chapter 7

Matthias POV

Why would anyone call Josie useless? I mean... look at her, she's fucking gorgeous.

Josie took the pen from her purse and set the contract down on a headboard to sign it. The feeling of her lips on mine still lingered.

Just a moment ago I'd held her quivering body in my arms, but now the moment was gone. Which was for the best, because if she had been eager for it I might very well have gotten into bed with her, consequences be damned.

That was how much the kiss affected me.

My hand gripped in one wheel while the other was shifting through the gear. While Migos was playing through my Bluetooth, Josie looked the other way through the window. I knew she felt a bit uncomfortable just by listening to music.

''I can change the music if you want to,'' I finally broke the awkwardness.

''It's fine.''

I paused the music on my phone and said ''Here, give me your phone.''

''For?''

''Listen to your music, since mine isn't your type.''

''I don't think you want to listen to mine.''

''Well I guess we can listen to Future then--''

''Okay, fine,'' she resisted. ''Here,'' she says handing over her phone to me. I placed her iPhone on my USB as she went to her Spotify playlist and clicked ''Josie's R&B'.

♪

♩ ♪ On some nights like this, shawty, I can't help but think of us
I've been reminiscin', sippin', missin' ya
Can you tell me what's with all this distant love? ♩ ♪

''Kehlani?'' I asked.

''Yeah, she's my favorite artist,'' she mumbled.

''Mphm.''

''What?''

''Nothing,'' I replied quickly.

....

By thirty minutes, I arrived at Josie's apartment complex. I went over to her building on the far left side and parked near her apartment. I open the door to Josie, expecting her greeting smile, but nothing comes. Instead, her mouth remains an uncharacteristic grim line.

''You... live.. here?'' I asked. She sighed and nodded without even looking at me. I could tell she was embarrassed; me, a billionaire standing next to a random girl like her.

There was a sadness in her eyes, and she twists her head back to me.

''Here, I read the rules and regulations.''

"So you'll do it? Be my wife?" I asked.

"Fake, remember?"

I nodded. "That's what I meant." She takes a deep sigh and I put my hands in my pocket.

''Okay, when do you have to leave your apartment?''

''Two weeks.''

''Well, I guess I'll see you in two weeks.''

''Yes, I guess so too.''

....

[ 3 hours later, private home gym]

Zach grinned. "That is a quality piece of ass right there, and that's exactly what we're looking for. I want her sprawled out on one of my bikes. Do you see those tits? And those legs go on for days."

I bit back my initial response. "She is a beautiful woman," I agreed, remembering what Josie wore at dinner.

He smirked. "Beautiful? That woman is a wet dream. If I could get an hour alone with her, I'd have her begging for mercy. She wouldn't be walking right for at least a week by the time I was finished with her. I'd bend her over the handles of that bike and ride her hard."

I closed my eyes, willing myself not to hit him. I didn't respond, which apparently told him I wanted to hear more about what he would do to the woman I knew and had a great deal of respect for.

''You can't tell me you haven't fantasized about those legs wrapped around your neck as you drive into her. I bet she's a screamer---''

I had to mentally count to three as I felt a rage of anger boiling through my veins.

''I could make her scream, pushing her face into that seat as I fucked her from behind--"

Shouting rent the air. ''Zachary enough!" I barked. He jolts in fear and frowned, seeing how agitated I was to him. ''Don't talk about Josie like that around me.''

''Dude, I was kidding.''

''I don't give a fuck alright,'' I said, taking off my boxing gloves. He placed his hands in surrender and let out a soft chuckle.

''Relax, Okay? I was teasing.''

''I mean it, this is important to me for my business.'' Josie was so much better than that. I would never let anyone disrespect her like that in my presence.

''Right, business. It's not like you're going to fall in love with her. So what? Nine months you get married, then what? He shook his head. "You're not going to, I know you, Matthias.''

''Don't lecture me, Zach,'' I retorted, drinking my water down rapidly.

"Realistically, I think you need to prepare yourself. It isn't likely to end well for you, and I think you know that. "Don't pretend that wouldn't upset you. It would. I can see it on your face.''

''-This gym session is over, I'm going to take a shower.''

The stress spread through my mind like ink on paper. I took in a deep, ragged breath before placing my hands, enclosed together, onto my face.

I sighed. He was right, but I wasn't going to admit it. I couldn't. I wasn't sure what I felt about her. I wanted time.

Damn my father for doing this to me.