Chapter 10
Chapter ten
Kate
This was a disaster.
I was supposed to be Tristan’s pretend girlfriend in front of all the board members and their significant others, and I didn’t have a damn thing to wear.
“Ugh.”
Tossing the last dress on the bed, I collapsed onto the pile of clothes with a heavy sigh. Probably the hundredth one since Tristan had marched out of his office and informed me of our dinner date.
I’d still been reeling from his low, gravelly demand of no one being allowed to have me when he dropped a new bomb into my lap.
I didn’t want to have dinner with these people. It wasn’t anything personal, I simply wasn’t comfortable with the overly rich and powerful. If they weren’t trying to upstage each other in houses, cars, and even wives, they made sure the entire world knew exactly how generous they were.
All for show. All for the worship and not because they were wonderful human beings.
I’d seen it too many times.
Maybe it was unfair to assume the wealthy people of the world were all assholes. But I’d stand by my opinion until I was proven wrong.
“You made a mess.”
Millie stood at the edge of the bed, clutching Mochi to her chest. I still couldn’t fathom how fast she’d grown attached to Tristan’s gift. Would she latch on to the man just as fast?
Oh crap.
It’d break her little heart into a million pieces when we eventually parted ways. What good would it do if I did this to keep her, only to hurt her in the end?
My stomach churned violently, pushing bile up my throat. Breathing through my nose, I pressed my hand into my middle and silently asked the universe if I was doing the right thing.
I got my answer.
When the mattress dipped and Millie’s beautiful face filled my vision not even a second later, I knew this was the only way. If her heart hurt, I’d be right there to hold her until it was better.
Like Clara would’ve wanted.
“Hey, Bug.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Did you throw out all your clothes?”
“I did,” I said, pulling a face. “I couldn’t find anything to wear.”
Millie sat and crossed her legs. Her gaze roamed over the strewn clothes before settling on me lying on top of it.
“Auntie Izzy can help. She always looks pretty.”
Rolling to my side, I pushed onto my elbow. “You know what? You’re absolutely right. I’ll give her a call and see if she can come by a bit earlier.”
That big smile that never failed to light up my day spread across Millie’s face. And, as usual, there was a tinge of sadness in that warm, fuzzy feeling.
“You’re so beautiful. Like your mom.” I made certain to always point it out. Not only because it was the truth, but I never wanted Millie to forget Clara. She was so young when her mom died, I knew the memories she had would fade.
Unless I kept them alive.
Some days were easier than others. There were times she’d cry and cry, not fully understanding why her mom couldn’t come back. Then there were other times, like now, where her lip would tremble, and she’d whisper, “I miss her.”
Scooping her up, I held her tight against my chest. “So do I, Bug. So do I.”
I hugged her for a few more moments longer then asked, “Wanna have a dance party before I call Izzy?”
She was nodding before the last word left my mouth. Hurrying to the living room—because Millie had to see the music videos and not only hear the songs—we pulled up our favorite dance playlist and jumped around.
We’d made it through five songs before I phoned my sister. Then six more while we waited for her to get there.
It might not have been the best idea considering I’d had to take another shower before getting dressed. But I didn’t care. Millie’s loud peals of laughter and the smile stuck on her face made it worth it.
“Okay, from the top this time,” Izzy said when we sauntered into my room. “But go slow because I still don’t understand what the heck is going on.”
Sigh one hundred and one blew over my lips. “What exactly don’t you understand? The part where I’m going to dinner or the fact that I’m going with Tristan.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely the last one.”
This was the first time I’d lied to my sister about something big. I hated it. But I didn’t want to risk the truth coming out.
Parking my hands on my hips, I leveled her with a stare. “And why is that?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She narrowed her eyes. “Maybe because he shoves his dick into anything with a pulse.”
“Language,” I hissed. Inching forward, I lowered my voice, “A little judgy, don’t you think?”
Izzy shook her head but didn’t speak. Instead, she stared at the carpet as if it held the answers to the world’s questions. When her gaze finally met mine, my poor heart felt like it’d been sliced in two.
“I’m sorry,” she started. “I don’t want to meddle.
Your life is yours, and you should live it however you want to.
I just...” She shook her head and closed the distance between us to take my hands.
