but it’s more than just a normal reaction. You seem actively troubled, like it hurts. If you want to talk to me, I’m listening.”
I want to listen, too. Conlan’s always had this air about him, this feel that he doesn’t give a shit about anything, but I’ve known that’s just his emotional armor at work, holding everyone as far away as possible.
Until now, I never cared to dig in deep to find out what he’s hiding from.
But I’ve gotten to know him better than I ever thought I would, and I can’t help myself. The more layers I dig down into, the fuller my picture of Conlan becomes.