Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lilac
Irvin yanks me close, tucking me under his arm. I inhale a dose of his cedarwood scent. I study the fine threads of his shirt. He slides his fingers into mine, and I want to pull away, but I choose not to. I have to keep this facade—that I’m interested in him. So I can break his heart.
We’re at the diner not far from campus. The greasy food makes my mouth water, and the old jukebox plays a jazz tune.
Last night, when Judy told me she was going to be Irvin’s mistress, I saw red.
To be honest, I don’t know why I was filled with rage.
I wanted to claw her eyes out for even saying those words.
The same emotions I felt for him surfaced—before he tricked me into marrying him.
The feelings I had for him weren’t real.
I need to keep my cool and keep my guard up.
I need to keep pretending to care about him.
So far, it hasn’t worked. He’s seeing through my bullshit.
So I asked him out on a date. Simple. Basic. Don’t look suspicious.
He studies my floral long-sleeve dress down to my ankle boots. “You asking me out on a date caught me by surprise.”
I need to stay on my toes with him. I need to get into his head so I can break him. And what better way than to play into his delusion that I actually want him?
I shrug. “I’m stuck with you for the rest of my life, so I might as well try to get along with you.”
He smirks, takes a fry from my plate, dips it in ranch, and pops it in his mouth.
How far can I push Irvin? I want to see if he’s onto me. I want to see what I can get away with.
“Can I have your white Mustang?”
He reaches into his back pocket and slides the key into my hand.
This is off-putting. Why the hell is he being so nice to me? What’s with the change in behavior? Is he still worried that I’ll try to escape him? I don’t like this new attitude—because now I have to figure out my next move.
The keys feel heavy in my palm, so I tuck them in my purse.
“This is my car, right?”
He shrugs. “Yes.”
I place my hand in his lap, and he follows my movement with his gaze. “Aren’t you worried I’ll vanish without a trace? Or that I stole your card and bought ridiculous stuff with it?”
He shrugs again, folding his arms across his chest. “I’m not worried about anything.”
Yeah, this is a trap. And I’m not falling for it. Irvin knows exactly what he’s doing. If I decide to run, he’ll find me. I’m not stupid. I plaster a smile across my face.
I get up from the leather booth because I need some breathing room.
The energy around us is intense. My emotions are all over the place with him.
I’m supposed to be manipulating him, wrapping him around my finger—but I’m not.
I’m still thinking about the woman he had at the mansion last night and how I lost my temper.
I’ve never been a jealous woman, but seeing Irvin with her pissed me off.
Warm arms wrap around me, and when I turn, Irvin’s hands are around my waist. Why don’t I push him away? What the hell am I doing?
He leads me to the dance floor, where other couples are slow dancing.
This is so wrong.
He smiles—it lights up the whole room and my heart. He spins me around.
This is my enemy.
I’m dancing with my enemy.
I get jealous of other women touching said enemy.
A lump forms in my throat. This is my last hope of manipulating Irvin. So far, it’s failed. It’s stirred emotions I didn’t know I had. He needs to believe I’m jealous of Judy—that I actually care about him. She could ruin everything.
“You’re not allowed to speak to Judy,” I snap.
His mouth curls into a smile. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
He slips his fingers through my hair. “Done. I won’t speak to her ever again.” He pauses. “I’ll never cheat on you, Lilac.”
“Good to know.”
We continue to slow dance, and for a second, it feels like we’re in our own bubble. My heart beats wildly and freely.
“I didn’t know you could slow dance,” I blurt out. It’s the only thing I can say.
“I took dance lessons as a kid. Didn’t really use them until now.” His words are like warm bourbon sliding down my throat.
See, when he shares things with me, it makes me want to open up—which I absolutely hate.
“I took ballet when I was a kid, and I was a cheerleader in high school. Captain.”
“I can see that,” he smirks. “I bet you were cute too, wearing those tight outfits. If we’d gone to the same high school, I would’ve gotten suspended if anyone dared to look at my girl.”
His words warm me, and my cheeks burn. Why am I turned on by that? He’s not supposed to make me feel special.
Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I turn. Lyrical beams at us. “I had no idea you’d be here. Do you guys want to sit with us?”
