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"You helping me out. I just want to be as clear as possible. This doesn't mean we're in a real relationship. I'm not like... your girlfriend."
His brows rise. "I hardly think that this is payment for being my girlfriend. This is just me being nice." He purses his lips and gives me a considering look. "We're on the same page, Pearl. I still plan to move to Atlanta in less than a year. Not only that, but... you're not really my type. I like a career woman. You don't seem interested in that track."
"I'm not," I supply quickly. "I'm just looking for a sperm donor. Nothing else."
He slowly nods. "We're in agreement, then. Casual sex. Pretend engagement. Six months from now, we might never see each other again."
"Okay." I smile, relieved. "Just checking. It seemed like we were vibing for a minute there."
"We can vibe and still keep it casual. I promise."
"That's good. I'm not looking for my great love. Not now, not ever."
He gives me a lazy half-salute. "Aye aye, captain. I hear you loud and clear. Want me to kiss you again though?”
I can’t suppress a grin. “Okay, sure. You win.”
I open my arms to him and he scoops me up, carrying me off while I burst out laughing.
Thirteen
River
Pearl hasn't stopped clutching my arm since I picked her up this morning, with a cappuccino and a sleek black garment bag in hand. Even now, as we sit side-by-side in the helicopter, she acts as if she will blow away if she lets go of me.
I can't keep the smile off my face as I watch her. She is staring out the window as we draw closer and closer to the Atlanta skyline. She’s glued to the window in the most uncomfortable position I can imagine.
"Jesus." Pearl turns around to me, her eyes wide. "I can't believe you're actually flying me into an Atlanta Kings game."
I grin at her awe. It's been a while since I brought a date to an event like this. I forgot how they react.
Pearl wasn't born into this family and the kind of wealth afforded to us all from the time my mother married Sam. I've grown accustomed to it, but it's refreshing to hear Pearl's awe.
"It's pretty nice," I agree. "I usually don't fly to games. But this is a special occasion. My family’s rented out the Kingdom sky box as another stop in Cole’s month-long engagement party. And I figured you hadn't been taken anywhere in quite this way before."
Unable to tear herself away from the view for long, Pearl bites her lip and looks through the glass again.
"You got that right." She leans so close that her breath fogs the window. "Am I dreaming? I'm in a chopper, on the way to a private box at Kings Stadium, in a designer dress..." She tugs at the hem of her long, white babydoll dress. "You didn't have to do all this, you know."
I run my hand down her arm, enjoying her little shiver. "I wanted to. You’re so damn beautiful. And you work so hard. You deserve to be a little spoiled."
Pearl tosses a shy smile over her shoulder. "You're going to ruin dates for me. Nothing will be able to live up to this."
"I'll see about that."
She's extremely cute right now, her long hair in twin French braids, her strappy, glorified sundress pale against the burnt umber of her skin. As the helicopter begins its descent toward the stadium, I settle back in my seat. Sure, Pearl may not be the real deal. But our chemistry is so natural that spending time with her is very pleasurable. My gaze skates down to her hips and snags there.
I won't lie. It's very hard not to pin Pearl against the seat and strip off her fancy dress. I'm extremely horny and she looks so damn good.
I swear that I'm going to go insane if I don't taste her soon.
The chopper lands. The door opens and I climb out, helping Pearl down. She looks around at the rooftop, her jaw dropping. We're in the middle of downtown Atlanta, in the midst of the perpetual rush hour. Everywhere I look below us, there are SUVs and cars honking their horns. The helipad is actually a perfect vantage point to take it all in, but we can't just hang out here.
"Come on." I coax Pearl to hurry toward the waiting elevator. She huddles against me to avoid the cold spring wind that's whipped up by the helicopter's blades.
We are escorted down a series of large concrete hallways. The Atlanta Kings’ logo is proudly placed in every conceivable spot, and I start seeing fans wearing Atlanta Kings jerseys as soon as we get into the hallway that leads to all the skyboxes. Pearl looks around with a curious gaze.
"You've never been to the boxes before, huh?" I ask.
