Page 29 of An Eye For Illusion

I wake up with new determination burning. Elliott won’t be able to brush me to the side with me standing in front of him. If he wants to screw with me, I’ll screw with him right back.

I slip into Elliott’s favorite form-fitting navy dress with a plunging neckline complimented by my best pushup bra. His eyes practically bug out any time he sees me in it.

Men. I roll my eyes at how simple they can be sometimes.

I curl my hair and decide to wear a pair of four-inch fuck me heels for added flare. I go lighter on the makeup since he isn’t a fan of lipstick stains. He mentioned that when we first started seeing each other. I roll my eyes at the memory of that conversation. I almost told him I wasn’t a fan of kissing him, anyway.

Ugh. What a dick.

I type out a quick text to my driver, Thomas, asking him to meet me outside in five. I don’t know exactly what I plan to do when I surprise Elliott at his office, but I know it’ll make my skin crawl to portray this over-the-top lovesick bimbo. But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

I give myself another once over in my bathroom mirror, walk into my closet, and grab a small clutch before tossing my phone inside. If I weren’t going to see Elliott, I’d be thrilled with this outfit. However, the thought of him putting his hands all over me makes me scowl at my reflection. I walk out of the bathroom with a huff, slapping the light switch off as I leave the room.

When I open the front door, Thomas is waiting for me. He stands with the rear car door open.

“Ms. Foster.” He always greets me formally and with a kind smile.

“Thomas,” I offer a tight smile.

My mind is on the task in front of me. Schmoosing my own fiancé shouldn’t feel this disgusting, but I don’t really have a choice. Everything else I’ve tried so far hasn’t worked. I need Elliott to trust me, and the first step is to make him believe I actually like him.

I slide onto the backseat and wait for Thomas to close the door. He hurries around the front and gets into the driver’s seat.

“To the office, ma’am?” he asks as he pulls the shifter into drive.

“Uh, no, Thomas. Not yet. I’d like to go to Elliott’s office, please.”

His eyes immediately meet mine in the rearview mirror. He holds my gaze only for a few beats before looking through the windshield again.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says without another glance.

Thomas has never commented on any of my decisions or anything I’ve ever asked of him, but he knows my schedule and patterns. This is out of character for me.

I stare out the window on the drive to Elliott’s office. My palms grow sweaty the closer we get. I try to psych myself up for the performance ahead of me. It needs to be convincing because of how shaky things have been between the two of us.

I thought my plan was foolproof. I thought Elliott was harmless. I couldn’t have been more wrong, and if I don’t find a way to ensure he doesn’t come after my father and me, I’ll be forced to marry him to keep us safe.

My stomach churns at the very thought. I’m supposed to be smarter than this. I’m supposed to know better, but my drive to succeed is turning into a nightmare.

Elliott was supposed to be a safe choice. He’s successful on his own, and he’s attractive enough, though he’s not really my type. He has an energy that makes anyone around him comfortable. It’s why he’s so damn good at his job.

But I must have had the same blinders on that everyone else does, including my father. It’s why Elliott’s threat shook me to my core. It was the last thing I expected from the man I agreed to marry.

My mind veers off to a sinfully gorgeous man with the ego the size of New York. I scoff. Why can’t I get that frustrating man out of my head? He’s an infuriating, egomaniacal, pompous ass.

I shift uncomfortably on the seat to relieve the pressure that’s taken up residence in my core since the day I met him. I don’t trust my judgment anymore, and Colin Fucking Brooks is the last man I should be thinking about.

My thoughts once again go to Elliott while I focus out the window as we make our way down the city turnpike, heading toward the business district. Aside from our mutual clients, we don’t have any other people in common—friends or family. Well, except for his friendship with my father.

My heart sinks a little thinking of how hurt dad will be when this is finished. I know my happiness is ultimately Dad’s biggest concern, but the betrayal from Elliott will be an even bigger surprise for my father than it was to me.

I close my eyes and rest my head against the seat. Five minutes until I have to plaster a big fake smile on my face and gush over the man I’m desperately trying to free myself from.

I can do this… I can do this… I can do this.

Immediately, the images from my dream of Colin float into my mind, once again invading my thoughts. Hovering over me with his washboard abs on full display, his hooded eyes looking down at me beneath him while I ache for him to touch me. The sly grin on his face sends warmth through my body, immediately resting at my center. I press my thighs together to satisfy the ache between them.

The car slows to halt, and my eyes flutter open. We’re in front of Elliott’s building. Fuck. I don’t look at Thomas for fear he might show signs of knowing what I just fantasized about.

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