The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5)

by Kristen Painter

  “Sebastian.”

  “Deputy Blythe. I realize I should have phoned that I was coming. My apologies for interrupting your evening. I was hoping to speak with Tessa.”

  “Did you decide to call the whole thing off?”

  “No. But that is why I’m here. Is she available?”

  “Sure, come in. She’s in her room. I’ll get her.” Jenna pointed at the couch in the living room. “Have a seat.”

  He remained standing. The house was as neat inside as it was out and not overly accessorized. He liked it.

  A few minutes later, Tessa walked into the room. She pushed her glasses back and blinked at him. “H-hello.”

  A more tentative greeting he could not imagine. He did his best to be casual. “Hi. I’m sorry to drop by unannounced, but I was thinking we should start the process of getting to know each other now instead of trying to cram it all into the hours before dinner tomorrow.”

  She nodded, looking relieved. “That’s a good idea. I have to confess, the whole thing is making me nervous. I don’t like being unprepared.”

  “No, neither do I. Would you like to go out? Get some coffee perhaps?” He hadn’t actually intended that, but it seemed like he’d become quite impulsive lately.

  She tucked a loose strand of dirty-blonde hair behind one ear. It was the only piece that had escaped the chignon at the nape of her neck. “Um, sure. I guess if we’re supposed to be engaged, being seen in public together makes sense, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes. Although now it’s my turn to confess that I hadn’t even thought of that.”

  She raised her hand, palm to her chest, and wiggled her fingers. “Something else you might not have thought about. Do you have a ring for me to wear?”

  “A ring?”

  “An engagement ring. Won’t this other woman expect to see one on my hand?”

  He closed his eyes and sighed. There was so much he hadn’t considered. This was why he was rarely impulsive. Actions spawned by emotion were prone to failure. “Yes, she absolutely will. And no, I don’t have one. We’ll remedy that this evening as well. Why don’t you get ready and I’ll make a call and see what I can do about that.”

  She glanced down at her nondescript pants and blouse. “I…am ready.”

  “Oh.” Plain did not begin to describe the poor woman.

  Her mouth thinned to a perturbed line. “No, never mind. I’ll go change. I’ll be quick.”

  “Take as long as you like. I’m happy to wait.”

  She headed back down the hall and he heard her calling for her sister. He shook his head. He had only himself to blame when Evangeline saw through this. He pulled out his phone and dialed Willa Iscove, the jeweler in town. He needed a ring and he could think of no one else who could provide him with one on such short notice.

  There would be no half-measures, either, because in all of this mess, he knew one thing. If he was going down in flames, it was going to be the largest bonfire Nocturne Falls had ever witnessed.

  Tessa slipped into her sister’s room and shut the door, leaning against it. “You have to help me.”

  Jenna looked up from where she was sitting on her bed playing with Duncan who was chasing a feather on a string, but mostly falling over his own feet in the process. “What do you need? Whatever it is, I’ll do it. It’s my valkyrie duty to protect the worthy and you certainly fit that description, even if you are another valkyrie. Wait, you’re not going to ask me to take your place as Grumpy’s fiancée are you? Because I love you but my answer to that is still no.”

  “No, it’s not that and don’t call him Grumpy. That’s my future boss you’re talking about. If this works out. He wants to go out for coffee and by the way he looked at my clothes, I could tell he didn’t think much of this outfit. If I’m supposed to be his fiancée, I need to look like a woman he’d actually be seen with. Which I’m guessing I don’t now.”

  “And that’s what you want my help with?”

  Tessa nodded. “Yes. Please.”

  Jenna hopped off the bed and squealed with delight. “I’ve been trying to give you a makeover for years.”

  “Hold up. This is not a makeover. I just need help picking out something else to wear. Something more like what a vampire’s fiancée would wear.” Tessa shook her head at the ridiculousness of that statement. “Whatever that is.”

  Jenna went over and opened her closet.

  Tessa’s brows knit. “My clothes are in the guest room.”

  “Which is why I’m looking in here.” She stared into her closet. “Do you have any skinny jeans?”

