Her eyebrow twitched, cheeks growing redder as she gave a slight nod. “You’re welcome.”
“Would you like some coffee? Or tea maybe?” I asked, turning on the coffee machine.
“Oh?” She tilted her head in confusion. “Sir?”
“It’s cold outside, I thought you might want something to warm you up,” I whispered, walking up to her, a sly grin on my face.
Her blush grew deeper, avoiding my gaze.
I nearly chuckled, finding her shyness cute.
“Tea…” She answered, ever so meekly.
“Hmm… I didn’t hear you, dear.” I said even, though I had heard her just fine. Carefully, I placed my finger under her chin and tilted it upwards. When she looked into my eyes, I moved my hand onto her cheek, palm pressing against it as my thumb caressed her skin. I held her in my gaze for a moment, leaning down.
In reaction, her eyes started to close, and her lips puckered, preparing for a kiss.
I smirked. So she wanted me too? Excellent! Maybe this would be easier than I thought.
Ding!
The kettle finished boiling. I left her standing in a daze as I poured the hot water over fresh tea leaves. “Milk or sugar?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at her.
“Um… sure.”
I turned, adding a splash of milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Already, I could almost smell her excitement, a sweetness that lingered over the room. It had a powerful effect, making me want to pounce on her right then and there.
But I kept my composure as I handed her the mug of tea. “Careful, it’s hot,” I said, sitting on the couch beside her, so close our knees were touching.
The air around us was tense with energy.
I could feel it getting stronger and stronger. The attraction between us was undeniable. I don’t know how we could have ignored it for so long. I guess we were both much too pragmatic, putting work before emotions. It was one of the reasons why I liked her. She was my kind of woman.
But I needed to take this one step at a time. If I moved too fast, my whole plan would be ruined.
So, I walked along my thin tightrope, careful not to fall.
Chapter 3 (Tanya)
What had gotten into him?
Everett never paid me this much attention. He never offered to make me tea. Hell, I didn’t even know he knew how to make tea. I was usually the one who worked the machine.
I just kept staring at him in disbelief, head slightly tilted to the side, the warm mug between my fingers.
He was up to something. It was obvious. His blue eyes sparkled just like they did whenever he was about to make a brilliant business transaction. So, what was he planning inside his head and how was I a part of it?
For a long while, he didn’t say anything. He just kept looking at me.
I shivered.
His gaze was intense – almost too intense.
I was used to holding my own. After all, I had been an independent woman most of my life, but there was just something about this man that unraveled me. I didn’t know whether it was his devilish good looks or his powerful aura, but whatever it was, it made my legs turn to jelly and my heart beat just a little faster.
Soon, I was inching closer, my body yearning for his. It was as if our bodies were magnets, gravitating together on their own accord.
“I need you to accompany me to the Christmas Ball.” Everett’s voice broke the silence.
What?
I stared, blinking in surprise.
“Excuse me?”
“I need you to accompany me to the Christmas Ball.” He repeated. “Did I stutter?”
“N-No… but sir, you’ve never asked me to attend the Christmas Ball.” I said in confusion.
Usually, I organized the party by ordering all the food, staff, and decorations. I would get all the minute details in place, making sure that everything would work out smoothly, but I had never seen my hard work firsthand.
“Well, this year you’ll be my date.”
“Date?” I practically choked on the word. “I’m sorry, sir, but I think you have lost your mind.”
“Why do you say that?” He asked, hands folded over his knees and an almost amused look on his face.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but every year, you go to that party with some model you hire for the night. Why should this year be any different?”
“I grew tired of them.” He answered in a calm tone as if the answer was obvious. “I’ve come to realize that I’ve had the perfect date right in front of me this entire time.” He reached out, once again cupping my chin in his palm. “What do you say? Will you go to the Ball with me?”
What was I supposed to do? I felt like a fish out of water, trying to gulp in air through a straw. I never thought I’d find myself in this situation.
Maybe I was dreaming.
But even in my dreams, Everett’s eyes were never this bright.
This was real.
I just couldn’t understand why.
After five years, why did he choose to notice me now? It felt so sudden, leaving me breathless and unprepared. I didn’t know what to do so I just stared at him, very much aware of his fingertips on my skin.
That alone was enough to electrify me. My every nerve ending was coming alive with energy.
I loved it.
All I wanted was for his hands to venture to other parts of my body, to explore, to tease. Instantly, my mind wandered into naughtier territory, heat spreading throughout my body, concentrating between my legs.
