by Lexy Timms
“I’d ask why you didn’t try looking for a partner on your own, but I’ve been doing that since college and I’m still single.” She sighed.
“I guess finding the right person is hard no matter how you do it.”
“It is. But maybe having your mother’s input is a good thing when it comes to making a marriage deal.”
“It’s not a business transaction,” he said, aghast, but even in the dim light of the moon she saw amusement flash in his eyes.
She bit her lip. “No, but marriage is for life. It’s an institution where you live under one roof, maybe even have kids. It’s so much more important than business.”
“That sounds so mercenary.” He shook his head. “First you tell me about those cheap dates, now this…Allyson, it sounds to me like you need a little romance in your life.”
“I…” What could she say?
He reached for her hand, a mischievous smile on his face. “I know the first thing I’m going to teach you tomorrow to prepare for the gala.”
“What?”
Dane took her into his arms and began to waltz her across the sand. She laughed. Ocean water lapped at her feet. Soft sand made her feel like she was dancing on air with him. He spun her around slowly a few times until he was behind her with his arms around her waist. She was facing away from him, her eyes on the sea all silvery under the moonlight. Above them, stars glittered in the heavens. It was the most exquisite, romantic moment of her life.
“How to dance,” he whispered into her ear.
His warm breath tickled her neck. Then, the delicious pressure of his lips on her neck make her tremble. She never wanted this moment to end. Being here alone with Dane heightened her senses. Made her delirious with desire.
She closed her eyes, searching for the courage she needed to ask for what she wanted. “Dane,” she finally said breathlessly, “take me to our bedroom. Now.”
Chapter 13
With her hand in his, they raced across the beach back to the house. They slipped inside and found their way up the stairs, no doubt tracking sand across the floor. When they got to their room he shut the door behind them, unsure if his parents were still awake. Right now, it felt like they had the whole house to themselves.
He didn’t care if they heard them. Let it be more proof they were together. Fake marriage, yes, but Allyson did not fake it in the bedroom.
A breeze came in from the ocean through the door that led to the balcony. It ruffled Allyson’s sundress, the hem rising above her knees, exposing her supple thighs. Something primal and desperate coursed through him at the sight of her. He groaned. She was too beautiful for words.
He crossed the room to stand in front of her, and took her small hands in his. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Her green eyes burned like emeralds, somehow mirroring his own lust. “Hell, yes.”
She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him and he drew her close. His tongue teased her mouth open and she invited him in, her tongue colliding with his. Before he knew it, their clothes melted away and he was on top of her on the bed.
“One second.” Dane reached to open the nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom. He tore the wrapping with his teeth and rolled it on. He turned his attention back to her, his hands wandering, exploring her body. His fingertips left a trail down her neck, brushed across her full breasts, skimmed her smooth stomach, until he found the secret place between her legs.
Her tender flesh was hot. She gasped at his touch, her back arching.
She braced her hands against the headboard above her, her body writhing. “Please, Dane,” she begged. “Touch me again.”
He gave her a wicked grin, and obliged her. Very slowly. With his thumb on her clit, he eased a finger into her slick heat. She moaned, her body trembling. He was already hard, but her body’s reaction to him excited him even more. Her skin was flushed, her moans breathless as he stroked her faster. He slipped another finger into her and she climaxed with a loud, ragged cry of his name.
Her breathing was heavy, breathless. But she didn’t lie down to catch her breath. Instead she pressed her hands against his chest until he was on his back. Then she straddled him, wielding his cock in her hand.
Pleasure slammed through him. He had no problem with a woman taking charge. And the fact that it was this woman, his employee, made his heart pound in anticipation. It didn’t matter that their marriage was all just for show. This moment between them was more real than anything he had ever felt in his entire life. Tonight, they would lock the world out. Nothing else mattered more than the pleasure they would share together.
Allyson licked her lips and looked down at him. “Are you ready for me?”
“Hell, yes,” he ground out. “More than ready.”
