Page 25 of Let Me Love You

“Well, you two may want to have that conversation sooner rather than later.”

I nod but don’t reply. What else can I say? We won’t be having any children together. When our contract ends, it will already be hard enough to spend time with Summer when they move back to Granite Falls. Not to mention, getting Serenity into my bed would be a challenge.

***

My father’s request plays on repeat in my brain as I wait for Jay outside my parents’ house. Though I’m happy my father is still alive, I couldn’t stay there any longer without giving myself away. It’s natural for him to want grandchildren, but we’re lying to him.

I loosen my tie. It suddenly feels like it’s tightening more and more until I’m about to suffocate.

My SUV pulls into the driveway and stops beside me. I slide inside before Jay can get out. No need for him to open my door when I’m a fully capable grown man. I turn to face Serenity, and my pulse quickens as I soak her in. She sits in the other seat, already dressed in her silk dress that I ordered the day she signed the contract. The forest green fabric hugs all her curves in the right places and dips in a deep V, revealing her generous cleavage.

I gulp. It certainly wouldn’t be a hardship making babies with Serenity.

She eyes me as I’m taking her in. “You look like you’re undressing me in your mind.”

I chuckle. “I love how you always say what you’re thinking. Good thing you sent the measurements because this dress fits you perfectly.”

“If by perfect you mean that my lungs are being crushed, then yes, it’s perfect.”

I laugh harder. “Does it make you feel better knowing that you can burn it after the wedding?”

She tilts her head to the side and rubs her chin. “I think I can get behind the burning of this dress after it nearly suffocates me to death.” Then she points to her feet. “What about my shoes? They’re like four inches! I think you’re also trying to off me with these torture devices.”

“The attendant at Bergdorf picked those out for you.” I take in her black heels. God, it’s like her legs go on for miles in those. “You can’t blame me. I don’t know the first thing about women’s fashion.”

“Bergdorf? You seriously wasted thousands of dollars on this dress that I’ll only wear once?” Her face turns an adorable shade of red. “Never mind. I’ve changed my mind. I won’t burn this. No, I’ll sleep in it.”

Shit. Think of anything other than Serenity sleeping in this dress. What about her in nothing?

I clear my throat. “If that’s what you want. Or I can buy you some new pajamas.”

Her posture goes rigid. “Why would you need to buy me new ones? I already have the comfiest pjs in existence.”

“Yes, and they look about ten years old by what I’ve witnessed.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and narrows her eyes at me. “So, now you’re judging me? Is this how our relationship will go for the next year?”

Raising my hands in front of me, I say, “No, I thought I was doing you a favor.”

“Just like I said with Summer, I don’t need extras, and I don’t need any favors. I’ll do what you hired me for and earn what’s stipulated in the contract, nothing extra.” Then she turns and dials a phone number. I assume the new nanny whom Serenity picked herself—after I ran every background check known to man—answers because she asks to speak with Summer.

I’m not stupid. I know when I’m being dismissed.

A few minutes later, we pull into the hotel, and Serenity wraps up her phone call with Summer.

I offer my hand to Serenity as she climbs out of the vehicle. She stares at my outstretched arm like she’ll catch a disease if she touches my skin. She presses her mouth into a thin line but eventually accepts my help.

Maybe one day, I’ll figure out why she dislikes me so much.

For now, I wrap her hand in my arm and ask, “Did you read everything in the file I gave you?”

“Yes, but I don’t know how you expect me to remember who is who and who attended what university.” She rushes her words. “That all seems like useless information when I don’t know them.”

“The more you know the better.”

Serenity pulls me to a stop. “I don’t think your board will be impressed if I know everything about them down to their childhood homes.” Her chest hitches. “It seems more like I’m studying them, and it isn’t realistic.”

“Don’t worry so much. This is going to work out as long as you don’t look like you want to strangle me like you do right now.”