Chapter 7 – Georgie
7
GEORGIE
I t takes us almost four and a half hours to make it to the resort. It was a longer than expected trip thanks to some weather and a wreck on Highway 29.
I’ve never been out this far in Virginia, and I found myself mesmerized by the passing scenery. Soft rolling hills, all the trees, and I love those little red barns I keep seeing. There are parts of our trip I swear were used as backdrops for movies.
“So, you did attend college for a semester?”
I pull my attention away from the window and focus on my companion. I nod.
“Why did you leave?”
Ugh. I hate answering that because people assume I’m lazy for dropping out of college.
“Listen, we either have to make up a story or I need the truth. Just something to tell my parents.”
I nod and lick my lips. His gaze follows the movement before rising to meet mine again. Heat flares low in my belly.
“My mother got sick. I had to leave school to help her. She wasn’t happy about it because by skipping the semester, I lost out on the rest of my scholarship.”
He nodded. “And where did you go?”
“George Washington.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “What did you study?”
I sigh, hating that I have to talk about this. Guys don’t like when you’re smarter than they are. “I was going for a business degree, mainly finance.”
“Well, that’s freaking impressive.” I try not to get all gaga over the appreciation I hear in his voice, but it’s hard not to. Impressing a man with Silas’ intellect isn’t easy. “What did you want to do with it?”
I shrug. “I’m really interested in emerging markets around the world. With the new global economy and all that.” I motion with my hand. “I also think there is a way that our economy can be structured to help the working and middle classes. It’s something I definitely wanted to study.”
“You say that in the past tense.”
“Well, I’m already several years behind and trying to pay off bills. I mean, the head of the department said he would take me back at any time. He was especially interested in one paper I wrote.”
“You know Dr. Gupta well?”
“I wouldn’t say well. He was nice to me.”
His mouth quirks. “Dr. Gupta is not nice to just anyone. Or nice to anyone for that matter. He’s known as one of the hardest professors on campus.”
I roll my eyes. “I guess if you don’t do the work, yeah.”
“Indeed. That was my experience with him.”
Another little thrill rushes through me. I know it’s stupid, but the fact that we went to the same school makes me a little giddy, but I am a finance nerd.
As we pull into the drive that leads up to the resort, my breath catches in my throat. It is so amazing and beautiful. It looks like an Italian villa has been plopped down in the middle of Virginia, complete with lush vineyards just beyond its walls.
“Wow.”
“What?”
I look back at him confused. “Don’t you see how beautiful this is?”
“I guess.”
I roll my eyes again. I swear I am rolling them so much they might stay that way permanently.
The door opens and I gasp dramatically. I mean, I know it is dramatic, but I’m not used to having people open doors for me. Our driver is standing there smiling at me.
“Thank you, Davis,” I say, taking his hand and stepping out of the car. Thankfully, I don’t fall flat on my face.
“Of course,” he says, smiling at me, then it fades. I notice that he’s no longer looking at me, but at something over my shoulder. I turn and find Silas there frowning at Davis. In fact, he looks livid.
“I think she’s out of the car now and you can let go of her damned hand.”
I feel my eyes widen at the comment. And I’m turned on. Very, very turned on. I press my thighs together trying to calm my out-of-control libido. What is wrong with me? I don’t really know, but as Silas stares down poor Davis, I can’t fight the heat twisting through my blood.
Of course, Davis drops my hand and scurries away. I step closer to Silas and frown up at him.
“What was that?”
“That was me making sure other people know who you belong to.”
I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. I mean, I should hate it. It goes against everything I believe. No man has ever owned me or ever will. I am my own person. There is just something super sexy when he says it.
I shake my head and lean closer. “Behave.”
He gives me a look of confusion. “That doesn’t sound like fun.”
I don’t respond, but I do take his offered hand. As we go through the check in process, I say nothing. This is his deal, so I am okay with taking a step back. And I try to think about the man I thought I knew. I never talked to him, of course, but he has a reputation at the company. And well, Hazel complains about how serious he is all the time. I always tell her he has a lot on his plate at any given moment. Still, this turn of character is confusing.
