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Cash lets out a low growl. “I’m only going to say this once, Ev. As long as we’re married, there won’t be anyone else. For either of us.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I mean it. Regardless of how we feel about this marriage, we made vows, and I’m committed to mine,” he states with conviction.
His sentiment sends butterflies through my stomach, but I have to remember they’re empty words wrapped in a pretty package. This arrangement is just a means to an end for both of us.
“Are you sure, Stafford? There’s no telling how long this acquisition will take to finalize.” I lean in and whisper, “Can you go months without sex?”
He raises a brow as he takes a drink of water. “Can you?”
“That’s what my toys are for.” I give him a satisfied smirk. “They’ve gotten me through the last two years. A few more months will be a piece of cake.”
His eyes widen in surprise, and he chokes on his water, sputtering as he sets his glass on the table.
After pausing to collect himself his hazel gaze holds mine hostage as he says in a low voice, “You wouldn’t need toys if you were with the right man.”
Is it getting hot in here?
My pulse races as I lift my napkin from my lap and wipe my mouth, trying to appear unaffected by his statement. “Thanks for the unsolicited advice.”
“Anytime.” Thankfully, he breaks our eye contact when Kelsey drops the check off at the table. “We should get going if we want to make it back to London tonight.”
“Wait.” I reach to grab his arm. “Under no circumstance can we tell Theo that our marriage isn’t real. He would lose his shit.”
Cash’s eyes widen at my request. “Ev, you can’t be serious. He’s my best friend and we run in the same social circle. He’s going to find out one way or another.”
“I didn’t say to keep it from him that we’re married, just not that we’re staying married because of the acquisition.” I give him a pleading look.
My brother has always been my fierce protector, and I never want to disappoint him.
Admitting that I made a reckless decision to get married in Vegas is one thing. But it’ll be worse if Theo knows how bad things have gotten with Dad. If he finds out that Dad demanded I stay married because of a business deal, he’ll feel compelled to intervene, even though it’s not his responsibility to fix my problems.
Cash lets out a heavy sigh. “Let me get this straight. You’re suggesting that we not tell Theo that Stafford Holdings is buying out your father’s business. Which means when we break the news to him, he’ll think our feelings for each other are real and that we got married in Vegas on a whim because we want to be together?”
I nod. “Exactly. The same as what we told Presley and your parents. The only people who will know the truth are Harrison and Dylan.”
“What about your step-brothers? I think you have to tell them. They have a right to know about the acquisition and how it’ll affect them.”
I rub my temples, warding off an impending headache. Our situation is getting more complicated by the minute.
“At this rate, we’re going to need a chart to keep this all straight,” I say with a hint of amusement. “Are you sure you just don’t want to get an annulment? It seems like the easier option.”
Cash chuckles. “Where’s the fun in that?” He reaches across the table, taking my hands in his. “I’m all in if you are.”
“Yeah, Stafford, I’m in.”
My heart hammers in my chest as his eyes hold mine. I’m entranced as he traces circles on my palms with his thumbs, sending an electric current spark through my veins. His touch is quickly becoming addictive, and I almost let out a sigh of disappointment when he lets go.
He stands and tosses a hundred-dollar bill on the table as a tip. “We should head out. We’re supposed to meet the pilot in a half hour, and my mom will never forgive me if we don’t say goodbye first.
Once he has paid the bill at the cash register near the front, he holds the glass door open for me, and we exit the coffee shop. I almost run into him when he suddenly stops by the newspaper dispenser.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
He takes out a copy of theAspen Grove Gazette, holding it up for me to see. On the front page are photos of us from high school, accompanied by a wedding announcement congratulating us on our marriage.
The curious glances from the other patrons in Brew Haven make more sense now.