by Layla Hagen
“Hey. Are you still out?” he asked.
“What? Oh... I stayed in. Wasn’t in the mood for anything. I’ve been thinking about what you said....”
“I’m listening.”
“So... I made a list of things we should discuss.”
He laughed. “You have a list?”
“Hey. Don’t mock me. I think better when I see things in writing.”
“Hit me up.”
“First things first. We’d sleep in separate rooms.”
“It wouldn’t be real, Josie. Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to share my bed.”
“I’m glad we clarified it.”
“What’s the next point?”
“I just want paperwork. No wedding.”
“Amelia will flip her shit. Mom too. Your family too. Why no wedding?”
“Because when I do wear a white dress and walk to the altar, I want it to be real.”
“That’s fair,” he said after a few seconds. “Do you want anyone to be at the courthouse, or just the two of us?”
“Amelia would disown us both if we didn’t invite her, so I don’t think we’ll get away with that. It would make my family happy too. And your mom.”
The more I thought about it, the more I realized it wouldn’t work. “Crap. I don’t think we’ll get away just with a courthouse wedding.”
“I don’t think so either. We’ll need a party. This is pretty much the only wedding anyone’ll get for me.” I wasn’t sure why he didn’t want to marry, but this wasn’t the first time he’d made his thoughts on the subject clear.
“Party’s fine,” I muttered, even though I’d secretly hoped we could just spring it on everyone that we got married in secret.
“What’s the next point?”
I cleared my throat, tapping my pen against the sheet. There was no point beating around the bush.
“Neither of us can see other people during the duration of our engagement and marriage. You’re well known in business circles. If anyone gossiped that you’re sleeping with someone else behind my back, I’d be everyone’s laughingstock. The reverse is true for you. And it would give the immigration services serious reasons to suspect we’re just putting on a charade.”
There was a long pause, and I was convinced this was a deal breaker for him.
“You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that,” he said finally. “Why don’t I take you out to dinner and we’ll go through the rest of the points on your list?”
“No need.”
“You canceled your plans because of me, future fiancée. The least I can do is make it up to you.”
I grinned, flipping on my back, deciding on the spot to go through with this. “When you put it like that, it sounds like a great idea. I’ve already eaten, but I won’t say no to dessert and cocktails. Take me somewhere fancy.”
“Demanding fiancée.”
“I’m still your girlfriend for now, right?”
“You’re right. Demanding girlfriend.”
Hot damn, I liked the sound of that.
“Any other demands?”
“I’m in the mood for crème brûlée, and I want a great view. Oh, and a comfy sitting area where we can plot after we eat.”
“You’re enjoying this already,” he teased. I actually was. And more than that, I was happy that I could help Hunter.
“Big time, almost fiancé. Big time.”
Chapter Four
Josie
I almost regretted asking Hunter to take me somewhere fancy, mostly because our idea of fancy differed. As a lawyer, I was a high earner, but I was nowhere in his league. Hunter’s paychecks had at least two more zeros than mine, and he wasn’t shy about spending it. He’d brought me to a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan.
That was the beauty of New York; you could find anything you wanted. We had a spectacular view of the Empire State building, and I was captivated by all the lights.
That building had been the height of sophistication for me when I first moved here as a doe-eyed teenager. Honestly, it still was. Sometimes I still felt as if I was in a movie when I walked around New York.
“This place is gorgeous,” I said, glancing around.
“My bossy girlfriend requested a fancy outing. I complied.” He winked.
“Good thing I put on this dress. Oh... I just realized you attend about a million fundraisers and functions. I’ll have to come with you, right? My wardrobe will need a makeover. I have a few cocktail dresses, but I’ll need gowns for those events, especially the Ballroom Galas. How much do you think I’ll have to spend on new clothes?”
Even though I made good money, I remembered only too well what it was like to not have any to spend it on frivolities.
Hunter set down his menu. “Josie, I’ll pay for any extra costs you’ll have because of this... issue.”
I rolled back my shoulders. “What? Why?”
“Because it’s fair. I can’t expect you to empty your account to keep up with my lifestyle. You’re the one doing me a favor. Don’t forget that. You can use the money only to buy whatever it is that you need for these outings. You can sell or donate all the clothes once it’s all over if it makes you feel better.”
Damn. He actually was making sense. I would be needing fancier clothes to mingle with his crowd, and I certainly wouldn’t want to blow my paycheck for that. Until now, we’d mostly spent our time together doing things we could both afford. But if I were his wife, I would have to join him everywhere.
“This sounds a lot like I’d be... kept.”
“That’s not what it is. You know I’m making sense.”
He held my gaze stubbornly, as if daring me to contradict him. I felt my cheeks flush.
“I forgot how persuasive you are,” I said finally.
“I sense you’re going to give me many opportunities to prove that skill.”
“Are you saying I’m stubborn?”
“Very stubborn.” His gaze dropped to my mouth for a split second before snapping back up to meet my eyes.
I swallowed, then sipped my cocktail to give myself something to do. Why was I suddenly out of sorts?
