Page 31 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

Faster than the human eye could track, Zade set Ashlyn aside and punched C’Nar in the face, shattering his nose. “Never.”

Blood pouring unchecked from his nose, C’Nar sneered, “Enjoy your last dance with my future wife, Caldorian. She may be yours for the moment. It doesn’t matter. By this time tomorrow night, she’ll be my doting wife.” With a curt nod toward Ashlyn, he turned on his heel and left the way he came.

Apprehension swirling in her chest, Ashlyn moved back to Zade and lifted a hand to cup his jaw, her thumb caressing his cheek. “Wow. That was intense. He gives me the willies. Just so you know, no matter what happens between you and I, no way will I ever marry that slime.”

Zade’s eyes met hers, dark and intense with a raw emotion that mirrored her own. “No one will touch you. No one will hurt you, least of all filth like C’Nar. It appears you are the only one who has not fully accepted this truth.” He lifted his free hand to cup her face, his thumb brushing over the corner of her kiss swollen lips.

“What truth?”

“You are mine, Ashlyn. Any man who tries to take you from me will die a slow and painful death.” He claimed her with a kiss, and she lost herself in front of everyone, clinging to him like he was her only anchor in a violent storm. The kiss was electric, like dipping a lit candle in gasoline. She went up in flames. The world around them faded, and all Ashlyn could feel was Zade—his heat, his strength, his desperate need to possess her. Her resolve crumbled as she melted into him, her hands clutching his shoulders for support.

Thank god he ended it because she lost track of where they were, who they were with, the sheer number of people watching. He pulled away, then held her up as she swayed toward him. Her mind felt warm and fuzzy, like she was three glasses into a bottle of champagne. She had to blink several times before she realized the room had gone silent. Watchful.

She turned her head toward the multitude of faces, all looking in their direction. As soon as she took note of their stares, everyone hastily turned to someone next to them and began speaking as if they hadn’t just been caught ogling her and Zade.Rude.

Still flustered, she looked up at Zade, who was watching her with a focused intensity that made her core wet and achy. She knew that look, knew exactly what it felt like to have all that attention focused on her. “Why did you do that?”

He leaned down and placed a quick, soft kiss on her lips. “To see that look in your eyes.”

“What look?”

He kissed her again. His hand, once on the side of her face, slipped to the back of her neck. He held her exactly where he wanted her. She should probably protest, but she didn’t truly want to be anywhere else. Except maybe alone with him, but that was a very dangerous train of thought.

When they finally broke apart, the room buzzed with renewed whispers. Zade kept his arm around her, his eyes never leaving hers. "Now, stay close. We have a lot of convincing to do."

Ashlyn nodded, her mind reeling from the kiss.This is dangerous. I need to stay focused.

As they moved through the ballroom, Zade’s touch was a constant reminder of his presence. Dinner came and went. They fed each other from the mounds of food piled atop their plates. Dish after dish was served. Conversations buzzed all around her. They mingled and danced. She went through it all in a fog.

He whispered in her ear, his voice low and seductive. "I can’t wait to get you alone, Ashlyn. To show you exactly what it means to belong to me."

Her breath hitched, the primal hunger in his voice igniting a fire within her. She hated how much she liked it, how her bodyresponded to his every word. "You think you can just say things like that, and I’ll fall at your feet?" she asked breathlessly.

Zade’s laugh was dark and filled with promise. "I don’t think,shenga. I know."

They stopped in front of a group of Council members, all of whom eyed them with interest. Zade’s grip on her waist tightened as he addressed the group, his voice commanding. "Esteemed Council members, I’d like to formally introduce C’Bor’s widow, my fiancée and future princess of Caldor, Ashlyn Faro."

Ashlyn smiled politely, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. She could sense their curiosity, their doubt. She also felt Zade’s unwavering confidence, his belief in their ruse.

One of the Council members, a tall, imposing man named Sefros, stepped forward. "Prince Zade, CouncilorUbrion,” he said, emphasizing her title and married name, “it’s a pleasure to meet you both. We’ve heard a lot about your...unexpected engagement."

Zade’s smile went cold. "Unexpected, perhaps. But very real."

Sefros nodded, his eyes sharp. "I’m sure it is. We’ll be watching closely to see how things progress."

As they moved away from the group, Zade’s hand slid lower on Ashlyn’s back, his touch possessive. "You’re doing great."

Ashlyn’s heart pounded as she felt the heat of his hand through the thin fabric of her gown. For the first time that evening, her confidence took a nosedive. "What happens when they find out the truth?"

Zade’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You’re mine. That is the only truth they will find."

The raw intensity in his voice sent shivers down her spine. She wanted to resist, to push him away. But the truth was, she craved his touch, his dominance.

As the night wore on, the tension between them grew. Zade kept her close, his touch possessive, his whispers filled with dark promises. Despite her best efforts, Ashlyn couldn’t deny the pull he had on her, the way her body responded to his every word.

Finally, unable to take it any longer, Ashlyn pulled him aside, her voice a fierce whisper. "This has to stop, Zade. We can’t keep doing this. You’re taking things too far."

Zade’s eyes blazed with a mix of anger and desire. "Doing what, Ashlyn? Acting like we want each other, or pretending we don’t?"

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