“Thank you,” I said, accepting the compliment without explaining Ashton had picked it out. That was another part of the secret I had to keep. Soon, I was going to find myself enmeshed in a web of lies and half-truths and be unable to keep it all straight.
“I was looking for you earlier,” she said. “Jay said you were taking a nap.”
I kept my smile in place. That wasn’t entirely true, but I would run with it. He was clearly much better at the lying thing than I was. “Then I took a long, hot bath,” I told her.
“Did you get a massage?”
“No, I didn’t realize that was an option.”
“Shame on him,” she said. “He needs to book you a treatment or two at the spa.”
“I wasn’t aware there was a spa,” I told her.
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I wasn’t sure why he’d omitted that from our tour, but I was sure he had a reason. “I tend to be very private,” I told her. “I’m not big on people touching me and stuff.”
“There are more than just massages. You can get a facial, pedi, mani. There are so many options and you will feel absolutely pampered. I bet he’s going to surprise you with a spa day.” She nodded sagely. “Don’t tell him I told you.”
I laughed. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“Where is he?” she asked.
“Um, I think he’s still getting ready for tonight.”
“He’s probably still pissed at me for earlier.”
“What happened?”
She waved a hand. “Nothing major. He was talking about opening another hotel. I told him he needed to slow down and spend time with you. You guys are going to be newlyweds. Are you interested in watching him work fourteen hours a day, seven days a week?”
“No, definitely not,” I said. I was channeling the woman from the music room. She was enamored with her man. I needed to pretend to be the same way. “He works so much already. We hardly get to see each other.”
“Exactly!” she exclaimed. “That’s what I told him. Women like to nest. What good is it to have a nest if your man isn’t there?”
I nodded. I was into it. I took the ball and ran with it. “I want to be able to count on him to be home for dinner. I want to be able to make plans for the weekend. I think I could learn to love to travel, but I’m a homebody at heart.”
She offered a sad smile. “Because you never had your own home?”
“I suppose that makes sense. I love the idea of creating a warm, comfortable space that we can both feel safe and happy in.”
I wasn’t lying. That was the ultimate goal. Prior to meeting Jay, I envisioned a blue-collar man coming home after a long day at work. I would serve him dinner and we would sit on the couch in our three-bedroom, two-bath home with a little backyard. We’d watch reruns of Friends and go to bed together.
“I’ll talk to him again,” she said.
“No, no, it’s fine. It’s something we’ll have to work out. I don’t want to pressure him into giving up something he loves. That will only make him resent me.”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to hound him. I will. So will my mom. We’ll work on him for you.”
The idea of the two of them ganging up on him did give me some satisfaction. “I’m going to see if he’s ready,” I told her.
“Don’t get caught up doing naughty things,” she teased.
I grinned and walked away. She didn’t need to know there was nothing naughty happening between us.
Chapter 25
Jameson
I had just finished tying my tie when I heard the door open. Relief rushed through me. I was just about to go looking for her.
I shook my head. My negativity was getting the best of me. I was imagining all kinds of horrible things, including her running back to New York. I owed her an apology. I was big enough to know that and I would do it.
I walked out of the bedroom and sucked in a breath. Damn! Paislee was going to kill me.
The dress fit her body like a glove. The slit up the front was a tease. The lace slip fell just below mid-thigh. The slit offered just a glimpse of her tanned legs, like a fucking peekaboo show meant to tease and titillate.
“There you are,” I said with a growl. It came out way harsher than I meant it too. My eyes dropped to the cleavage lifted in the white dress with a peek of lace resting over the round globes. It was simple and boho and the sexiest fucking thing I had ever seen.
“I was looking for you,” she said. Judging by her tone, she was still pissed.
“I’m sorry I was mad earlier.”
That seemed to disarm her. “You can’t do that.”
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t embarrass me like that. I’m not a complete idiot. The guy was a jerk. I was trying to blow him off, but it was taking a little more effort. I knew he was married. I called him out on it. You don’t have to go caveman on me.”
I raised an eyebrow. I was about to comment on her dress and how much cleavage she was showing but thought better of it. “Got it. I’ll try to refrain from pounding on my chest.”
“I was just talking to your sister,” she said.
I was immediately on guard. “Oh?”
“She said there was a spa.”
“Yes, I had mentioned it to you at some point, I think.”
“We didn’t see that on our tour, though.”
“Every hotel has a place to get pampered.”
She sighed. “Jameson, I’ve never been to a hotel like this.”
I felt like an asshole. “I’m sorry. I’ll take you tomorrow morning.”
“It’s fine.”
“There’s a card in the desk drawer with the available treatments. You can have a massage here in the room or go there.”
“I’m good.”
“I’m sorry,” I said again.
She finally smiled. “It’s fine. I don’t know if I could sit through a massage. I would be too freaked out having someone’s hands on me.”
That put an image in my mind that I didn’t need. I cleared my throat. “Are you ready to go to dinner?”
“Is it just us?”
“Yes, is that okay?”
“It is.”
