I toss the blanket off my body and head to the bathroom. Irvin is shaving his five o’clock shadow, and my heart beats hard at how neat he looks. I guess I have to get used to my new norm—living with him. At least when no one’s around, we don’t have to pretend to be husband and wife.
Without acknowledging him, I step into the shower. Slowly, Irvin pushes the shower door open and steps onto the white tiles with me. We stare at each other, and he kisses me—hard and demanding. Then he fucks me against the shower wall. But now that we’re temporarily married, I get to have all the sex I want with him. After all, he’s earned my trust by being there for me and helping me financially. Hopefully, the investigation into my bank account will be cleared up soon.
We both hop out of the shower, dry ourselves off, get dressed, and head downstairs.
Jameson and Keanu are in the kitchen making breakfast. The smell of bacon and fresh biscuits wafts in the air. My stomach rumbles.
“You two hungry?” Keanu asks.
“No. We need to get to class,” Irvin answers.
Outside, Irvin walks me to his bike, and I shake my head. I don’t like riding on his bike. What if we get into an accident and we die? No thanks. I don’t want my guts splattered across asphalt.
I follow him to his white Mustang and toss my book bag in the back seat.
I’m nervous about going to campus. I know we’re about to be the talk of the town. Being with someone like Irvin earns me brownie points and respect—and I’m protected by him. As the wife of a God, it opens doors for me. Now that I think about it, it’s more of a benefit for me to be fake married to him than it is for him to be married to me. The thought unsettles me.
He pulls out of the driveway, puts the gear in drive, and rides down the icy road. He places his hand in mine, and I like the way he holds it—how attentive he is.
Sweat slicks my palm, so I wipe it on my leggings.
This seems too good to be true, like the rug is going to be snatched from under me. I swallow thickly, hoping to wash it away, but it only gets worse.
He turns the knob on the dashboard, and Three Days Grace blasts through the speakers.
He strokes the back of my neck. Goosebumps erupt on my arms, my body acutely aware of him.
Five minutes later, we arrive at school. The campus is flooded with students strolling in and out of the cobblestone Gothic-style halls.
Irvin kills the engine, narrowing his eyes at me.
“I’m going to walk you to class.”
I shake my head, grabbing my book bag from the back seat. “Oh, nonsense. I can walk myself.”
He leans closer, and his gaze darkens, smoothing out his brown tie. “You’re my wife.”
Something twists in my stomach, but I shrug it off. Why do I feel like there’s more to what he’s saying? Am I losing my mind?
We walk close together, shoulder to arm.
He tilts my chin to meet his gaze. “Is everything okay, princess?”
I shake my head and take his hand in mine. I’ve noticed that he’s been extra attentive since the wedding. “Are you okay? You’re being weird,” I question.
He stops in his tracks, his gaze zeroing in on me. “How am I being weird?”
“You’re holding my hand. You’re being extra touchy. And you’re walking me to class.”
“I’ve always been this way. You just never noticed.” He pauses. “We have to pretend that we’re really together so we can fool people.”
Something’s off with him, but I can’t explain it. I twitch my mouth. “So, all of this is an act, then?”
He shakes his head. “Lilac, I’ve always looked after you. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
The wind blows, and I tighten my jacket, fidgeting with the wedding band suffocating my finger.
I nod and clear my throat. “Yeah. I am.”
