His Fake Fiancée: BBW Romance (Fake it For Me Book 1)

by Fiona Murphy

  Laughing, I pull him close. “You’d better. I love your sister, I’m a worrier, that’s all.”

  “Nothing to worry about. Although we do need to head home so I can change and make the flight.”

  18

  Christina

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, scaring the crap out of me. Which is a good thing because I would never have heard it over the loud music. I am not a club person, and supposedly this was a quiet one. We’re in the back, in a VIP area. There are almost twenty women and many of them are long past sober.

  Hannah has been trying to push drinks on me all night, only giving up an hour ago. I wonder where she went? She said she was going to the loo but that was almost fifteen minutes ago.

  I pull out my phone and wilt a little. I knew it, Ivan is staying overnight in London. The buyer is now considering buying the whole company, if the price is right. Ivan and the buyer are going to go over the financials deeper tomorrow. Ivan promises he’ll be back tomorrow, he told the buyer it was non-negotiable. Biting my lip until I taste blood, I delete the message a few times until I get it right. I understand, it’s okay. I miss him and will see him tomorrow.

  He responds back with have a good night. That’s it? Have a good night? Men.

  Okay, I’m officially done. I want to go home and go to sleep. Checking the time, I wince: it’s only ten thirty. It feels like it’s been a long night. The party started at the hotel where both ceremonies are being held. And where Gemma and Aari have been staying, and will continue to stay until after the second wedding. It’s one of the few hotels in the city that could accomadate the four hundred guests for the Hindu ceremony and the three hundred guests for the regular ceremony.

  In the large suite, it didn’t seem like a luxury hotel. There were far more penis-shaped things decorating the sitting room and given as gifts than I had any idea existed. The drinking started there, then it was into several limousines to get here.

  Once we got into this VIP area, there wasn’t one stripper but three, and it got crazy. I couldn’t take it after only five minutes and hid in the bathroom, loo, whatever for almost a half hour. I only came out five minutes before Hannah left.

  Gemma isn’t drunk but she is definitely buzzed. Embarrassed, I tap her on the shoulder.

  “Hi.” She smiles up at me. “Isn’t this the best?”

  I nod even though I don’t agree. “I’m sorry, but I have a raging headache, too much champagne and loud music. I don’t do this often.”

  “Oh no, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s fine, but I’m going to get a cab home.”

  She hugs me tight. “Thank you for coming, I’m glad you did. Sorry, some of my friends were a bit catty tonight.”

  Shrugging, I force a laugh I don’t feel. “It’s fine. No hard feelings.”

  Some of the women wave half-heartedly. I nod back, faking a smile. I have to see them at the weddings, so being a bitch isn’t worth it. Getting my feelings hurt over the pointed insults on my weight and repeated shock over my ring and disbelief I was in fact engaged to Ivan was pointless. Only a handful of the women were actually nice. Whatever, I was an outsider, it wasn’t a big deal.

  Outside, I’m almost to the street when I hear my name. I turn to see Hannah.

  “Where are you going?”

  Surprised by her outrage, I take the smallest step back. “Home. I’m tired, and I have a headache. Sorry, I don’t do late nights often.”

  “You can’t go home.” Her hand goes around my arm as if she’s not about to let me go.

  “Is something wrong?”

  “Yeah, yes, please, I need your help. There’s this guy, Alfie, I’ve been dying to shag him for weeks. He’s turned up here and invited me back round to his place. I can’t go alone, though his mate is with him and in a bad way after a breakup. Please, please come with me. Keep the mate occupied while me and Alfie have some alone time.”

  I’m shaking my head. I want to go home.

  “Christina, I’m begging you. I am in love with this man. I’ll do anything for you. An hour, that’s it.”

  Two men approach, both taller, one guy looking like he’s on steroids, smelling as if he swam in cologne yet still has horrible underlying body odor. The other is thin, blond, way too pretty and well aware of it.

  “You coming?” the blond asks Hannah.

  Her eyes go wide with pleading. I give in and nod.

  “Yes, meet my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Christina. This is Alfie and his mate Roger.”

