Page 5 of The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
"On one condition," I add.
His jaw hardens.
"Separate bedrooms," I burst out before I lose my nerve.
He snaps back, "Same suite. Same bed. We must keep the pretense up behind closed doors too. We'll be at a hotel and staff talk. We have to ensure no word of this arrangement gets out, not even a whiff."
His voice is authoritative, brooks no argument. End of discussion.
I blink.
How dare he command me?
If he paid for my time, I'll have to do as he says, no questions asked, over the next week.
That part of me that hates being constrained resists. No. I can't let him have so much power over me.
And yet, that hidden, treacherous part of me so attracted to him leaps to life. The thought of sleeping in the same bed as him... How would it feel to have those fingers on my skin? Sliding down the curve of my waist, toward the dip of my—
Don't go there.
"My lawyer will swing by your place this evening with the agreement, including a non-disclosure clause." He keeps his voice casual but I sense the underlying tension.
Yeah, he wants this formalized before I change my mind. Makes me wonder why he's so desperate to have a girlfriend accompany him on this trip. I'm going to find out.
"No part of this conversation is to be mentioned to anyone. Not your close friends or family or even ex-boyfriends." Emphasis on the last word sets my teeth on edge. "And no speaking to the press, of course."
"Yeah, I get it. I'm not stupid," I mutter, anger crawling up my spine. I hate feeling so helpless.
"No, you're not." He holds out his hand.
I don’t take it. Don't even respond to the gesture.
No change of expression in his face. He only cares that I've accepted his proposal. My feelings don't come into this equation.
"We leave in two days." His voice is matter of fact.
"So soon?" I squeak.
"Yeah." He runs his fingers through his hair. "We fly out, spend a couple of days with the family. The wedding is on Sunday night."
I almost choke. An entire week in close quarters with this man? Seven days of pretending I'm in love with him, can't live without him...even as I resist this strange pull I feel toward him.
Hell.
Unaware of the emotions churning inside, he continues, "You also can't bring your personal phone or your laptop or be in touch with anyone these next few days."
"What?"
He's mad.
"To avoid any temptation of photos, emails, telling anyone else where you are or what you're up to," he says. "We need to keep media attention out of this completely."
"You're cutting me off from the world? Don't trust me?" I'm only half kidding.
His reaction doesn't disappoint.
Silver sparks flare. "I never underestimate my opponent."
