I burst out laughing, my shoulders shaking in a way they never have before. No part of me can contain myself, and Nate makes his disapproval known by squeezing my thigh tightly.
Warmth spreads through me at the pressure, shooting straight to my core.Though I try my best to ignore it, it’s hard when Audrey’s eyes flick mischievously between us.
“I’ll help Mom with cleanup, and Nate, I’ll give you a head start on taking down your spank bank,” she says before turning to me. “Vivienne, could you watch Anya for a little bit while we all help?”
I nod with a smile. “Of course.”
Nate grunts, gets to his feet, and chases his sister. They seem to be heavily arguing, but before I can catch a whiff of what they’re talking about, Anya comes charging toward me, landing on my lap.
“I have a secret to tell you,” she whispers, not so quietly, shuffling herself up onto the lounge chair.
I bend down to her level, squirming as her hands move the hair around my ear.
“Uncle Nate told me never to say this, but…” She giggles lightly, sneaking a look at her uncle mid-argument with her mom. “He said you’re way prettier and smarter than Belle could ever be.”
Butterflies hit me out of nowhere, and my lips part from being taken aback. I glance up to the too attractive, green-eyed man who’s scowling at his sister while she beams widely.
A moment passes before he turns, catching my gaze. His eyes search mine for an answer as to why I agreed to this before we’re interrupted by his mother.
“Nate. Vivienne. Your room is ready,” Natalia yells from the kitchen door.
My heart rate picks up at the underlying meaning of her words.
Your room.
Couples usually slept in the same bed, and in the eyes of Nate’s family,wewere a real couple.
CHAPTER 17
NATE
“Good night, my little lovebirds. Don’t have too much fun,” Mom yells from across the hallway, catching Dad off guard. His eyes flash wide with panic, and he nudges her shoulder in a “stay quiet” sort of way, but she still throws us a wink.
I wince at the blatant sexual innuendo and look down to see Vivienne frozen in place, equally as flustered. Her cheeks burn red before she averts her gaze to the wooden floor.
In some ways, it’s charming watching her react so viscerally to the crazy things my mom says. But now, I’m having thoughts of how I could draw out those same reactions out of her in far more sinful ways.
It’s wrong and twisted—especially with the nature of our arrangement—but watching Vivienne interact with my family was, without a doubt, the worst and most brutal thing I endured tonight.
Brutal—because I realized just how effortlessly she fits in with all of us.
Brutal—because I’m wildly attracted to a woman I can never catch feelings for.
But most importantly, brutal—because when this contract is over in four months, I’ll be the one breaking the news to my family. And I’m not sure I can bear the look on their faces when they find out the night they spent bonding with her was a lie.
With a deep breath and my mind in check, I yell back, “Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad. Love you.”
Vivienne shoots my parents one last warm smile along with a shy wave as I crack open the door to my childhood bedroom.
With a gentle push, it swings wide. I rest my hand on the small of her back—deliberately ignoring the hitch in her breath and the warmth spilling through my fingertips—as I guide her inside the dark space.
The second we step in, I shut the door behind us and lock it—preventing the possible breaking and entering of Natalia Archer. It’s only when I’m certain that we’re out of her reach that I let my lungs properly fill with air.
How did I get myself here?I’m mentally palming my face.
I should have declined the dinner invitation despite the guilt surging through me. We wouldn’t have found ourselves in a bigger mess than we already were.
“You have a lovely family.” Vivienne’s soft voice drags me out of my haze.