“We’ll have dinner and move right to the party in the ballroom.” My eyes drifted over the dress once again. I was going to kick Ashton’s ass for picking out such sexy, revealing clothes for her. I had a feeling it was part of a plan. He was fucking with me because he was pissed at me for deceiving my family.
“You keep looking at my dress,” she said with a hand on her hip. “Is something wrong? Is it not appropriate for dinner and dancing?”
“It’s fine.”
“Wow, don’t hold back.”
“You look stunning. I was admiring the view.”
She blushed and looked down. “Thank you.”
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, I’m starving.”
We were quickly seated at a private table away from the bulk of the other diners. When I ate, I liked to be able to eat my food while it was hot. I learned early on that everyone liked to talk to me when I was eating, which meant I either talked with my mouth full or I ate cold food.
It was nice to have her alone for a bit. I knew tonight was going to be hectic. This was the calm before the storm. “What do you think?” I asked her.
She dabbed at her mouth. “So good. I don’t know what I was thinking wearing a white dress. I am trying very hard not to drop anything on it.”
“I like the dress,” I told her again.
“Thank you. As you probably guess, Ashton picked this out. I thought it was a little much, but he said it would be appropriate for dinner.”
“It’s perfect.” I knew it was fucking Ashton. The man had been absolutely right, though. She was drop-dead gorgeous in the dress.
We finished our dinner before moving into the ballroom where the opening party was being held.
“How are you feeling about this?” I asked her.
�
�Good. I’m good.”
“You remember the story?”
“I do.”
“We’ll mingle and come together. Are you okay being on your own?”
She cringed but nodded. “Yes.”
“My family will be there.”
“I know. I’ll be okay. You do what you need to do.”
I almost kissed her. It was just a natural response. I resisted the urge. Instead, I took her hand in mine, gave it a gentle squeeze, and headed for the ballroom. The party was in full swing when we walked through the doors. I grabbed us each a glass of champagne and we waded into the fray.
My hand moved to the small of her back and I guided her to a group of locals that had worked with us from the very beginning. “Aaron,” I greeted the tall man with long dreadlocks.
He turned to me with his infamous wide, gloriously white smile. “Jay!” he greeted with his heavy accent and pulled me in for a hug. “This is great.”
“Thank you. I’d like you to meet my fiancée, Paislee. Paislee, Aaron and his crew made this whole thing happen. They dealt with all the government red tape. They helped refer and hire locals. This place is what it is because of him.”
“You’re too kind, man,” he said with a laugh. “It’s nice to meet you, Paislee. You’re a lucky man, Jay.”
I smiled because I knew he was right. Then I remembered I wasn’t lucky at all. She wasn’t actually my fiancée, and the sadness I felt at that realization hurt more than I’d expected. “Thank you. Drink up. I’ll see you in a bit.”
We walked away and went through several more introductions before I was pulled away. I hated to leave her alone, but she assured me she was going to be okay. As I was walking out of the ballroom, I caught a glimpse of the fucker from earlier today. I was going to take care of my business and get my ass back in there.
I hated feeling jealous, but I was. I had introduced her as my fiancés so many times in the last hour, I was actually starting to believe it. That was dangerous. I couldn’t let myself get caught up in the lie. I needed to keep a level head.
I made it back to the ballroom just in time to rescue her from the clutches of yet another overzealous man. I was going to get her a bigger ring. Hell, I was going to tattoo “she’s mine” on her fucking forehead.
I couldn’t believe the disrespect. These assholes needed to take a step back. I had never felt so possessive in my life.
“Dance with me,” I said and wrapped an arm around her waist. I pulled her away from the man that was leering at her.
She looked surprised. “Jameson, that was rude,” she whispered.
“Did you want to go back and talk to him?” I asked.
She giggled. “God, no.”
“Are you enjoying yourself?” I asked as I spun her around the dance floor.
“I am. I’m trying to pace myself on the champagne, but it’s so good.”
“I’ll keep an eye on you,” I said with a laugh.
Her light laughter floated around me. “That’s like the fox guarding the henhouse.”
I winked. “I’ll only bite if you ask.”
She laughed. “You’re so bad.”
We danced through three songs. I was having way too much fun pressing her body against mine. It was the first real contact. The breasts I’d been admiring from the moment I laid eyes on her were pressed against my chest. They were as soft as I imagined.
“I need a drink,” I said, slightly out of breath.
“Me too, but not too much,” she teased. “I can’t get drunk. I need to keep my wits about me.”
I sipped the cocktail I picked up. “You don’t trust me?” I said with a cocky smile.
“Absolutely not.”
I leaned forward and brushed my mouth over her ear. “Trust me, I will only please you.”
Before she could reply, Julia was on us. “You two are the cutest thing ever,” she exclaimed.
Judging by her flushed cheeks, she was enjoying herself as well. “You’re drunk,” I said bluntly.
“Just tipsy. You guys! I saw you dancing together. It’s so cute! Jay, I’m so happy for you. I wasn’t sure I was into this whole quick engagement thing, but you guys are just too damn cute!”
