Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Bella
The first thing I heard was Simon’s alarm and then his groaning. I smiled as my head lay on his chest.
“Make it stop,” I said, the sound piercing my ears.
“You make it stop,” he groaned as his arm tightened around my waist.
“It’s your alarm!”
“You’re closer.”
“I’m literally on the opposite side of you, Simon.”
“Then climb over me.”
I looked up at him, and his eyes were still closed. I softly laughed as he finally reached over and turned it off.
“Fall festival!” I quickly sat up. “Come on. We have to get up and get ready.”
Simon let out a louder groan. “No, we don’t.”
“Yes, we do. Your father and Mary are picking us up.”
“And why the hell are they picking us up?” He opened one eye and stared at me.
“Because your father offered.”
I went to climb out of bed and Simon grabbed my waist and pulled me back down.
“Simon!”
“We have time.”
“No, we don’t. Some of us need more than five minutes to get ready,” I said.
“I’ve never understood why women take so long.” His grip around me tightened.
“Because you’re a man. You shower, put stuff in your hair, throw on clothes, and somehow walk out looking like that,” I said.
“Like what?” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Don’t fish for compliments.” I stared at him.
“I wasn’t. You’re the one who brought up my appearance. Now tell me.”
“I said you somehow manage to look presentable.”
“Presentable?” His brow arched.
“On a good day,” I smirked.
He rolled me onto my back and hovered over me.
“Simon, get off me.” I laughed.
“Take it back,” he said, grabbing my wrists and pinning them above my head.
“No!”
“Bella.” His head cocked.
“You’re crushing me.” I tried to get out of his grip.
“You’re being dramatic.” He grinned.
“I’m going to tell your dad you made us late.” She smiled. “And then he’ll give you shit about it by asking you embarrassing questions.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” His eye narrowed.
“Try me, Montclair.”
He rolled off me. I leaned over, kissed his lips, and climbed out of bed.
“Remember, no suit.”
“You’ve already mentioned that last night. No need to mention it again.”
“That’s because I don’t trust you.”
“I know how to dress casually, Bella.”
“We’ll see. Now get up and get in the shower.”
Forty-five minutes later, I walked into the kitchen wearing jeans, a cream sweater, and ankle boots.
Simon was standing at the island drinking coffee.
I froze when I looked at him. He wore dark jeans, a charcoal sweater, and brown boots.
His hair was casually styled, and somehow, he looked even sexier than he did in a three-thousand-dollar suit.
“What? Why are you just standing there staring at me?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“Oh, I was making sure those are actually jeans you’re wearing.”
“Very funny.”
I walked over, stole his coffee, and tipped the mug to my lips. Raine strutted in the kitchen and jumped on the island.
“Hey, that’s my coffee,” he said.
“You can get another one.” I smiled.
The intercom dinged. Simon glanced at his watch. “Fuck.” He drew out the word.
“Eek. They’re here!”
“Try to contain your excitement, please,” he said.
“No. This is going to be the best day ever.”
We took the elevator down to the lobby. Parked at the curb was a black Range Rover.
“Oh, hell no,” Simon said. “Why is my father driving? Where’s Lloyd?”
The second we exited the building, Mary rolled down the passenger window.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning!” I spoke.
Simon opened the door, and we both climbed into the backseat.
“What’s that look for, son?” William asked.
“You’re driving,” he said.
“Yes, I am.”
“Why?” Simon’s brows furrowed.
“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe because I know how?” His brow arched. “Wow, son.”
“Wow, what, Dad?”
“Are those jeans you’re wearing?”
“Why the hell is everyone so fascinated by my jeans?”
Mary turned her head and looked at him. “Because you look handsome.” She smiled.
“Thank you, Mary.”