Soon, we are on the top floor being ushered into a suite that is bigger than my entire apartment. The doors are open and there looks to be a balcony that overlooks the vineyard. Then I blink. There’s one bed. Okay I knew there was supposed to be one bed, logically, but standing in the room with him, knowing that we will spend two nights here, has my stomach tightening.
Not in fear. No, that would be better than the desire I feel dancing over my nerve endings. I do my best not to squeeze my thighs together to ease the delicious pressure that’s gathered there.
The door shuts behind me and I turn to find Silas watching me.
He’s always looked so perfectly put together. He never even has a wrinkle in his shirt, let alone a hair out of place. Always in a suit, but today, he’s dressed down in dress shirt and slacks. As my gaze travels down, then back up his body, I notice the bulge behind the zipper of his pants. My face flushes with embarrassment.
“Georgie, are you okay?”
I nod, trying to control myself. I’m afraid to speak.
“Are you sure?”
I nod again, then clear my throat, hoping that my attraction doesn’t come out in my tone.
“I just realized we would be in the same suite with one bed.”
He cocks his head and watches me for a second.
“We’ll figure it out, don’t worry.”
I have no idea what that means, but his tone has deepened. He draws out each syllable, his husky voice sending heat down my spine.
I nod. I have become a nodding fool. And yes, I know that isn’t a real term, but I’m not in my right mind. Give me a break.
“So, tonight is very casual, but I know my mother is going to want to meet you, of course.”
“Of course.”
His eyes narrow as he watches me. Great, now I’ve irritated him and even that look turns me on. My heart is beating out of control, and I’m definitely going to need to change my panties.
He opens his mouth but there’s a knock at the door. We continue to stare at each other, our gazes locked. Then there’s more knocking.
“Come on, open up, guys,” Hazel says.
Silas mutters something that sounds like cock blocker, under his breath. He opens the door and gets a look from Hazel that makes me laugh. I don’t think anyone but his sister would look at him as if he had lost his mind.
“Were you going to pretend you weren’t here?” Hazel asks him.
“No. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t Momzilla.”
“You know you two calling her that has me worried I made a mistake coming here,” I say.
Silas smiles at me, and just that look has my heart turning over. He’s always so damned serious about everything, but seeing him like this, I just can’t fight the crush I have on him. I have to remember that it is just that. A crush, nothing more and definitely not returned.
“I’m going to go hunt up Dad and make sure everything is set up for tonight,” he says.
He might not be happy about this big weekend, but he has been worried about it going well for his parents. I give him points for that. I nod and watch as he leaves me with Hazel. It’s a weird feeling, being surrounded by opulence I’ve only ever seen on an episode of Real Housewives. I wrap my arms around myself and look at the window.
“Hey,” Hazel says, walking up to stand beside me, concern darkening her eyes. “Are you okay? No second thoughts?”
I chuckle. “Nope. Third and fourth maybe, but I’m here for the weekend.”
She smiles at me. “Good. I think you should take a long bath…that tub is decadent. There’s a light supper and dancing tonight.”
“Sounds good.”
Once she leaves, I do as she says and, again, I’m taken aback by how much different my life is from the Prescotts. I step into the bathroom and look around. There’s a standing shower, two sinks, a toilet in its own water closet, then there’s the tub. It’s enormous. Definitely big enough for two people.
I sigh as my body responds to that thought. Thinking about Silas and me sharing a bath is the wrong thing to do. Still, I can’t get the idea out of my head. I mean, it’s hard after spending so much time with him in the car on the way here. Chiseled jaw, dark mysterious eyes…and his scent. God, his scent. He smells of hope and happiness and I have no idea what else, but whatever it is, it’s yummy.
For just a second, I allow myself the thought of being his girlfriend for real. We could share a bath, lounge around in bed…
I pull myself back from those thoughts. I can’t get wrapped up in the false narrative, because it is just that. False . There is no world in which Silas Prescott, billionaire boss, would date someone like me. I can pretend but nothing past that.
Fairy tales never last, at least in my world. Still, Hazel is right. A bath is in order because these perks are only mine for a couple of days. There is no use not taking advantage of a long, hot bath where I can’t hear the neighbors arguing.
And as long as I remember this is all pretend, I will be okay.