Chapter 0006

Hannah

"This is the last warning you will get before I drag you out of bed myself: wake up!"

I wake up to an angry male voice, and it takes some time for my eyes to adjust to the light inside the room.

"Where am I?" I ask, dazed.

"Great, you're finally awake!" Tobias glares down at me, fully clothed, and I smile tiredly.

"Am I still dreaming?" I giggle and stretch in the bed, smiling dreamily. "I had this dream that I married a gorgeous billionaire, and he was the most amazing kisser—he looked exactly like you!"

Tobias deadpans. His face doesn't show amusement or anger, and I shriek when I realize what I just said. But since there is nothing to save me from the humiliation, I shoot up from bed.

"I will get dressed!"

I rush out of bed and notice that Tobias goes oddly silent. I had expected him to say something and remark that I'm a complete mess, but he is just... quiet.

Curiously, I look at him and find him staring down at my breast. It's then I realize my bra is no longer covering my nipples—it's not my actual size, and I quickly adjust it with nervous hands.

"Sorry..." I'm blushing and also wishing I could read Tobias's mind. Does he like the sight of me? Or is he embarrassed I'm not paper-thin?

Tobias, who has managed to peel his eyes away from my breast, meets my gaze with raised eyebrows. "What are you apologizing for?"

"I-I don't know..." I laugh at my own jittering nerves. "For not being up to your taste, I guess? I'm not hideous, but I know I'm not a model. I'm way too curvy..."

I shyly look at him, and Tobias stares at me. There is an odd expression on his face that I can't read, and when I look down, I'm shocked to see the outline of his massive cock pressing against his pants.

My lips part, but before I can say anything, Tobias growls and focuses his burning eyes on mine. "Not a word."

"O-of course!" I chirp and try to act professional, but on the inside? I'm ecstatic. Tobias has morning wood, and while it might not be because of me, I would like to think I had a little to do with it.

It feels like an inner victory.

After getting dressed, Tobias and I hurry to leave his grand mansion. I don't have any seminars today, but my other half has his schedule booked for the day.

My new husband has some important phone calls to make, and his private chauffeur opens the doors to a limousine for us. I'm pleased to find breakfast waiting for us inside and take a seat inside the luxurious car while Tobias is on the phone.

"Yes, we will make it to brunch," Tobias is wearing a well-practiced smile even when speaking on the phone. "It's 'we' because I will be bringing my wife. Yes, I've found someone new. Moving too fast? No, mother, I can assure you that we are very much in love."

While Tobias lies to his mother, I pop a grape into my mouth. I don't like lying to his family members and manipulating people, but it's a little too late for that.

I'm Tobias's partner in crime, and I will try to act all "wifey" to fool everyone around him. I wonder if Tobias has siblings? It might be harder to deceive people closer to him...

Once Tobias is off the phone, I eye him while munching on a triangle-shaped piece of toast. It makes him stare back at me with those blue-blue eyes.

"What?" He asks.

"Nothing, I was just..." I hesitate, hoping he doesn't find me annoying for chatting. "Do you have any siblings?"

"I have two brothers. They are younger than me," he looks me over. "They both play hockey, and I believe they attend the same college as you. Their names are Mark and Jake. We don't have the same surname since we don't have the same father."

"Oh, did you use to play hockey too?" It would make sense since Tobias is HUGE and perfectly muscular. He even has those v-lines that just are to die for...

"No, but some people think I'm into sports lately," Tobias breathes a laugh and picks up a triangle-shaped sandwich. "After the divorce, I felt... ugly, and like I wasn't enough. And so my two younger brothers helped me work out and build this body."

Tobias ugly? Pfft! Even without that body, he has the most handsome face—I could cut myself on his jawline. And those eyes? He is a total snack.

"You're not ugly," I tell him. "Like, at all."

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Do you find me attractive, Hannah?"

"Shit, I walked straight into that one, didn't I?"

He laughs at my reddening cheeks. The sound is so genuine and sudden that it takes me by surprise, and when I look at Tobias, he is smiling.

"You don't have to answer."

My hands are sweaty as I grab another grape. "Good, because I think you already know the answer..."

Tobias leans his cheek against his knuckles, lips still curled. Why does he have to be so intense? He is eyeing me from his seat with one leg draped over the other. With his expensive suit and styled hair, he looks like the aristocrat he is.

"I would like to hear you say it," his tone is challenging. "That is if you're brave enough to admit it."

