Page 18 of Marrying a Billionaire

“Are you going to give us anything we can use?” a photographer who was short and wore a fedora asked.

Reed hesitated before he turned and grabbed both of Lillian’s hands. He met her gaze and gave her a wink. Even though she knew what was about to happen, her breath caught in her throat as she watched him lower to one knee. That got the attention of all the photographers and they began snapping photos. Their flashes blinded Lillian.

“Lillian Brunette, I knew the moment you walked into my office that you were going to change my life.” He met her gaze and gave her his half-smile. Despite her better judgement, her insides melted a bit. “I can’t imagine my life without you by my side. I want you there, walking with me through the good times and the bad.” He let one of her hands fall as he released it to reach into his suit coat. He removed a ring. The diamond was so big it dazzled as it caught the remaining light from the setting sun.

There was a low murmur of appreciation from the crowd around them. Lillian couldn’t help but stare at the ring. Never in her life had she imagined she’d get to wear something that beautiful. The one Joshua gave her was from the discount store. She almost feared what would happen when Reed turned it over to her.

“Will you, Lillian Brunette, agree to marry me and make me the happiest man in the world?” He lifted her left hand and readied the ring on her fourth finger.

Fear crept up inside of her, but she pushed it away. She needed to say yes, no matter how scared it made her. She was contractually obligated to marry Reed. End of story.

“Well?” a nearby photographer asked.

Right. She was supposed to answer. She glanced down at Reed who was looking up at her expectantly. “Yes,” she said as excitement bubbled up in her stomach. Reaching out with her right hand, she cradled his cheek. “Yes, Reed Williamson. I will marry you.”

He glanced down and slid the ring on her finger. Then he stood, wrapping her into a hug. For reasons she couldn’t describe, it felt right. They fit together. She wrapped her arms around him as he brought her closer, pressing her body against his. They held each other for a moment before he pulled away.

They turned to the photographers and smiled.

A woman with a bob did not look impressed. “Seriously? No kiss?” She rolled her eyes as she glanced at another photographer who shook his head.

“You gotta kiss. That’s what the people want to see,” fedora hat interjected.

“You want a kiss?” Reed glanced around and received a unanimous nod. “They want a kiss, sweetheart.”

Lillian started to protest but then swallowed. She needed to make this real. “Then let’s give them a kiss.” She turned toward him.

The look on Reed’s face almost made her laugh. Suddenly, his cool and collected persona was shaken. His eyes were wide as he peered down at her. “Are you sure?” he whispered.

Lillian smiled and nodded.

Reed slid a hand around her waist and pulled her close. She could feel his muscles under her hands as she rested them on his chest. He leaned in closer, until he was inches from her. His presence intoxicated her, making her knees weaken and her head spin.

Thankfully, he was holding onto her. If not, she feared she’d slip from his grasp and collapse on the ground.

“You can back out if you want,” he said, as he leaned in closer, taunting her with his lips.

She narrowed her eyes. “Absolutely not. I’m going to earn that money.”

He backed away slightly with his eyes wide.

Great. That didn’t sound right. “You know what I mean,” she said, leaning in and hoping he’d follow.

“I’m a little scared to find out,” he said.

“Just kiss me so they have a picture.” She tilted her face toward him.

He hovered for a moment and then pressed his lips against hers. Heat raced from her lips, across her skin, and exploded throughout her body. Her heart hammered so hard, she thought it might leap from her chest and take off. What was happening to her? This kind of a reaction from a kiss?

She wanted to pull away. Break this connection she felt with Reed Williamson, but she couldn’t. Every part of her begged to get closer to this man standing in front of her.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her so close that she feared she wasn’t ever going to be the same. But, despite her better judgement, she slid her hands up his chest and to the back of his neck. She entwined her fingers together and pressed him closer to her.

Hoots and whistles could be heard around them as lights flashed against her eyelids. The reality of what she was doing came rushing back to her. She was kissing her not-really-in-love-with-her husband. Sure, they were getting married and she was finally getting the family she’d wanted since she was a kid. But it didn’t mean that it was real.

At least not to Reed.

In an act of self-preservation, Lillian released her hold on him and stepped back. Her lips felt swollen as she glanced up to see Reed peering down at her. His eyebrows were drawn together and his gaze hazy. Had he felt the same thing too? Or was he just trying to figure out why she kissed him like she did.

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