by Lexy Timms
Two maids entered the dining room, carrying trays laden with food. He greeted them warmly as they started to set breakfast onto the table. Allyson thanked them as one maid set out a plate and some cutlery.
“After Dad’s conference, I’d like to talk about the particulars of Allyson’s contract,” Dane said, wanting to get the hardest part of the morning done as quick as possible.
“Oh?” His mother sounded surprised. “Allyson’s your wife now, darling. Do you really expect your wife to work for you?”
“She still wants to work.”
His mother’s blue eyes narrowed. “Work? Or keep an eye on you?” She waved her hand. “Fine. We can discuss the contract later today. But I hope she isn’t expecting any special treatment.”
Allyson cleared her throat. “Good morning, Mrs. Prescott.”
His mother’s eyes fell on Allyson, as if just seeing her for the first time. “Hello, dear. Are you ready for today’s lessons?”
Dane took the day’s newspaper from one of the maids and started searching through it for any reports about him and Allyson. “I want to teach Allyson how to waltz,” Dane said lightly, hoping he didn’t give away anything in his tone. He didn’t want to clue Allyson in on what he was doing with the newspaper, in case it scared her.
“Good idea. We could all stand to learn a little more grace now and then.” His mother’s claws were already out.
“We could?”
“Well, you might want to also brush up on some lessons in table manners,” his mother said pointedly, eyeing Allyson with disapproval. “What a way to hold a knife.”
Allyson was buttering a slice of toast. A slice of toast already covered in jam. He forced himself not to smile at her unusual taste. Over the past few years he’d discovered that her eating habits were sometimes a bit strange, but he found it oddly endearing now.
At his mother’s words she set the knife and toast down, cheeks turning pink. “Sorry,” Allyson mumbled. “That’s just how I eat my bagels and—”
“Allyson’s our guest,” he reminded his mother testily. “And my wife. I trust you’ll be accommodating. And maybe leave the topics of your tête-à-têtes to hobbies, sports, and the weather.”
His mother’s mouth fell open. “And how do you know Allyson and I have discussed anything to the contrary?”
He didn’t like her tone. Allyson wasn’t really his wife, but his mother’s meddling condescension chafed. The stress of this whole charade was clearly getting to Allyson, and he wasn’t going to put up with his mother’s usual passive-aggressiveness. With an exasperated sigh, he set the newspaper down. Thankfully there was a marriage announcement in the social section about him and Allyson getting married, but nothing that let on that their marriage was a fake. “She didn’t just come out and tell me about your little chat last night. I had to coax it out of her. That’s how much she respects you. It’s only right for you to extend her the same courtesy.”
His mother scoffed. “Is this an ambush?”
Allyson reached out and put her hand on his. She shook her head vigorously. “Dane, please, it’s okay.”
“No,” he said tightly, “it isn’t. Allyson has been nothing but respectful to you, Mother. And yet you came at her with unfounded accusations. Calling her a gold-digger? I won’t have it.” He knew he shouldn’t have brought it up, but he couldn’t help it. He’d be eating those very words this time next week, after he told his mother the truth. He was, after all, coming to the defense of a woman who wasn’t his wife and wasn’t his mother’s daughter-in-law. Was standing up for his assistant, who wasn’t supposed to mean anything to him, the right thing to do? And yet, she meant a great deal. Meant everything to him, really, if he was ever to admit the truth.
It was foolish to arrogantly defend her as if she were his, while they played pretend, but his feelings for her weren’t pretend. They were real. Very real. And just like at the wedding after her family tried to humiliate her, a righteous anger took over. He would never accept or put up with anyone’s disrespect of Allyson. Never.
His mother pursed her lips disapprovingly. “Very well. Have it your way. Just don’t come to me when she betrays you.” Without so much as a second glance, his mother rose to her feet and exited the room, proud head held high.
Allyson grimaced. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Believe me, I did,” he said. “If I hadn’t, she would have tried to steamroll me in the contract negotiations. Now she knows what she’s up against.”
Chapter 14
After breakfast, Dane led her to the mansion’s music room. There was a grand piano at one end of the room, one of those old turntable record players beside it. Antique chairs were lined up on one wall, and an enormous bookshelf took up another wall. Allyson approached the bookshelf, curious. The shelves were lined with books full of sheet music and boxes of vinyl records.
She peered at the books and the boxes on the shelves. Most of the books and records were classical music, though she was surprised to find jazz. “I didn’t know you played. Or do wealthy people just use grand pianos for decoration?”
He laughed, the rich sound making her stomach do flips. “I played as a kid. Though not very well. This is more my mother’s room really.”
“She plays?”
“Yes. Beautifully,” he said. “She was classically trained. Recorded a few albums. Even toured the world when she was young.”
The way he talked about Liliana, she could hear the pride in his voice. Guilt started to gnaw at her. Dane and his mother had argued over breakfast. Ordinarily, seeing him lay down the law and defend her would thrill her, but this hadn’t. His mother’s rather catty comments made her feel foolish and inadequate, but she hated being the reason they had argued. “Does she still play?”
“Yes. She still loves it,” Dane replied. “There’s a piano in every home we have.”
