Elias' POV

Yesterday's mock date with Clark went so well that I forgot to pack for the damn retreat.

He's picking me up in two hours, and instead of caring about how I look, I'm sitting on my bedroom floor frantically tossing clothes into my suitcase. Dios, ayúdame. If my mother were here, she'd kill me for not running an iron over them. I don't think Clark will mind the few wrinkles, though.

"OH, MY SWEET JESUS!"

A piercing scream from the living room causes my heart to leap into my throat. I bolt into the hallway, shouting, "What happened?! Who did it?"

Renting a house with my two best friends ensures there will never be a dull moment.

"Sorry, sorry! It's good news, I promise." Kahlan comes running down the hall, uninjured, sporting the world's biggest grin. "You gotta check this out." He turns his phone around so I can see the cause of his excitement. "Someone donated $500,000 to the fundraiser! This is a zillion times bigger than the grant Remy and I were supposed to get."

My jaw drops as I stare at the life-changing number. Half a million dollars is, without a doubt, an extraordinary amount of money. It couldn't have come at a better time for Unchained Hearts.

"Kay, this is incredible! Congratulations, man!" I pull him into a tight hug. "Kinda sucks that you don't know who it's from. They deserve a gift basket or something."

"I know. But, yeah, it was anonymous. No name, not even a message," he says. "It's weird to spend that much and not want to take credit. I'm thankful, regardless. This is going to help so many people, El."

"I know, man. I'm so happy for you and Remy! You both deserve this."

Kahlan's phone rings, and he gives me an apologetic look before walking off to answer it.

I eventually finish getting my things in order about thirty minutes before Clark is set to pull up. I hear a knock on my door as I'm zipping up my suitcase. I look up to see Perry, our other roommate, leaning against the doorway with his tatted arms crossed over his chest.

I gathered my suitcase and phone and met him at the door. "What's up with you?"

"Nada. Just checking in," he says. "Is this a Rent a Partner trip you're going on or a personal trip?"

"Rent a Partner. It's the biggest paid date I've gone on so far. He's taking me to some business retreat for a week. Basically, a free vacation for me!" I laugh because it's the truth.

Perry, however, doesn't share my enthusiasm. He frowns, brow furrowing. "Going on a week-long trip with a stranger. Sure this is a good idea, El?"

"I love you for caring, but trust me, I'll be fine. Plus, I need the cash. You know things are rocky right now with the shop. I have to help out however I can."

"I hear you, but it's usually a one-and-done thing, right? This is a week with someone you don't know. What if he—"

"Perry, I've already taken Clark's money. You should know my bank account has never had this many zeros in it. Ever. Ya no hay vuelta atrás."

"Mierda." Perry's eyes widen, his brow piercing sparkling in the light. "Your guy is ballin' like that?"

"Yes, he is, so I plan to see this through. I trust my gut, and it's telling me Clark will take care of me and treat me right. So don't worry, okay? I got this all under control."

Perry sighs, pushing off the doorway. "Just be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Hurt? Why would I get—" My phone buzzes, startling me. Perry walks off before I can finish my sentence. I open the text from my mother and smile, though part of it is out of sadness.

Mama: Be safe & I hope your orientation goes well... ¡Te quiero!

Guilt strikes as I read her words over again. She thinks I'm headed out of town for orientation for the second job I've been pretending to have. I hate lying to my parents, but they just wouldn't approve of me working at Rent a Partner. Doesn't matter that there's nothing sexual going on.

They're laid back and all that, but even they have their limits.

***

As I approach the sleek black limo, Clark's driver is already busy loading my luggage into the trunk.

I thank the old man and slide into the backseat, the door closing behind me with a soft click. I'm like a kid in a candy store while admiring the wealth around me. The interior is even more luxurious than I imagined. All of this is way too rich for my blood.

"Sheesh!" I exclaim for the third time. "Sorry, I've never been in a limo before. I mean, there was prom, but that dusty old thing was like the Great Value version compared to this."

Across from me, Clark sits typing away on his cell phone, smirking. "Does it live up to the hype?"

"Definitely." My hands glide over the smooth leather seating as the car takes off. Then I notice another perk. "Wait, there's a mini fridge in here?!"

"Yeah. Are you thirsty?" He moves toward it. "There's water, juice..."

"No, no. I'm good. Just taking it all in."

Clark presses a button to raise the partition, giving us privacy after John is back in the driver's seat.

As we hit the highway, a thought occurs to me.

Clark is the only person I've mentioned Unchained Hearts to who has the means to make such a massive donation like half a million dollars. Could he be the anonymous donor? He seemed genuinely interested in the work Unchained Hearts was doing and even told me wanted to help.

Fuck it. I should just ask him.

"Sorry to disrupt your work, but I have to know," I start. "My friend told me about a large donation that Unchained Hearts received today. You wouldn't happen to be responsible, would you?"

Clark puts his phone down. My pulse quickens as he holds my stare. "Yes, it was me."