“I still remember how long it took you to pick up the pieces after Bryce... I don’t want to see you go through that again. ”
Guilt gnawed at my insides. “I won’t.” Because this isn’t a real relationship. “I promise. I have both eyes open. Besides, unless you’re planning to pull what Eleanor did, I think I’ll be okay.”
“Don’t even joke about that. I would never—”
“I know.” Tugging my hands free from hers, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and hugged her tight. “I love you, Iz. You’re not only my sister, you’re my best friend.”
She sniffled into my shoulder. “Love you too.”
“All right, enough mushiness for now. You need to make me fabulous.”
Ninety minutes later, I stood in front of my wall-length mirror trying my hardest to pick up my jaw off the floor.
“Wow,” I said for the fourth time in a row. “You’re a freaking miracle worker.”
It wasn’t even flattery. I had no idea how my sister managed to glam me up the way she had with the limited stuff she had to work with.
She’d taken a plain olive-green cocktail dress, spruced it up with a gold belt and golden heels I didn’t even know I had. Then she’d managed to use my nude eyeshadow palette to create a smoky eye with cat eyeliner I couldn’t stop staring at.
And if that hadn’t been enough, she’d braided one side of my hair into a Dutch braid while leaving the rest of my straightened strands to hang loose over my shoulder.
“Wow...” This time it was Millie’s turn to say the word I couldn’t stop saying. “You look like a pretty princess, Kate.”
I spun in a slow circle. “I feel like one.”
Izzy stood back, admiring her handy work with a smile on her face. This was her thing. Being creative was as natural to her as breathing. Be it on canvas—her preferred medium—or on people, she thrived when she was creating.
“Thank you. Iz.”
She opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, a loud knock echoed through my apartment.
And just like that, a giant, unwelcome bout of nerves ambushed my system.
“I’ll get it,” Millie squealed.
My lips parted on a protest, but she was already gone with Izzy short on her heels. Normally I wouldn’t mind the two of them opening the door, but with my sister’s strong feelings about Tristan, I wanted to be there in case she said something not suitable for Millie’s ears.
Grabbing my purse, I hurried to the front of my apartment. The door had already been opened. Millie stood in front of Tristan, her mouth moving a mile a minute as she pointed toward her pancake plushie.
Izzy stood next to her, arms crossed in front of her chest, giving Tristan her mightiest glare.
It didn’t matter. He only had eyes for Millie, listening and nodding while she rattled on. My heart dipped, and butterflies I had no idea existed let loose inside my belly.
My palm went to my middle in a futile effort to calm whatever havoc was brewing in my insides. Tristan must’ve noticed the movement out of the corner of his eye because his gaze flicked my way for a fraction of a second before his attention was back on Millie.
He blinked once then glanced at me again. His mouth parted, but instead of saying anything, he shook his head and focused on Millie.
A sliver of disappointment ran down my spine. I wasn’t expecting him to make some extravagant exclamation about my appearance, but a little acknowledgment would have been nice.
Ignoring my bruised ego, I slid in next to my sister. She was still on the defensive, arms crossed and that glare firmly stuck in place. I elbowed her. She didn’t even flinch. I elbowed her again.
This time, she sighed and, in an overly dramatic fashion, let her arms fall to her sides.
Millie, who’d been in the middle of explaining to Tristan who the real-life Mochi was, stopped talking and looked at us. A small frown formed on her forehead, and her mood to chat was gone.
I really hoped she didn’t think Izzy’s dramatics were about her.
Dropping to my haunches, a freaking miracle considering the length of the heels I had on, I beckoned Millie with my finger. She came, hugging that plushie even tighter.
“Tristan and I have a work dinner to get to right now, but when the three of us have dinner together another time, you can tell him all the stories you want.”
I bopped her nose.
After three excruciating seconds her smile finally broke free. “’Kay.”
Because it was impossible not to, I smiled as well. “You can go listen to some music; Izzy will be right there.” I pinned my sister with a stare. “Won’t you, Iz?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Mmm-hmm, yup. Right after I see the two lovebirds off.”
Millie’s confusion was back. Tristan arched a brow. I barely suppressed the groan pushing up my throat.
Izzy and that damn mouth of hers.
Thankfully Millie didn’t stick around to ask any questions. We weren’t even close to having the talk, and I had no idea how to explain to her what lovebirds meant. Even though I knew I’d had to explain something if Tristan and I were really doing this.
Just not tonight.
