Page 26 of The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
We're about to be seen together as a couple, in front of other people. People who know Jace as the son to the heir of the Walker Fortune and a successful Angel Investor. And they're going to find out that I am not what I seem.
Fear jitters up my spine. I come to an abrupt stop. Jace continues a couple more steps before turning back.
He tilts his head, frowns.
"What is it? Is my tie askew?"
I shake my head, and the words stutter in my mouth.
The late evening breeze blows over my bare shoulders, and I shiver. That little scene with Tom has upset me more than I realized. And Jace's possessiveness has shaken me to the core. I want more of the connection that had tied me to him. It had made me feel I wasn't alone for the first time.
But this is a business relationship. He's employed me to play a role. And his being jealous of Tom was no doubt an act, a rehearsal for the façade we must maintain in front of his family.
Except I want it to be real.
I'm falling for him.
The breath catches in my throat. Emotions churn, tying my stomach in knots.
Can I get through this farce and get the money I need?
The thoughts I'd held at bay since I'd embarked on this insane trip come rushing over me. I feel a little sick as my mind lurches from one thing to another.
Leave now. Go.
I half turn.
Stop.
Turn back to him.
And perhaps in that slight jerky movement, in the flicker of uncertainty that scrolls across my face, he senses how close I am to breaking, to giving in and taking him to my bed.
Or letting him take me, possess me with that uncompromising need I sense in him. If we make love it won't be simple. Not simply a physical act. He'll want more. Demand I give him everything. My emotions. My feelings. He won't stop till he breaks through all the barriers. Strips me of my secrets. Owns every part of me.
Sleeping with him will mean giving up not only control of my business but also of my emotions. Never before has my independence, my sense of self been so threatened. I know our coupling will be nothing less than absolute, an act that will sear my soul.
I'm not ready for that.
Not yet.
His gaze sharpens and a look of concern shadows his features, gone so quickly I think I've imagined it. Then he closes the gap between us and he touches my cheek, pushing aside a strand of hair. A feather light touch that brings tears to my eyes.
"Hey," he says, his features uncomfortable, as if not quite sure how to handle this. "It's okay. If you'd rather not go in, we can head back up."
Swearing to myself, I screw my eyes shut to keep the tears from flowing.
Give me a demanding business negotiation, and I can face up to the toughest ball buster in town. But I'm useless when it comes to making sense of my own emotions.
I clench my palms at my side. He places his hand on my shoulder, and I freeze.
I don’t look up, just focus on his throat. I want to reach out and place my lips there, find out how he tastes…and that confuses me even more. I'm in the middle of having a meltdown and all I can think of is touching this man. Biting my lips, I stand there frozen, unable to move. Knowing if I move I'd be lost.
Knowing if I don't leave now I risk losing myself in him. Only one day and I'm close to sleeping with him. If I spend a week with him, there'll be no turning back. I'll fall for him.
I'd lost my blood family, the ones I don't even remember. Then my adoptive father who had been the guiding force in my life. And now I'm in danger of falling for Jace. Will he leave me too? I'm merely someone employed to fulfill a role.
My emotions must have shown on my face, for he asks, "You aren't thinking of changing your mind, are you?" His voice is cautious.
