Chapter 264

"I get that about dates maybe, but a girlfriend or wife is someone that you've decided to let into your personal space. The least you could do is respect her needs," he argued.

"You mean to tell me that you would've checked up on whether or not I'd eaten?" I asked.

"I wouldn't have done just that. From what I've seen so far, you're an impressive woman. The fact that you talk to your husband's business partners on his behalf means you not only know what you're doing, but you're a hell of a lot smarter than he actually realizes. With skills like that, I'd want you at my side not only making me look visibly good, but selling me to my investors as well," he replied.

I raised an eyebrow. "So you would use me?"

"On the contrary. I believe that you help your husband because you love him and you know that he needs the investors. I don't know if he does anything for you in return, but I would support all your dreams in return. We would be partners more than anything," he defended.

I laughed a little, nudging him. "You're selling yourself to a married woman."

He chuckled. "Can't blame a guy for trying his luck."

Our conversation was light from that point onwards as he told me about himself. There's only so much you can learn from a file on someone, and what he was telling me was absolutely not in the file for one simple reason.

He was opening up to me.

I was feeling funny as I listened to him. He was telling me about how he grew up and how he got into inventing. He was so vulnerable and I could tell that he truly trusted in my fake identity. I knew I couldn't lose focus, but I was taken aback by the emotional attachment beginning to form.

"Sir, we've arrived," the driver announced before leaving the car to open the door for me. Lane let himself out while I could only gawk at the vision of a house before me.

"I'll be ready by seven," Lane told his driver.

"What about the five o'clock meeting?" the driver asked.

"Get Clark to move it. Also, have him arrange some clothing for Mrs McFarland, a-"

"Oh no! That's not necessary," I quickly interrupted.

Lane shot me a sly look. "Do you intend to wear my clothes? You're aware those are girlfriend privileges."

I blushed, furiously for whatever reason. "Fine."

He laughed, turning back to his driver. "As I was saying, please have Clark arrange some clothing for Mrs McFarland, as well as anything she might need. She'll be staying with me for a while."

Stubborn man.

His driver nodded before getting in the car and driving away. Lane took my hand in his and I was surprised at how warm it was as he led us to the door. He put in a code I made sure to remember before the great double doors opened.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. As an agent, I've been to and seen some incredible houses, but Lane Mason's house was by the most innovative one yet. The art is breathtaking, and you can tell that he uses only the best technology.

"Welcome to my humble abode," he said.

"Why would you live in such a massive house by yourself?" was my brilliant response.

He chuckled. "I guess the little boy in me is still dreaming of filling it with kids and a beautiful wife."

"Well, you're only twenty three, so it could still happen," I commented.

"I would hope so, but before we get lost in conversation, I would rather we get you out of that dress," he said.

I shot him a raised eyebrow to which he laughed. "I meant that in the most innocent way. We were in the rain, and material like that takes a while to dry. The last thing we want is for you to catch a cold."

"I will trust that that was the intention of your statement and not kick your ass for it," I replied, making him laugh harder.

He looks so beautiful when he laughs.

I caught my thoughts before they could drift any further, as they instead drifted towards Xander. He's the only other guy I've ever thought of as beautiful when laughing, which raised flags in my mind, something that didn't go unnoticed by Lane.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I was just thinking about Hartley."

"Do you want to tell him where you are?" he asked.

I looked at him, deadpan. "That would defeat the purpose of running away from him."

"I'm not sure what it is you want Eliza," he admitted.

I sighed. "Thank you Lane, for everything. I just need to process everything. Hartley's been a part of my life for a very long time, so trying to get away from him is going to take some time to get used to."

He stepped closer to me, wrapping me into a hug. "I'm here for you the whole way."

"Do you promise?" I asked as I hugged him back.

"I promise."