Page 122 of The Temporary Fiancée
“I’ve got lawyers,” he snarls. “I’ll sue your ass for defamation. You didn’t think I would, did you? But you better believe I will.”
“I didn’t tell any lies. I didn’t say anything that wasn’t?—”
He raises his voice to a yell. “You went to areporterand tried to ruin me!”
Before he can say anything else—and before I can respond—a hand closes around his upper arm.
I was so focused on Keller’s enraged rant that I didn’t even realize Reed was approaching. He pulls Keller away from me, anger darkening his face.
“That’s my fiancé you’re talking to,” he says, his voice dangerously low and measured, “so you’d better be careful what you say.”
Keller’s fury doesn’t fade. He rounds on Reed, who is at least a full head taller than him, and jabs an accusatory finger at hischest. “Andyou—this was your idea, wasn’t it? Taking her to some reporter to try and make me look like?—”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Reed says coolly. “You don’t want to push this, believe me. If I wanted to, I could dedicate my life—and myconsiderableresources—to ruining your business for good.”
For a moment, Keller is silent as Reed’s threat dawns on him. His face begins to redden, and his fingers clench into shaking fists.
“You’re full of it,” he mutters.
“Am I?” Reed tilts his head. “Or are you a little dog picking a big fight? Trust me. I could make sure you end up withnothing.”
At that, Keller gapes, mouthing soundlessly.
“And I’ll happily do it,” Reed continues, “if you ever so much asspeakto this woman again.”
There’s something dominant and powerful in Reed’s voice and his bearing, a cold certainty. It takes me aback. I’ve never seen him like this—usually, he’s flirty and casual and easygoing, all smiles and sly winks. His expression is flat right now, stern and forbidding.
I’ve always known that Reed was tall, too, but I don’t think I realized justhowtall until this moment, when he towers over Keller.
“Get out of here,” Reed says, releasing Keller’s arm.
My former boss stares up at him, cowed. His eyes are wide. I can see his indignation still simmering beneath the surface, but he backs off nonetheless, lifting his hands.
“Fine,” he mutters, shooting me one last glare. He mumbles something else under his breath that I can’t hear, then steps away from us, slinking down the sidewalk.
“Are you okay?” Reed turns back to me. His hand comes to rest on my shoulder.
“I… I’m fine.” I shake my head, dazed. Whatwasthat? Did he just… chase Keller off? Just like that?
The adrenaline that surged through my body during my confrontation with Keller has begun to wear off, and my knees are shaky as Reed guides me into the building.
We go upstairs, and only once we’re out of the elevator do I find my voice.
“Thank you,” I say, my arms wrapped around my torso. I wander into the living room, picking up my knitting project from the couch. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course I did,” Reed replies, an undercurrent of ice still in his voice. “You’re my fiancé. No one speaks to my fiancé like that.”
“Yes, but—it’s not real.”
His brow furrows. “It’s real enough,” he says quietly.
My heart skips a beat. For a few seconds, I stare into his serious, fixed expression. The intensity in his eyes is alluring, but it’s also intimidating.
I can’t hold his gaze for long. After a moment, I brush past him to retreat down the hallway, slipping into my bedroom. I close the door behind myself, taking my knitting with me.
Chapter 27
Reed
