My Unexpected Vow: California Billionaires Book 2 Harlow James (scary books to read txt) 📖

Plus, the man smells phenomenal in the morning before he leaves for work. And even when he’s sweaty after a workout, my nose gets eager for another hit of his sweat mixed with his cologne. I’ve never been one to appreciate men’s cologne before, but that was before I started living with a man that seems to have found the perfect scent that makes me want to drop my panties for him.

But there will be no dropping of my panties. And there will be no more kissing. I am holding strong in my goal now to just keep living my life and focusing on the design of the club while I cross off the days on my calendar until I get my freedom. So what if Hayes Weston has suddenly shed his ugly brown cocoon and has sprouted colorful wings that are hypnotizing me the longer I study them? Giving in to what I’m potentially feeling is not something I’m ready to deal with.

“Not really. I mean, he hasn’t mentioned it, like I asked him to. But we haven’t really been alone for an extended period of time since then for tension to escalate like it did before I kissed him. I think it was just that night—dinner with his parents, watching him play the piano …”

“God, that’s so sexy that he plays. I would have attacked him too once I saw him do that. You’re a lot stronger than I am.”

I laugh, but it’s not relaxed. “No, I’m not. If I were, I wouldn’t have kissed him at all. But I won’t do it again.”

Emma smirks at me before reaching up to grab a plastic bag to fill with bright red tomatoes. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

“Do you not believe that I can?”

“What I believe is that you and Hayes are two extremely attractive people and you’re stuck living together in that big, beautiful house. You’re forced to be celibate for at least another four months or so, so why not enjoy the perks of being married? Partake in some mind-blowing orgasms, and then sing Thank U, Next, when you leave in June.”

I get what she’s saying, but it’s not just a physical attraction that I’m feeling for Hayes. It’s an emotional one as well, and that’s what’s preventing me from taking advantage of the situation as she suggests.

“What if I catch feelings and he doesn’t? I don’t want to end up heartbroken at the end of this.”

“Who said anything about feelings? I was just talking about fucking. Unless…” Emma stops in her movements, reaching for my forearm. “Are you developing feelings for him?”

“I… uh …”

“Waverly. It’s me. You know you can tell me anything.”

I let out a heavy sigh and then grab a bag to fill with something too. I just don’t know what it will be yet. “I wouldn’t call them feelings, per se… but I’m definitely starting to see him differently.”

“Hence the kiss.”

I nod. “Yup.”

“So let me ask you something… if you did fall for Hayes, would it really be the end of the world?”

I twist my head to face her. “Yes.”

“Why?” she questions on a tilt of her head.

“Because… it’s Hayes!”

“Okay …”

“And he’s infuriating and snarky, and …”

“And he’s your husband.”

“I know,” I agree, but hate that the thought makes me want to dive further into what I’m feeling. “But he’s also my brother’s best friend.”

“What if this crazy circumstance actually brings you two together? What if you were meant to marry him?”

“Okay, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

She chuckles and then shrugs her shoulders. “I know you think you’ve always hated him, but I’ve kind of always thought otherwise. The way you two fight… it just felt like insane foreplay to me.”

“Ha. You’re funny and delusional.”

“Am I?” she asks with an arch of her brow. “Let me ask you this, do you get hot and bothered when you guys argue? Like your body gets heated and then you suddenly realize that you can feel your pulse in your vagina?”

I glance across the street, avoiding her eyes. “Um …”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Emma laughs and then grabs a few stalks of zucchini while reaching for another bag.

“Damn you, Emma. Why did you have to go and plant ideas in my head?” I put my hands on my hips as I glare at her.

“Sorry to break it to you, Wave, but I think those thoughts were already there.” She bops me on the nose and then smiles, pleased with herself for making me even more confused than I was last week after I kissed Hayes.

What am I going to do now?

* * *

“Dear lord.”

I look between my legs as I hang upside down, palms firmly planted into the mat beneath me, and see Hayes staring at my ass.

“Is there a problem?”

“Why the hell are you bent over in half like that in the living room?”

I push myself back up to standing and then wipe the sweat from my forehead. “I was doing yoga.”

“Since when?”

“I do yoga almost every day, but usually after you leave for work.”

His eyes travel down my body, across my chest covered in nothing but a bright pink sports bra, and then down my bare stomach where matching leggings cover my legs. I swear I feel a tingle chase the path of his eyes along my skin.

“And this is what you wear?”

“Uh, yes. Is that a problem?”

I see the bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallows and then shakes his head. “No. I just… I just didn’t realize you did this.”

I roll my eyes and then put myself back into the downward dog. “I didn’t realize I needed your permission.”

“You don’t, but if you’re going to stick your butt up in the air like that, at least make sure you don’t fart out loud next time.”

My stomach drops. “What? I didn’t fart!”

“That’s not what I heard.”

I push back up from the