Page 16 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

‘I’ve already said that I’m not playing games. I don’t intend to wait in the shadows while the woman I love is handed over to another man. Lily deserves better than to be treated like that and you know it. Despite what you may think of me, I have no issue with you, Shah, and all I’m here to do is take her to dinner. But just so you know... After tonight, I’m not hiding our relationship. I thought you would appreciate the forewarning.’

Drawing up beside him, Lily announced that she was ready.

‘Let’s go.’ Julian took her hand, leading her out through the front door. He opened the door of his car for her, then rounded the vehicle and slid into his seat.

‘A gentleman,’ she said with a teasing smile.

The expression on his face was wolfish. One that didn’t reach his eyes which were still cold. Predatory. ‘Well, I am a man...but I’m certainly not gentle.’

* * *

If the words hadn’t set her pulse fluttering, the wink surely did it. Lily couldn’t help staring at him as they drove off. He looked so at ease. So capable. His white shirt was open at the neck, exposing just a hint of the smooth skin at the base of his throat. Now that she thought about it, every time she had seen him, or a picture of him, he had always been in an impeccably tailored suit. Clean-shaven. Nothing out of place. Not even a strand of hair.

That level of discipline and control was nearly unfathomable. Julian seemed beyond human. It had to be taxing...

Only one thing betrayed that cool, calm exterior—the twinkling earring was the first thing she noticed when she opened the door. It was so at odds with everything else about him and she wondered why—if he’d set his sights on getting into Zenith—he wouldn’t just remove it.

‘I’m surprised by your choice of car,’ she said, breaking the silence.

He frowned. The first real expression she had seen him show.

‘Why?’

There was genuine confusion in his tone.

‘Given that you’re all about renewable energy, I thought you’d be busy trying to save the world.’ She grinned.

He let out a rush of air and she wondered if that was almost laughter.

‘I’m not the hero of this story, Lily. You’d do well to remember that.’ His light eyes flicked to hers, then back to the road. ‘And it’s a hybrid.’

She let out a peal of laughter that had his lips twitching.

‘Thank you for what you did back there,’ she said. ‘I’m sure Devan is angry, but you were so convincing.’

‘I lied to him. I told him I didn’t have an issue with him,’ he confessed.

‘And you do?’ Lily wasn’t really surprised. After all, her brother was part of the group that had made growth in San Francisco difficult for IRES. ‘I guess I can understand that. I am aware of the privilege of my birth. If it wasn’t for my surname I wouldn’t even be in this group, despite my success. So I want you to know I do get it.’

‘That’s good to know, but not what I meant. I have an issue with the fact that your brother isn’t protecting you from Harrison. I was serious when I said you need to find your own place.’

‘I do.’ Lily fell silent, staring out of the window. ‘Thank you for helping me, even though I’m basically a stranger to you.’

‘You’re not a stranger. We’ve been dating for months.’

Lily laughed. There it was again. That hidden humour. It felt so good to be pulled away from her wallowing. She had always possessed the ability to see the positives in any situation—the quintessential eternal optimist—but lately it had become harder to be that person. Especially when she was constantly trying to hide the hurt her family had caused.

‘There’s something we haven’t discussed.’ He was all business again. ‘As of tonight, we’ll be engaged. There will be an expectation for displays of affection.’

‘I’ve thought about that too,’ Lily replied. ‘It would be weird if we never touched. Give us away... Would you like to set some ground rules?’

‘I would.’ His eyes softened, as if he was pleased. ‘I will only ever touch you if and when you are comfortable with it, and I will only go as far as you want me to.’

‘What happens if we need to kiss?’

Julian briefly glanced at her. ‘Would you be comfortable with that?’

Lily thought back to his lips on her cheek in her office and how much she’d wanted to meet them with hers.

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