Page 1 of His Fake Wife

Chapter 1

Adam

Eight years ago…

The chatter and clinking of glasses filtered around me. The notes of classical music flowed through the air. You’d think it would be soothing. I mean, it’s classical music. Instead, it was practically making my ears bleed. I swear I was slowly dying on the inside?from sheer boredom. I wanted to be anywhere else but here, but, as part of the prestigious, powerful Thorne family, I had to be present.

Each year, I had to suffer through my parents’ various parties. According to them, it was my duty to help play host. I’d much rather be at a bar, getting rowdy with my friends and picking up hot women for wild one-night stands. Here I am, in a tux that made me look like a butler. With an irritated growl, I tugged at the collar of my crisp white shirt.

Don’t get me wrong, I love being rich and famous. I just didn’t like being around fake friends who were there only because of the money. That aside, life was great. I had it all planned out. Graduate college in two years, learn the ins and outs of the family business, work behind the scenes for a bit until I take over, then from there, I’d conquer the world. I was already making business decisions, which my pops kept under wraps.

I’m pretty sure some of his associates wouldn’t be too keen on the idea of a college student, especially one that is known for screwing every socialite that came his way, making huge decisions with their billions. I had a bit of a rep when it came to the ladies, but dad knew that I was gifted when it came to business. He overlooked my whorish ways and other irresponsible behavior...at least for the time being.

I’d eventually get my shit completely together, but for now, I couldn’t worry about becoming the paragon of responsibility my dad wanted. Not now when there was so much fun to be had. So much delicious fruit ripe for the picking?like the blonde piece heading in my direction.

Her name was Alexia, my fuck buddy for the time being. Well, to her, I was her on and off boyfriend. Utter bullshit, but I didn’t have the heart to tell her otherwise. I wasn’t a completely heartless prick. I never failed to make myself clear about not wanting anything serious from the start. I didn’t want romantic relationships. I invited Alexia for the sole purpose of rescuing me from the boredom I knew I’d experience tonight.

As she sauntered up the spiral staircase, I was already mentally calculating which room we were going to sneak off to and how long we could disappear for before my mom noticed and made a big deal about me not helping to entertain our guests. Alexia’s red dress clung to her slender frame, the neckline plunging inappropriately for this type of event and crowd?but it was totally appropriate for me. I couldn’t wait to have her dress bunched around her waist and her long legs wound around mine. Already my dick was rising to the occasion.

“Adam, babe.”

“Lexi, babe,” I mimicked her sugary greeting and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“What are you doing up here alone?”

“Waiting for you.” I was already pulling her away from the polished wooden banister.

“I was mingling,” she giggled.

She giggled way too much, in my opinion. The forced high-pitched sound grated on my nerves but I overlooked it since she was so entertaining in the sack.

“I invited you. The only person you need to mingle with is me,” I purred in her ear. There went another irritating giggle. As we turned away from the crowd, I caught a pair of disapproving eyes.

I glared back at Beth over my shoulder because I could virtually feel her judgment. Elizabeth Carson, the bane of my existence since...forever. Only she could manage to look down her nose at me all the way from downstairs. How she managed such a feat was beyond me. Her gaze lowered to the hand I had sprawled on Lexi’s right ass cheek. Beth rolled her eyes and turned away. I could just imagine the sound of the derisive snort that came along with the eye roll. I’d been hearing it since I was freaking seven. Shoving Beth out of my mind, I led Lexi away.

“Let’s go somewhere a little more private.”

“But I was enjoying the party,” she pouted but allowed me to lead her down the dim hallway.

Like hell she was. I was no fool. As if I didn’t know she’d spent the entire time since arriving assessing who to make friends with so she could burrow herself deeper into my life. I glimpsed her cozying up to my mother about ten minutes before. Lexi was just like all the others, plotting to get her claws on money. She too saw dollar signs when she looked at me. I should be hurt but I was using her just as she was looking to use me.

We strolled for a few minutes in silence. I didn’t detect any sign of any party guests so I pulled her behind a column that led to a balcony. It was dark enough that no one would see us. I didn’t waste any time, my lips finding the spot on her neck just below her ear that drove her wild. She let out a little moan as I tried not to choke on the scent of her cloying perfume, talk about overdoing it.

“Adam, babe, it’s not that I don’t like the idea of a quickie, but can’t we do this after the party?”

“Don’t worry, we’ll head back to the party soon.” I was already hiking up her dress and sliding a hand between her smooth thighs. What was up with her anyway? Usually, it was her practically trying to jump me.

“Your mother is really nice.”

My hands froze. Fuck. Maybe inviting Lexi to my home wasn’t such a great idea. We went to the same university. She was a senior, two years ahead of me. Now that she saw how I lived, she was angling for a marriage proposal. If only she knew how impossible that was. After tonight, I’d have to let her go.

“I was thinking…”

Oh no.

“Maybe, I can come home with you more often. Get to know your family a little better. I mean, we’ve been dating for what, five months now?”

Correction. We’d been having sex for five months now. Letting out a long breath, I knew there would be no hot quickie in the dark. “Come on, Lex, you knew what this was from the beginning. I told you what I wanted and you agreed.”

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