Page 28 of Fiancé for Hire

Despite his fedora, Antika could tell that a few people sitting at tables noticed him. Some were pointing. Some whipped out their phone and snapped a picture. That act reminded her of their precarious situation. She planned to dodge as many photos with him as possible, not wanting people to think that they were really an item.

That might be a little tricky, but it would keep her on her toes.

“You look absolutely stunning,” he said by way of greeting, then leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek. Butterflies took flight in her stomach, and it took everything not to puddle to the floor.

“You look good, too,” she said, unable to hold back the breathiness in her tone. “Thank you for coming.”

Again, Drevon flashed her a sexy smile. “Yeah, as your fiancé, the love of your life, I’m obligated to be your plus-one.”

That voice.

That deep, hypnotic voice.

It seeped into her soul, nipped at her nerves, then stirred something so deep inside of her that she had to stop herself from leaping into his arms. And the way his dark amber eyes, barely visible beneath the brim of his hat, glittered with lust, she almost fanned herself.

Goodness.

This man was what fantasies were made of. Everything about him sent her senses into overdrive and had her lady parts tingling with need. Then he moved closer, slipped his arm around her waist, and pulled her against his hard body. Antika’s internal temperature skyrocketed, and she was fairly sure she moaned.

Remembering that their relationship was fake was going to be hard as hell.

“Where should I put the gift?” he asked.

So caught up in his nearness, it took Antika a minute to stop staring into his handsome face before she glanced down at the gift bag.

“I’ll show you.”

When she started to pull away, he maintained the gentle hold he had around her waist, causing her to look at him again. He was staring down at her with adoration in his gaze. She still couldn’t get used to the fact that she had to look up at him, even in her heels. It was wonderful. He made her feel dainty and feminine.

But what really caused heat to charge through her body was the way he was looking at her. When was the last time a man appraised her with so much adoration? When was the last time a man paid her compliments? Or when was the last time she’d felt desired?

And how sad was it that she was eating up all of it and yearning for more?

Drevon released her slightly and settled his hand at the small of her back. “Show me,” he said.

Show me?She almost asked, but then remembered that she was supposed to be taking him to the gift table.

“Oh. Right this way,” she said.

People smiled and greeted him as he passed them. He spoke to some and nodded at others, while keeping her close to his body as they strolled to the other side of the room. All the while, Antika felt like the luckiest woman at the party. So far, it didn’t seem as if anyone knew about the engagement.

They stopped abruptly, almost slamming into a young woman, maybe college age, who leaped in front of them. Her raven hair flowed down her back, and her café au lait skin tone was flawless.

“Aren’t you Drevon Ross?” she asked, getting a little too close for comfort.

“Yes,” he said, his voice lacking the warmth that Antika had heard seconds ago. It was clear when he tightened his hold on her that he didn’t want the woman’s attention.

“Can I get a picture with you?” she asked boldly, getting in place next to him before he could respond.

Without thinking, Antika shifted her body until she was in front of him, blocking the woman. “Baby, you told me that we wouldn’t have to deal with this tonight,” she said sweetly, and almost laughed when Drevon’s left eyebrow quirked up comically.

He didn’t miss a beat, though. His large hand glided up her back and pulled her against his chest. “You’re right, I did,” he said.

His gaze volleyed between her eyes and her lips, and Antika swallowed hard, afraid that he’d kiss her. They couldn’t kiss. She might’ve wanted to, but they couldn’t.

After that sensual kiss at her job, she’d told him no more kissing. She wasn’t sure how realistic that was going to be, but she was going to try and resist. She already knew her tender heart wouldn’t be able to handle it if he kept kissing her…if he loved on her lips the way he’d done yesterday.

As if sensing her anxiousness, he glanced over her shoulder at the woman who was standing there, looking at them with her mouth hanging open.

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