He groaned as she lowered herself onto him, his cock sliding into her tight wetness. She was so incredible. Her bewitching eyes locked on his. Her lips glistened, swollen from their kissing. His eyes wandered down her perfect breasts until he focused on where they were joined. It was the most erotic moment of his life, and the amount of pleasure shooting through him nearly drove him insane.
He had seen her take charge of so many things, but never him. Handing over control to her was exhilarating. The fact that she felt free enough to take charge like this did something to his heart. She trusted him enough to let him see her like this, and he vowed to always be worthy of her trust.
Allyson started to grind her hips into him, riding him slowly. The leisurely pace was sweet torture. Each time she brought herself down on him gave him more and more ecstasy. He gripped her hips and she rocked into him faster. The punishing pace sent waves of pleasure jolting through him. Set him on fire.
She arched her back, tossing her head back as she lost control, her body trembling as she rode him faster and faster. When she clenched around him he came hard and fast with a low groan. Allyson came right after him, her breathless cries echoing in his ears.
As she slid off him, he gathered her in his arms and held her close as they both rode out the waves of their climax. Minutes went by as they held each other tightly, her flushed skin glistening with sweat. His heart rate finally slowed and he planted a kiss on her forehead.
“That was amazing,” she gasped out.
He laughed. “You’re amazing.”
She snuggled closer to him, her cheek on his chest. As he slipped down into dreamless sleep, a thought slowly settled over him. Just this morning he had thought he would have to pretend they hadn’t made love over the weekend, yet now, she was in his arms again.
* * *
“We’ve been summoned.”
His eyes snapped open at the sound of Allyson’s voice. She sat at the edge of his bed, looking down at him. He’d hoped to wake up and find her naked beside him, but she was dressed in jeans and a sleeveless cotton blouse, her black hair dark against the white of her top.
“Summoned?” he groaned, the bright sunlight streaming into their room, blinding him.
“Your mother wants to see us in ten minutes,” she replied. “Over breakfast.”
He sat up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. “I want to talk to her about your contract today.”
“Go take a shower and we’ll probably have literally one minute to talk about what I want in the new contract,” she said.
She was all business. He grinned, kind of proud of her. “Great,” he teased. “Then I get to hash things out with my parents.”
She bit her lip but said nothing.
He sensed her apprehension, and reached for her hand to give it a reassuring squeeze. “I know you feel bad about keeping the truth from them, but we’ll be returning the favor next week with the Handels.”
“I’m not sure the risk is worth it. But I love my job.” Allyson inhaled deeply. “Just one more week.”
After he showered and changed, Allyson rattled off a short list of the things she wanted in her contract. In his mind, Dane didn’t think she was asking for enough. Just a slightly higher
pay, a few extra days to work from home, and three extra vacation days. He made a mental note to squeeze more perks out of his parents on her behalf. She deserved more.
They headed downstairs together, arm in arm. As he felt the warmth of her touch, he knew that this wasn’t for show. It wasn’t part of the charade. They were getting more and more comfortable with each other. She didn’t stiffen or jump when he touched her like she had over the weekend. Having her here at Prescott Hill made the place feel more like home than it had in years. He had no idea how he’d ever come back here without thinking of her. Nights on the beach would never be the same.
His mother was daintily eating a cantaloupe in the dining room. Every movement precise. Just so. As if she were eating for an audience. She demanded perfection from others because she demanded it of herself. On that score, he could give her credit. She might be unreasonable at times, but she was no hypocrite.
“Good morning, Mother.” He approached her and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s on the tennis court, getting his morning exercise.” She glanced at Allyson before continuing. “He’ll be taking a video conference call from some tennis players later today, so he wants to get in the right mood.”
“Great.” Dane guided Allyson to the other side of the dining table and helped her sit opposite his mother. Without prompting he took the seat at the head of the table, not wanting to choose between them.
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 ha
nd 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 coming 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.
