Page 53 of Charming Deception

It is an honor system.

And the engagement will be a public affair. As soon as the media stops circulating gossip about my sex life in favor of swooning over my fairy-tale romance with my fiancée, Graysen will have what he wants. Then he can accept the truth—that I’m taking Granddad’s game seriously—and get off my back, start stressing about our siblings’ challenges instead.

How to explain this to her, though, when I’m not allowed to explain it?

I’ve decided to keep it simple.

“So, this would be an arrangement that would benefit us both.”

She looks like she can’t decide if I’ve lost my mind or if she’s being punked. “Um…”

“You’re surprised.”

“That’s a very mild word that doesn’t quite explain the numbness in my fingers right now.”

I consider that. “You’re upset?”

“No. Maybe. I’m not sure yet. Does Cole know about this?”

“Not yet.”

She gives me a look that says she knows as well as I do that he’s going to be pissed. But I’ve been trying not to focus on that part.

“So far, no one knows. But that would change quickly, once you say yes.”

I can practically see the shock moving through her system. Or maybe it’s terror that’s turning her cheeks pink and her skin damp.

“So… you want me to act like your fiancée, in public? To please your family?”

“You’d be my fiancée. You won’t need to act.”

She picks up her wine and… gobble would be the right word for what she does to it. “Except to pretend I’m suddenly in love with you?”

I choose my words carefully. “I won’t ask you to behave any differently from whatever feels natural to you. Except to behave like we’re engaged.” I try to add a dry note to my voice, but it comes out strangely growly. “If you can put across that you’re pleased to be engaged to me, it would help.”

Did that sound bitter?

Why is this making me sweat?

It seemed so much more natural in my head, where I envisioned her saying yes.

But she’s not saying yes.

“So we’d be… dating?”

“Yes.”

“And living together?”

“Well, yes. That would be the plan.”

“And we’d be… a couple?” Her eyes on me don’t waver, but the words come out a little huskier than the rest.

My cock throbs.

I have no idea when these pants became three sizes too small, but it’s definitely getting hot under the table.

I shift uncomfortably.

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