Reluctantly Yours(42)

“Thanks.” I give her a small smile. “I have to focus on work and do my best to play along with Barrett, then I’ll put this fake relationship behind me.”

Jules nods. I can tell she wants there to be more to it than that. There isn’t, not with Barrett. He’s got his own agenda, and I’m just a pawn in his game. At least I’m aware of it. But, now that I’m not dying of mortification anymore, I can tell her about last night.

“Barrett walked in on me in the bathtub last night.”

“WHATT??!!” she shrieks.

I sigh. “Volume.”

“Sorry.”

“I was, you know.” I make a circular motion toward my lower half.

Her mouth drops open.

“What did he do?”

“He stared, then told me I was late for dinner.”

The image of Barrett standing in the bathroom doorway pops into my head. His hard expression never wavered from its usual frown. I could have been trimming my toenails for how uninterested he appeared to be in what he saw.

“Shut up.”

I cover my face with my hands, the embarrassment of the moment creeping back in. I shouldn’t let it bother me; Barrett obviously wasn’t fazed by it.

“Damn.” She fans herself. “I knew you were holding out on me.”

I laugh. “There’s nothing to it but an embarrassing story and a reminder to lock the bathroom door.”

Jules’ lips quirk. “I don’t know. I think there’s more to it.”

I shake my head and Jules rises from the chair.

She pauses in the doorway. “Some gals from admin and marketing are getting drinks tomorrow night. Want to join?”

“Can’t. Barrett and I are going to a charity gala.”

“Fancy. I can’t wait to hear how that goes.” She exits with a smirk and a wave. “Ta ta for now.”

I glance back at my computer screen, and try to recall what I was doing before Jules walked in. I was going over JoAnna’s editorial calendar to send out reminders.

I open up my email, but my mind skips back to this morning in the car when Barrett kissed me. How he must have thought I meant for him to give me a goodbye kiss. The same way he had done in JoAnna’s office on Monday, except today his lips lingered longer. I could feel the tip of his tongue teasing the entrance of my mouth. I’d been caught off guard, completely unprepared for his lips to be on mine again. To be reminded how good they felt there. How I could imagine his mouth kissing me other places. I’m pretty sure Barrett St. Clair’s lips were made for sin.

Then, he told me it wouldn’t happen again. Good. I don’t need the distraction.

“Chloe,” JoAnna’s voice makes me jump, “sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

“No problem. I was just working on the editorial calendar.”

“Perfect. Can you send me your edits on Sail Away?”

“Of course.” I nod, then turn back to my computer.

With all my editorial assistant duties and the added responsibilities to fill in for Lacey as an assistant editor, along with the Books 4 Kids event tasks, my to do list is overflowing.

I clear my mind of thoughts of Barrett, because thinking about him isn’t on it.





I haven’t seen Barrett since yesterday morning in the car on the way to work. He texted me that he would be working late last night and this morning he was nowhere to be found. Not that I was looking for him.

I’m settling in at Barrett’s place. Last night I ate the dinner Dimitri had prepared by myself, then curled up with a book in front of the fireplace in Barrett’s study. Yes, it’s June, but I couldn’t resist. I wonder if I can add use of his study in the month of December to my list? He said it could be anything as long as it doesn’t interfere with his business deal.

Or maybe my good mood is because of the bathroom at Barrett’s place, I’m still not adjusted to its size and amenities. The tub and shower jets, dimmable vanity mirrors, and heated toilet seat. It does everything but shave my legs, which I’ve just finished doing in the bathtub.

I lay my head back on the built-in head rest and enjoy the feeling of my smooth skin as I glide one leg over the other.

I thought I’d be more annoyed with being Barrett’s plus one. He didn’t exactly ask nicely when he told me we’d be making our first public appearance tonight at the Top Dog Gala. Maybe I would be if I wasn’t in love with the gorgeous blue dress that I get to wear tonight. It’s backless and makes me feel sexy. And the fact that people will be showing up in half an hour to do my hair and makeup. I didn’t even get my hair done for prom. I don’t know why Barrett hates going to events. Dressing up is fun.

I pull the plug with my toes, a move I’ve mastered in less than forty-eight hours, and lift myself up and out to grab my bathrobe out of the warming drawer. Yes, this bathroom even has a heated drawer to put your towel or bathrobe into so it is toasty perfection when you get out of the bath or shower. Rose showed it to me yesterday and I nearly collapsed on the floor.

In the closet, I pull open the drawer I put my underwear in Thursday night. I move through the colorful array of options, cotton thongs, cotton boy briefs, lots of cotton. My eyes find that gorgeous blue dress again. This isn’t going to cut it. I slam it shut and move over to the next drawer. I already know what’s in it and when I saw it yesterday, I vowed I’d never touch it because who needs sexy silk and lace underwear when you’re fake dating Barrett, the Ice King? My hands move over the slinky material of a silk black thong. I snatch it up quickly, then slam the drawer. It’s for the dress. Nothing more.