by Lexy Timms
“Because I couldn’t go on without you,” Dane said quietly.
After everything he was willing to do for her, did she dare hope? He had confessed to her that the heiresses were his mother’s idea. Dane didn’t choose those women. Wealth didn’t seem to matter to him, only his mother. “Is that…is that the spin for the press or the truth?”
“Both.”
The music played on. Every note infused with romance, longing, and some underlying passion. One word had sent her heart racing. “Did last night mean something to you?”
“Last night meant everything to me.”
Oh shit.
“Dane, I don’t know how we can go on pretending,” she blurted out. “We pretend to be together and yet…”
“Yet we’ve been pretending with each other. Pretending not to feel things for each other,” he finished for her.
“Do you want to go back to what we were?” The butterflies in her stomach felt like they were trying to break free. “Because I don’t see how that’s possible. Not if we keep up a lie. Everyone around us will believe we were once engaged. That we once shared something. How can we go back to being totally professional? To acting like that never even happened?”
“But something has happened.”
“We’ve faked all this, but not everything has been fake,” she murmured. Confusion overwhelmed her. She didn’t know where the charade ended and her real feelings began. Because, while she had feelings for him, it was impossible to take stock of a fake relationship.
“I don’t think we should make any big decisions yet,” he said slowly. “At least, not until we confess the truth and things die down.”
At the very least it would give her some time to think. To process. “What about work? How do we act?”
“We act like professionals. But that doesn’t mean we can’t see each other outside of work.” He grinned.
Her heart melted. They had gotten their feelings out in the open. A weight lifted off her shoulders. She didn’t know where things were headed with Dane, but at least she didn’t have to pretend not to have feelings when they were alone together.
He pulled her back into the waltzing position and his lips met hers. The kiss was feather-light, tender, and warm. “I care about you, Allyson. I don’t know where things are headed yet, but I want you to know that.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I care about you, too.”
With that, he began to lead her around the floor, teaching her simple steps. She felt weightless in his arms. Weightless and held, if such a thing were possible. Only days ago, she had begged him to go back to the way things were. Pretend they hadn’t gotten into bed together. Now, she realized she didn’t have to pretend with him anymore.
* * *
After the waltz lesson, Dane took her on a tour of the mansion. As he gave the tour they chatted. Mostly about her. He seemed to steer the conversation away from her family and instead asked about her life, her hobbies, her friends. They rarely spoke about their personal lives, but all that had changed so quickly since last week.
As he started to lead her outside to the swimming pool, his mother appeared in the foyer.
Liliana cleared her throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but your father’s ready to discuss the contract.”
“You can go for a swim in the pool or to the beach, if you want.”
She stared at him, feeling silly that Dane was suggesting she disappear. This was a multi-billion-dollar company. If an employee wanted to discuss wages and contracts they had every right to be there, too. Yet why was she allowing—no, letting Dane suggest—that she leave? Maybe his mother wants to discuss a prenup? She nearly laughed out loud at that excuse. They weren’t even married!
“Yes, go and enjoy yourself, Allyson,” Liliana said, oblivious to the battle going on inside Dane’s head. “And don’t hesitate to ask the servants for anything.”
As Dane followed his mother upstairs, Allyson wondered why Liliana sounded so welcoming. She wanted to give his mother the benefit of the doubt, but suspicion nagged at her. Dane had told her to back off, so maybe she was trying to be nice.
There was no use fretting. Dane would defend her in the contract negotiations, and she had to trust that things would work out. Trust and hope that their lie wouldn’t backfire on them once they got what they wanted.
She decided to take a stroll on the beach to settle her nerves. The shoreline had been magical last night, and today it was absolutely lovely. As she made her way over the small sand dunes, the brilliant blue sky went on and on forever. The roar of the crashing waves invigorated her. That familiar salty scent was refreshing.
Whatever was going on between them, she couldn’t imagine getting used to a life like this. A life where everything beautiful was right at your fingertips. This wasn’t just some weekend seaside rental. The Prescotts owned this place. And, one day, Dane would inherit it. If pretending to date a man as wealthy as Dane was complicated, then actually dating him was going to be even more complicated. She was an ordinary woman. Didn’t have any money or connections. And while she understood that it didn’t matter to Dane, it would matter to his social circle. If his mother’s reaction was anything to go by, she would be walking through a minefield she had never prepared for.
Allyson strolled across the sand, lost in thought, until she heard Liliana calling her name. She looked across the sand dunes, to find Dane and his father sitting on some lounge chairs on the back deck, and Dane’s mother motioning for her to join them. The meeting must be over.
Apprehension gripped her as she made her way back to the mansion.
“Hello, Allyson,” Dane’s father greeted her warmly. “I haven’t seen you today.”
