Harper


    <b>87 </b>


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    Maddox decided to show me some parts of the house, his hand resting on my lower back like it was the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t decide if it was for show, or if he had forgotten that we didn’t actually have to pretend when no one was around. But I reminded myself of the countless times he’d held me like he owned me.


    When we came to the indoor swimming pool lined with white loungers, I subtly nodded to myself.


    “What?” he asked after catching it.


    “I can’t tell which swimming pool I prefer between this one and the one at your ce.


    “Mine is obviously better.” He bragged.


    I rolled my eyes. “Keep telling yourself that.”


    He chuckled while shaking his head and we kept moving until the tennis courts came into view. There were two of them, side–by–side and I already felt that was a bit too much, but I reminded myself of where I was.


    “Do you even y tennis?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.


    “Wanna get in there and find out just how good I am?”


    I raised my hands in defeat. “Let’s not even bother. I suck.”


    Stepping forward, he bit his bottom lip and said, “Of course


    you do.”


    I yfully rolled my eyes as I gently hit the side of his arm. “Let’s just go.”


    We walked further along the estate path when we came to an open field, the trimmed hedges and manicuredwns so perfect that I couldn’t look away. I was busy wondering how they came out that way when I realized he wasn’t looking around like me, he was looking at me. I could feel it in my peripheral vision.


    Every time I jerked my head in his direction to catch him looking at me, he quickly looked away, like he was studying the hedges and manicuredwns on the other side.


    I decided to ignore it, or at least pretend.


    “You know,” I began, “After seeing a few floors inside the house and most of the outside, I still prefer your ce.”


    That stopped him in his tracks, turning to face me with furrowed eyebrows. “Which one exactly? San Francisco or London?”


    My steps came to a halt too. “Both. In my eyes, either one is better.”


    He studied me for a few seconds before facing forward again and resuming his stride. “Most grownups prefer


    16:11 Mon<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>29


    the Aldridge Estate.”


    9:


    87


    55 vouchers


    I quickly caught up with him. “Good thing I’m not one of them. I believe age group might be influencing preference here and that makes sense….because I’m young and fun!”


    Iughed, but the sound came out a little shaky because he was still staring at me. And it wasn’t in that


    way that made it feel like he wanted to own me between the sheets. He looked at me like he was searching for something.


    By the time we made it to the spacious garden with a variety of flowers, he was still looking at me and I couldn’t take it anymore, so I stopped in my tracks again with folded arms and turned to face him.


    “Okay, seriously, what’s going on with you?”


    He didn’t answer right away, his hands sliding into his pockets with a deep sigh.


    “I’m worried about you,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.


    “What?” The words hit me harder than I expected.


    “I said I’m worried about you.”


    I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”


    His eyes slightly narrowed, like he didn’t believe me. “I saw the way your face changed when my father mentioned Tiffany.”


    My stomach twisted, but I kept my head steady. “I’ll be just fine when I see her.”


    He shook his head slowly. “That’s not it. You’re still mad that she got away with what she did to you in London.”


    He was absolutely right about that and I pressed my lips together, trying not to give him the satisfaction of being right. But then, I just couldn’t help it.


    “You’re not wrong,” I said, “but I understand why. And I’m the one who agreed to a fake rtionship with you so I could get her off my back, so that’s what we’ll do. Now, are you going to keep showing me around or do you prefer standing here and talking about her?”


    He seemed like he didn’t want to let it go, but he decided not to push, raising the corner of his mouth as he nced at my legs.


    “You’ll be tired in those heels. There’s still so much to see.”


    I ced a hand on my chest with a little entitlement. “Then you’ll just have to carry me.”


    “Oh, really?” His forehead creased with amusement, but it soon faded when his gaze shifted past me as it turned sharp and alert. Curious, I looked back to follow it and at a distance, I spotted Mrs Aldridge watching us from a window.


    With a firm grip, he intertwined his fingers with mine, grabbing my attention again. His posture was now all


    16:11 <b>Mon</b>, Sep <b>29 </b>


    about performance and possession.


    “It’s showtime.” He winked at me and fuck, that actually made my heart skip a beat. <fnca1e> This content belongs to find·novel</fnca1e>


    As we moved further along, my mind circled back to what I had witnessed when we arrived.


    “I can’t help but wonder what your dad will say when he finds out you ignored a wee hug.”


    “He won’t say much about it.” His voice was confident and dismissive.


    “Really?” I tilted my head with surprise.


    He nced down at me. “Yup.”


    “Well, what about me? I treated her the same way you did.”


    “That’s because I told you to do it. She’s no one important, so don’t worry.”


    My eyes narrowed. “Look, she isn’t the nicest person out there, but she’s still your mom-”


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    “Don’t ever call her that,” he sharply cut me off as he let go of my hand, his gaze suddenly turning cold.


    My steps came to a halt, shocked by the sudden tone of his voice. It wasn’t like him, not with me. I parted my lips but no words came out.


    Then, it finally clicked. Earlier in the living room, every time Margot called him her son, his hand squeezed mine a little too tightly.


    He sighed quickly, dragging a hand down his face. “I didn’t mean to sound-”


    “Like an ass<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    He chuckled lightly, his expression not so cold anymore. “We’re far enough from the house, so no one’s listening. You’re obviously wondering why things are like that between Margot and me.”


    I didn’t even want to nod as I thought I might overdo it. I was too eager to find out.


    “Yeah, it’s definitely crossed my mind,” I admitted.


    His mouth opened, like he was finally about to tell me. “When I-“


    His phone suddenly rang in his pocket, cutting him off mid–sentence.


    My jaw clenched, wondering why that had to happen at that moment.


    I crossed my arms, watching him take it out and nce at the screen.


    “It’s my dad.”


    He picked up and the call was just a handful of words.


    16:11 Mon, Sep <b>29 </b>


    55 vouchers


    “Change of ns,” he said to me, slipping his phone back into his pocket as he looked at me. “It’s time to go. Grayson and Tiffany are here.”


    I smacked my lips. “Well, okay, good thing you’ll keep talking as we head back.”


    “Nope.” He reached for my hand, pulling me along with him.


    “What? Come on.” I groaned. “You left me hanging.”


    “I know,” he bragged. “You’ll just have to wait. me it on Grayson and Tiffany’s arrival. It’s their fault.”


    While I hated that he was going to make me wait, I hated it even more that it was time toe face to face with Tiffany…and the only guy who could make my heart race for so many reasons.


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