Oh my. All blood drains from my face. Tobias knows I find him attractive. It doesn't seem like he is making fun of me, though. He looks like he finds it amusing, and there is a challenge on his face: will I admit I find him attractive or not?

Truth?

I don't want to. I'm scared Tobias will find me wanting him repulsive.

But...

I want to be brave, so I take a deep breath and step out of my comfort zone. "You're very pretty to look at. I'm not even going to try to lie and say otherwise."

His lips curl higher. "Even though I'm older than you?"

"Are you that much older, though?" I don't see any wrinkles on his face, and Tobias doesn't look much older. "I'm sure you know I'm eighteen already. You read my files."

"I did," he picks up a bottle and fills it with something. It's not alcohol. It looks like sparkling water. "And I'm thirty-one," his eyes briefly meet mine, gauging my reaction. When I make no face of surprise, he continues talking. "Does my age bother you?"

"No." It made him hotter, but I won't tell him that. I'm already embarrassed since he knows I find him hot meanwhile, I have no idea what he thinks of me.

"Good," Tobias wears a private smile; he looks pleased but doesn't share what it is with me. Instead, he changes the subject. "Get used to the car. My driver will drop me off and take you to various clothing stores. You need nicer clothes for brunch."

"Oh, but I don't have any money."

"I know," he opens his wallet and hands me a credit card that looks as if been embedded with diamonds. "Use this and find something nice. Once properly dressed, my chauffeur will escort you to the hotel where the brunch is held. You can call me."

Before I can say anything, Tobias takes a box from under the seat and hands it to me. It's a brand-new phone. The box is broken, but it's still the newest model.

"My number is installed into there," Tobias explains. "That's why the seal is broken. But I hope you will enjoy the phone regardless."

"I will, but Jesus Christ, you're spoiling me!"

He laughs at me. "Well, that's the idea, isn't it? I stand for all your expenses, and you just smile and act like you're in love."

"Keep giving me gifts, and I might fall for you for real," I joke.

Tobias, however, doesn't laugh.

"Falling in love is out of the question," he says. "I'm not looking for a relationship. You're with me to make it seem like I'm over my ex-wife, and once I've ended her partnership, you're no longer needed."

For some reason, his words hurt. "Yes, I was just joking with you."

Why is he suddenly acting so defensive?

"Don't joke about falling in love with me," there is no laughter or fun in Tobias's eyes. Only ice and bitterness. "You and I will be together for maybe a year or a few months, and then this marriage will be over. I advise you don't get any ideas for your own sake. This is strictly business, and no love will grow from this. I realize that you like to dream, Hannah. You're all sunshine and pink clouds, but love won't bloom here. Am I being perfectly clear?"

I swallow thickly. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Tobias picks up his phone to scroll on, marking that he doesn't want to speak with me anymore.

I stare out the window and get comfortable in my seat despite the constricting feeling in my chest. Tobias is acting like a pompous asshole, making me feel lonely.

We had such a great conversation, and now it's all gone after he lost his temper. But then again, I shouldn't make friends with Tobias since our situation is only temporary.

Instead, I should text Caroline, my best friend, and tell her I've gotten married. But then again, we barely talk that much anymore. She spends a lot of time with a girl named Winnie and never seems to have time for me.

But perhaps calling Caroline and revealing that I'm now married to a billionaire would make her want to see me... or would she get bothered by me calling her?

My insides churn with indecisiveness.

I hate the thought of being a bother to other people. This is why I have trouble getting my voice heard. I feel a strong need to please others, and sometimes I worry that even my friends see me as a pushover.

I sink further into my own world until the car stops, and Tobias gets up from his seat.

"This is me," he says while leaning over me. "You have a nice day."

His soft lips brush against mine, and yearning immediately pumps through my veins.

Tobias tastes like the sparkling water he drank—a hint of red apple on his tongue. I lean into his kiss, and his cologne wafts into my nostrils. Intoxicating and addictive enough to make my toes curl.

He leans away from my kiss, and our gazes clash. "Buy something pretty with my card. White and gold are definitely your colors. Perhaps even blue, like your eyes."

Like my eyes?

"Do you think my eyes are pretty?"

He smiles. "Very."

My chest constricts because his words and actions contradict themselves. Already, I can't tell fairytales and dreams apart from reality. What does he think about me, really?

"I should leave," Tobias opens the door, and with one last glance over his shoulder, he smiles at me. "See you at the brunch."

The door closes, and I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. I have to tell myself repeatedly that our relationship is only fake, or else I'm afraid I will start thinking our kisses are real.

I wish they were...