Page 41 of Between Never and Forever
“Get real. The press is going to be following us everywhere as it is. We don’t need them writing more shit about our separate living situations. This is supposed to be believable.”
I shut my eyes and whined at his logic. “I cannot live with you right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’re completely different people than we used to be, and we don’t seem to get along at all.”
“I don’t need to get along with you, Keelani. I need you to stay out of my way during the day and come to my bed at night.” He looked me up and down, his words cruel but I was sure truthful.
“Oh, that sounds so good. I get to fuck an ex I have to beg for an orgasm.” I could be cruel too.
Those green orbs lit with fire. “You begged for it, and then you screamed in ecstasy when you got it,” he reminded me, and I hated that I blushed. “You must realize I’m not trying to welcome you? I’m trying to make this shit believable. For your sake and mine.”
“You think it’s unbelievable that I wouldn’t move in with you? I’m literally in a magazine that has a poll on if I’m still a virgin or not. Eighty percent said they thought I still was.”
“I can answer that one with certainty for them,” he threw out, and my eyes widened at the fact that he was making a joke right now.
“Are you kidding me?”
He tried to be serious by pursing his lips and then shrugging. “It was the perfect opportunity. Plus, this isn’t a big deal. I promise. It’s easier for us to handle press when we’re here at Black Diamond. My security is much better here. And this way, they’ll probably stop voting you Most Likely to be a Virgin.”
Wow. “So, you still have a terrible—and rude—sense of humor.” I tried to be mad and serious about this. I really did. And itwasa serious matter, but the fact that he’d taken my virginity the night before was pretty fresh on the brain. I thought of how I was still sore because of how big he was, how he’d taken me, how he hadn’t been gentle, and I glanced down to where I knew he was pierced.
“Fuck me, Kee.” His voice rumbled out low as he swore and rearranged his slacks suddenly. “Keep your eyes above the waist if you want to be able to walk out of here today.”
I snapped them up, but I knew my cheeks were hot with the embarrassment of being caught. “Right. Just processing everything that happened last night.”
He hummed. “You can process all you want when you’re moved in here later. We’re both heretogethertonight. And remember, most everyone around us is going to believe this engagement is real—”
“Minus most everyone who knows us because they’re never going to believe this is real.”
“Fine. Shall I wire you your paycheck for being my fiancée now?”
I rolled my eyes at the fact that he was discussing it with me. “You know what, Dex? Why don’t you pay me at the end? That way,” I said it with all the sarcasm I could muster, “If I’m not good enough at following your directions, you can keep your money.”
“Great. I’ll set a reminder.” He truly did set one because my phone beeped almost immediately. “And keep the circle small. It’ll make for less chance of a leak in the media.”
With that, Dex turned on the expensive heel of his shoe and left me completely overwhelmed with what I’d agreed to.
ChapterSixteen
KEELANI
I could have foughthim on the whole apartment situation but being at the Black Diamond was much easier. His penthouse suite would allow me to take an elevator down to the Orpheum and be ready to practice right when I wanted. There was ample space in the guest room, plus an office, the sauna, and the gym, along with two more bathrooms and a huge tub in the primary en suite bathroom that I wanted to indulge in daily.
It’s why I went to pack my apartment and then spent the afternoon talking with Dex’s assistant, who I decided was much too nice and beautiful to be his assistant. My mind was already full of unwarranted jealousy when it came to him.
She showed up asking about where all my belongings should be placed. I told her the primary suite was perfect and that we should move some of Dex’s clothes out of the closet. “You know how it is. I’m having more clothes brought in, so he’s giving me the closet.”
She peered into his closet. “He’s quite particular about where he puts things in here—”
“I’m guessing he’s quite particular about a lot with you, huh?” I waited to see if she would indulge in telling me anything about him.
Her blue eyes widened as she stopped straightening a statue on one of the shelves of the dresser. “Yes.” She said it hesitantly at first but then smiled at me. “As his fiancée, you know his quirks, I’m sure. All watches in a particular order in their case, cuff links placed together in their respective boxes, all his shoes polished after each wear and aligned perfectly with toes facing out. Just as he runs his business, he runs his house.”
“Right. It’s why he still wants his own space. In the guest room.” I emphasized my point, and she chose not to argue.
“I’ll be honest, he doesn’t like anything moved. Or tampered with. Or, well, I’m sure you know.” She eyed me suspiciously now. She was catching on like she may have had reservations when he’d called her to acquire a huge diamond ring. She even glanced at the box on the nightstand and then my bare finger.