“Thanks,” I said. “Why don’t I walk you to your room?”
She slapped at my chest. “Stop it. I’m not wasted. Sheesh. You’re so overprotective.”
“Julia, remember where you are,” I said. “Dad will drag you out of here if you get trashed.”
“I’m not trashed. I’m fine. You’re such a party pooper. Paislee, take this man out back and loosen him up.”
Paislee choked on her drink. I scowled at Julia. “Go away.”
She burst into laughter and sashayed away. “I’m sorry,” I said to Paislee, who was very red.
“It’s fine. She believes the story. If we were truly engaged, I would definitely take you out back.”
She had no idea what she was saying. “I want to show you something,” I said once I was able to speak.
“Jameson,” she said in a warning voice.
“Not that, but if you want to see anything on me, say the word.”
She laughed and bumped my arm with hers. “You are the actual fox.”
“I’m foxy?”
“Stop, you know you are.”
“Ah, but I like to hear you say it.”
I was feeling a little loose. The alcohol was relaxing my tongue. I took her hand and led her across the dance floor. I had the piano moved in from the music room. It was now sitting on top of a small, elevated platform with a mic angled at it to pick up the sound.
“Uh, what is this?” she asked.
“I believe part of your negotiations included a piano.”
“You don’t have to drag it to every room we’re in.”
“Play something,” I said.
She looked at me and shook her head. “No. I can’t. There are too many people.”
“There aren’t enough people. You play beautifully.”
“Jameson, I can’t.”
I changed tactics. “Please?”
“Oh, you’re sneaky.” She laughed. “I don’t know what to play.”
“I just happened to overhear a couple talking about a woman playing a song in the music room this afternoon. I know it was you. The woman couldn’t stop talking about it. I’d love to hear it.”
She blew out a breath. “I’ll play, but if people laugh at me, I’m holding you responsible.”
“No one is going to be laughing. I’m not a music expert, but I know talent when I hear it. If they do, I’ll kick them out of my hotel. Deal?”
She shocked the hell out of me when she went up on her tiptoes and kissed my cheek before handing me her glass. “Here goes nothing.”
I watched her take her seat at the piano. I didn’t bother calling attention to the entertainment for the night. I had no doubt they would pay attention once she got going.
I stood to the side holding both of our glasses. I watched as she took a few deep breaths before she started to play. It took about twenty seconds before the room hushed and people turned to watch her.
I had the best view in the place. I had a feeling she was lost in the moment. She didn’t know any of us were there. She was all about the music.
Her fingers flew over the keys. I felt the anger in the music before it did a weird pause. It was like everyone in the room took a breath at the same time. She’d brought us up this crazy climb and then stopped. It was brief, but it was enough to keep her audience completely captivated.
When she started to play again, it was soft and slow. I could feel the emotion as the anger in the first half of the song dissipated. I didn’t know shit about music, but I was into it. I was on the emotional ride with her.
Every single person was right there with her. I didn’t miss the admiration in the eyes of the men and the women. They all loved her. At the end of the song, she looked directly at me.
I was done. Stick a fork in me, done
. Before she could leave the makeshift stage, I grabbed her hand and led her out a side exit. I knew she said no sex, but I had to try. I needed a kiss. I needed something.
Chapter 26
Paislee
Once again, the man was dragging me down the hall. I was really going to have to have another talk with him about the appropriate way to walk with a woman who was much shorter than he was. I felt like a toddler trying to keep up with a mad mama.
It had to be the music. I saw the look on his face when I finished playing. If he only knew the song was about him and how pissed he made me.
When we stepped into the elevator, he set me away from him. It was like he wanted me to be as far from him as possible. If that was the case, why in the world did he drag me away from the party?
“Jameson, is everything okay?”
His eyes locked on mine. It felt like I was staring down a tiger. He looked feral. I was a little intimidated but not afraid. If he was trying to intimidate me, it made me want to fight back. There had been a weird tension between us all night. The dancing had been fun, but it only amplified that electricity between us. I was curious to see where it led. I knew it was going somewhere, but instead of being afraid, I was curious.
Curiosity killed the cat, I reminded myself.
When the doors opened, he lunged forward, grabbing my hand in one smooth move and dragging me down the hall to our room. He unlocked the door and pushed it open while pulling me inside at the same time.
“Jameson?”
He didn’t answer me, at least not with words. His body pushed against mine until my ass was pressed against the wall. I looked up at him just in time to catch his mouth against mine. His lips were on me and they forced my mouth open. His tongue slipped inside. I had been kissed but never like this.
His kiss was hot and demanding. I sucked his tongue into my mouth. I was taking my cues from him. I hoped I was doing it right. I gave as good as I got—I hoped. His mouth jerked away from mine. I worried I did something wrong. I felt out of breath, like all of the air in the room had been sucked out.
“Jameson?” I breathed.
He looked at me. His nostrils flared as his eyes dropped to my mouth. “Fuck the deal.”
Pay Up Hot Stuff: A Billionaire Fake Fiancée Romance Page 16