Page 55 of Mr. Aster
Shit!Way to slip on the lying game.
“It was actually how we fell in love. We hated each other and somehow fell in love,” I cringed, knowing how stupid that sounded.
“Enemies to lovers,” she said with a laugh. “My favorite kind of books. Okay, this is getting cheesy. I’ve seriously got to jam and pick up the kids.”
“Okay, see ya.”
Now, it was time to pack…for Mexico. I had mixed feelings about this because I felt my walls coming down a little, knowing Sebastian did somethingnicefor once. He had to have done some research before making this decision, and the fact that he did—all so I would like the destination—put a hesitant smile on my face.
At least now, knowing we were Mexico-bound, I had no problem getting excited about the trip. If anything could get me over my trepidation about a vacation with a man I’d loathed upuntil last night, it was beaches, endless sunshine, delicious food, and bottomless margaritas.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Darcy
“Are you stoned or something? Or maybe you dropped acid last night at dinner and are still on that trip,” I said, looking over at Sebastian.
He finished typing a text and smiled over at me. I seriously thought this guy was on something because he was all smiles and acting like a funny smartass, too. I appreciated havingthisguy around, but I had no idea why this guywasaround or how he got here.
“Yes, I just dropped some more before we boarded the plane; why do you ask?”
“Well, I don’t know,” I played dumb, looking around the cabin of the jet, “we’re on acommercialflight, and last I recall, the Asters—especially their chosen son—don’t fly commercial. You fly private.”
“So?”
I studied his more serious yet still youthful and handsome expression. “So?” I held onto the word. “Why are we flyingcommercial? Don’t get me wrong; I have no problem with flying like a normal person, so that’s not it. I just want to know what is happening with you because flying incoachisn’t something a person like you would ever do.”
“I had an epiphany last night,” he said, looking around the plane’s cabin like he’d never seen people travel this way. I suddenly understood he probably only booked these seats because it would humiliate his parents. “I realized that we only have a few short years on this planet, and I want to spend those years with you, sweetheart.”
He smiled, and I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, okay.”
“We’re escaping to Mexico because I never plan to be found again. I love you, and you’ve bewitched me, body and soul.”
Before I could question how ridiculous he was acting, his lips were on mine. I would’ve instantly jerked away, but I was paralyzed with shock as his hand gently caressed my neck and his thumb ran along my jawline.
My mouth responded by falling open, but he didn’t take the opportunity to do what my hormones wanted after my brain shut off, which was to accept this man’s kiss fully. He merely nipped at my bottom lip, pulled back, and met my dazed eyes with his vibrant gaze.
“I just want to get away with you. I’ve never felt love for anyone the way I feel it for you. You’ve been a constant during the darkest times of my life, and this is just a tiny way of thanking you for loving me the same way in return.”
I frowned, staring at him. He was sitting next to the window, and I was in the middle seat with my back facing the audience I knew he’d just created. I pulled myself together, only able to smirk in response to this man who’d taken my breath and my brains away with that kiss.
Of course, he was playing a role, and when I turned around and saw a handful of teenagers and young adults with their phone cameras on us—most likely recordinghim—I understood why he’d upped the ante. He wanted this to go viral, and all those busybodies were the answer to Sebastian’s prayers.
“I still don’t know how this happened,” I tried to play it off, not knowing how to respond because my mind was still back on how perfect his lips felt when they were pressed against mine. Damn, I was so fucked if I couldn’t pull my shit together. “But you didn’t answer my question.”
“Stop acting so modest,” he grinned. “You mentioned the day we met that I needed to tame down all the extravagance, or you’d never date me.”
“Huh?” I let it slip out. “Well, that’s true,” I gave him an unapologetic look, “but that’s not what I meant when?—”
“Stop,” he said, brushing the tip of my nose with his finger, annoying me with his fake lovey-dovey shit. “Cameras are watching, and I don’t want them to catch us quarreling.”
“Quarreling?” I turned back to the people watching and videoing this bizarre exchange between Sebastian and me. “Would you guys mind not recording us?” I begged with my eyes. “This is why he likes to fly private, and if I want to keep my fiancé on the type of flights I’m used to, it’s probably best we don’t invade his privacy.”
“Fiancé?” Sebastian and our audience responded simultaneously.
Oh, fuck!
