Her Fake Fiancé Billionaire Boss

by Piper Sullivan

  * * *

  Justin regarded her when they finally left the restaurant. He felt her wrap her hand around his bicep and looked down at her. She was doing great. He certainly would have been fooled if he was a spectator. Jennifer was making it easy for him, smiling and laughing when they were together. They had it in the bag. Eugene Pryor would be a piece of cake.

  Chapter Five

  It was eight o'clock on Friday night; Jennifer tried to steady her thrumming heart as she got ready for the dinner. Dining with Justin at a restaurant in public was far less nerve wracking. This dinner was the sole purpose of their arrangement and if she failed him, it could cost him the deal.

  Eugene Pryor must have just arrived, she realized as she made her way to the living room. By now Justin and Pryor must have already settled down with a drink and were waiting on her to make her appearance. His fiancée, it still felt like some farfetched dream. Although he treated her like his own, and spoiled her rotten with new clothes, jewelry, a visit to a day spa, she had to keep reminding herself that this was nothing but a business deal. This was not reality, and she was not going to ever be the mother of his children. It was hard not to fall into the trap of feeling as if she belonged with him.

  She rubbed her hands together as she stood looking at herself in the mirror. She wasn't even wearing the ring they had gotten a couple days earlier, since it was being resized and she quickly slipped her birthstone ring on to her ring finger. She was about to masquerade as a Justin’s future wife, and all of a sudden, she wasn’t so sure about herself. It was a blatant lie, and that was hardly the most scandalous part. Justin was her employer, he signed her paychecks. She was going to play house with her boss and the thought made her head hurt and stomach flutter. At this point sex with some stranger as a one night stand would probably make her look like an angel.

  They had done fine until now. He was a gentleman when they went out, debonair and charming. It was her own personal fairytale and soon her fairytale would end and she would be back to sweeping cinders and ash. She wouldn’t be able to work for him again, not after this. She had realized this after their very first dinner date. Things would be too awkward, on her part most definitely, but after getting to know him on such a personal level, she could never again look at him as her boss, she just hadn’t had the heart to admit that to him just yet. For one he would probably try and convince her otherwise, secondly it might put strain on the current situation.

  She slid into her dress, taking a few minutes to try and zip herself up, which was a challenge since she was alone. It was a teal colored strapless dress that hugged her bust and accentuated her curves before flaring out to just above the knees. If anything, he had a good taste in clothes, and he knew exactly which colors would complement her tanned skin and auburn hair. She kept her makeup modest, with a light blush and mascara. Her lips were naturally rosy so she only dabbed a bit of gloss on them. With a fluttering heart and her nerves shot, she left the room and made her way to the living room.

  The moment she entered the living room, Justin looked up and she could have sworn he inhaled sharply. For a brief moment, their eyes met and she felt a zing of static passing between the two of them and a blush crept into her cheeks. Justin was, as expected, dressed impeccably but casually. He had chosen less formal attire, with black slacks that hugged his hips and a white collared dress shirt that he left unbuttoned.

  "Justin darling," she said sweetly and turned her attention to their guest, "I’m sorry I took so long. I hope he hasn't bored you to tears," she said and offered him her hand, “Jennifer Bradford,” she said and smiled.

  "And I believe it is soon to be Jennifer Dunne. Congratulations on your engagement," Mr. Pryor said, shaking her hand. "No wonder you kept this one hidden away Justin, she's gorgeous."

  "I'm certainly lucky," Justin said catching her eye.

  "You're too kind Mr. Pryor," she laughed. Justin's hand had snaked possessively around her waist, holding her close. She rested a hand softly on his chest. "I hope you're hungry Mr. Pryor. We’ve organized for a fantastic chef this evening."

  "I'm famished," he said.

  Eugene Pryor was older than him, easily the same age as his own father. But Justin did not miss the way his eyes had brightened like a light bulb when Jennifer entered the room. She was undoubtedly charming and it didn't hurt that she was a young, beautiful woman. But deep down a trigger of jealousy started to rise.

  As they all sat around the dinner table, making small talk, Justin watched Jennifer engage in comfortable conversation with Pryor. The man was mesmerized by her, and so was he. Every so often she would reach for his hand on the table or look at him lovingly, which eased the jealousy that knocked at the fringe of his mind. He had to keep reminding himself, that she was only playing the part and that she wasn’t really his for the taking.

  "Tell me Jennifer," Eugene started as he aimed to fill her glass with more wine.

  "Yes?” she said holding her hand over her glass.

  Good girl, Justin thought. She was handling herself well by not over indulging in wine.

  "How does a spoiled rich boy like Justin Dunne get his hands on a fine young lady like you?"

  She laughed politely, and Justin chugged back a sip of his wine. Now the ultimate test, they had rehearsed possible questions Pryor might ask, questions any couple should be able to answer. He didn’t doubt Jennifer for one moment, but he couldn’t help the tight knot that had formed in the pit of his stomach.