“Do you have any of her albums?”
He walked over to the shelf and started rifling through the boxes. “As a matter of fact, there are some vinyl versions of her work on the shelf.” He pulled out one of the records and set it on the turntable. A lovely classical melody started, the romantic sound of the piano filling the room.
Allyson stared at Dane, surprised that his formidable mother possessed such a gift for creating something so beautiful. “This is incredible,” she murmured.
“I think the tempo is right for a first lesson.” Dane took her hand and pulled her to him. They were so close together, she felt every hard muscle of his body. A tremble ran through her. His hand settled on her waist, the intimacy of his touch branding her through the fabric of her clothes.
She placed one hand on his shoulder, her other hand clasped in his. Her eyes met his gaze. The expression on his face was serious, his eyes laser focused as if in concentration. “Is there enough time to learn everything?”
“No, but we’ll go over basic steps so you get used to dancing with more ease.”
“Okay.” She swallowed hard. “I’m not exactly the most graceful dancer.”
“Have you danced before?”
She shook her head. “High school maybe.”
He grinned. “That’s fine. Just remember that if anyone asks, we more than likely danced at our wedding.”
Our wedding. Her eyes widened. Suddenly she started to sweat. Her hands were already getting clammy. His words made her dizzy. Memories of her in her sister-in-law’s wedding gown and Dane standing right beside her came flooding back. Her heart caught in her chest. This was only supposed to be pretend. Yet she felt as if the memories they shared together were real. Standing beside him in a wedding dress had made her heart catch. Now she was breathless and dizzy in his arms. And they hadn’t even started dancing.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. Inhaled sharply. “Yes.”
“Because at the gala all eyes will be on us. It’s supposed to just be a charity fundraiser, but with this wedding business the gala’s going to be your com
ing out to society.”
“That won’t matter once the truth gets out,” she breathed.
“It will because it’ll be the place where you decide to break off our brief engagement,” he said. “That’s the story we have to tell the press. We went to your sister’s wedding as an already-engaged couple. You got a little excited and tried on Holly’s wedding dress, which gave the reporters the wrong impression of things. The pressure from the press attention got to you, so you called off the engagement.”
Another wave of guilt washed over her. He was willing to humiliate himself for her. Argue with his mother on her behalf. Hammer out a contract. Dane was doing so much for her, even though her lie had caused this mess. On top of that first lie, she was now keeping his mother’s sleazy offer from him. “How could we work together after I treated you so shabbily?” she asked, pulling away from him. Away from the warm embrace that wasn’t an embrace but really a dance. A dance where the sensations felt so real, but the steps were merely choreographed, memorized, rehearsed just for show. For an audience.
“Because I couldn’t go on without you,” Dane said quietly.
After everything he was willing to do for her, did she dare hope? He had confessed to her that the heiresses were his mother’s idea. Dane didn’t choose those women. Wealth didn’t seem to matter to him, only his mother. “Is that…is that the spin for the press or the truth?”
“Both.”
The music played on. Every note infused with romance, longing, and some underlying passion. One word had sent her heart racing. “Did last night mean something to you?”
“Last night meant everything to me.”
Oh shit.
“Dane, I don’t know how we can go on pretending,” she blurted out. “We pretend to be together and yet…”
“Yet we’ve been pretending with each other. Pretending not to feel things for each other,” he finished for her.
“Do you want to go back to what we were?” The butterflies in her stomach felt like they were trying to break free. “Because I don’t see how that’s possible. Not if we keep up a lie. Everyone around us will believe we were once engaged. That we once shared something. How can we go back to being totally professional? To acting like that never even happened?”
“But something has happened.”
“We’ve faked all this, but not everything has been fake,” she murmured. Confusion overwhelmed her. She didn’t know where the charade ended and her real feelings began. Because, while she had feelings for him, it was impossible to take stock of a fake relationship.
“I don’t think we should make any big decisions yet,” he said slowly. “At least, not until we confess the truth and things die down.”
At the very least it would give her some time to think. To process. “What about work? How do we act?”
“We act like professionals. But that doesn’t mean we can’t see each other outside of work.” He grinned.
Her heart melted. They had gotten their feelings out in the open. A weight lifted off her shoulders. She didn’t know where things were headed with Dane, but at least she didn’t have to pretend not to have feelings when they were alone together.
He pulled her back into the waltzing position and his lips met hers. The kiss was feather-light, tender, and warm. “I care about you, Allyson. I don’t know where things are headed yet, but I want you to know that.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I care about you, too.”
With that, he began to lead her around the floor, teaching her simple steps. She felt weightless in his arms. Weightless and held, if such a thing were possible. Only days ago, she had begged him to go back to the way things were. Pretend they hadn’t gotten into bed together. Now, she realized she didn’t have to pretend with him anymore.
* * *
After the waltz lesson, Dane took her on a tour of the mansion. As he gave the tour they chatted. Mostly about her. He seemed to steer the conversation away from her family and instead asked about her life, her hobbies, her friends. They rarely spoke about their personal lives, but all that had changed so quickly since last week.
As he started to lead her outside to the swimming pool, his mother appeared in the foyer.
