Cooper
“What the fuck?” She sputtered before admonishing herself and, if I heard correctly, muttering that she would put a dollar in a jar later.
“Why the fuck– shit, ugh,” she shook her head vigorously.
Okay, not quite what I was expecting, but her response was making it difficult not to laugh.
I’d understandably caught her off guard but watching her mind race through thoughts, emotions and possibilities, was adorable.
“Ev, I know I’ve caught you off guard.”
“Understatement of the year,” she grumbled.
“And there is a lot to it, a lot I might not have answers for right now, but I know you will have questions. So, what are they?” I asked, knowing that mind of hers was prioritising and formulating the things she needed to know before she could even consider deciding.
Rubbing her chest as if eradicating a bout of heartburn, she cleared her throat.
“Why do I need to live with you? Why is it four months? And why do I need to be yourfiancée?” she whispered the final word as if she wasn’t sure she’d heard me correctly.
“Honestly–”
“Obviously, honestly,” she interjected with that direct fire I loved.
“I may have told my parents we were dating,” I winced, expelling all the air from the lungs as if my body felt relieved at having finally admitted this aloud.
“Why?” No judgment, just why.
“Why?” I repeated as a ploy to give myself more time to think. More time to work out exactly how to articulatewhyI’d fabricated this entire thing when I still wasn’t sure myself. “I only have half an answer to that.”
“Half?” She deadpanned.
“Half.” I echoed, the mimicry clearly deliberate at this point.
She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. “You’re going to have to give me more than that.”
“You haven’t said no,” I mumbled, hope flickering in my voice.
She cocked her head, crossing her arms across her chest which drew my attention to–
My cock was suddenly awake and entering the conversation and I shoved my hand in my pocket in case she noticed the way my pants were beginning to tighten for no apparent reason other than the flicker of anger sparkling in those eyes.
Oh, shit. Nope. Not today.
I tried not to notice the way Evangeline Micallef had grown up but truthfully, Sebastian’s little sister was long gone and replaced by a very,verybeautiful woman.
“I’m waiting for an explanation if that wasn’t clear,” she huffed, her snarky attitude tugging at the corners of my mouth. Her lips pressed into a line, gaze drifting up to the ceiling like she was consulting it for answers.
“It might be easier if you tell me what you’re thinking,” I said rather than answering.
“I’m confused,” she stated, matter of fact. “I need you to answer my questions,” she rubbed at her sternum again,fingers tracing up and down as if trying to ease the tension building beneath. “Because I’m thinking being closer would be ideal. I’m thinking I don’t want your money, but I’m also thinking there’s no rule which states we can’t be paid and not having to clean houses on weekends would be great. I’m thinking if you’re throwing money around, I’ll take it,” she smiled confidently. “But - fiancée?”
I could see her losing her train of thought, the idea of pretending to be in love acting as the roadblock to accepting this entire proposition.
“Just - why do I need to pretend to love you while doing those things? At the very least, it seems unethical to date my boss.” Her serious expression and pinched lips were so classically Evy, I had to fight back another grin. Her patience was unmatched, never rushing to fill a silence, which was perfect when I needed all the time I could get.
“If we’re requesting explanations, can we also clarify why you want me to be fisted without lube?” I asked, far too pleased when her eyes grew wide, and a guilty grimace crept across her face.
“Ugh, so, you saw that?”
