Chapter 2

I stood before the mirror, fingers trembling slightly as I fastened the last button of the lacy blouse.

The face looking back at me was perfectly made up, but no amount of makeup could hide the exhaustion in my eyes.

Reuben had picked this outfit deliberately. The neckline plunged too low, and the skirt barely skimmed my thighs.

"Lissy, you're gorgeous."

His arms circled my waist from behind, his chin settling on my shoulder. The familiar scent of his cologne drifted over me—the same one I'd given him for our anniversary.

I eased out of his grip and reached for my blazer.

The woman in the mirror now looked crisp and composed, as if the temptress from seconds before had been nothing but a fleeting illusion.

"I'm leaving."

I grabbed my bag and strode out of the bedroom before Reuben could react.

He rushed after me, grabbing the suitcase from my grip. "I'll drive you to the airport."

Trailing behind him, I watched his cheerful, bouncing steps, each like a stone sinking deeper into my chest.

Was he seriously this thrilled to ship me off with another man? Of course not. His excitement was for the project he was close to landing.

As Spencer Joplin's executive secretary, I'd gone with him to a business dinner to lock down a project. Reuben hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since.

I didn't look back, but I could feel his gaze on me all the way through security.

I drew a deep breath and walked into the airport terminal, my heels clicking against the floor. I turned the corner and spotted Spencer heading my way with two coffee cups in hand.

His eyes lingered just a second too long, his lips curving into the faintest hint of a smile. "Ms. Thorne, you look… different today."

Instinctively, I tugged at the hem of my blazer and forced a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Joplin."

Spencer nodded slightly and held out one of the coffees to me. However, his attention remained on my open collar, as if he could see the revealing neckline beneath.

I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze and covered my collar. When I glanced back up, he'd turned away, a handkerchief now in his hand.

Relieved, I picked up my pace, wheeling my suitcase behind me as I closed the distance between us.

The plane took off and landed in Arelton, but I couldn't stop thinking about what Reuben had said—how he'd asked me to drink for Spencer.

"Ms. Thorne."

The voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Spencer, who was already holding my suitcase, his other hand offering me an ID card.

"We're at the hotel," he said, tilting toward me. "Go check in."

The trip was so last-minute that I'd only managed to book Spencer's room beforehand. Now I had to handle his check-in and get a room for myself.

"Sorry, ma'am, but we're completely booked," the receptionist told me.

I turned to Spencer, ready to say I'd find a different hotel, when he murmured, "You could just stay with me."

I stared at him, completely stunned. That was the last thing I ever expected him to say.

Sure, Spencer had dropped hints about wanting something more between us. Yet, once he learned I was married to Reuben, he backed off and kept things respectful, let alone making inappropriate demands.

So, when Reuben claimed Spencer had specifically asked me to join him on this trip and drink for him, I didn't believe it for a second.

Spencer wasn't the type to throw his weight around like that, especially not with women.

"The suite has two bedrooms," he added, keeping his tone casual even though his ears were turning slightly pink.

My face burned, but I nodded anyway.

I followed Spencer into the elevator. The confined space carried a faint trace of his cedarwood scent.

Instinct pulled me toward the corner, but then I heard him laugh under his breath. "Relax, Ms. Thorne. You don't have to stand so stiffly."

I ignored the comment and kept my distance. As soon as we got in, I made a beeline for my room to unpack.

When I came back out, Spencer was already on the couch, two files in hand. He passed me the first one. "Ms. Thorne, this trip is mainly about securing a new project."

After a pause, he added, "The other thing… I did some digging on Reuben. He isn't good enough for you."

I snapped my head up and held his gaze, my voice firm. "Reuben and I have a strong relationship, Mr. Joplin."

"Oh really?" He sank deeper into the couch, his face unreadable. "How about we make a bet?"

My fingers dug into the papers I was holding.

"I bet," Spencer said, dragging out the words. "Reuben will send you to my bed himself."

I bit my lip, saying nothing, but a sick dread settled in my chest.