Page 19 of Marrying a Billionaire

“That was. . .” he whispered.

Lillian wasn’t sure what he was going to say, so she turned toward the cameras and shot them a smile. Talking to the photographers seemed like a better idea then listening to Reed dissect what their kiss meant. Either conclusion scared her.

“What’s your name?” a reporter called out.

“Lillian Brunette,” she said. Her chest tightened. She hoped that she wasn’t going to regret telling them who she was. But it was her job to fake this relationship, and they were going to find out anyway.

“How long have you been dating the billionaire bachelor?” the woman with the bob asked.

Lillian stood there, with her lips parted. They hadn’t gone over any of that. What was she supposed to say? A day?

Suddenly, Reed appeared next to her. He wrapped his hand around hers. His warmth comforted her. “I’ve got this sweetie,” he said as he leaned closer to her. “My fiancée and I are leaving to spend the evening celebrating our engagement. You won’t fault us for not answering your questions.” He raised her hand and kissed it. “After all, we can’t make it too easy for you.”

The valet appeared and handed Reed his keys. Lillian let him lead her over to his car where he pulled open the passenger door and helped her in. Then he jogged around the front and got into the driver’s side. Once his door was shut, he shifted the car into drive and pulled away.

Once they were driving, Lillian relaxed onto her seat. She glanced over to Reed who was studying the road. His wrist was perched on the top of the steering wheel, and he seemed so relaxed. As if they hadn’t just experienced a mind-bending kiss.

She folded her arms and focused outside. Why was she being so ridiculous about this? It must be her pregnancy hormones that were out of control. They were making her feel and think things that weren’t real.

“Are you okay?” Reed’s voice broke the silence.

Lillian pinched her lips together and nodded. “Just tired. I’m ready for bed.”

Reed smiled over at her. “I’ll get you home as soon as possible.”

Home.

Lillian returned her gaze back outside. She wasn’t sure what Reed’s house was, but she knew it wasn’t home no matter how much she wanted it to be.

Chapter Eight

Reed drove the rest of the way back to his flat in silence. He was thankful that it gave him time to think and digest exactly what had happened to him.

Lillian’s kiss caught him off guard. It felt right and real. Something he hadn’t experienced in a very long time. And that scared him. How could he have a reaction like that for his fake wife? He was beginning to realize that coming out of this relationship unscathed might not be possible if he didn’t get his head on straight and focus.

He pulled up to the door of his building and put this car in park. Harold, his door man, hurried over. Reed smiled over at Lillian who was moving to pull on the door handle.

“Harold will get that for you,” Reed said, nodding toward Harold who was standing just outside her door.

Lillian glanced over and hesitated. Harold pulled it open and extended his hand.

“Good evening,” he said, smiling down at her. Harold was a short, balding man. He insisted on wearing a full suit in the middle of summer which made his head glisten with sweat.

Lillian nodded to him and took his hand, allowing him to help her out. Reed shut his door and rounded the hood of his car. He handed the keys over to Harold who nodded.

“Have a good evening?” he asked.

Reed glanced over at Lillian. “Got engaged.”

A pink hue tinted Lillian’s cheeks as he saw her twist the ring with her thumb.

Harold’s eyes widened. “Wow, boss. That’s amazing. Congrats.”

Warmth rose up from his stomach. Why did the thought of being with Lillian make him feel this way? It was ridiculous. Perhaps, marriage had been on his mind for so long but felt so far away that the fact that it was really happening was messing with his head.

Harold climbed into the driver’s side and pulled away. Turning, Reed smiled over at Lillian who was watching him. “Ready?”

She nodded and followed him as he made his way through the lobby and into the elevator. He punched in the code that took him to his flat. That was probably something he needed to tell her.

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