  “Do I look like a hipster?”

  Jenna shot her a look. “Regular jeans will have to do.”

  “I don’t have any of those either.”

  Jenna looked at her sister. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No. I don’t wear jeans. They’re not work appropriate.”

  Jenna tipped her head to the side. “You have a life outside of work.”

  Not really, but Tessa kept that comment to herself.

  Jenna pulled a stack of jeans off a shelf and plopped them on the bed. “The skinnies are on top. Lucky for you, we’re the same size.”

  “You’re an inch taller.” Why would one person own so many pairs of jeans? Weren’t they all essentially the same? Blue and denim.

  “Half an inch and that won’t make a difference.” Jenna waved her hands at Tessa like she was trying to shoo flies away. “Let’s go, strip, get into the jeans. And lose that old lady blouse.”

  “It’s not an old lady blouse. This is Ann Taylor, I’ll have you know.”

  “Forgive me. Lose that middle-aged lady blouse.”

  Tessa huffed out a breath but took off her navy chinos and silk shirt and climbed into the pair of jeans Jenna indicated. They were snug. “Are these jeans or leggings?”

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “Jeans.”

  “Are they supposed to be this tight? I think I’m losing circulation in my thighs.”

  “Yes, and no, you’re not.” Jenna pulled out a couple of tops on hangers before turning around. “Holy Loki, you actually have a body. And boobs!”

  Tessa wrapped her arms around her bare stomach. “Of course I have a body. And a chest.”

  “Yeah, but who knew the whole package was this hot? Although, Tessa, seriously? That bra is a real snooze. White cotton? Do you have to special order those from Amish-R-Us?” Jenna curled her lip. “We might be sisters but we are not related by fashion.”

  “It’s practical. And I can bleach it.” And they matched her underwear, but Tessa was sure her sister wouldn’t think that was a plus.

  Jenna lifted her brows. “What are you doing in your bras that they need to be bleached?” She held up a hand. “On second thought, don’t answer that.” She thrust out the handful of shirts. “Try these on.”

  Tessa took the hangers but stared at the shirts. “All together?”

  “Oh my word, no. One at a time.” Jenna shook her head and went back to digging in her closet. “You still wear a size eight shoe like me, right?”

  “Yes.” Tessa pulled the first top on. It was plum-colored and sort of twisted at the neck but then the fabric fell away in a draped cowl. It was pretty. Lower cut than the tops she normally wore, but not uncomfortably so. Not a color she would have typically picked either, but this was about looking different, so mission accomplished.

  Jenna turned around with a pair of tall, brown leather boots and a long, chunky brown cardigan. “That top is perfect. Forget the rest of them. Here, boots and a sweater. Do not button it.”

  “What if I get cold? It’s January, you know.”

  “Yes, but it’s a warm January. And we’re valkyries. Suck it up, you’ll be fine. Besides, beauty isn’t always easy or convenient.”

  “Says the woman who normally wears a uniform. That’s about as easy and convenient as it gets.”

  “Yes, but when I go out, I let my light shine. Unlike you, who has yet to actually turn your light on
. At least I know now there’s a bulb in there. Okay, hair and makeup time.”

  “Jenna, settle down. My hair is fine and I don’t need makeup.”

  “Your hair belongs in the same store as that old lady blouse. The bun is not happening. We have gorgeous dirty-blonde hair with all kinds of natural highlights that human women pay big bucks for and you’re hiding them in a knot. The hair is coming down. And look, no one needs makeup, but trust me, a little mascara and lip gloss are not going to kill you and they’ll work wonders to show off your blue eyes. Which are the same phenomenal blue as mine. You’ll see when I’m done. You, only better.”

  Ten minutes later and Tessa’s hair was down and brushed and mascara and lip gloss had been applied. Tessa had even allowed Jenna to tweeze her eyebrows a little. Jenna was impossible to say no to. But as Tessa looked in the mirror, she knew that she looked nice.

  “Well?” Jenna asked. “What do you think?”

  “I look less whore-y than I thought I would.”

