Page 29 of Marrying a Billionaire

Lillian reached over and grabbed her purse. Once it was strung over her shoulder, she followed him out the door. Reed watched her press the elevator button. Anger roared in his stomach, but he tried to dampen it down. There was no need to go all hot-headed. She assured him that she was okay. He was just finding it hard to believe her.

All he knew was if anyone attempted that when he was around, they would have a world of hurt on their hands. Nobody treated his future wife like that. Even if she wasn’t really his. He’d protect her, no matter what.

Chapter Eleven

All it took was a thirty-minute boat ride to Reed’s grandfather’s secluded island to make her forget everything that had taken place in Reed’s apartment. It must have been the light blue skies and the salty breeze that helped take her mind off of how protective Reed had gotten when he found out how she had been treated. Or the fact that he called her his family.

She swallowed as she rubbed her upper arms. Even though it was warm, the wind whipped around her, chilling her skin.

“Here,” Reed’s low voice said from behind her.

She turned to see that he’d removed his suit coat and held it out for her.

“Thanks,” she said, slipping in one arm and then the other.

He helped her pull it up onto her back. For a moment, his hands lingered on her shoulders before he dropped them. Her skin tingled from the absence of his touch.

Swallowing, she glanced over at him. “This is amazing.”

Reed squinted toward the water that surrounded them. “Yeah. Grandpa Williamson knows how to pick a place to call home.”

Lillian nodded. “He really does.”

The boat captain, Roger, pulled the boat up to the dock and left it idling. Once it was secured, he opened the gate and rolled out the walkway that led from the boat to the dock.

Lillian could feel Reed hesitate next to her. It was as if he didn’t want to leave. Feeling the urge to comfort him, she reached out and entwined her fingers with his. She felt his gaze bore into her as he studied her. Not sure what to do, she started to walk toward the dock.

Reed followed her, keeping their contact. Her heart hammered in her chest as she stepped onto the dock still holding his hand. It was almost like they belonged together. Like they were meant to do this all along. Her mind swam with thoughts of Reed. How he’d taken care of her. Let her into his life that had so many people in it. What a contrast to her lonely one.

They made their way across the backyard and up to the house that sat at the top of the hill. The outside walls were completely covered with a grey stone. The same material made up the steps and patio that led up to huge windows where two sliding doors sat open. Drapes waved and shifted in the breeze.

There were pots that exploded with flowers next to tall light posts that hugged the path they were on. Lillian couldn’t help but sigh from the utter beauty around her.

Reed’s soft chuckle drew her attention over to him. He was watching her which surprised her. How could he be looking at her when there was so much to see around them?

“Do you like this place?” he asked. His voice grew louder as he leaned toward her.

He was inches away from him. She could feel his closeness even though only their hands were touching.

Lillian focused her thoughts and nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

“It is.”

When she glanced up at him, she saw him staring down at her. A rush of emotions raced down her spine and raced throughout her body.

Warning bells sounded in her mind. This couldn’t be happening. There was no way Reed could have feelings for her. There was no way she’d get through this arranged marriage if the guy she was supposed to be faking a relationship with might possibly have feelings for her.

Even though her heart ached to stay, Lillian dropped Reed’s hands and stepped away from him. She folded her arms only to realize that she was still wearing his suit coat. She wiggled out of it and handed it over.

“Thanks for that,” she said.

He studied her with his brows knit before he reached out and took it. “No problem.” He narrowed his gaze as if he were trying to figure her out. “You can still wear it if you need it.”

She shook her head. “I’m okay.” Then she cleared her throat, trying to dispel the lingering feeling of Reed’s hand against her own. “We should probably get our story straight before we go in there and your grandfather sees right through our act.” She shot him a smile that hopefully came across as confident.

Reed glanced toward the house. “Okay. How about we met, fell in love, and got engaged?”

She tapped her chin as she stepped away from him. “Yeah, probably need to be more specific.” She turned abruptly and hesitated. Reed had moved to stand right behind her. Her heart raced so she moved away from him. “Let’s say that we met four months ago at a party. Afterward, I went to Europe to study art and we kept in contact—”

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