Page 70 of A Devious Arrangement
I lean against the wood, head tipped back and resting on the door. My heart goes wild, pounding in my ears, as my body feels like it’s going to combust any second.
I adjust the temperature all the way to the right, making it as cold as I can handle before climbing under the spray.
My teeth are chattering by the time I’m done, but at least I’m not about to jump him.
Bash is sitting on the bed, an innocent look on his face as he watches me. “Feel better?”
“Get out!”
He raises his hands, brows shooting up, wearing a smug grin. “As you wish, Princess.”
The door closes behind him, and I collapse onto the mattress, groaning into the comforter.
“Thank God we’re grabbing the Kokoshnik Tiara. I can’t take too much more of this.”
Bash’s unwavering attention as I move through the kitchen has heat burning between my shoulder blades. He’s been following my every move since I came downstairs after my shower, like a puppy looking for attention. I’m not going to pretend it isn’t tempting. He’s dressed in an oversized hoodie that looks like it would swallow me whole and gray sweatpants that are entirely too revealing whenever he moves. From the smirk he wears, it’s definitely intentional.
He’s hot in his usual attire, but his casual attire makes me want to curl into him, sucking up his heat. I bet he feels soft and warm…I need to get out of here.
The doorbell saves me from my thoughts. “I’ll get it.”
Bash is up, following closely behind me. “You shouldn’t answer the door to strangers.”
“Why? The guards are out there.”
“Fine.” His guarded expression brightens when the entrance swings open and Scarlet and Misty push their way in.
“Hi,” I say, a little tentative.
“We’re here to steal your girl,” Misty says, eyes so bright she’s effervescent.
Scarlet shoves a stunned Bash back and grabs my hands. “We’re kidless. Please tell me you’ll come out.”
How can I deny her when the plea is so clear in her voice? I’m not sure why they need me, but I’m not going to turn them down. Our society is full of women willing to step on each other if it gives them the chance to move. These two definitely give off supportive vibes.
Without knowing what I’m getting into, I answer, “Count me in.”
Misty hops, clapping her hands together. “Perfect. Grab your coat.”
When they came and got me, I didn’t know they were bringing me to a spa day. We sit next to each other in large massage chairs while women in pink uniforms work on our feet and calves. We’ve been here for hours, starting off with massages, then facials and manicures. At this point, I’m Jell-O with how relaxed I am.
I should have known better than to let down my guard.
“So…how are things going with you and Bash?” Scarlet asks, sipping on a red can.
“Yeah, you two looked pretty cozy when we got to your place.” There’s a gleam in Misty’s gaze that tells me I’m in trouble.
A muscle in my neck twitches. I’m still not used to Bash’s place being mine…nor should I get used to it since it won’t last for much longer. I need to figure out how to get out of this because I can’t exactly tell these two that without blowingup Bash and my deal. We’ve already successfully tricked the Everette brothers into believing Bash has settled down, fulfilling my end of the bargain. Once I get my hands on that tiara, it’ll be over.
Guilt swirls in my stomach, mixed with an unknown ache. These two have been accepting of me, warm and welcoming as they welcome me into their family. I feel gross inside, lying to them. The least I can do is downplay it. The trick to lying is to stay as close to the truth as possible.
“It’s not that serious. We’re more of a fling than an actual relationship. Really, it’s more about getting his brothers off his back than anything.” The words taste bad on my tongue.
Scarlet and Misty look at each other, then back to me.
“Bash isn’t the type of person to care about what anyone thinks,” Scarlet says, giving me a knowing smile. “I’m positive he hasn’t listened to his brothers a day in his life.”
My throat’s thick. I have no idea how to respond to that. What they think and what I know are complete opposites. I shrug, doing my best to look natural. “You know how he is. He’s not serious about anything.”