Calm down, Tanya. I tried to tell myself. This is not the place – nor the time – to get horny. He’ll know. God, he’ll know. And I didn’t want him to think I was an easy woman who would spread her legs at his command. Sure, he was sexy, and the thought of fucking him was hot as hell, but real life was a different matter. I knew better than to fall into bed with a man who could replace me in the blink of an eye.
I was lonely, yes, but not that lonely.
“I’m waiting.” He insisted.
His face was moving closer. At this point, our noses were practically touching. His cologne wafted up to my nostrils. Its intoxicating scent made my mind fuzzy as if I were experiencing a high. I found it hard to concentrate, and yet, his question continued to buzz in my mind.
Will you go to the Ball with me?
Fuck, what was I supposed to say? On the one hand, I wanted to say yes. I mean, why wouldn’t I? Everett Walton was probably the richest and hottest guy in New York. Every woman that had even a fragment of libido wanted to be with him. I was no exception. But at the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was using me for something.
And I didn’t want to be one of his little pawns.
Being his assistant was degrading enough.
“Need I be a little more persuasive?” He whispered, his voice husky. His warm breath caressed the side of my neck as I shivered with desire.
Goddamnit, he was making it hard to resist.
Very hard.
His lips were so close to my skin that I could almost feel them. I knew that if he kissed me, I would lose control.
So, I quickly got up, placing the mug on the counter. “Sure,” I answered, trying to sound nonchalant, but my voice was too high-pitched.
“Good. I’ll order you a dress.”
“Huh?” I turned around, staring at him. “What for?”
“My gift to you.” He said with a smile. “Besides, I like it when my date matches me.”
“I can order my own dress.”
“I insist.”
I bit the inside of my lip. Things were getting weirder and weirder. “Alright…” I finally relented.
“Perfect.” He smirked. “I’ll pick you up on the 23rd. Expect me at 7:00 PM sharp. Please be ready by then. You know I’m a man who hates to be kept waiting.”
I nodded. “7:00 PM. Sharp. Got it.” I repeated.
“I knew I could count on you.” He winked before opening the door and waving a hand for me to leave.
And just like that, he went from teasing me to kicking me out.
This man truly was impossible to figure out.
***
When I finally got home, I still couldn’t believe what had happened.
I replayed the scene in my mind, but it was making less and less sense.
Why had he flirted with me? Just so I would be persuaded to go to the Ball with him or was there more to it? Could it be that there was genuine attraction hiding under the surface or was he just playing an act to try and fool me?
Honestly, I had no idea and that bothered me.
I headed for the kitchen and opened the fridge, looking for something to snack on. Food always made me feel better.
The fridge, however, was empty.
I closed the door, a little disappointed, but to my luck, I spotted a pack of gingerbread cookies on the counter.
Sweet! I had completely forgotten about these. Quickly, I snatched them up. I struggled with the package for a while but eventually started nibbling on the leg of a little gingerbread man.
Mmm. Tasty.
For a brief moment, I forgot about Everett, but as soon as I closed my eyes, there he was. Broad shoulders. Sharp features. Smoldering blue eyes.
There was no denying the man’s sex appeal. If he wasn’t a CEO, he would make a killing as a model.
So why was he trying to go for a girl like me?
It didn’t make any sense.
He could have any woman in the world.
So why me?
I finished off the cookie and grabbed another.
Ugh. This was killing me. If I didn’t stop overthinking it, I would finish the box of cookies and wake up in the middle of the night with a horrible stomach ache.
Using what little restraint I had, I closed the lid and headed for my bedroom. As I started to undress, I immediately thought of Everett. Had he ever mentally undressed me in the same way I had done to him? Did he ever imagine what I looked like naked, under his body, moaning his name?
Dirty daydreams filled my mind, thinking of all the possibilities. It had been a long, long time since I had been intimate with someone, but I had no doubt it was like riding a bicycle – you never really forget how. If you were with the right person, things would just fall into place.
Everything would feel right.
And while I wanted Everett, something about him felt wrong.
He was definitely up to something and I didn’t like having the wool pulled over my eyes.
Sighing, I tugged on my pajamas and plopped into bed. Maybe in the morning I would find out it had all been a dream.
I was just about to close my eyes and go to sleep when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Instinctually, I reached for it.
Mack.
What on Earth could he want?
