22. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Keaton
I hated doing this, but I had no choice.
The house was quiet when I entered through the main door. The sole reason I’d left work at nine a.m. was to see if my plan worked. Layne had claimed she needed rest and quiet, and if I took that from her, she’d pack her things and leave me. I felt like a jerk for cornering her like that, but it was for her own good.
Laughter came from the pool deck.
Not what I’d expected.
I stalked through the kitchen, tossing my briefcase onto the bar, and stopped at the open sliding door. Layne was sprawled on the outdoor lounge behind the pool in the shade of palm trees, Dalton sitting on her right, Xav on her left.
“So the monkey and I kept staring each other down,” Layne continued whatever story she was telling. “Neither of us was willing to let go of the bag.”
“While the monkey’s teeth were still buried in your arm?” Xav laughed. “You’re crazy, woman.”
“The shop owner comes outside and tells me to let go.” Layne’s gaze landed on me. “Oh, hey, babe.” She peeled herself off the lounge and came over. Rising to her tiptoes, she kissed me on the cheek. “What are you doing here?”
Irritation scraped through me. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be, her chatting with my buddies instead of being disturbed by their presence. She was enjoying herself.
“Came to check on things,” I said.
“Shower’s fixed.” Dalton rose to his feet. Hand outstretched, he ambled over. “Good to see you, Keaton. You have an incredible wife.”
The three of us had been friends for twenty-seven years, and I knew exactly what that look on Dalton’s face meant.
I gripped his hand a little harder than necessary. “Thanks for your work.”
“Your wife’s so incredible that she distracted me from my work,” Xav said with a grin as he joined us. He turned to Layne. “I need to hear the end of that monkey story.”
“Another time.” I placed a hand on the small of Layne’s back and guided her into the kitchen, where I grabbed my briefcase and pulled out the statements of the bank account I’d set up for her. “Explain this.”
Layne took the numbers in, and the longer she did, the more confused she looked. Her gaze came up to mine. “What? I don’t get it.”
“Are you trying to insult me?”
A frown darkened her features, then her eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think about the fact that going to McDonald’s could make you look bad.”
What? I snorted. “That’s not what I’m talking about. You spent six dollars in two weeks.”
She blinked. “What do you mean? There was this McFlurry deal—”
“You have millions at your disposal, and spend a measly six dollars for a McFlurry deal? C’mon, Layne. You can do better than that.” Any other woman would’ve raided this bank account.
“What else would you want me to buy?”
“What do I know? Clothes, handbags, jewelry . . . whatever you women like to spend money on.”
“I have enough clothes and don’t like jewelry or handbags.”
Pressing my fingers into my closed eyes, I let out a long sigh. “Then buy stuff for your hobbies.”
“I have all the supplies I need for drawing.”
“Then get a new hobby.”
Layne crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You said saving is paramount when it comes to investing. I’ve been doing this all my life and will keep doing it.”
“Yes, your money. Mine is for spending.”
“Excuse me if I come from a family that doesn’t buy new things unless something’s broken and can’t be fixed anymore! Who doesn’t throw money out the window just because we have it!” This was the first time I heard her raising her voice. Her dark eyes flashed, then misted over.
Crap. “Layne—”
She turned and stormed out of the kitchen.
I pounded my fist onto the island. Spat a curse. Well done, Grady. You always manage to screw up, don’t you?
After gathering the bank statements, I forced myself to conquer the stairs. By the time I’d reached the upper floor my hands were clammy and breakfast was ready to make a reappearance. Layne’s bedroom door was ajar, so I entered without knocking.
She lay curled up on the bed, back to me. As I settled at the edge of the mattress, she put her phone away and turned to me.
“Didn’t mean to upset you.” I placed a hand on her jeans-clad knee.
Her gaze dropped to where I was touching her, then came back up. “Why do you want me to spend money so badly?” she asked quietly.
“That’s our deal. I provide for you.” No idea why this was so important to me. Maybe because I wanted her to be taken good care of.
She reached for my hand, and I expected her to peel it away. Instead, her fingers curled around mine. “I live in a palace, get to eat organic food, and can use one of your three cars. You’re providing me so much more than I need, Keaton. Heck, you paid off my mountain of debts.”
Her words barely reached me. I was too consumed by her delicate touch—an innocent gesture that had me reeling.
My gaze snapped to her lips on its own volition. I wanted to feel them again. Taste them. Wanted more of her. Seeing her laughing with Dalton and Xav . . .
“Who was that woman at the gala?” My question came out hoarse.
“What woman?”
“The one who kissed me.”
Layne caught her lower lip between her teeth, her gaze darting around until it came back to me. “Me if we were married, I guess.”
I frowned. “We are married.”
“On paper, yes.”
“What’re you saying?” I knew exactly what. Just wanted to hear it from her.
“I’m a stepping stone for you to get what you want. As soon as the year is over, you’ll move on. That’s fine with me because that’s our deal.”
The strange burning in my gut took me aback. Since when did I feel guilty about taking what I wanted? It wasn’t like I didn’t give anything in return.
Maybe because I was trying to push her to file a divorce. Still, it wasn’t like I’d just kick her out. She could take as much money with her as she wanted.
“The Bible says that I don’t have authority over my own body but yield it to you, and you yours to me,” Layne continued. “That we shouldn’t deprive each other. If you want my body, I’ll give it to you. But don’t expect my heart to be in it. I can’t force it.”
“I told you I won’t pressure you,” I said, looking her square in the eye. “And keep your heart. I don’t want it.”
I’d only end up poisoning it with my darkness.
She blinked, then withdrew her hand.
“Gotta get back to work.” I rose and stalked out of the room.
After safely descending the stairs, I headed straight for my Elysium. Yanked the door open more forcefully than necessary. Emotions made things complicated, and I liked to keep them simple. Unattached. Every woman I associated with knew that, and so should Layne. The fact that we were married changed nothing.
My gut clenched as I slid behind the wheel. You’re lying to yourself, Grady.
“Shut up,” I growled.
But not even the roaring of the 7.3-liter V12 engine could drown out the truth. I’d already lost a part of myself to Layne.
I didn’t want to get divorced. Not yet anyway.
Needed more time with her.
I gunned it out the gate and onto the road. Palm trees and bushes flew by in a blur. I had to stick to my guns. Opt for plan B now that plan A had failed.
Layne was going to hate me for it.