“We should plan our next steps,” I said. “Your current visa is still valid for a year,
but I think it’s best to move things along as soon as possible. You’ll get your green card quicker.”
“You want us to announce it to the family Saturday at Amelia’s birthday?”
My stomach rolled. This was it, right? Once we told the family, there would be no going back.
“Okay. I’ll talk to my family too. And the wedding?”
“As you said, the sooner the better. Three weeks?”
“That’s not very believable.”
Hunter leaned in, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Josie, no one would question that I’d convince you to marry me in three weeks. We’ve known each other for most of our lives. We know everything there is to know about one another. Why wait when we’re so in love?”
Well, damn. He sounded so persuasive that I wasn’t questioning it either. And I couldn’t argue. The faster the better.
“Fine, Mr. Fiancé. I’m accepting your very romantic proposal.”
Hunter grinned. “And I didn’t even have to get down on one knee.”
I flashed my left hand. “I’m still expecting a ring. Don’t think you’re off the hook about that.”
“Yes, ma’am. Your wish is my command.”
Our dessert was delicious, and the cocktails complemented it perfectly.
“I know you want another round of the crème brûlée,” Hunter said after we’d cleaned our plates.
“Who wouldn’t? But it’s best if I stop while I’m ahead. I have a wedding to get ready for.”
“You are fucking sexy, Josie.”
My breath caught at the raw edge in his voice. He’d never called me sexy. He’d complimented me often, but this felt different. Carefully, I glanced up. The look in his eyes was feral. I didn’t want to read anything
into it, but my body hadn’t gotten the memo. My pulse sped up.
“Don’t argue with me.” He leaned in slightly, dominating the space—and me.
“I’m not.”
His eyes flashed, and I felt all that power he emanated like a physical force.
We ended up ordering ice cream and panna cotta and shared them. It was a good thing Hunter asked for the check right afterward, because I was eying the strawberry pancakes as well, and I really couldn’t indulge in that too.
When I rose from the table, I accidentally caught my heel in the leg of the chair.
“Easy there, tiger.” Hunter hurried to my side, and before I knew it, he had an arm around my shoulders, his fingers pressing slightly into my arm. He held me so close that I couldn’t help registering that he smelled like both the ocean and the forest.
“Hunter, Josie, what a surprise running into you two here.”
Bernard Wagner stopped in front of us, watching with a curious smile. He was a mutual acquaintance from our school days.
“Hi, Bernard,” I said smoothly.
“You’re not leaving, are you? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Anything new?” he asked.
Hunter wasn’t loosening his grip on me. If I hadn’t been so lost in him, perhaps I would have foreseen his next move. He pulled me even closer, so that my right breast was pressed against his steel chest.
With a wolfish smile, he told Bernard, “As a matter of fact, yes. Josie and I are engaged.”
Even as Hunter tipped his head down to mine, I didn’t realize he intended to kiss me—until his mouth touched mine. I parted my lips without hesitation. I nearly moaned at the unexpected shot of pleasure. Every cell in my body seemed lit by a fuse, reacting to the kiss.
I was completely overwhelmed by him—the possessive grip on my arm, the delicious feeling of his lips on mine. When the kiss stopped, I nearly pulled him back by the collar of his shirt. I didn’t have time to gauge his reaction, because he focused on Bernard, who congratulated us.
I was in a daze as we exchanged some more pleasantries, and none of the words registered. I was still acutely aware of Hunter’s grip on me as we walked to the elevator. Once inside, we were alone.
“We did well out there, didn’t we?” he asked, and I instantly deflated. What was up with that?
“Yes, I think we did.”
Hunter watched me carefully. “Josie, did I do something wrong?”
“No, no. Just... took me by surprise.”
I’d assumed our first kiss would be when we announced it to the family, that we’d talk about it before. But that didn’t explain why I was so out of it, and I felt uncomfortable with Hunter still studying me.
“You’re a hell of a kisser. Threw me off my game,” I said, to lighten up the mood.
Hunter grinned. “I see. Now I know what to do next time we have an argument.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I think we need to set some rules.”
“I’m all ears.”
I cocked a brow. “Why are you so agreeable? You’re not a fan of rules.”
He leaned into me as the elevator doors opened. “I didn’t say I’ll follow them.”
He resumed his hold on me as we walked out. There was no need for it, and he knew that. My heel was fine. Did he just want to make a public statement? I stopped short of asking him, because of course he was making a public statement. The show had started when he’d kissed me, and now I had to roll along with it. The valet already had a cab ready for us. We’d arrived together, and by the looks of it, Hunter wanted to take me home, but I couldn’t be this close to him right now. Not after he’d kissed me like that.
“I can take a cab by myself.” I needed to whip my thoughts back on track and possibly fan myself.
He looked at me funny, and I immediately knew I’d given myself away. Now he knew for sure that something was off.
“I’m taking you home, Josie. That way, we can talk some more, and you’ll tell me exactly what’s wrong.”
