The Billionaire's Fake Marriage (A Romance Collection Boxed Set)

by Amanda Horton

  Ever so gently, Neil lifted her veil for the first time, exposing her beautiful face to the world. He rested his hand on her cheek, caressing it gently with his thumb as he smiled.

  “Neil Robbins, do you take Amber Riveria as your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest addressed him, waiting for his answer.

  “I do,” Neil said confidently as he took a step forward, gently easing the golden ring onto her finger. This was all for show, but somehow, he felt like it meant something more. As he looked into her dark eyes, he could swear he was looking straight into her soul, like she had just given up a piece of herself to him.

  “And do you, Amber Riveria, take Neil Robbins as your lawfully wedded husband?” Amber’s fingers shook at the question. She held onto the ring for dear life, fearful that she would drop it at any moment. With her heart pounding, she looked up at Neil, wondering why she was so nervous all of a sudden. A silence fell over the church as everyone waited for her to say ‘I do’.

  But it seemed like her mouth wouldn’t work anymore. Tears formed in her eyes and before she could stop herself, she started weeping. A deep smile spread across her face.

  “I do!” she exclaimed. Tears of joy flowed down her cheeks, causing a collective ‘aww’ to run through the crowd as she tried to slip Neil’s ring onto his finger.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” said the priest.

  Without a moment of hesitation, Neil swept Amber off her feet, kissing her hard and letting all the passion he secretly felt for her come to the fore. His arms were wrapped around her tightly, as if refusing to ever let her go. Moments later, he ushered her out of the church. The camera crew followed close behind as they ran to the limousine. They waved to all the guests before disappearing inside the car.

  “That was quite impressive,” said Pam. She was sat in the limo with a champagne glass in her hand, watching the filming on a TV. “Those tears of joy actually looked genuine. I’m sure the viewers will love it.” Pam patted Amber on the knee, congratulating her for a good show.

  Amber’s cheeks burned at her comments. She glanced sideways at Neil, wondering how he felt about the whole thing. Did he have feelings for her, like she did for him?

  ***

  They eventually arrived at Neil’s home.

  “Would anyone care to come in for a drink?” Neil asked politely, looking at the crew who had worked very hard over the last two episodes to put the show together.

  “No, I think we should all get some rest,” said Ed, stretching himself out and then grabbing his car keys from his pocket.

  “Speak for yourself,” Amber said saucily, pulling up her wedding dress and making her way up the driveway towards the front door of Neil’s house. When Neil saw no one else was going to join them, he chased after her, sneaking up behind Amber and sweeping her off her feet once again. She giggled with glee, her arms instantly wrapping around his neck.

  “Hey! What was that for? We aren’t even shooting anymore.” Amber’s cheeks turned a bright red as she looked up into his gorgeous eyes.

  “I know,” he whispered, leaning down and kissing her deeply in the middle of the driveway, before pulling away. “You are still technically my wife though and I want to carry my new wife over the threshold.”

  Amber’s heart kick-started at his words. “You’re just saying that,” she said. She couldn’t quite believe that Neil really did like her, but as he bypassed the bar and made his way towards the stairs, she furrowed her brow, wondering what he had in mind.

  “I thought we were going to have a drink. I was really looking forward to some coconut rum,” she said, pouting.

  “I have a better idea.” He grinned, carrying her up the stairs and down a long hallway. “Besides, what’s a wedding without a honeymoon?”

  He winked down at her, sparking her interest. Instantly, a fire ignited between her thighs as she caught his drift, her whole body swarming with hormones. Could he really be suggesting…?

  Once inside his bedroom, Neil tossed Amber onto the bed. He smiled at her and walked up to a small minibar, filling two crystal glasses with champagne.

  “To our marriage,” he said, clinking his glass with hers. His lips approached her ear and whispered the next words softly. “And to the most beautiful girl in the world.”

  “You don’t have to pretend.” She blushed, taking a sip of her drink.

  “The cameras aren’t rolling anymore. You really are beautiful, Amber,” he said. He leaned in closer, his lips approaching the hollow of her neck. “I don’t think I can keep my hands off you.” His voice was sensual, sending shivers down her spine.