Blowing out a breath, I pushed to my feet. Or I would have if it wasn’t so damn hard to straighten my five-foot-five frame on ridiculously thin spikes. The wobble started at my ankles and quickly spread to the rest of my legs.
I was going down fast.
I only hoped Tristan had the good sense to look away before I flashed him my silky pink underwear.
But instead of landing flat on my ass, long, strong fingers curled around my upper arm and pulled me up. The momentum of that tug had me swaying on my feet. So much so, he grabbed my other arm to steady me.
“Whoa there.” Dark eyes frantically searched mine. “You okay?”
“Thanks to you I am.” My voice did that stupid breathy thing again. “Nice save.”
One corner of his mouth curved up, and holy crap, that crooked smile was so lethal, I couldn’t even imagine the effect of a full-blown one.
“I’m all good. You can let go now.”
He didn’t. Simply kept staring at me with that intensity in his eyes and those lips halfway turned up.
It was...unnerving.
Even more so when the warmth of his palms bled through my skin to set my pulse on fire. Heat like I’d never experienced rushed through my veins. My heart slammed against my ribs, too fast, too loud.
Then Izzy cleared her throat.
That one obnoxious sound was enough to break whatever spell I’d been under. Pulling out of Tristan’s grip—at least he let me go this time—I stepped back.
“Tristan, I’d like you to meet my sister, Isabella.”
He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Izzy, sweetheart she was, glared at his outstretched hand. Her arms snapped into their preferred position of the night—folded across her chest.
“I know all about you, Tristan Blake,” my sister sneered. “Mister-fucks-anything-with-breasts-and-a-vagina—”
“Izzy,” I hissed.
She ignored me and kept going. “I don’t know what you’re doing with my sister, but I do know if you hurt her or that little girl in there, I’ll remove the reason you’re a man.”
His hand fell to his side. He slicked his tongue over his teeth and gave my sister an assessing onceover. His mouth opened. I held my breath. If so much as one demeaning word toward my family tumbled over his lips, this fake relationship was over before it even began.
Granted, Izzy wasn’t completely guilt-free. But her animosity came from her fierce need to protect the ones she loved. That and the fact that I’d shared with her the times I’d caught my boss with his pants at his ankles.
“Got it.” His voice rumbled through the room. “Ready?” This time the one word was aimed at me.
“Yup.”
The sooner we got the hell out of there, the better.
He didn’t wait. Spinning on his heels, he strode into the hallway without sparing my sister a second glance. I couldn’t do that.
I pulled Izzy into a quick side hug. “Call me if anything happens.”
“Really?” She rolled her eyes. “This isn’t my first time watching Millie.”
“I know, but still.”
“I’ll call you.” She shoved me toward the door. “Only if you call me when his dickish personality shows up.”
“Seriously?” I shook my head. “We’re going to have a talk about your little performance.”
“Whatever you say, Mom.” With one last push, I was shoved out of my apartment. The door slammed shut not even a second later.
Tristan chuckled. “I don’t think she likes me.”
“I’m sorry,” I groaned. “Even though her assessment wasn’t completely wrong, she shouldn’t have said it to your face.”
His big hand went to his chest, long fingers splayed over his pec. “Ouch. Kitty Kat’s got claws tonight.”
My gaze dropped to those fingers. They’d been wrapped around my arms minutes ago, yet the burn of his touch lingered in my bones. For a fraction of a second, my mind slipped to a place where his hands were on other parts of my body.
More intimate parts.
What would it feel like? Would he be gentle or would he take control and…
Oh hell no.
Stopping the thought before it could fully form, I lifted my chin and headed for the elevator.
He wordlessly followed. It was only once the doors slid shut that he moved closer.
So damn close our arms touched.
“You look stunning.”
The way the gravel of his voice skittered over my skin was downright sinful. But I’d be damned if I let him know that.
“Thank you.” I was proud that my tone was flat and even. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
That was an understatement. I was used to seeing him in suits and ties. He’d always worn them well. But Tristan in a navy-blue three piece was something else.
He shifted from one foot to the other, causing his arm to brush over mine. Goosebumps erupted...everywhere.
“I’d wanted to tell you.” His voice was lower than before. “But I didn’t want to interrupt Millie while she spoke.”
My poor heart did the thing again, and those pesky butterflies fluttered to life.
At this rate, I’d be lucky to survive the night let alone this fake relationship.