Hey! I was wondering if you wanted to grab some drinks tomorrow night. I know this great little place downtown. On me.
I groaned. I really couldn’t deal with this right now.
So, I threw my phone under my pillow and went to sleep.
Chapter 4 (Everett)
In the week leading up to the Ball, business was tighter than usual. The holiday season usually brought a spike in profits, but this year, it was nearly double what it was the year before.
Staff were finding it hard to keep up, so I was left to pick up the slack, working hours upon hours of overtime, tucked away in my office, answering conference call after conference call.
To be honest, I didn’t mind it. I liked my line of work. Or rather, I liked to keep busy. There was a part of me that grew anxious every time I was still and had nothing to do. I hated it. Maybe that’s why I hadn’t gone on a proper vacation in over ten years. I just didn’t see the point.
It was almost noon. The 22nd. Just one day before the Christmas Ball. It was the first time I found myself excited to go.
Could it be that Tanya excited me more than I cared to admit?
No.
She was just my assistant.
A stepping stone in my plan to conceive a son.
That was the only reason for my excitement.
Knock. Knock.
“Come in.”
Tanya peeked her head through the door, a smile on her face. “A package came for you.” She announced.
“Bring it in.”
She walked in, hips swaying with confidence.
I had always loved the way she carried herself. Unlike most girls, it seemed to me that Tanya recognized her beauty. She was unafraid to wear tight-fitting clothing, despite her thicker size. I loved it. Her every inch, every curve, turned me on like nothing else. Who needed stick-thin models when you could have a woman with love handles to hold as you make her scream your name.
“Who’s the sender?” I asked, looking up at her, drinking in the sight of her body standing in front of me. She looked divine in her tight black skirt and low-cut shirt. By the gleam in her eye, I was almost positive she was trying to tease me.
“Gina’s Boutique.” She answered.
“Ah. Then it’s your dress.”
She furrowed her brows in confusion. “But it’s so heavy.”
I chuckled. “Feel free to open it if you don’t believe me.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She blushed, looking a bit embarrassed.
“No worries. But you really should open it. Maybe try it on, see if it fits.”
“What? Like here?”
I smirked. “If that’s what you want, I wouldn’t be opposed.” I leaned back in my chair, eyes shining with mischief.
“Um… I think I’ll just open it when I get home if that’s okay with you.” She refused to meet my eye as she spoke.
I loved how she could go from confident one second to adorably shy the next. It made me want her that much more.
Oh, I’d have my fun fucking her alright.
It’d be one hell of a time.
I was already thinking about it, excitement growing between my legs by the time Tanya excused herself and slipped out of the room. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that there was something else lurking under the surface. I lusted after this woman, yes, but there was more to it. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, but it was there, getting stronger and stronger with each minute I spent in her presence.
What was it?
Knock. Knock.
“Yes?”
I half-expected Tanya to walk back in, but instead, I was met with a sorry sight.
Nettie.
What was she doing here?
I thought I had gotten rid of her long ago.
Instantly, I got to my feet, teeth locking in annoyance. This was the last thing I needed right now, an insect from my past to come scuttling at my feet.
“What do you want?” I growled.
She frowned. “Is that any way to greet the love of your life?”
“Ha.” I rolled my eyes. “You stopped being the love of my life long, long ago.”
Her frown deepened. “Really, Everett, I don’t know why you always try so hard to hurt me. What did I ever do to you?”
“Don’t play the victim.” I snarled, eyeing her suspiciously as she walked up to my desk, leaning forward slightly, lips pursed into a pout, eyes big and doe-like. Nettie was a master manipulator. She had fooled me once, but she would never fool me twice. “Get out of here.” I barked, hands on my desk in a defensive position.
“Oh, come on, I’m sure this is all just an act. Deep down, you miss me. There’s no denying it.” Like a snake, her hand slithered forward, taking my tie between her fingers. “Because I’ve missed you.”
I grabbed her wrist, grasp tight – too tight.
She winced.
I let go, skin crawling with disgust. At one point in my life, I had been infatuated with this woman, but things were different now. She had betrayed my trust, and that was something not easily regained. “What do you want?” I asked once more, growing impatient. She was up to something, that much was obvi
ous. But, what?
“Can’t a girl just drop by for a visit?” She asked, voice innocent as she rounded the desk.
Fake Bride: A Billionaire Boss Fake Marriage Romance Page 14