  "Well, it’s an interesting story really. We met a few years ago, at a benefit for Alzheimer’s and Dementia and then when I moved here, I was fortunate enough to run into him again when I was offered a position as his PA. Of course, I wasn’t aware that my new employer was the very guy who swept my feet out from under me a few years prior to that.”

  She really knew how to add body to a story, he thought with pride as he admired her openly.

  "I didn't know you did charity work Justin,” Pryor said as he turned his attention to him.

  "There are a number of causes, which I do involve myself in from time to time. It’s just fortunate that we both share the same interest, and now I do what I can to support her passion."

  The lies flowed like honey; it was almost believable to him.

  "My father suffers a form of dementia you see, and Justin's been extremely supportive throughout," she said.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Pryor said with genuine sympathy.

  "We’ve actually been thinking we might move him into assisted living somewhere close-by so we can go and see him more often. And so he can walk Jenn down the aisle on the big day," Justin said and caught Jennifer’s glance in his direction.

  Maybe he was taking it a little too far, but her smile masked her surprise. But it was no lie, after everything she was willing to do and sacrifice, the least he could do was reach out to her and her father. He belonged here, with her, where she could visit him often. And there were far more options for assisted living here in the city.

  “I told you that it won’t be necessary to move him, he’s settled in quite well at the home he is in now,” Jennifer said with a tight smile.

  Justin reached for her hand and squeezed it, “It’s something I want to do, for you.”

  They shared a moment, and an uncomfortable silence fell across the table.

  Pryor cleared his throat and asked, "So when is the big day?"

  Justin scolded himself, Pryor picked up on the tension straight away, he had to be careful not to go too far, he realized as he let go of Jennifer’s hand and reached for his wine.

  "We haven’t set an official date yet, but I believe it will be sooner than later," Justin said.

  "I want a fall wedding but Justin's in more of a rush," she said playfully. "I'm here in the city to stay now so there's no hurry, but you know how men are.”

  Soon enough dinner was over. Pryor was impressed by everything so far, and except for the slight tension earlier, he and Jennifer managed to play the
perfect part of an in-love couple. After dinner they retired to the living room with drinks, but he noticed that Jennifer was yawning and she looked tired.

  "Thank you so much for coming Mr. Pryor," Jennifer said. "I'll leave you boys to talk business, I have a very early day tomorrow, I need to go and visit my father, so I think it’s time I go tuck myself in," she smiled and kissed Justin chastely on the corner of his mouth.

  "Jenn," Justin said holding her arm, “Before you go.”

  She paused and tilted her head slightly as she studied him. He reached into his pocket with his free hand and pulled out the jewelry box. Oh dear, now he had gone way overboard, she thought. Pryor had already bought the story, and there was most certainly no need for Justin to propose in front of him.

  He opened it and it was the ring he insisted on at Harry Winston. It was the 3.8 karat pink diamond with small white side-stones and a rose gold band. She caught her breath as she momentarily became speechless. When they were looking for rings her mindset was much different to what it was now, a week later, and standing here in front of the man who dreams were made of, her heart fluttered wildly in her chest.

  "I wasn't sending a 4-karat ring to you by courier," he said to her.

  “Oh Justin, it’s beautiful,” she said, genuinely impressed.

  He took her hand and slid the ring smoothly onto her finger. Tears pricked her eyes and she bit her lip, Pryor completely forgotten. It was one of those blockbuster moments when all else fades and all that is left is the two star crossed lovers and their stolen moment in time.

  "Oh my goodness," she whispered.

  “I know we’ve already agreed to be married, but I wanted to make it official,” he said.

  Justin gathered her into his arms and she hid her face against his chest. What the hell was going on with her? Why was she crying and why did all of this feel so real!

  Pryor chuckled and clapped his hands together, “This is by far the most romantic thing I’ve witnessed this year. You really outdid yourself with that ring.”

  Justin released her, only momentarily as he pulled her up against his side, “Glad I had a witness at least,” he laughed.

  Pryor looked at Jennifer and grinned, "He told me when I arrived that he'd been looking for the right time to give you that. Your man has fantastic taste."

  “Well I’m officially speechless,” Jennifer said.

  Justin bent his head down and kissed her softly on the lips, “Well I’m glad I accomplished something today,” he joked, “Now I’ll let you retire in peace.”

  Chapter Six

  The moment Jennifer was out of sight and in the privacy of her room, she closed the door and sunk to the ground. The ring was incredible. She had remembered distinctly saying she didn't want it; that it was too much but looking at it on her finger she was at a loss for words. The one she had seen at the shop was slightly different. The band had been white gold and the center stone had been a Champaign colored stone. That could only mean one thing. Justin had asked for the ring to be custom made from all the elements she had liked from other rings. Sniffing she shook her head. Why was she crying? Why was she acting like he had just proposed to her for real? What they were doing wasn't real. She felt that she should remove the ring but she didn't, looking at it wistfully.

