Chapter 6
six
WEST
She looks so ridiculously pleased with herself that I say nothing for a moment, wanting her to enjoy her brief victory. And yeah, her grin is endearingly cute. Truth is, I’ve always had a soft spot for Eden. I may not have any ideals, but I like them in other people.
Especially in women.
But luckily, I don’t do cute.
I fold my arms over my chest. “You done now?” I ask her.
She frowns. “Excuse me?” She deflates just a bit. And I hate that I like it. But I need this to be over, and I need to cut her down.
“That was your killer move?” I continue. “A celibacy clause? Because I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m a grown man. I can control myself.”
Her lip juts out like she knows she’s lost. I want to bite it.
“So what’s your next move?” I ask her, interested in the way her brain works. Because it’s not like mine. Not at all.
“Telling you to shove this marriage up your ass?” she offers. I bite down a smile.
I uncross my legs and lean forward. Despite the fact she’s standing and I’m sitting, there’s no power play here. I hold all the cards and she knows it.
“It’s funny, the way you said it. You’re not allowed to have sex with anyone else,” I repeat, emphasizing the last two words. And then I pause to let it settle in. “As in, I am allowed to have sex with you?”
Eden grimaces, like she’s imagining it. “Listen, I’m just saying, a man like you has needs. And I’d hate to stand in the way of them. We really should rethink this thing.”
I take a deep breath. I could lie to her, agree to celibacy but discreetly disappear to have my fun in private. I wouldn’t be the first married man to do that, nor the last. But there’s something about the way she’s looking at me.
This woman has morals. Ideals. And for some reason, that hits me right in the chest. I’d do this for her.
“If celibacy is what you want, then yes, I agree to it. On one condition.”
She almost looks relieved that I’m not folding. “Oh this should be good.”
I shrug. “You stay celibate too.”
Eden shifts her feet, looking completely annoyed. “I wasn’t planning on any hookups,” she tells me. “Unlike you, I can keep my legs firmly closed.”
And of course I look at her bare legs.
“Then we have a deal,” I tell her. “No sex while we’re married. With anybody else. For either of us.”
“I’m pretty sure you’ll cave before I do,” she says, looking certain, turning on her heels and heading back to the bedroom.
I let out a groan. I’d forgotten how stubborn she could be. The next few months should be interesting.
She slams the bedroom door behind her, and I sit back, grimacing.
Celibate. For months. While I’m married to a woman I can’t have.
Yeah, I’m screwed.
But for some reason, I can’t help but smile.
EDEN
Hudson Fitzgerald has renamed “The Fitzgerald Family Chat” to “Where the HELL is Eden?”
Hudson: Has anyone heard from Eden?
Zach: Define heard. I saw an IG post she was tagged in. But that was a few weeks ago.
Asher: She’s turned off her Find My Phone again. It’s very annoying.
Autumn: She probably just needs some alone time. Give her some space.
Hudson: Autumn… Do you know where she is?
Autumn: Um. No??
Asher:
Zach: Autumn, blink twice if she’s safe but you’re sworn to secrecy.
Wyatt:
Zach: Ah, the voice of reason has joined the chat. Or should I say the hand of reason?
Asher: If Wyatt sends another damn emoji I swear I’m hacking into his phone and removing them all.
Wyatt:
Zach: Wow. He knows more than one emoji. Give that man a diploma.
Eden: Relax, everybody. I’m fine. I’ll see you all in a few days. At least those of you who are on Liberty.
Hudson: A FEW DAYS??? What, when, how? Do you have your passport? Do you need money?
Autumn: See? I told you she was fine. You should all listen to me more.
Eden: Gotta go. Love you all. I’ll see you all in a few days. I’m coming home, babies!
Autumn: Yes! I can’t wait. Looking forward to it.
Hudson: Happy to hear that. You want to stay here with me and Skyler?
Autumn: She can stay with me and Parker.
Eden: Actually, I have accommodations. And a job. It’s a long story, I’ll tell you when I see you. Laters, taters!
I put the phone down and stare at my family group chat, my stomach tight, because I haven’t even gotten home and I’m already lying to them.
But what am I supposed to say? Hey, I’m married to your aggravating best friend, and he’s blackmailing me to keep it going?
Seriously, I’d probably be a widow within five minutes.
Actually… that’s not such a bad idea.
“You look like you’re trying to hatch another plan,” West says, walking into his living room where I’ve been ensconced for the past three days since our sham wedding. Because he thinks I might run away if I’m not held prisoner in his damn apartment.
I mean, he’s right. I’m seriously considering bolting. I would do it right now if it wasn’t for Hudson and Parker’s money being tied up in the resort.
“I was just wondering what I’d look like in black,” I say sweetly.
“Funny.” He smiles at me, his stupidly lovely eyes crinkling. “I’ll tell my personal shopper to take that into account.”
“Your personal shopper? Why would she care about my color preferences?” I frown at him.
These past three days have been… annoying, quite frankly.
And also stupidly entertaining. He’s always been my favorite of Hudson’s friends.
And I’ve always kind of hero worshipped him.
But since he sprung me from jail, I’ve seen a whole other side of him.
Luckily, he’s spent most of the last few days at his office. And avoiding me. But still, when he’s here, all he talks about is how I need to behave, what we will say to people when we get to Liberty, and how my brother can never find out about this.
I don’t tell him I’m already a pro at lying to my family.
“I figured you’d need non-paint splattered clothes in Liberty,” he tells me. “And she’s already having my wardrobe shipped there.”
“I don’t need any favors from you,” I mutter.
“Funny how you didn’t say that when you were in jail.”
Okay. He has me there. I pick up my phone and start to scroll.
“By the way, our flight leaves on Friday,” he says.
I blink. “Our flight?”
“Private jet.” He smiles, like he knows that’s going to rile me up.
“Isn’t it going to be suspicious if we both arrive at Liberty at the same time?” I ask him. “Especially since my family knows I’d rather pull my nails off than fly in your PJ?”
“PJ. Nice.” He mulls it over, and for once, I think he actually listening to me. “How would you prefer to travel?”
“Train.”
“That’ll take days.” He looks aghast, like I suggested we travel by donkey.
“Then I’ll leave tomorrow.” And it’ll give me at least two days without him. Because yes, he’s annoying. But he’s also handsome, and stupidly funny, and he smells great. Like all the time. It’s distracting. Putting me off my game. “I’ll still get there before you do.”
He looks at me for a moment. “Okay, I’ll get my assistant to book it.”
“You trust me?” I ask.
“No. But I realize I’m asking a lot from you. If you want to travel for days by train, that’s fine by me.”
Wow. That was easier than I thought. Maybe he’s not so bad after all. But then he goes and spoils it.
“And, quite frankly, I could do with a few days away from you, too.”