  Jenna put her hands on her hips. “That’s a fine compliment for all my hard work. You look beautiful. Well, you always were, but now it’s apparent. Just think what I could do with a few more minutes.”

  “This is plenty, thanks.”

  “Yeah, I get it. All right, go. Have fun and figure out all this fake fiancée stuff.”

  Tessa doubted fun would be part of the evening. She hesitated. “You’ll watch Duncan?”

  They both glanced at the bed. The kitten was passed out on his back, his fat stripey belly exposed. Jenna laughed softly. “I don’t think he needs much watching right now.”

  “No, I guess not. But half of the pizza is mine when it gets here. I’m going to want it when I get home.”

  Jenna crossed her arms. “I’ll do my best but Salvatore’s is one of my downfalls. If there’s less than half left, I can’t be held responsible. Now quit stalling and go.”

  Tessa sighed. “Fine.”

  “Seriously, have fun. Or at least try to.”

  “Sure.” Tessa left her sister and walked out to the living room.

  Sebastian was facing the fireplace, one hand on the mantel, as he finished up a phone call. “Yes, that’ll be fine. Thank you.”

  He hung up and turned around. His eyes widened. Then narrowed again. “Tessa?”

  “Do I look that different?”

  “I…yes, a bit, with your hair down.” He smiled and she had a moment of surprise herself.

  He was shockingly handsome when he wasn’t frowning. She took an extra breath to get rid of the weird fluttery feeling in her stomach. Something she’d had for lunch must not have agreed with her. “Thanks. I guess.”

  He nodded. “You look lovely.”

  “My sister did it.” The fluttery thing wasn’t going away and she realized it had nothing to do with the burger she’d had at Mummy’s. Great. It was one thing pretending to be his fiancée, but to actually find him attractive? That was not going to help. “So, coffee?”

  “Yes. But first we have a stop to make. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, that’s fine.”

  The stop turned out to be downtown Nocturne Falls. Tessa hadn’t spent much time in town yet as she’d only just arrived the day before. Lunch at the diner had been her only foray and it had been brief since Jenna had to get back to the station after her break. The town was pretty at night with the shops all lit up and twinkle lights in the trees. From the Halloween colors to the cobwebs on the lamp posts and the occasionally crooked-on-purpose building, it was like visiting a theme park.

  She watched out the window as he parked in a spot reserved for town employees. “Does it always look like this or is this just left over from an event?”

  “No, it’s always like this. Keeps the atmosphere festive, I suppose. It’s more my brother Julian’s department. He’s in charge of theming and characters. And occasionally new businesses.”

  She looked at him. “What do you do? I should know that.”

  He nodded as he turned the engine off. “I’m the CFO of Nocturne Falls.”

  She’d already assumed he had money. Knowing he was also in charge of the town’s money made sense. He seemed like the type to run a tight ship and an even tighter purse. “You must be good with numbers.”

  His eyebrows lifted in response. “Better with them than with people.”

  “Why’s that?”

  He went silent a moment. “I’m a bit of a loner, I guess. People can be so…”

  “Exhausting?”

  His mouth bent in a half-smile. “Amongst other things, yes.” The remnants of the smile faded and his gaze shifted to the street. “Let’s go see about this ring, shall we?”

  “Is that what the stop is about?”

  He nodded. “The jeweler is very accommodating.”

  Tessa imagined most business owners would feel that way toward the CFO of the town, although Sebastian didn’t seem like the type to throw his weight around. Especially if what Jenna had said about him never leaving his house was true.

  They got out of the car (she realized too late that he was coming around to open her door) and she walked with him to a pretty little shop called Illusions. This time, he reached the door ahead of her and opened it. She went in. There were a few people in the store and two women behind the counters waiting on them.

  One of them, a stunningly beautiful fae woman, greeted Sebastian, then Tessa, with a smile. “Hello there.”

  Sebastian answered with a nod. “Evening, Willa.”

  She excused herself from the customers she was waiting on. “I’m all set up for you in the back. Come around the counter and into my office.”

