Page 42 of Marrying a Billionaire
He draped the dress across his arm and clutched her bag in his hand. He looked grateful that she allowed him to help. He smiled at her. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Lillian said. Although every part of her told her that was a lie. She wasn’t ready for any of this. She had so many concerns and they some of them stemmed from the fear of what this relationship might do to her. Others were worries about what she might do to Reed. He was entering into a marriage thinking he knew her. When the truth was, there was so much about her that he didn’t know.
“It’s in the contract, right?” she asked, hoping to dispel the guilt she felt about lying to him.
He glanced down at her. “Contract?”
“Yeah. I have to marry you because it’s in the contract.” All she wanted was for him to tell her that it was her duty. That she was in breach of her word if she backed out. Then she had to stay. There was no other option.
He hesitated as they walked through the living toward the sliding doors that led to the back gardens where Bert was parked, waiting for them. She could see his silhouette moving in the distance. When she glanced up at Reed, he was watching her.
“If you don’t want—”
“Reed, just tell me I have to. That’s all I need to hear.”
He looked confused for a moment, then a stony expression replaced it. It was as if he had suddenly realized what she was asking him. That if he said she didn’t have to there was a good chance that she would walk out the door, taking all his hopes about owning the company with her. That there was no other reason for her to stay.
He took a deep breath and glanced out the window. “Yes. You are contractually obligated to marry me and stay married until my grandfather passes away or signs the company over to me. If you leave, you will be in breach of that agreement and Williamson Industries will have no other choice but to exercise our rights as they pertain to the contract.” He sounded like a lawyer recording. His grip tightened on her things. “Is that what you needed to hear?” He hesitated. “Is that the only reason you’re here? Why you’re staying?”
Lillian fought back the tears that clung to her lids. She couldn’t show Reed that everything he’d just said to her was breaking her heart. It wasn’t fair to involve him in her mess. So, she mustered a confident look and turned to him. “Of course. Why else would I be here?”
Not waiting for his answer, she took off down the lawn toward the helicopter. Thankfully, they had a fifteen-minute ride inside the noisy cockpit. Hopefully, Reed would get the hint and stay away. Right now, she was pretty sure her heart was crumbling from her own words.
Bert readied the helicopter as Reed climbed in. Lillian’s stomach flipped from Reed’s tense brow and clenched jaw. She’d hurt him. Bad. Hopefully, this meant that he was pulling away from her. That he’d keep his distance and fall in love with her. Because right now, she was moments away from falling for him.
The ride to Reed’s grandfather’s house was quiet and uncomfortable. Lillian kept her gaze trained out the window to the scenery that passed by underneath them. Her mind was racing, and she tried to calm it. Reed’s reaction was good. It was what she wanted.
Bert mumbled something about him landing in a few minutes, so Lillian glanced outside as they passed by the island. The house looked different up in the air. She could see that it was situated in the middle of a huge lot with trees lining the outside. A helicopter pad sat on the outskirts of the property with a limo parked next to it.
The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows from the trees across the grass. As soon as Bert landed, Reed unbuckled and pulled his helmet from his head. He glanced over in Lillian’s direction, and she tried to ignore the hurt in his gaze as he waited for her to do the same.
When she was ready, he jumped from the helicopter and extended his hand to help her down. Her heart squeezed from the fact that even though she’d rejected him over and over again, he was still a gentleman, putting her needs above his own.
She took his hand, trying to ignore the feelings that raced across her skin from his touch. She tried to ignore just how good it felt to be held by him. How everything in her life seemed to fit into place when he was around.
Get a grip, Lillian.She scolded herself.
This wasn’t keeping her distance. This wasn’t protecting her heart. This was jumping into a situation with two feet, just like she’d done so many times in the past. How else had she gotten to the situation she was currently in?
Once she was on the ground, she dropped his hand and took her items from Bert as he pulled them down. She gave Bert a smile and then headed toward the house. Anywhere was better than right next to Reed.
When she climbed the back stairs and walked across the large deck that led up to the house, she heard the thudding of footsteps. She turned around to see Reed racing to catch up with her. His had a clothing bag draped over one arm and it flapped from the impact.
“You’re fast,” he breathed out. He hunched over and took in a few gulps of air. “From what you said earlier, I figured that I’m might have to drag you in there.” He glanced up at her as if he wasn’t sure how she was going to react to what he said.
She hesitated. What was she supposed to say to that? Of course she was going to follow through with her word. “I—that’s not who I am. I said I’ll marry you, and I will.”
Reed studied her and then a sheepish look passed over his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that you wouldn’t. Of course you are a woman of your word.” He steadied his gaze as he met hers. It was as if he were trying to tell her that he trusted her. Despite all she did, he still cared for her.
She couldn’t handle the heartbreak that squeezed her chest. “Let’s get up there and do this,” she said, nodding toward the house.
Reed ducked down as he walked past her. “Of course.”
Once they got to the large, double doors, he reached out and turned the handle. Just as she passed by him, he reached out and pressed his hand onto her lower back and guided her in. Shivers raced across her skin from the heat of his touch. This was not good. Oh, this was not good.
Reed followed after her, shutting door behind him. Two steps into the house and a squeal sounded. Lillian glanced up to see Cassie racing up to her. She wrapped her arms around Lillian and pulled her close.
“I’m so happy you guys are finally here!” she said, placing a kiss on each cheek before pulling back. “It took you two long enough.” She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