  Alfie nods at me with disinterest. Steroid guy, Roger, leers at my breasts with an evil grin. My skin crawls as I try to step back but run into Hannah. I’m wearing a plain black dress that Ivan picked out. It covers everything, it’s a little loose, and it belongs at a funeral. But Ivan wasn’t happy when he found out we were going to a club, he thought it was a party in the hotel room. Since I couldn’t care less, I was more than happy to let him pick what I wore.

  Unease builds inside me over the next twenty minutes until I feel like something is very wrong. Only how could it be when Hannah is only ten feet away from me, making out with the Alfie guy on the couch?

  Roger is in a chair across from me, and I’m doing by best to ignore him, clinging to the edge of the uncomfortable ottoman I’m sitting on. Then what I’ve been waiting for happens. Hannah and Alfie excuse themselves.

  “Just twenty minutes,” Hannah says.

  “More like five, mate.” Roger laughs and high-fives Alfie.

  Ew. I pull out my phone, desperate to pretend I’m busy.

  “So, you really Ivan’s bird?”

  “Bird? What?” I notice he’s gotten up to sit on the couch.

  “You going to marry Ivan?”

  I nod. “Yes.”

  “Have a seat, fancy a smoke?”

  “What?”

  He offers me a cigarette.

  “No thanks, I don’t smoke. Can you please not around me?”

  He lights the cigarette and blows a ring of smoke. Ass.

  “You almost done with your drink yet? Want another?”

  I shake my head. The can of coconut water tasted funny. I managed all of two sips before giving up on it. I’m only pretending to drink it to have something to do with my hands.

  “Come on, have a seat beside me.”

  His intent stare scares me. “I’m fine. Ivan is extremely possessive. Piss him off at your own risk.”

  He goes still as he considers the warning. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

  “I don’t want anyone else but Ivan. Whatever you’re thinking, forget it.”

  In a flash he has me up and is pulling me on top of him. An arm goes around my waist, dragging my dress up. What in the fuck? I scream, he’s tearing my panties off. He’s too fucking strong. I’m screaming until my lungs feel like they are going to burst.

  Where the fuck is Hannah? My dress tears, his hands are everywhere. Was that a flash? It happens again; it was a flash. I slam my head into his and when it stuns him, I bite into his cheek until I taste blood. He cries out and finally lets go of me. I fall onto the floor with a painful thump.

  “Oh my god, Christina. Are you okay? Roger, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Hannah’s arms go around me as she yells at Roger. I’m so confused.

  “There was a flash,” I mumble as I shiver.

  “Flash? No, I didn’t see a flash. It must have been the television. Come on, let’s get you home. You’re a bastard, Roger, I can’t believe you.” She wraps a blanket around me; my dress is barely on.

  Something is wrong. Everything feels so fucking wrong, I shiver as Hannah leads me out. All I want is to be away from this. “Ivan,” I mutter. “I want Ivan.”

  Hannah freezes. “He’s away, remember. Let’s not bother him with this. It will only upset him. Please, he’ll kill me if he finds out. It was no big deal, your dress is torn and your hair is mussed. Nothing bad happened, you’re fine.”

  Closing the door of the taxi, Hannah gives the address before
turning back to me with a hardness to her that reminds me of Ivan. “You’re fine. There’s no use in making a big fuss over nothing. Roger is a prat but he meant no harm.”

  I’m shivering, confused; how could she say it was no big deal? I’m wrapped in a blanket because I’m practically naked. How could she say he meant no harm?

  I have no memory of it but somehow I’m in bed, where I want Ivan to be, but he’s not here. Hannah is pressing a cup of tea against my lips, over and over again until it’s gone. It tastes awful, bitter, and then the world goes dark.

  ***

  Christina

  Waking up I know something is wrong, completely wrong. I feel it as I struggle to shake off sleep. I turn over to find Ivan beside me, still deep in sleep. What? I reach out for my phone. It’s one o’clock in the morning, Saturday morning. A cold chill runs through me. I slept for more than twenty-four hours. How is that possible?