“Hello, Mr. Prescott,” Allyson replied.
“Please,” Dane’s father waved her off, “we’re family now. Call me Alfred.”
Guilt, cold and sharp, knifed through her stomach. The lies she and Dane told his parents hung over everything like a dark cloud. She didn’t know how she was ever going to face them after all this. Somehow, she doubted even a merger with the Handel Company could smooth things over. Because, even though they guarded their wealth and empire obsessively, it was obvious Alfred and Liliana loved their son. Would they see her as the interloping swindler who poisoned their son against them with her lies? Or would they turn their anger and disappointment on Dane? The former would hurt her deeply, but the latter seemed almost unbearable. Coming between Dane and his parents was the last thing she ever wanted to do. “All right,” she said stiffly.
Liliana turned her attention to Allyson, a glint in her blue eyes. “We’ve almost finalized the details of your contract. We’ll print it up and give it to you to look over this evening.”
“Thank you,” Allyson said. “I’m sorry you guys had to discuss it here this weekend.”
“Are you—?” Liliana started, but Dane cut her off.
“I think you’ll be satisfied with everything,” he informed her.
She should have felt relieved, but the guilt was too much. Bile rose in her throat at the thought of her betrayal.
Liliana tapped her hand lightly. “Allyson, why don’t you come help me a minute? In my office.”
“Mother, play nice,” Dane warned.
“Of course.” Liliana smiled, and beckoned to Allyson to follow her.
Anxiety gripped her. Another talk with Liliana was the last thing Allyson wanted. Reluctantly, she followed Dane’s mother into the mansion, to her home office.
The home office was elegantly decorated. The décor was pale blue, and fresh-cut lilies were set on low tables. It should have been inviting, but the office was so pristine that it left Allyson feeling cold. The music room had been warm and inviting, a glimpse into a hidden part of Liliana. This room was a façade. Nothing about it seemed lived in or used.
Liliana took a seat on a one-seater sofa, and motioned for Allyson to sit on the sofa across from her. Allyson sat down gingerly, terrified to wrinkle the sofa’s luxurious, pale
blue upholstery.
“I so love our little chats.” Liliana flashed a smile.
Allyson regarded her warily, wondering when Dane’s mother was going to stop with the phony niceties and strike. “What are we chatting about?”
“I’ve just been on the phone with the Handels,” Liliana replied.
Allyson groaned inwardly. Just thinking about the lies she would have to tell the Handels next week set her on edge. “I see.”
Liliana leaned forward. “I’d been fretting about how to explain your sudden nuptials, considering how fond poor Katherine Handel is of Dane. Really, it was quite a shock for her.”
She frowned. Surely Liliana didn’t suspect something. Her throat tightened. Was Liliana trying to confront her after discovering the truth? “I’m sure,” Allyson said blandly, trying not to give anything away.
“It’s been such a shock for all of us,” Liliana went on. “But during my phone call they informed me that they want to make the merger official at the gala. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Allyson swallowed hard. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Now that the merger was all but finalized she should have felt like a weight was off her. Instead, the fear of keeping her lies straight clawed at her. The merger had been one of the reasons to agree to do this. But now that it was staring her in the face, the pressure to keep up the charade was building and building. Tension knotted her shoulders. Sweat formed on her brow. “Yes, wonderful,” she finally managed to choke out.
“It seems your marriage to Dane has gone over quite well with John Handel,” Liliana said.
John Handel was the Vice President of Handel and Company. Allyson had spent the day with him last month when she and Dane had taken some Handel executives on a tour of New York City. He had been polite and jovial. Now it seemed her phony marriage to Dane had delighted Mr. Handel. The thought made her insides churn. “That’s great,” Allyson squeaked.
“If you had just been fucking Dane that would have been a scandal, and a real problem for us,” Liliana said.
Allyson almost choked at Liliana’s language, but Dane’s mother didn’t seem to notice as she rushed on. “But you two are married. Legally. And as disappointed as the Handels were, all’s forgiven because it looks like love has won them over.”
“So…now you don’t want me to break up with Dane?” Allyson asked, trying to figure out where Liliana was going with this. And still trying to forget the word Liliana had used: legally.
“Oh, dear, of course I still want you to divorce Dane,” Liliana said, her voice syrupy-sweet. “But I don’t want you to divorce him right away anymore. I think we can give it a year. You and Dane together could really do wonders for business, and the next year is crucial for Prescott Global. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. You really add that common touch that people seem to love.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you have your fun with Dane for the next year. And as a show of gratitude I’ll triple the offer I made yesterday.” Liliana rose from the sofa and walked over to her desk.
