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He lets out a low whistle as he gets up from the couch. “It’s even bigger up close. It must have cost a fortune,” he observes, grabbing my hand to examine the ring.
August isn’t wrong. The five-carat pear-shaped ring is surrounded by smaller diamonds that sparkle in the light. It’s both stunning and elegant, and yet despite its size, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
I can’t help comparing it to the flashy emerald-cut diamond Landon gave me when he proposed. The thing got caught on everything because it was so bulky, and I didn’t like the way it looked.
To Landon, I was merely an accessory, valued more for my connection to my dad than for who I am. In contrast, even after all these years, Cash sees through my facade and makes me feel truly seen.
“The ring is stunning. You’re one lucky woman,” August says.
“Yeah, it’s nice,” I hedge, refusing to admit I secretly love it. I can’t get attached since I’ll have to return it once this is all said and done.
My time with Cash has been brief, but that doesn’t stop the pricking sense of unease that persists when I’m reminded our arrangement has an expiration date.
“Where are you living?” August questions.
“Cash’s place.”
“But you love your apartment.”
“I do, but he lives at the High Rise, which is only fifteen minutes from our offices. Plus, his place has amazing perks. I talked to his doorman on my way out this morning, and he told me that Cash has a private gym on the floor below us, and he also has access to a full-service sauna and spa in the building.” I clasp my hands together with excitement.
“You’re living at the High Rise? Damn, you didn’t tell me your man wasthatloaded. Lucky you, living a life of luxury.” August gives a nod of approval. “Please tell me the sex is amazing. It wouldn’t be a proper wedding night without a good fuck,” he remarks unabashedly.
“Seriously?” I scold him while a flush warms my cheeks. “He’s notmy man, and for your information, no, I haven’t had sex with Cash. Sleeping in the same bed is enough for—”
His jaw drops. “Woah, hold up.” He lowers himself onto my desk as if my admission has rendered him unable to stand. “You’re telling me you’re sharing a bed and haven’t gotten laid yet? This is the perfect opportunity to have some of the best sex of your life with no strings attached.” He pauses when I give him a pointed look. “Okay, fine, there are loads of strings, but they’ll all be severed once this arrangement is over, so you’ve got nothing to lose, right?”
He makes it sound so simple, but experience has taught me otherwise.
If Cash and I aren’t careful, there’s no hope of coming out of this unscathed. Wrestling with my attraction is proving difficult, and it’s jeopardizing the boundaries I’ve set to protect my heart.
“How do you think Liam will take the news about the acquisition?” I ask, deflecting his question.
“Oh, he’s going to be furious, just like I am. I guarantee Dick had no intention of telling us until Stafford Holdings signed on the dotted line. He always keeps us in the dark when it suits him, and this situation is no different.” August clenches his jaw. “We’ve worked our asses off for years, and this is how he repays us? It’s despicable.”
Liam and August joined my dad’s company to avoid conflict with their mom. She was adamant they support the family business for the sake of her reputation. The financial incentive was lucrative, but my father’s dictatorial management style overshadowed it.
We could all benefit from a class that teaches adult children ways to stand up to their toxic parents.
“Don’t worry. I’m confident the Stafford brothers have done their due diligence and recognize the value you and Liam bringto the company.” I offer him an encouraging smile. “I saw them over the weekend, and it’s obvious they’re juggling a lot of responsibilities right now. They don’t have the capacity to take over the day-to-day operations of Townstead International while managing their billionaire-dollar enterprise.”
His furrowed brow doesn’t give me confidence that I’ve eased his concerns.
“Fantastic.” August rolls his eyes. “It’ll be like working for Dick, but now there will be three of them to boss us around and pocket all our profits.” His voice drips with sarcasm.
“You’ve got it all wrong. Cash and his brothers aren’t like that. You may not know them yet, but I do, and I know they’ll be fair.”
The Stafford family may be billionaires, but they don’t act like it. Johanna and Mike were adamant about raising their kids to be humble and hardworking. That’s why they raised them in Aspen Grove, in a modest house well below their means.
“For someone who says your marriage is strictly for convenience, you sure seem smitten with your husband,” August says with a smirk.
“I am not,” I insist a little too quickly.
“You keep telling yourself that.” August’s eyes twinkle with amusement. “If I were married to a hot billionaire, I’d be having the best sex of my life. And no, those toys of yours are not comparable to a well-endowed man who knows how to please a woman.”
“Oh my god, please stop,” I beg him. “While I appreciate the unsolicited advice, I am sure I won’t be sleeping with Cash.”
Maybe if I repeat it enough, I’ll believe it.