  I see I’ve missed more than twenty messages, holy crap. One by one I read through them. Ivan had texted, then called, then he followed up with texts telling me he got ahold of Hannah, he apologized for my migraine. He’ll be home soon. His last was a text he was due home at nine. He got ahold of Hannah and she told him I had a migraine.

  I shudder remembering what Roger did, the way Hannah acted. As fuzzy as my thoughts are, I know something is wrong, very wrong, I just wish I knew what it was. My first thought is to call Hannah, only I know I won’t get an answer from her, not an honest one.

  “Hey, how are you feeling?” Ivan is sitting up, his eyes filled with concern. “I was ready to tan Hannah for not taking you to get checked out.”

  It flashes, Hannah’s fear of what Ivan would do to her if he found out what she let happen. I shake my head. I don’t know what to do. Ivan’s arms come around me, holding me close. It’s okay, it will be, eventually.

  ***

  Christina

  It’s only nine o’clock but it feels closer to midnight. The day started at nine a.m. here in the hotel. I cannot believe the massive wedding is able to take place in one room; well, two massive ballrooms with the wall down between them.

  Some miracle worker made the rooms look as if all this were happening in India, at least that’s what Gemma’s wedding planner promised. And from several compliments of guests, they had succeeded. The whole day has passed in a blur of bright colors and loud music. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I’m still feeling off. I’m also feeling out of place in the sari Gemma bought for me to wear.

  I’ve tried to talk to Hannah only to have her freeze me out. As badly as I want to talk to Ivan, I didn’t dare until I could make more sense of everything. I know he’s feeling frustrated with me though. The only good thing about the whole day is Mishka has stayed far away from me.

  I’m wondering where the hell Ivan went to. We’re seated at a small table off to the side of the main table which only has Gemma, Aari and his parents at it. Hannah started the evening on the other side of Ivan, but the minute he left so did she.

  Ivan approaches the table with a small plate of food. He’s such a good man, I haven’t eaten much.

  “Eat, and I will take you home.”

  “Yes, please.” I take the plate.

  “I’m sorry you aren’t having a good time.” Gemma sighs from behind me.

  Horrified, I shake my head, afraid I offended her. “No, it’s, I’m sorry. I don’t do well in crowds with a lot of people. It isn’t about the wedding, it’s beautiful. I’m grateful to be here, really.”

  Gemma hugs me. “It’s okay. I understand. You’re more like Ivan than you appear. He hates crowds too, always preferred his own company. Can’t stand to be the center of attention, which sucks for him since people are drawn to him. I agree with you, actually.”

  Her sigh is full of regret. “I’m telling you right now, when it’s your turn do a registry office and a party of thirty in the back garden. I’m paying for it. Wanting to have a nice big do. I wanted to be a princess for a day, but no one tells you what all goes into being a princess. It’s been hell. I am no longer looking forward to next weekend. I’ve been meaning to ask, have you two set a date yet? Here or in Chicago?”

  I look to Ivan. He shakes his head and pulls me against him.

  “Not yet, it was more about getting a ring on her finger and making sure she knew she was not going anywhere. We will work out the details soon enough.”

  “Do you want a big wedding?” Hannah asks, I wonder when she came back. Around Ivan she’s been acting as if nothing is the matter.

  Shrugging, I look to Ivan. All at once reminded this is all fake, there has not been a discussion about what type of wedding I want. There isn’t going to be any talk of weddings. I fight to ignore the pain in my chest. “I haven’t given it much thought. I’m not a big wedding kind of person though so not really, no.”

  “Good girl.” Ivan kisses my temple.

  “Ugh, how can you put up with him when he’s so controlling? I love him but I think I’d have killed him by now if I were you.”

  I’m surprised by how clearly she means it. Shaking my head, I lay my hand on the arm Ivan has around my waist to keep it in place. “I don’t see him that way. He likes to have his own way, big deal. Don’t we all? He needs to be in control to ensure everything around him stays the way he’s worked so hard to get it. And he works pretty fucking hard. No one around him is allowed to work harder than him.”