  Gently, he rested his hand on her burning cheek, rubbing his thumb against her soft skin in small circles. “You are absolutely breathtaking.”

  Amber felt her heartbeat skyrocket. Did he really feel this way about her?

  Neil finally pulled away, and gently pushed her back down onto the bed. Seconds later, his was body hovering over hers. His lust for her grew, seeing her laying beneath him, looking gorgeous in her white dress. Throughout the day, he had been fighting off a very persistent erection, but now, he simply couldn’t control himself any longer. He had tasted her sweet lips and he could no longer resist any other part of her.

  Amber’s fingers locked with his and, looking into his light-colored eyes, she tried to figure out if he truly loved her as much as she loved him. She hadn’t been able to fully admit it to herself, but now, as she lay beneath him, their bodies pressed together, she knew she had fallen for this man.

  “I love you,” Amber said shamelessly. Her face was flushed, giving her caramel complexion a cute hue. Neil couldn’t hold back as he leaned down and kissed her. His hands roamed all over her body, searching for a way to remove her dress. Finally, his fingers tightened around the zipper and he slowly pulled it down. His hand snuck underneath the heavy fabric and his fingertips ran along her silky skin.

  Desperate, she fumbled with the buttons of his dress shirt, pulling it off as quickly as she could. She leaned forward, letting her lips run along his chest and down to his stomach, reaching his blonde happy trail, leading all the way down to his waistband. With shaking fingers, she unbuttoned his pants, just as he peeled off her wedding dress and left her in nothing but underwear. He reached down and pulled her panties upwards until they sank deep into her pussy, and made her cry out.

  “You want me, don’t you?” he whispered in her ear. Pulling her closer, his large hand gripped her round ass until she was sitting on his lap.

  “So bad,” she moaned, unable to say anything else. “Take me.”

  Grabbing hold of his face, she kissed him hard, letting her tongue slip into his mouth as lust got the better of her. In a flurry, Neil ripped off her underwear and threw it across the room. His fingers ran along her wet pussy, pressing into it and teasing her until her nails dug into his back.

  “Please…” she whimpered, turning to putty in his arms.

  He couldn’t deny her any longer. He pulled his dick out of his pants and pressed it against her entrance, feeling how wet she really was. He pulled her down, guiding his dick inside of her. When his head popped into her quivering pussy, they both groaned, feeling a jolt of pleasure run up their spines. Amber’s nails dug into his back a little harder as she moved her hips, forcing him even deeper inside of her.

  Soon enough, with his hands on her hips, she was fully impaled on his dick and feeling his every vein inside her wet walls driving her insane. She bit her lip and tilted her head back, exposing her neck. He leaned forward, nibbling on it gently as he started to bounce her up and down, causing her large chest to jiggle in the process. He continued to suck and nibble on her collarbone, picking up the pace, feeling her velvety insides pleasure him like nothing else before.

  “God, you’re so tight,” he moaned, feeling his dick being squeezed on all sides by her magnificent pussy, driving him insane.

  Amber could do nothing but scream out Neil’s name, her mind overw
helmed by the pleasure he was giving her. Her whole body shook with desire and her every nerve ending was alive with energy. She knew she was close to the edge, but she did her best to try and hold herself back a little longer.

  “Cum for me.”

  Neil’s sensual voice suddenly sounded in her ear and she couldn’t control herself anymore. She screamed out, experiencing one of the best orgasms of her life, her whole body rocking with ecstasy and her juices running down Neil’s dick. Seconds later, Neil groaned as he exploded inside of her and then collapsed onto the bed with his wife in his arms. They soon fell asleep, pleasantly exhausted after their first night together as a married couple.

  ***

  Everything seemed to go well from that moment on. They no longer had to worry about remembering their lines as much as just acting naturally. They found themselves kissing on stage more often than they were listed to do and every day they left giggling and holding hands like an actual couple.

  However, after their seventh episode they were called in for an emergency meeting. Neil and Amber walked in together and joined Ed and Pam who were already there waiting for them.

