Page 22 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

‘Does everyone know or just expect it?’ Julian asked. ‘Because what I know is that I’m the one in a relationship with her and it’s me that she’s engaged to.’

Julian walked onto the terrace, felt the chill night breeze ruffling his hair.

‘Is Lincoln Harrison really someone you want to anger? Christ, Julian, you want the Arum deal. How is pissing him off going to help?’

Julian thought back to the way Lily had tensed when Lincoln had touched her. How he’d looked at her... He felt his stomach roil as buried memories surfaced to torment him, as if living through it hadn’t been enough. The familiar burn of rage rolled through him.

‘Don’t worry, Henry, I know what I’m doing.’

‘Do you? Why now?’

‘Yes, I do. And it’s because her father’s dead. I’m just letting the world know she’s taken. That she has been for a while. Why do you think this has been such a secret? I know what the expectations were.’

‘That still leaves Harrison. He’s the one who could veto IRES getting the energy deal, even if you have Shah on your side.’

‘I’m aware of that.’

Julian was also aware of the fact that Lincoln did not often go against a decision when he would be the only opposing vote, and if his plan to get Devan and the board on his side worked, then Lincoln wouldn’t risk the scrutiny of his society peers.

‘So what is this? Have you found someone you could love more than your company?’

Henry’s question was ridiculous. Love would never be a consideration. Everything Julian was doing was for IRES. But that didn’t mean it had to benefit only him.

From the moment he’d seen Lily he had felt a protective instinct unearth itself. He had failed his mother, but he was powerful now, and this time would be different.

‘They’re completely different. In any case it doesn’t matter, because this whole damn city will know she’s with me.’

‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’

Henry hung up, leaving Julian to stare at the phone in his hands. From the moment he’d stepped into Crème Lily had been under his protection. That was no lie. He wouldn’t leave her to deal with people like Lincoln Harrison. The man had him thinking of his stepfather, in a crumpled heap on the floor, with Julian standing above him feeling pure satisfaction.

Which was exactly why he couldn’t allow himself to get emotionally invested. It wasn’t part of the deal, and at the end of the day the only thing he needed to keep sight of was where he was going to take IRES once these people accepted him.

CHAPTER SIX

LILY SAT IN her office, attempting to work. Her door was shut and she had asked not to be bothered while she dealt with everything that required her attention. Except only one thing had it...and it sparkled on her finger.

She couldn’t stop thinking about their date. Sure, it hadn’t been real, but she had genuinely enjoyed Julian’s company.

She toyed with the ring. When he had said she would be wearing one she’d never imagined it would be something quite so beautiful. Something that suited her so perfectly. Of course Julian couldn’t have known that.

Julian...

When she closed her eyes she could still feel his lips on hers. That kiss had made her forget where she was, who she was. Just thinking about it had her breath coming in pants. Just as his had done.

She’d been so convinced she had ruined everything by getting carried away. They’d just needed people to see them being affectionate. Acting. That was what he’d been doing. But no one could be that good an actor, could they?

No, the kiss had been real. He’d said he wanted to kiss her again, and she should be grateful that they had such intense chemistry. It would work in their favour. Even Devan had bought the act.

He had been waiting for her arrival home, and all he had said was, ‘So it’s real?’

When she had nodded, he’d left her standing in the hall. That was the last time she had seen him, but she hoped that his reaction was a sign their plan was already working.

Her mind was firmly focussed on a man who held the weight of the world in his sea-coloured eyes. She sensed that there was so much more to him that he was likely hiding behind thick, high walls. But why? He seemed so hard, but never cold. So controlled, never smiling, and yet his eyes often lit up with humour.

And in the car he had been kind. Reassured her. Made her comfortable. Yet he’d also warned her that he wasn’t a hero. Something told her he really did believe that. In fact, there had been several warnings and they all said the same thing: Don’t get attached.

There was no risk of that. Lily wouldn’t let herself forget what was at stake. Her freedom. Her happiness.

---