Valentine's Vows; Love, Lies And A Fake Engagement

NDER'

the evening replayed in my head: Rubby's voice filled with desperation as she pleaded with me to spare the bastard who

im off her but when I saw his face, I just had a

ng more. I just needed to keep myself from getting too involved with h

s. Mirabelle was waiting, her pacing like a caged tiger betraying her mood

oice lacking its usual sweetnes

ne: "Alexander Wolfe Caught with Mystery Woman-New Flame?" Bene

e attacked. I didn't think it would be maki

wn my coat. "It's no

like you're prancing around with some woman

k to buy a moment. "She's my fake fiancée," I

night and I needed enough

n't heard me correctly. "Fake fiancée?"

bar. "My parents have been pressuring me to

, I know. I've been hearing their disapproval for years. They think I'm...w

e, Mirabelle had an interesting past but that was then. She was a totally different person

added, my tone bitter.

h defiance. "And this Rubby girl? She

t a tool. Once they approve of her and hand over the company, it's o

ment before she let out a brea

been," I assured her, pla

y will fall for this?

s would like someone like Rubby. Well-cultured, soft hearte

thin line. "She's beautiful, Alexander. Way too beautifu

hin so her eyes met mine. "You have nothing to worry about. You'r

e was a reason I stayed through all this nonsens

to her forehead.

r. "Just promise me one thing," she whispered.

lace," I replied smoothl

ter was soft, almost playful now, as she pulled me toward the couch. "Stay w

coffee table shattered the moment

e said firmly, pulling

ave

ed, her fingers tracing

ly, prying her hand away

her arms as I stood.

k and I was needed in t

THAT E

cy meeting dragging on far longer than anticipated. Financial report

he table and I glanc

ely after. With a muttered apology to the room

neutral, even though it came out

Alexander, you promised you would be here fo

discussing anything of that sort. I eve

reath, I asked,

I was in the middle of closing an important deal, and

torted. "The dinner, Ale

eath. I had totally forgotten about it. I was about t

all you back," I told her

e tension finally easing as the meeting adjourned. I pulled out my

embled on the line. "I ne

happ

ome. Please,

my phone into my pocket, I headed for the car,

ushing me to move faster. I imagined the worst... a break-in, an injury, something catastrophic. By t

ght flickered against the walls, the faint scent of jasmine and vanilla pe

candles she had strategically placed throughout the room. My stomach sank, real

like a second skin. Her lips curled into a coy smile, but it did nothing to soften the anger bubb

g toward her. "What the hell is goin

n some sort of danger, only to se

u in days. You're either at the office, with your parents, or off playing

ten. I thought we were over this. Why

nd irritated. "You made me leave an impo

grier. Was I some

hat so hard to understand? I needed you, Alex. Y

ecessary at the moment. "You have no idea what I'm dealing with, Mirabelle. I'm trying to juggle everything-my par

ed with something I couldn't decipher. Someth

ed, stepping closer. "I thought I'd

body betrayed me, responding to her proximity, her scent, and

said, though my voi

the woman you love? That you always want? That no matter what deals you're making o

obe slipped from her shoulders... it was

y resolve slipping as her

iding around my neck. Her scent w

my grip on her waist tightened, pulling

r tone teasing. "Loving you

nt me, you say it. Don't tr

the fun

umbled. My anger melted away, replaced by something primal and con

me, and I hated that I let her,

all. What was the

e toward the bed, her victory sealed. "That's more li

own onto the bed, her body warm and inviting beneath mine, all thoug

xactly where she wanted me. And

shirt and he

whispered, shrugging off my shirt. I t