  “Please sit down,” said Ed, motioning to the couch in front of him. Amber and Neil sat together, his hand resting on her thigh and a bright smile on her face.

  “What’s this all about?” Neil asked, looking up at his agent.

  “Well, for the past couple of episodes there has been a real chemistry between you and Amber, and we’re very happy with that,” said Ed. Amber and Neil giggled, knowing it wasn’t acting at all. “But it’s quickly growing old. People don’t want to see you kiss all day. They want to see some drama. So we have decided that we need Amber to change her tack a little bit.”

  Pam stepped up this time and nodded.

  “We need you to stop being this perfect wife and turn into more of a deranged bitch. We can’t really afford to go through a slow, periodic change of character. It needs to be sudden, so we might have to imply that you suffer from a mental illness that makes you go nuts without your medication. Essentially, be as out of control as you can. Scream. Break things. Make threats.”

  “Whoa, hold on a second,” said Amber. “I didn’t sign up to be some sort of a lunatic. A bitch, maybe, but I’m not about to pretend to be schizophrenic or whatever. That’s just messed up and quite offensive to people who really do suffer from that sort of thing.”

  “How else do you suggest we explain your sudden shift in demeanor?” Ed asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m not a writer. Don’t ask me. Just don’t make me play someone crazy. I refuse. It’s just a cheap trick you guys are pulling to try and push the ratings. If you guys were the quality directors you claim you are, then you would’ve come up with a better plot device to get people interested.” Her cheeks were turning red with passion. She knew she was right. She wasn’t about to let them trample all over her just so they could get their precious little ratings.

  “Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe the audience wants something more than screaming and fighting?” she continued. “It doesn’t always have to be about the arguments. Maybe they really want to see an adorable tickle fight, you don’t know. Maybe they want a happy ending for once!” Amber got up, walking up to the director; her hands on her hips and a fierce look in her eyes. She turned to look at Neil but he was facing down looking at the ground. She figured whose side he was on.

  “If you want to get paid, I’d suggest you keep your mouth shut,” Ed advised her. “You have a contract with us, which requires you to follow the script. Remember that.”

  Pam shook her head at Amber from the sidelines, trying to remind her why she was going through this whole thing in the first place. Ignoring the stares, Amber grabbed her purse and got up.

  “Once you come up with something worth my time, give me a call.” she said, and with that she left, her heels clicking against the floor. Seconds later, Neil rushed after her. He grabbed hold of her arm, trying to stop her.

  “Amber, don’t go. We can talk about this. You make the show what it is,” he said, trying to convince her to stay, but the look in her eyes made him realize she wouldn’t be swayed that easily. “Just play along for the sake of the show, that’s all I’m asking you.”

  “You’re just as bad as they are! You’re just in it for the fame and glory, aren’t you?” replied Amber. She was heartbroken after Neil had failed to support her at the meeting. “You want to become some big TV star so everyone can talk about you. Well, I’m going to tell you something, you won’t be doing so by exploiting me. I’m not going to go on TV and make a complete fool of myself, just so you can reap all the benefits.” She pried her arm away, turned on her heels and walked away.

  When she made her way back to her apartment, she felt a sense of guilt. She missed Neil and realized that it probably hadn’t been necessary for her to lash out at him like that. She bit her lip and contemplated calling him, but decided against it. She would just apologize to him in person at the shoot the next day. Maybe they could negotiate some other way to try and get the ratings up— one that wouldn’t make her come off as some sort of madwoman.

  ***

  The next day, Amber arrived on set earlier than usual, ready to apologize to Neil the moment she saw him. That day’s episode would be a simple one. She would try to make some fajitas and they would burst into flames so Neil could come to her rescue, throwing a bucket of water in her direction, getting her soaked without even dousing the flame. In the end, she would use the fire extinguisher and get the whole kitchen dirty, so they would have no choice but to order takeout.

  Little did she know that Ed had decided to kick her off the show already. He had also planned something that would destroy her completely once and for all—a live feed to capture her shock in real time, showing the world the uncut carnage of reality TV.