  She went ahead of Sebastian and Tessa, slipping into the back room but standing at the door until they were in. A large orange cat lounged on the desk.

  “Hi there, kitty cat.” Tessa smiled and gave him a little scratch. Without opening his eyes, he stretched and put his paw on her arm.

  “Now you’ve done it,” Willa said as she shut the office door. “You’re his new best friend.”

  “He’s very sweet. What’s his name?”

  “Jasper. Feel free to put him on the floor, too. We’re going to need that desk.”

  Tessa couldn’t bring herself to move the sleepy beast. “But he’s so comfortable.”

  Sebastian cleared his throat. He wasn’t interested in cat talk apparently. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. And for understanding.”

  Willa gave a little nod. “I know all about how your past can sneak up and bite you.” She opened a safe and pulled out a large, covered velvet tray, then carried it over and gave Jasper a little shove off the desk. “Sorry, baby, but I need the space.”

  He jumped down and skulked off, finding a new place to lounge on top of a low filing cabinet.

  Willa put the tray down and lifted the top.

  Tessa sucked in a breath. There had to be twenty diamond rings on display, all of them enormous and sparkling like the sun and completely over the top. She hated to think of such assuredly expensive baubles gaudy, but to her that’s what they were. Not that she would say that to either Willa or Sebastian. “Wow.”

  Willa laughed softly. “I feel that way too. All the time. Which one do you like?”

  She looked at Willa, then Sebastian, then back at Willa. Clearly they both expected her to swoon over them. “They’re all lovely.”

  Sebastian came closer and motioned to the tray. “Pick one.”

  She looked at the rings again and finally shook her head, unable to make a decision. “None of these are really me.”

  He sighed. “This isn’t about which one best suits your personal taste, it’s about fooling Evangeline.”

  She frowned at him. “I understand that, but it seems to me that picking a ring that’s unlike something I’d actually wear goes against the whole idea here. You want it to be convincing, don’t you?”

  His expression took an exasperated turn. “Choose a ring. You only have to wear it tonig
ht and tomorrow night.”

  Willa put her hand on Tessa’s arm. “Just a moment. I have something else.”

  She took the tray back to the safe and returned with one half the size. She put it on the desk and opened it. The rings inside held diamonds just as large but all in much simpler settings, some without any accompanying side stones. “Better?”

  “Yes,” Tessa answered.

  Sebastian shook his head. “These are too plain.”

  “These are more me,” Tessa shot back. If that meant she was plain, so be it. “But they’re all still so large.”

  “I’m not compromising on that. I’d never buy the woman I love anything less than…that one.” He pointed to a ring that held the second-largest center stone with two long tapered diamonds on the sides.

  Willa smiled. “A classic round solitaire with two tapered baguettes set in platinum. An enduring style for sure.” She looked at Tessa. “A good choice, don’t you think?”

  The center stone was the size of a fat, spring pea and Tessa was already having palpitations at the thought of how much such a ring cost and what would happen if she somehow lost it, but Sebastian was right. To a point. It was a prop, not a symbol of his anything. Unless his desire to fool his ex-wife counted. “It’s beautiful.” And it was.

  Just so unlike anything she’d ever thought would end up on her finger.

  Willa pulled the ring free of the insert that held it in place and offered it to Sebastian. “Why don’t you see if it fits your bride-to-be?”

  He made a gruff little noise of complaint but took the ring anyway.

  Tessa offered her hand. And realized he was about to touch her. She went very still, unable to focus on anything but the ring in his fingers and the subtle trembling of her own. No man had ever put a ring on her before and she suspected no man might ever again.

  To have the whole thing be a sham made her unexpectedly sad.

  He wrapped his fingers loosely around her wrist while he guided the ring on.

  His fingers were long and perfect and slightly callused, which surprised her. She’d thought a man who worked with numbers would have smooth skin. She couldn’t help but think that he had the kind of hands that looked like they’d be nice to hold. Large enough to envelope hers. And his touch was surprisingly gentle and warmer than she’d expected. Of course, she’d never touched—or been touched by—a vampire before.