"Oh." A wave of gratitude washes over me, and I feel my throat tighten with emotion. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but your donation is keeping Unchained Hearts open. It was on the brink of having to close for good. My friends and I can't thank you enough. Seriously."

"It's my pleasure. I'm glad I was able to help out." Clark's expression softens, and I try not to fold because of it.

"Right. Anyway." Not wanting to get too emotional, I clear my throat and change the subject. "How's your day been?"

I ask the question, but my mind continues reeling from the fact that I'm now "dating" someone who can casually throw around half a million dollars. It's a massive reminder of the different worlds we come from, and I can't help but feel a twinge of inadequacy.

"Oh, you know." Clark sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Long meetings, too many documents to review, too many people not doing their jobs right. The usual."

"Have you ever considered walking away from it all? You know, just quit, take your money, and run."

"Truthfully?" Clark hesitates, his eyes shifting toward the window. "Being a CEO was never my dream. I do it because there was no one else competent enough, and my grandfather needed to step down for health reasons. He wanted me to lead. The rest is history."

"Ah, I see."

Poor guy. My heart aches for him. I can't imagine how heavy the stress and responsibility feels on his shoulders. Who knows how long he's been carrying it around.

"That's a lot of pressure," I finish, my voice soft.

"Tell me about it," Clark mutters. "If anything, I'm the prime example of money not being able to buy happiness."

The mood in the car shifts, the earlier excitement converting to something melancholy. Clark picks up his phone again, his attention once more focused on work. I lean back in my seat, and as the miles stretch on, my eyelids grow heavier and heavier.

Before I know it, I drift off to sleep.

***

"Elias?"

I feel a gentle touch on my cheek, fingers lightly tapping against my skin.

My eyelids flutter open to find Clark's face impossibly close to mine. His greenish-brown eyes are intense, damn near holding me captive in their gaze.

"Hi." I feel my cheeks heat up, a blush spreading across my face.

"Hi." Clark smirks, his expression somewhere between amused and seductive. He leans in, his voice low and husky as he murmurs, "We're here."

He pulls away before my thoughts can take a trip to horny town, exiting the car in a smooth fluid motion. I scramble to follow after him, my mind still foggy from sleep and the intoxicating scent of his cologne.

"I've never seen the stars look this bright before," I comment, briefly glancing up. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Very," he says, looking at me instead.

The night air is cool against my skin as we make our way inside the retreat center. Clark falls into step beside me, his shoulder occasionally brushing against mine. He glances over at me again, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"You talk in your sleep," he teases, tone playful. "You even said my name at one point."

"I-I did?" My eyes widen, and I would be happy if the earth opened up to swallow me. "What...what did I say?"

Clark just shakes his head. "I'm not telling."

"Asshole." I reach out, swatting his arm playfully. "You can't just leave me hanging in suspense!"

We continue on our way, our banter easy and borderline flirtatious, until we reach the front desk to check-in. The receptionist greets us with a warm smile and two key cards, so I assume she already knows who we are.

"There will be a welcoming dinner held in the main dining room in about an hour," she says. "Have fun and enjoy your stay."

Clark nods, accepting both keys. He passes me one as we make our way toward the elevators. It's a short ride up to our floor, and it's only when we're standing outside the door to our room that the reality of the situation hits me.

This retreat is specifically for couples. Which means...

One bed.

I push open the door to have my eyes land on the single, king-sized bed dominating the center of the room. I glance at Clark and catch the surprised look on his face. He clearly forgot about this too.

But he sticks to his role, seemingly shaking off the moment quickly. He strides into the room, setting his suitcase aside, and begins to unpack.

"We should get settled in before the dinner," he suggests, tone casual. "Don't want to be late on our first night."

I nod, trying to push my worries aside. "Yeah, good idea."

Seven days. I'll be sharing a bed with Clark Ashford for seven nights. The shower, too. I'll see him naked. Well, half-naked. Fuck.

I have a million reasons why this might not end well.

I look at him sometimes and I feel like I'm barely hanging on by a thread. Maybe it's because he's a different kind of sexy. The kind that knows it but isn't obnoxious about it. Or maybe it's just been way too long since I've gotten laid. And I'm not entirely blind. I know he finds me attractive, too.

But what's going to happen when our shirts and pants are off and we're lying half-naked in bed next to each other trying not to visualize how the other might look moaning beneath us? And it doesn't help that I'm a messy sleeper. What if I wake up at one point during the night with my hand accidentally on his dick?

Mátame ahora.

"Elias." Clark touches my arm and I jump, startled. "Are you going to unpack now or after dinner?"

"Sorry, I just need a minute." I flash an awkward smile and rush into the bathroom. I switch on the cold water at the sink and splash some on my face. "Pull it together, bitch," I whisper to my reflection in the mirror. "Clark Ashford is off limits. Forever."

I exit the bathroom when my pulse returns to a normal rhythm. Clark is standing shirtless in front of the dresser, his back to me, muscles flexing as he moves. I swallow hard and walk in the opposite direction toward the bed.

This is going to be a long fucking week.