  Right on cue, Amber walked into the living room. She was surprised to find Neil sitting waiting for her and the cameras rolling. She was about to apologize for her outburst when he stopped her.

  “Amber, there’s something I need to tell you. You’d better sit down.” he said. He felt tense, his whole body stiff as a board. He didn’t want to do what he had been told to, but he could almost sense Ed’s harsh glare against his back. If he wanted to maintain his popularity, he would have to go through with it. He had no other choice. Gulping down the bitter taste in his mouth, he slammed the thick divorce papers onto the coffee table. Amber just stared at them, confused.

  “What’s this?” she asked, carefully picking them up and noticing the word Divorce, printed in bold, block letters at the top of the page. “What is this?” she repeated once more, her face the epitome of disbelief.

  “It’s just not working between us,” he said. “The spark in the bedroom has left us and I’m afraid I’ve found another woman— one that can satisfy me properly.” He paused. His words up until this point had been tense and forced. It was obvious that Neil didn’t want to do it, but he really felt he had no choice. “I want a divorce,” he said seriously, his blue eyes seeming to lose their color and turn gray with his announcement.

  “A what?” Amber spat as she stepped forward, her face turning red. “You want to divorce me? What the hell is wrong with you?” She couldn’t control her emotions. It was like she really was being divorced. She felt like someone had thrust a hand into her chest, slowly yanked out her heart and then crushed it underfoot. Her vision blurred with angry tears.

  “It’s not my fault you can’t satisfy me like Julia can,” Neil said calmly, remembering his lines word for word, but not putting any emotion into them. The director had the burning desire to yell ‘Cut!’ but restrained himself as he remembered that they were filming live. Whatever happened was going to be broadcast to all America.

  “Fuck Julia. And you know what? Fuck you too. I don’t need you,” she spat. “I was such a fool for agreeing to this goddamn show in the first place. It was stupid to think this would work out. You know, I r
eally thought you were a nice guy, but now I know you’re just an asshole like every other douchebag guy in the world.” She screamed, rushing out of the living room in blind fury. She threw the divorce papers to the ground and rushed off the set and out of Neil’s life forever.

  ***

  A few days later, Amber sat in front of her TV with a tub of ice cream in hand. It was two in the afternoon and she still hadn’t changed out of her pajamas. She popped a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, reflecting on the past couple of months. Had it been worth it? She knew Neil had done what he done unwillingly, but she still felt betrayed by the man she had loved so selflessly.

  She barely even reacted when she heard a soft knock on the door. At first, she thought it was the TV, but when she looked up she realized it wasn’t even on. She sighed and got up, knowing she looked like a mess. Her hair was in disarray and she hadn’t worn make up for a few days.

  As she walked up to the door, she noticed the pink eviction notice on the coffee table nearby. Soon enough, she would have to deal with that. Her court date was coming up and if she didn’t get her act together, she would find herself living on the streets. She sighed and opened the door to find Neil with an entire camera crew. The cameras were pointed right at Amber.

  “Neil, what the hell is going on? What’s all this?” Amber blurted out as she tried to shut the door on him, but Neil did not let her get away so easily.

  “I love you,” he said, as he pressed his hand against her apartment door and locked his eyes with hers. Without hesitation, he moved forward, gingerly cupping her face in his hands and pulling her close. He continued to gaze into her beautiful eyes and the words naturally spilled from his lips. “I love you so much and I don’t want our love to be limited to some stupid TV show,” he whispered. “I want us to be together, forever.”

  Amber stood there completely shell-shocked and unable to react.

  “I’m sorry for everything I put you through,” Neil continued. “I didn’t mean for things to end up the way they did, but I want you to know that through it all, I always had feelings for you and those feelings were real. Even when the cameras were on and I was standing next to you, my heart felt like it would beat out of control. You’re the girl of my dreams, Amber, and I can’t lose you because of some TV show.” He had convinced Ed to shoot the scene, in order to try and prove to the world that their love was real. Without a second thought, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black box, presenting it to her.