Is this guy for real? “You’re calling me goddess while schooling me at the same time? I may have unknowingly signed a contract but you’re not my boss.”
He folds his arms. “I am for the next three days. And I should have written in a clause that lets me put you over my knee when you talk back.”
I stand up, then realize my bodice is almost completely unlaced when his eyes flick down to my nearly exposed breasts. I’m flushed as I try to pull it together without revealing more.
“Can you turn around, please?” This could not be more embarrassing if I’d written it in one of my stories.
“If I must.” He walks over to the window and stares out. I manage to get the bodice laced up, my heart beating hard and a pulse leaping between my thighs. I squeeze them tightly together, trying to get some control back.
“What do you mean, three days?”
He sighs. “It was in the contract. Page six, paragraph four. You play the part of my fake bride, we get married here today and then stay for the two-day honeymoon.”
I shake my head. “That’s not possible. I have a life, you know. And…why me? You seem like a man with a tightly controlled life. Schedules everywhere. Surely you had all this planned for months? I’m a writer with a side hustle in cosplay modeling, not an actor. Seriously, you could have had someone much better.”
Kade is scanning the bookshelves. “It was planned. But there was a last-minute hitch. Hence the advert, which unfortunately…”
The huge golden dog I saw at the ceremony noses his way through the door, followed by the elegant older woman from the front row.
She almost dances up to Kade and kisses him on the cheek. “Darling, you were so convincing!” Her accent is British. She turns to me and holds out her arms. “As were you, lovely Minna. Well done!”
I give her a hug, glad of some comfort in this unfamiliar place. I’m so out of my depth it’s not even funny. And I’ve missed that grandmotherly affection more than I realized. I have to bite my lip to stop the tears falling again.
Kade clears his throat. “This is my grandmother. And my dog.”
“Call me Gwen, my dear. I thought it wentsplendidly.” She sits down on the sofa as the dog runs over to greet me.
“And…who’s this?” I ask, petting his soft golden fur. He looks like a lion.
Kade’s staring at me again, his arms still folded. “Palladio.”
“Like the architect?” I ask, as the dog leans against me.
His eyebrows shoot up. “You know of him?”
I nod. “I’m into old buildings. Part of the reason I set my stories in the past.”
Gwen chuckles. “Such a pity this is a fake marriage. You two would be perfect for each other.”
My cheeks heat up again. “Does everyone know this isn’t for real?”
Kade walks closer to the sofa. “Absolutely not! Granny is in on the secret, of course. Daniel is aware, too. It’s better if fewer people know. Less likely to leak.”
Gwen taps her mouth with her finger. “Taking this one to the grave. Might not have to wait very long.”
Kade’s voice booms out and makes me jump. “Don’t say that, Granny. You’re the healthiest person I know. Anyway, who’d look after Palladio when I’m traveling?”
She smiles. “That’s true. He is like my golden grandchild. Anyway, I’m delighted you’ve pulled it off. That’s one in the eye for that ghastly president.”
I blink, trying to keep up. “The country club’s president?”
Gwen grimaces. “Henrik Blamore is a menace. It’s delighting me that we’ve pulled the wool over his eyes.”
Palladio barks as Daniel walks in. “Sorry to bother you, but the guests are waiting on the terrace.”
“Right, everybody ready? What a handsome couple you make.” Gwen pats my shoulder.
My hands start trembling. “What do I do?”
