Page 3 of Deadly Panther's Fake Fiancée

She smiles and says, “And I’m afraid I’ll have to leave in a moment.” To my parents, she says, “I get paid to love buildings, too. I have to go to work. I’m very happy to meet you, and I hope I’ll get to spend some time with you while you’re in town.”

“You won’t be at the dinner tonight?” my mother asks.

“I’m afraid Katrina has to work late tonight. We’ll have a quiet dinner with her tomorrow.” I stand up and put my hand on the small of Katrina’s back to guide her toward the door. I have to say that even that small contact feels damned incredible to me. “I’m going to walk her out.”

A few seconds later, we’re between my house and hers, and she says, “I don’t have any frame of reference for this.”

“I know. It’s just crazy for me to ask.”

“Oh no. Not the fake engagement I understand that completely. I just don’t have any frame of reference for how much you owe me for doing it.”

“You and me both. Well, whenever you figure it out, let me know and I’ll do it.”

“Why don’t we start with you telling me why the hell we’re doing this in the first place.”

“That’s a long discussion.”

“Are they staying at your place?”

“No. Hotel.”

“Okay, well, I’ll stay up tonight and when you’re done with them, you come by here and tell me what the hell is happening.”

“You’re the best,” I say.

I start to turn away, but Katrina stops me. “Hey, you might want to kiss me goodbye, right? To make it look real, you know, for any observers that might be observing.”

She smiles at me and I see just how beautiful she really is, and I’m not just saying that because she’s currently saving my ass from a very hot parental fire. No. I see how that smile lights up her eyes and the soft blush she has going on right now and, well, that goodbye kiss sounds very nice.

“Okay then, have a great day at work, honey,” I pull her to me and kiss her.

And we linger a bit longer than we probably need to, but I enjoy every second of it.

She pulls away and that smile is still there. “See you tonight, darling.”

I laugh and watch as she walks over to her house and closes the door.

My smile drops away. Now, I have to deal with the other half of this equation.

I walk in and instantly my parents begin firing questions at me.

“With this diversion, you aren’t going to be very available to Delilah. How are you going to deal with that?”

“Mother, she is more than a diversion, she is my fiancé.”

“How long has this woman even been in your life?”

“Long enough for me to know she’s the one I want, Father.”

They both click their tongues at me and sigh. They look at each other and then, my mother leans over to me.

“Are you sure she knows nothing about your nature?”

“Nothing yet, Mother.”

She sits back and I can see she’s even more displeased.

“What are you going to tell Delilah?”

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