Chapter 13: Megan
Britney's eyes never left Caleb as I introduced them, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the way she was looking at him—like she was trying to figure out if he was real or some kind of hologram. I mean, I couldn't exactly blame her.
Caleb Drake wasn't just any guy. He was tall, devastatingly handsome, with that powerful, commanding presence that made you feel like the world snapped to attention when he walked into a room. That, and the fact that he was a billionaire, made him seem almost too good to be true.
Britney's lips twitched as she shook his hand, but I could see the skepticism already forming in her eyes. Caleb, for his part, flashed her one of his charming, practiced smiles—the kind that could probably make most women melt on the spot.
But Britney wasn't most women. She eyed him like he was some kind of puzzle she was determined to solve.
"Nice to meet you," she said, her voice polite but cool. She didn't let go of his hand right away, like she was testing him. "Megan's told me a lot about you."
I shot her a look. I hadn't told her anything at all about Caleb, but I did talk about the best sex of my life. Britney knew me well enough to see through the cracks in my story. My cheeks heated up.
It was only a matter of time before she started asking questions. I just hadn't expected her to start with him.
"Good to meet you too," Caleb replied smoothly, his eyes flicking between the two of us. "I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about, so I'll get out of your hair."
I didn't stop him as he stepped back toward the car. I was still a little annoyed, if I was being honest. His comment about my place being a dump had hit a nerve, and despite his apology, I wasn't ready to let it go just yet.
"I don't want you to contract anything from this dump," I muttered, rolling my eyes as I said it. I regretted the words almost immediately, but I couldn't help it.
There was a part of me that was still defensive about my situation, about the fact that I lived in a shitty apartment because that was all I could afford.
Caleb's world was so far removed from mine that it was hard not to feel like he was looking down on me, even when he didn't mean to.
He stopped, turning to look at me with a serious expression. "I didn't mean to insult you, Megan. I just want you to be safe. That's all."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. The fight had drained out of me, and I could see that he was trying. He wasn't just some rich asshole throwing money at a problem. He genuinely cared, I think. And that made it harder to stay mad at him.
"I know," I said softly, meeting his gaze. "I just… I'm not used to this. To someone worrying about me like that."
He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was so gentle, so intimate, that it made my heart squeeze in my chest. "Get used to it," he said, his voice low. "Because I'm not going to stop. "
I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way his words made my stomach flip. This was supposed to be fake. A business arrangement. But moments like this? They didn't feel fake at all.
But his next words tethered me to reality. "You're going to be my wife, the one and only Mrs. Drake."
My smile stiffened, the edge of my lips twitching minutely.
"Let me make it up to you," he said, his hand lingering on my cheek for a moment before he dropped it. "Come out with me tomorrow. A proper date."
I hesitated for a second, but really, could I say no? The way he was looking at me, the way he made me feel like I was the only woman in the world when we were together—it was impossible to resist.
"Okay," I said, nodding. "Tomorrow."
His face lit up with a smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Great. I'll pick you up. And don't worry about the move. I'm sending someone in the morning to help you and Britney pack up your things. They'll take care of everything."
Before I could argue, he kissed me—soft and quick, just enough to leave me breathless. "See you tomorrow," he murmured against my lips, and then he was gone, climbing into his car and driving off into the night.
I stood there for a moment, staring after him, my heart still racing. This whole thing was moving so fast. Too fast. But I couldn't seem to stop myself from getting swept up in it.
Britney's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "So," she said, her tone dry as we started walking back toward the building. "Are you sure about this?"
I glanced over at her. "Sure about what?"
She gave me a pointed look. "About him. He must be the sex god you kept talking about even in your dreams."
Embarrassment washed all over me. Yes, I dreamt of Caleb, and Britney heard all the rated pg words I muttered in my sleep.
"Are you sure about marrying the guy? I mean, he's way out of your league. No offense, but this whole whirlwind romance thing? It never ends well."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair as we walked. Britney always had a way of cutting straight to the point, and I knew she wasn't going to let this go until I told her the truth. And I couldn't lie to her. Not about this.
"It's not… It's not what you think," I admitted, my voice low. "It's not a real marriage."
Britney stopped, turning to face me, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "What do you mean it's not real?"
I took a deep breath, my stomach knotting as I prepared to explain everything. "It's a business deal. He needs a wife for his CEO position, and I need money for my mom's treatment. So we're getting married for a year, and then we'll get divorced."
Britney stared at me, her mouth slightly open. "You're kidding."
I shook my head. "I wish I was."
She let out a long sigh, rubbing her forehead like she was trying to process everything. "Megan, this is… I don't even know what to say."
"I know," I said quietly, wrapping my arms around myself as we continued walking. "It's not ideal, but I didn't really have a choice. I need the money, Britney. For Mom. This is better than being a prostitute to some old, sleazy married pervert who looks like he has been pregnant for ten years."
She was silent for a moment, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. Finally, she spoke. "I get it. I do. You didn't have a choice. But you need to be careful, Megan. This whole thing… it's dangerous."
I frowned, glancing over at her. "Dangerous?"
"With your heart," she said, her voice firm. "I know you're doing this for the money, but you can't tell me you don't feel anything for him. And if you're not careful, you're going to get hurt."
I opened my mouth to protest, to tell her that I had everything under control, but the words wouldn't come. Because deep down, I knew she was right. Every time Caleb touched me, kissed me, I felt something. Something real. And that scared the hell out of me.
"Just… don't lose yourself in this," Britney said as we reached the front door of our building. "I don't want to see you get hurt."
I nodded, biting my lip as I unlocked the door and pushed it open. "I'll be careful," I promised, though I wasn't sure how much control I really had over any of this.
Britney glanced at me one more time before heading down the hallway toward her room. "Caleb seems like bad news," she said over her shoulder, her voice soft but serious. "Just… be careful."
I watched her disappear into her room, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips. I leaned against the door, my mind racing with everything that had happened tonight, everything that was about to happen tomorrow.
Was Britney right? Was Caleb bad news? Was I setting myself up for heartbreak?
I didn't know. But as I stood there in the quiet of our small, rundown apartment, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was all moving too fast. That I was getting in way over my head.
And as much as I wanted to tell myself that I'd be fine, that I'd come out of this unscathed, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered the truth.
I wasn't sure if I'd survive this with my heart intact.