Page 34 of Arranged Addiction

He stays like that for a long moment, staring up into my face, and I’m reminded of the sinful night we spent together.

I finally pull away, my cheeks turning red, and hurry away.

As much as I hate it, this man still has a wicked power over me, and I’m afraid I’ll give him more than I want if I stick around any longer.

Chapter 10

Casey

Sheila dumps a box down in the empty kitchen and sighs, rubbing her lower back. “One of my great regrets in life is letting you buy so much stuff.”

“Oh, come on, you’re just as bad as me.”

“True, but I don’t ever plan on moving.”

“I didn’t either.” I glance down at the ring on my finger. I’m tired and achy. I don’t know what I would’ve done if Sheila refused to help me get my stuff over here. I could afford movers, but I’m still operating under the delusion that I might buy my own house one day.

If I did, how would that work? I’d stay with Declan half the time? Raise my kids from afar?

What’s my life going to look like ten years from now?

I can barely picture two days, let alone anything past that.

One foot in front of the other.

If I stop and look up, I don’t know what’ll happen.

“Want me to stick around and help you get unpacked?” Sheila leans up against the kitchen counter.

“No, that’s okay. I know you want to get back.”

“Are you sure?”

“Honestly, I should probably get used to this place on my own.”

She frowns and looks around. “It’s really nice.”

“Too nice, honestly.” I run my finger along the top of the refrigerator. It comes back totally clean. “He’s a freak.”

“A neat husband isn’t the worst thing in the world.”

“You didn’t have to work for him.”

She squints and gives me a strange, grimacing smile. “You have no idea.”

“It’s going to take me a while to get used to this.” I drift into the living room and over toward the big windows. The view of the city is incredible. This condo is probably worth millions of dollars, especially in New York. “He was my boss not that long ago, and now I’m supposed to marry him.”

“You’ll figure each other out.”

“I thought I already did, you know? But now I have to learn to live with him as an equal.”

“I’m not sure that man thinks anyone exists on the same level as him.”

“He’d better learn.” I turn and give her the best smile I can. I don’t want Sheila to worry about me too much. “It’s fine,honestly, please don’t stick around. Declan and I have an agreement. We’ll work it out.”

Sheila lingers for a little while longer. She clearly doesn’t want to leave me alone here. And I can’t blame her. I feel like I’m dangling from the edge of a cliff.

But finally, she heads out, and I start carrying boxes up into my room.