I was silent in the cab because I honestly wasn’t sure what to tell him or how to act right now. He didn’t push.
He walked me to my door in silence. After stepping inside, I stood in the doorway, unsure what to say.
“Josie, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure, honestly. I... just don’t know.”
“I don’t want to leave things like this.”
I turned around, biting my lip.
“You mentioned something about rules,” he said.
“Yes.” I could do this. I was an excellent lawyer. Rules were my specialty. “Let’s keep kissing only for the public, okay?”
He stared at me. What was he thinking? As if in slow motion, his mouth curled into a smile. “How about touching?”
“Hunter....”
“Looking?”
“You’re not taking me seriously.”
“Sorry, I’m not. Of course I’ll only kiss you in public, Josie. I know the drill. But now I’m curious as to why you think it was necessary to remind me. Was that kiss so good that you’re afraid you’ll ask for more?”
He was close enough that the tips of his shoes nudged the tips of mine. The tip of his nose was almost touching mine.
“You’re insufferable,” I murmured.
“So you’ve been telling me since I was seventeen, but you’ve stuck around.”
“You’re lucky I like you. There’s nothing wrong, Hunter. I guess I’m just a bit overwhelmed with everything going on.”
“Josie, we can do this.”
“Always so confident.”
A sly grin spread on his handsome face. “You like that about me.”
“Oh my God. You keep being cocky, and I’ll throw you out.”
He came, if possible, even closer.
“Why, are you afraid I’ll kiss you again?” he murmured. His hot breath tickled my lips. I licked them, almost involuntarily. His eyes turned feral.
“Goodnight, Hunter.”
He smiled as I closed the door. I was smiling too, but my heart was beating at a hundred miles an hour, because the truth was... yes, I was afraid.
Chapter Five
Josie
I felt a bit jumpy the next day, already feeling guilty about essentially breaking the law. On the way to work, I was so lost in my thoughts that I kept bumping into commuters. That earned me several glares. New Yorkers were extra moody in the morning.
Usually, in the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets, I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. But today, not even the symphony of cars honking, and strangers yelling was enough to quiet my mind.
It hadn’t helped that I looked up information on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites whenever I got a chance. They were on the lookout for sham marriages between US residents and foreigners. If they suspected anything, they could interrogate us. I was half expecting that, honestly, considering the timing of it all. But I hoped we’d only be going through a normal procedure, and not the Stokes interview. Apparently, the questions were so detailed that even real couples had problems answering them.
During my lunch break, I walked the few blocks from my office to Central Park, sitting on a bench that was hidden from the sun by the thick foliage of a tree. I had to take off my suit jacket; the July heat was suffocating.
As usual, the view calmed me. Something about the lush green lawn and people sitting on it, relaxing, was soothing. I came here from time to time during lunch break. My other lunch distraction was the Met, especially when they brought in new collections.
On Tuesday, I was miffed to find an email from Hunter with an attachment. It was a ticket to a rock-climbing hall that had recently opened in town. I called him immediately.
“What’s with the ticket?”
“You like rock climbing, and this is the best place for it in town. You need to blow off some steam.”
“Hunter, I’m fine.”
“You’re not. You
’ve been my friend for fifteen years. Trust me to read you.”
My fingers were a little shaky around the phone. My heart was racing. Could he also tell why I was so nervous? That I wasn’t just afraid we’d be found out, but that the prospect of living with him, kissing him scared me?
“Thank you. I’m going to give it a try, but only if you come with me.”
“Climbing? Hell, no. This is a gift for my fiancée.”
My stomach flipped at the word. Silly stomach.
“No one knows yet, so no need for the ticket.”
“Yes, there is. And this is something you need to get used to.”
“What?”
“Being showered with gifts.”
“Why?”
“You’re doing me a favor. I intend to make everything go as smoothly as possible for you. And I won’t accept a no.”
“You won’t accept it?” I teased.
“No. Just have some fun, Josie. You deserve it.”
I was seeing a whole new side of Hunter. He was right, of course. I did need to blow off some steam. I was working my butt off at the law firm because I was hoping to be promoted to partner by the end of next year. And now with this additional stress, I was not myself.
I went climbing later that afternoon, and it was glorious. When I arrived home, I picked up my phone, intending to scroll through Instagram, and discovered a message from Hunter. He was inescapable. He’d always been this way, only now, after the kiss, it all felt different. My stomach flipped each time he called or texted.
Hunter: Are you free tomorrow in the evening?
Josie: Yes. Why?
Hunter: I was thinking we should pick a ring.
Josie: Already?
Hunter: Amelia’s birthday party is on Saturday, remember? It would be good to have it by then.
Oh... he was right, of course.
Josie: Sure.
Hunter: I’ll be at your place at six o’clock.
I had one night to process it all. One night. Oh heavens. I was a little nervous... but why was I smiling from ear to ear?
***
Hunter
When I told Josie I’d be at her place, she assumed I was picking her up and we were going to Tiffany. I wanted to make things go as smoothly as possible for her, which was why I had someone from Tiffany come to her place.