I glance around the diner and spot Raven in the corner booth. She waves, and I wave back. I look to Irvin.
“We can sit with you,” Irvin says, grabbing my hand and leading me to the booth.
I narrow my eyes at him. He’s never shown interest in my friends. This is… odd. He’s up to something, but I can’t pinpoint what. This time, I’m standing my ground.
When we sit in the leather seat, I kiss him on the lips. He pulls back with a smirk, but the fake tenderness doesn’t work—my heart flutters hard. He pulls me into his arms. I feel the warmth beneath his long-sleeve dark shirt. My cheeks burn.
Raven and Lyrical exchange a look, and Raven’s smile widens. Lyrical watches us like a hawk, her eyes zeroing in on Irvin. I try to push myself off his lap, but he pulls me right back. I subtly shake my head at Lyrical, and she nods in return.
“Oh hey, Irvin,” Lyrical says. “So, how’s married life?”
Irvin tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. To others, it’s a tender gesture, but deep down, it’s possessive. His subtle way of claiming me.
“It’s been amazing. Being married to my favorite girl.”
My cheeks flush, and I look down at my hands. Things haven’t been pleasant between us, so why would he lie to her? Maybe it is pleasant—for him. Knowing him, he probably doesn’t take me seriously. He probably loves the mind games he plays.
“Oh, that’s so sweet.” Raven’s eyes light up. “What are you guys doing for spring break?”
“Um… I have no idea,” I answer.
The waitress brings their meals, and Raven munches on her burger.
“I’ve been avoiding Jameson. He’s always angry.
Last night, he stopped by my apartment—drunk as fuck—wanting a blow job.
I told him, fuck no.” Raven clenches her teeth, rolling her eyes.
“My God, I can’t believe I’m stuck with his ass for the rest of my life. ”
I understand that, but I don’t say anything.
“Snow and I are going to visit his mother in San Francisco,” Lyrical says.
“With the killings on campus, we’re lying low,” Irvin says. “You women need to be careful out there.”
“What are the boards doing about it?” I ask.
“They’re investigating a few men,” Irvin answers, and Lyrical side-eyes him.
“But they don’t have concrete evidence on who did it.
The American Billionaire Club doesn’t want anyone to know—that’s why they haven’t announced it publicly.
” Lyrical finishes her burger. He kisses me on the forehead.
“That’s why I walk with Lilac on campus at all times. ”
I wish I could say he’s lying—that he’s a complete ass—but he’s not. He won’t let me out of his sight. In fact, for the last few weeks, he’s been acting like a good husband.
“You’re a lucky girl. I wish I were married to someone kind. But I had to get stuck with the asshole from hell,” Raven says.
“He’ll come around, Raven. He’s going through a lot with Bailey’s death. He still misses her. So do I.” Lyrical’s eyes water, and I hold her hand. She uses a napkin to dab the corners of her eyes. “It’s okay. I’m fine. Really. It just hurts like hell.”
Irvin leans down, his voice tickling my ear. “I don’t know what I’d do if something tragic happened to you, my princess. The thought of someone murdering you…” He swallows thickly. “I’d burn down the campus to get to the motherfucker who harmed you.”
I glance at him. He slides his hand into mine and kisses my palm. His words make me smile. They make me ache for him—yearn for my enemy.
His words shouldn’t warm my heart. His words shouldn’t make me feel special. His words should make me hate him.
I don’t know how I feel about him. I grip the edge of the table until my knuckles ache. This confused attraction—what’s real? My hatred? Or my desire?
He’s the one who tricked me into marriage. He’s the one who stripped me of my basic needs, preyed on me so I’d rely on him with nowhere else to go. I stare into his jade eyes.
He presses his mouth to mine, kissing me slowly, and I kiss him back. I want to say it’s just to convince him I want him—but is it really? I don’t know what’s real anymore.
I pull away, lips swollen. Lyrical and Raven stare at us with wide eyes.
“Excuse me. I need to step outside,” I murmur.
I avoid Irvin’s eyes as I feel them boring into me. Once outside, I inhale the sharp, crisp air.
My plan has officially blown up in my face.
I glance through the window, studying Irvin. His lips curve with satisfaction—he knows he has me exactly where he wants me.