  * * *

  Fearing that her own heart will fail her and she would be trapped in an emotional storm between a rock and a hard place, she flopped down on the bed. In a matter of days, things had moved so quickly. What had started off as a business deal was starting to feel like a reality, and her attempts to condition her mind not to get all hung up, had failed hopelessly. Getting to know Justin outside of work has left her at a vulnerable stage, and she was starting to harbor feelings, feelings that will be unrequited.

  * * *

  In a few minutes, Pryor would be gone, and the two of them will be alone, and as soon as they were, she was going to let him know that she couldn’t go through with it. Perhaps Pryor would end up feeling sorry for the heartbroken Justin, whose fiancée ditched him.

  * * *

  She gently twisted the ring off her finger and placed it on the dressing table, even if he insisted she keep it after everything was over, she couldn’t. It would remind her too much of the things she wished for, and the things she couldn’t have. She would move back to her home town, where she would be close to her dad and start her life from scratch.

  * * *

  She sat on the vanity chair and pulled the pins that kept her hair in place out, one by one letting her auburn curls fall loosely around her shoulders. She always considered herself pretty average when it came to appearances, and men never turned to look at her twice, but she was happy with herself. Her father always told her that a man who loved purely based on looks, never loved at all. And it was because of her dad that she would never find that man. He just didn’t exist. She got up and stripped down to her lingerie and then pulled on her night dress. She decided to put off telling Justin she wanted to break if off, so to speak, until tomorrow. She didn’t feel up to a confrontation with him tonight. If she could somehow manage to sleep, knowing Justin would be next door, it would be a miracle, but she had to try.

  * * *

  Half an hour later she was still staring blankly at the ceiling. She heard the soft rustle from the room next door and knew Justin had finally gone to bed. She wondered briefly if their game got him what he wanted, a business deal with Pryor, and a healthy bank balance. The thought made her cringe; she simply couldn’t hang around anymore. She felt like she deceived not only Pryor but herself and Justin, and she simply hated how she felt.

  Chapter Seven

  Justin collapsed onto his bed after seeing Pryor out. Come Monday he would be receiving the good news of his confirmed investment, that is if he and Jennifer had charmed him enough.

  * * *

  Jennifer.

  * * *

  Her face haunted him tonight more than ever. By now he was sure she was asleep. Pulling the ring out at dinner was a little over the top, but seeing her reaction did something to him. Part of him knew beautiful jewelry always impressed women and could dazzle them at the most unexpected of times. But the other part of him wanted her reaction to have been because she wanted a ring from him, maybe not an engagement ring, but certainly something that he gave her as a token of his affection which had been growing steadily for some time.

  * * *

  He wasn't blind. He worked with her every day and he had noticed her good looks. She was fast, efficient and resourceful and she did her work well. Spending time with her the way they had been recently, he was seeing a side of her that only her friends and people close to her would have been able to experience. He couldn’t help but feel a slight hint of jealousy knowing that they were able to know her like that. She was funny. She was witty. She was direct with him, challenging him on every level both mentally and now physically. She was also just one bedroom away. He felt a growing desire as he thought about her in the dress she was wearing at dinner. On more than one occasion he had to force himself to not think of peeling the dress off her and explore every inch of her with his mouth. At the office, it was easy to keep his mind preoccupied, but now with her so close to him, he wasn’t so sure if he was capable of holding back. But the question remained, did she feel the same? Once or twice over the course of their agreement, when their eyes met, he could feel the sizzle of desire burn between the two of them.

  Chapter Eight

  Justin lay on his back on the bed staring at the ceiling when there was a soft knock on the door.

  * * *

  “Justin?” he heard Jennifer whisper, “Can we talk?”

  * * *

  “Come in,” he said and propped himself up on his elbows.

  * * *

  She opened the door and entered, and although the only light that filtered through the open windows was the moonlight, he could see by her manner, that she was nervous and tense. And the fact that she closed the door behi
nd her keeping her back on him was another sign that she wasn’t here with any good news. He instantly suspected that it had to do with the proposal in front of Pryor, and he sat up.

  * * *

  "Jennifer, I'm sorry,” he said quietly.

  * * *

  "I thought you told Pryor we were already engaged, so I don’t know why you went through that whole show in front of him," she admitted, leaning with her head against the door, her back still turned to him.

  She was wearing a silk night gown that covered her from neck to ankles, but the way it fell over her curves made him shift uncomfortably.

  * * *

  "He knew I was going to do it. I told him I hadn't gotten you a ring yet since you just moved back and that I wanted to give it to you tonight. To be honest, I only thought about it when we were waiting for you,” he admitted.

  * * *

  She turned with her head still against the door and hugged her arms around her waist as she faced him. For a moment he was caught off guard as he regarded her. He can’t recall if he had ever seen her hair loose, but now as she stood looking at him, with a single column of hair hanging over her shoulder, and the ends touching her perky breast that hid underneath the silk fabric of her gown he couldn’t help but want her.

  * * *