  Ivan presses a kiss to my temple, whispering it’s okay, but it’s not okay. “Not only that, but he takes care of those around him. He sat up with Connor until two o’clock in the morning the first time his daughter had her chemo treatment. Snuck out of bed and was back before the sun came up, and didn’t complain for a second. I know I’m a pain in the ass. I’m overly emotional, argumentative, and I’m very clingy. He never makes me feel bad, doesn’t even tease me about any of it.

  “He has supported you for the last, oh, since the day you were born, feeding you and changing your diapers. Giving you a gorgeous home to live in and a five-thousand-pound-a-month allowance which you still somehow manage to go over. And he never says a word, you need money, want a new car because yours is three years old, the jet for a vacation, someone to bitch to about your job, your sister, your life, and he’s there for you.” It’s obvious she doesn’t like that comment but I don’t care, she started it.

  “It’s not just about his friends or family. Ivan bought out the entire registry for a receptionist who decided to keep an unplanned pregnancy and be a single mom. The janitor broke his leg, and Ivan made sure the man received not only his pay while on leave when he had no paid time left, he also paid his rent for two months.” Hannah’s look of surprise annoys the hell out of me.

  I’m struggling not to let my voice rise. “He’s not a paragon of virtue, he has his moments like us all. Maybe if he was controlling just to be controlling I wouldn’t be able to stand it, but he’s not. It’s about taking care of me and making sure nothing bad happens to me. Even though there is no way in hell he can keep everything bad at bay, he’s determined to try.

  “Maybe it’s because I know what living with someone who needs control just for the sake of it looks like, and Ivan isn’t it. He does it because he loves me and he loves you and he cares, and I’ll take it any damn day all day long. What you need to be happy isn’t what I need to be happy and as long as it works for us, I would appreciate it if you kept your judgement to yourself.” I get up. I’m long past done. “Ivan, I’m ready to go home.”

  Hannah is apologizing, but I’m not listening. I want to go home. Home is where I’m held tight in Ivan’s arms and everyone else around us disappears, and I need it so badly right now.

  ***

  Christina

  He’s quiet all the way home. Was he annoyed with me? Did I overstep with the love thing? Would he tell me I was wrong? When we walk through the door, he picks me up then carries me upstairs. I don’t argue, simply wrap my arms around his neck and cling to him. He la
ys me on the bed, keeping his eyes on me as he undresses. With each inch of skin he bares I grow wetter and wetter for him.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Naked now, he shakes his head. “I’m not.”

  “No?” I don’t want to argue, but I’m worried he’s just saying it and doesn’t mean it.

  “No.” Drawing off the first layer of the sari, he chuckles. “It is like unwrapping a Christmas present.” His eyes glitter when he finally frees me from it and sees the bra and panty set I picked out for him. “From the beginning I worried you did not, would not understand why I do the things I do. Because of this you would grow to resent me. I would have tried to change, only it might have caused me to resent you.”

  Slow, so slow, he pulls down my panties, caressing my skin with obvious enjoyment.

  “Now, there is no worry or fear. There is only peace. Try not think too badly of her. Hannah is one of those people who wants to take care of everyone. Younger than Gemma, she was the protective one. In her eyes, she was trying to protect you from me. She knows how I can be.”

  “I shouldn’t have lost it on her. I just didn’t like the way she talked about you. Tomorrow, I’ll apologize. But tonight—” I undo the catch of the bra between my breasts. “Show me some peace.”

  19

  Ivan

  My phone goes off with a text. I grab it to prevent it waking Christina. I kept her up until the early hours this morning. It’s Hannah, she needs to see me urgently, without Christina. Frowning, I read over it again. Why would she say “without Christina”? Sighing, I shake my head. It’s probably about money. If it is about what Christina said last night, Hannah is going to be disappointed. I respond to give me fifteen minutes and I’ll meet her for breakfast downstairs.

  While I shower and dress, I think over what Christina said last night. She is perfect for me, in ways I had never thought possible. How odd life can be, to find someone who fits your needs and desires on every level. I restrain myself from kissing her before I leave the room, not wanting to wake her.