Liliana cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but your father’s ready to discuss the contract.”
“You can go for a swim in the pool or to the beach, if you want.”
She stared at him, feeling silly that Dane was suggesting she disappear. This was a multi-billion-dollar company. If an employee wanted to discuss wages and contracts they had every right to be there, too. Yet why was she allowing—no, letting Dane suggest—that she leave? Maybe his mother wants to discuss a prenup? She nearly laughed out loud at that excuse. They weren’t even married!
“Yes, go and enjoy yourself, Allyson,” Liliana said, oblivious to the battle going on inside Dane’s head. “And don’t hesitate to ask the servants for anything.”
As Dane followed his mother upstairs, Allyson wondered why Liliana sounded so welcoming. She wanted to give his mother the benefit of the doubt, but suspicion nagged at her. Dane had told her to back off, so maybe she was trying to be nice.
There was no use fretting. Dane would defend her in the contract negotiations, and she had to trust that things would work out. Trust and hope that their lie wouldn’t backfire on them once they got what they wanted.
She decided to take a stroll on the beach to settle her nerves. The shoreline had been magical last night, and today it was absolutely lovely. As she made her way over the small sand dunes, the brilliant blue sky went on and on forever. The roar of the crashing waves invigorated her. That familiar salty scent was refreshing.
Whatever was going on between them, she couldn’t imagine getting used to a life like this. A life where everything beautiful was right at your fingertips. This wasn’t just some weekend seaside rental. The Prescotts owned this place. And, one day, Dane would inherit it. If pretending to date a man as wealthy as Dane was complicated, then actually dating him was going to be even more complicated. She was an ordinary woman. Didn’t have any money or connections. And while she understood that it didn’t matter to Dane, it would matter to his social circle. If his mother’s reaction was anything to go by, she would be walking through a minefield she had never prepared for.
Allyson strolled across the sand, lost in thought, until she heard Liliana calling her name. She looked across the sand dunes, to find Dane and his father sitting on some lounge chairs on the back deck, and Dane’s mother motioning for her to join them. The meeting must be over.
Apprehension gripped her as she made her way back to the mansion.
“Hello, Allyson,” Dane’s father greeted her warmly. “I haven’t seen you today.”
“Hello, Mr. Prescott,” Allyson replied.
“Please,” Dane’s father waved her off, “we’re family now. Call me Alfred.”
Guilt, cold and sharp, knifed through her stomach. The lies she and Dane told his parents hung over everything like a dark cloud. She didn’t know how she was ever going to face them after all this. Somehow, she doubted even a merger with the Handel Company could smooth things over. Because, even though they guarded their wealth and empire obsessively, it was obvious Alfred and Liliana loved their son. Would they see her as the interloping swindler who poisoned their son against them with her lies? Or would they turn their anger and disappointment on Dane? The former would hurt her deeply, but the latter seemed almost unbearable. Coming between Dane and his parents was the last thing she ever wanted to do. “All right,” she said stiffly.
Liliana turned her attention to Allyson, a glint in her blue eyes. “We’ve almost finalized the details of your contract. We’ll print it up and give it to you to look over this evening.”
“Thank you,” Allyson said. “I’m sorry you guys had to discuss it here this weekend.”
“Are you—?” Liliana started, but Dane cut her off.
“I think you’ll be satisfied with everything,�
�� he informed her.
She should have felt relieved, but the guilt was too much. Bile rose in her throat at the thought of her betrayal.
Liliana tapped her hand lightly. “Allyson, why don’t you come help me a minute? In my office.”
“Mother, play nice,” Dane warned.
“Of course.” Liliana smiled, and beckoned to Allyson to follow her.
Anxiety gripped her. Another talk with Liliana was the last thing Allyson wanted. Reluctantly, she followed Dane’s mother into the mansion, to her home office.
The home office was elegantly decorated. The décor was pale blue, and fresh-cut lilies were set on low tables. It should have been inviting, but the office was so pristine that it left Allyson feeling cold. The music room had been warm and inviting, a glimpse into a hidden part of Liliana. This room was a façade. Nothing about it seemed lived in or used.
Liliana took a seat on a one-seater sofa, and motioned for Allyson to sit on the sofa across from her. Allyson sat down gingerly, terrified to wrinkle the sofa’s luxurious, pale blue upholstery.
“I so love our little chats.” Liliana flashed a smile.
Allyson regarded her warily, wondering when Dane’s mother was going to stop with the phony niceties and strike. “What are we chatting about?”
“I’ve just been on the phone with the Handels,” Liliana replied.
Allyson groaned inwardly. Just thinking about the lies she would have to tell the Handels next week set her on edge. “I see.”
Liliana leaned forward. “I’d been fretting about how to explain your sudden nuptials, considering how fond poor Katherine Handel is of Dane. Really, it was quite a shock for her.”
She frowned. Surely Liliana didn’t suspect something. Her throat tightened. Was Liliana trying to confront her after discovering the truth? “I’m sure,” Allyson said blandly, trying not to give anything away.
“It’s been such a shock for all of us,” Liliana went on. “But during my phone call they informed me that they want to make the merger official at the gala. Isn’t that wonderful?”
