Page 18 of Their Diamond Ring Ruse

‘Do you not drink alcohol?’

‘No.’

‘At all?’

She was curious now. She remembered the globe bar in her father’s office. The brandy he and Arthur Harrison would sip during their long discussions. The golden liquid flowing whenever they entertained. It had almost seemed like a bonding ritual. If Julian didn’t join in with that, he was setting himself apart from these people in yet another way.

‘At all.’

‘Why?’

She saw his jaw flex, a flash of anger in his eyes, but when he spoke his voice was even and smooth, as always.

‘I grew up with an alcoholic. I’ve seen what alcohol does. There’s no room for that in my life, and while you are with me you will remember that.’

That hard tone only made her want to know more. What had happened to him?

‘I will. I promise. Can I ask who it was?’

‘My stepfather.’

It seemed that was all he was going say so she didn’t pry. ‘I’m sorry you had to deal with that.’

She grew quiet, trying to put a picture of Julian together, but he was a highly complex puzzle and she only had a few pieces so far.

‘Just ask me what’s on your mind.’ He smirked. ‘I can see those cogs turning.’

She let out an embarrassed chuckle at having been caught, but she wasn’t going to squander the chance to collect more information.

‘Okay... You seem to have come up with this idea rather quickly, and I’m just wondering how you were able to. I mean, being my fiancé makes it impossible for you to have a partner.’

‘That’s easy. I don’t have one.’

‘How is that possible?’ she blurted.

Julian leaned forward, elbows folded on the table. ‘I’m glad you think I’m so desirable.’

‘I just meant—’

‘The answer is simple, Lily. I don’t do relationships.’

That seemed ridiculous. The man was smart, sexy, and so far seemed like a good enough person.

‘Why?’

‘Why do you want to know?’ He smirked again, but this time there was no humour in his expression. ‘Think you’ll be the one to fix me? I’m a grown man. I don’t need to offer reasons for my behaviour.’

He was right. He was free to do what he wanted. It just seemed wrong.

‘You don’t. And I don’t think that. One, I may not know you very well, but I don’t think there’s anything to fix. Two, I’m trying to get to know you since we will be engaged. And three, I’m very aware of what this is, Julian, but we don’t have to be strictly business partners—we can also be friends.’

‘I don’t have those either,’ he stated simply.

Didn’t that sound lonely?

‘Okay, so what do you do for fun?’

‘I work. I tinker.’

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