I want to test a theory, to see how Lilac responds. I called Judy over here to see if I’m right about her. To see her reaction. To see if she still wants me.
Lilac is on my heel, biting her nails.
“Why is she here this late at night?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. She told me she wanted to talk.”
I open the door. Judy’s pretty, but she’s not on Lilac’s level. She has high cheekbones, a short stature, bleach-blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes. Boring. We never hooked up—she’s like a sister to me. Not my type. Her parents haven’t arranged her marriage yet.
Judy throws her arms around me, and I hug her back. Lilac crinkles her nose as Judy kisses the side of my cheek. Judy rubs her thumb on the same spot. “I miss you, babe. We haven’t spent much time together.”
“I’ve been busy.”
She glances at Lilac, reaching out her hand, but Lilac just stares at it, then brings her gaze back to Judy’s face.
Judy grabs my hand and leads me up to my office. “We need to talk.”
Before Lilac can respond, Judy slams the door behind her and sits in my executive chair.
“How long do we have to stay in here? I have to meet Tommy for a date.”
Tommy’s father is part of the American Billionaire Club—he’s a student here and Judy’s current boyfriend.
I sit across from her, eyeing her. “Twenty minutes.”
Her eyes narrow. “Did you see the look on your wife’s face? She looked so upset.”
I shrug. “Yeah, that’s the plan—to make her face the fact that she wants me.” I lean my elbows on my desk. “Pinch your cheeks so they look flushed, and ruffle your hair. I want her to think we were fucking.”
She does as I say. “I don’t feel good about hurting Lilac.”
“If you don’t play along, I’ll tell Tommy you cheated on him with Jameson.”
She glares, the corners of her mouth crinkling. “You’re an asshole.”
I shrug, folding my arms across my chest. “I know.”
She leans back in the chair.
“Now unbutton your shirt.”
Several moments later, Lilac bangs on the door. “Open the fucking door, Irvin!”
I smile. My plan is working. I open the oak door.
Lilac’s face is flushed, her gaze darting to Judy, then studying my body and expression.
Judy moves past both of us and blows a kiss to me. I want to roll my eyes but refrain.
“Thanks for the talk about our relationship,” Judy says.
Lilac fidgets with the hem of her pajama shirt, her lips quivering as she pushes her shoulders back.
There it is—the jealous look on Lilac’s face. Exactly what I thought. She does want me.
“What relationship?” Lilac snaps, standing in front of me and blocking my view. “Don’t you know my husband is a married man?”
Judy steps close to me and strokes my cheek. “I’m going to be his mistress.”
