Page 17 of Marrying a Billionaire

Chapter Seven

Lillian couldn’t believe the tastes and sensations that she was experiencing here at the Barbette. This was hands down the best meal she’d ever had. It wasn’t until her stomach felt as if it was going to burst from her dress, that she laid her fork down and leaned back.

Reed was studying her as he wiped his napkin on his lips. There was a twinkle in his eye. “Did you like the meal?”

She couldn’t help the satisfied smile that formed on her lips. “It was amazing. Do you eat like this all the time?”

Reed set his napkin down on the table and nodded. “Yeah. Perks of the lifestyle, I guess.”

“I’m going to be the size of a house by the time our contract is over,” she said.

Reed shot her a quizzical look before he nodded. “Contract. Right.” He patted his suit coat as if he were making sure something was there.

The waitress stopped at their table to clear their plates. Reed shifted in his seat as he glanced over to her. His leg brushed hers again, sending tingles across her skin. Heat permeated her cheeks as she kept her leg there, pressed against his. Was it wrong that she was enjoying it?

“So, we when head back out there, I’m going to propose to you. Mom wants the press to document it. Thinks it will help convince my grandfather.” He patted his chest again. Lillian could only assume that he was making sure the ring was still there.

Lillian took a deep breath. Once he proposed publicly, there was no going back. She was going to become Mrs. Reed Williamson. Her heart quickened at the thought. But then she pushed it from her mind. There was no way she was supposed to be excited about that.

The money? Yes.

But not the title. The marriage was just an advantageous one. It didn’t mean she was wanted. And it didn’t mean that she was family. Desperate to distract herself, Lillian laughed and said, “Tamara’s going to freak.”

Reed took a sip of water. “What are you going to tell her?”

Lillian shrugged. Tamara would be suspicious, sure, but Lillian was sure the shock would fade away once the realization of what the marriage meant settled in. “I’m sure once I get talking about the wedding plans, she’ll be just fine.”

Reed tapped the tabletop with his fingers. “About the wedding. I was kind of hoping we could keep it small. Just my mom and my sister along with my grandfather. We could have a priest perform it in my grandfather’s room. You could invite a few people if you want.” He raised his eyebrows. “Your family?”

Lillian pinched her lips shut and shook her head. “Foster kid. The only family I have is Tamara. Well, there was Joshua, but—” She cleared her throat as she stared down at her hands. What was wrong with her? Bringing up her ex’s name? That was a road she didn’t want to go down. The less Reed knew about her past the better.

When she glanced over at him, Reed had straightened and was studying her. “Who’s Joshua?”

She waved his question away. “An old relationship turned sour.”

A knowing look passed over Reed’s face. “I understand that.”

Lillian wanted to ask him if he meant the girl now engaged to his half-brother but kept quiet instead. She really didn’t want him to know that Cassie had spilled his history to her. Plus, it was strange, but she kind of wanted Reed to trust her enough to tell her himself.

He clapped his hands and then rubbed them together like he was preparing to do something sinister. “Are you ready for this, Ms. Brunette?”

Lillian nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“You do realize that once we do this, the press will start digging into your closet.” He leaned in and raised his eyebrows. Geez, he smelled good. “There aren’t any skeletons that I should know about, right?”

Panic rose up in her chest. She had secrets. A very big, yet very tiny secret. But she couldn’t tell Reed. She couldn’t tell anyone. This pregnancy wasn’t going to last, and she couldn’t get her hopes up. So she forced a smile and shook her head. “No skeletons.”

Reed swiped his forehead. “Whew.”

After thanking the chef, Reed pressed his hand on her lower back and led her from the kitchen. At first, his touch made her shy away, but she was slowly becoming accustomed to it. It comforted her in a way that both excited and scared her. Her first reaction was to pull back, but then the desire to be cared for came over her and she let the contact remain.

Pierre waved at them as they passed by, heading out the front door. The paparazzi was idling around on the sidewalk, trying to look busy.

Reed cleared his throat, and their gazes whipped over to them. “You guys are still here,” he said, wrapping his arm around Lillian’s waist and pulling her close.

Lillian’s heart hammered so hard in her chest that she feared it would give her away. Could he hear it? Could the photographers?

Reed seemed so calm and collected. Why was she the only one having a reaction from his close proximity? She needed to get a grip. This was fake. It wasn’t real. A dream that could be taken away from her at any moment. Besides, she promised herself and Reed that she wouldn’t get feelings for him and she was going to keep her word.

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