“Triple the offer?” Allyson stared in total disbelief. The original offer had been in the millions. Now Dane’s mother wanted to add even more to it? This was crazy. Never in all her life had Allyson know anyone so scheming and ruthless. Monica’s mind games were child’s play compared to this.
And yet, she found herself tempted by it. Not by the money, but by the chance to be by Dane’s side for a year. They wouldn’t have to meet in secret or fake things at work. Dating would be easier. She and Dane could explore their feelings out in the open while they put on a show for the world. Maybe it would actually progress to something more.
No. Lies were what had gotten her into this mess in the first place. There was no way they could pull off something like that for a year. The press would get wind of the truth, and their lies would be exposed. Keeping up a fake relationship for two weeks was one thing. But an entire year of lies was too much. No matter how deep her feelings for Dane.
Allyson watched in horror as Liliana reached into her desk drawer, pulled out a checkbook, and started scribbling. She tore out the check and handed it to her. What do I do now? Absently, she took the check with shaking hands and stared. All those zeroes. She’d never have to work again.
“There. I knew I could count on you.” Liliana snapped the pen lid closed and set it on the desk.
“This is insulting,” Allyson snapped.
Liliana rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake, girl, that’s more money than you’ll see in a lifetime. Show some gratitude. That’s one third for now. You’ll get the second third at the six-month mark, and then the rest of it when your divorce comes through next year.”
“I don’t want your money,” Allyson said flatly. “I know you think I don’t care about your son, but I do. Your behavior is appalling.”
“My behavior?” Liliana ground her teeth in irritation.
“I know you’re trying to protect Dane, but this isn’t the way to do it. Paying off people who care about him isn’t protection. It’s meddling and it’s cruel. You don’t have the right to make big decisions for him like this behind his back. You pick all those women for him that he isn’t even interested in. Now that he has a chance to be happy, you’re trying to sell him out.” She found herself shaking at the realization that she had essentially just told off one of her bosses. But even if Liliana fired her, she was glad she had said her piece. Dane deserved better than to be used and lied to.
Lied to him like she had done. She’d kept his mother’s original offer from him. That hadn’t been fair, and she could see that now. She had no intention of turning Dane against his mother, but he deserved to know the lengths his mother would go to. Telling him would protect him. If she didn’t tell him now his mother was just going to keep up with her antics, and that wasn’t healthy for any family. For all they knew, Liliana had done all sorts of things to keep Dane from being happy.
A knock on the office door stopped both women.
Dane stepped inside. “There’s a phone call for you. From the other side of the Atlantic.”
“Thank you, dear.” Liliana headed for the door. “I’ll be back to finish our talk, Allyson.”
Allyson stared at the woman’s back. How could someone like her have given birth to someone like Dane? She glanced over at him. Now she was trapped in a room with Dane. She wanted to tell him the truth, but not like this. Not here in the house. Better for him to be away from his mother, where he could process the awful truth. She didn’t want to drop that kind of bombshell with the chance that it would start a confrontation between mother and son.
“What were you two chatting about?” Dane raised an eyebrow as he stared at her.
She shrugged. “Oh, nothing. This and that.”
“You’re a lousy liar.” He frowned. “You look pale.”
“Lousy liar? We’re screwed if I am.” She rose to her feet, eager to get out of the claustrophobic room. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just business stuff.”
“Did she insult you again?”
“No, of course not,” she said dismissively.
Dane stared down at her shaking hands. “What’s that?”
Her mouth went dry. “Nothing.” She shifted and crumpled the check in her hand.
“You keep saying that. And yet, you’re shaking like a leaf.” He reached his hand out to her. “Let me see.”
Seeing no choice, she placed the thin paper in his hand. Her stomach knotted up.
His face hardened. The warmth in his eyes turned to ice. “Allyson, what the hell is this?”
She flinched at his harsh tone. “A check.”
“I know it’s a check,” he gritted out. “Why the hell is my mother giving you all this money?”
“Not here, Dane,” she begged. “Your parents will hear—”
“Let them,” he snapped. “I want to know why you’ve been having these out of the way talks with my mother. Have you been sch
eming with her this whole time?”
“No, of course not,” she said in a small voice. Her heart was in her throat. She ached for him. The betrayal. Even if she managed to talk him down, the fact that this had been going on behind his back would shatter whatever illusions he had.
“So, explain all this to me.” He crossed his arms. “What’s this payment for?”
There was no escape. No time to get out of this mansion and quietly explain. No time to prepare. She bit her lip, unsure of how to break all this to him. “Your mother promised to pay me if I divorce you.”
He said nothing. Silence filled the room, descending upon them like thunder. His body was rigid, a scowl on his face. Beneath the fury blazing in his eyes, Allyson saw something else. Pain. Hurt. Betrayal. He had vouched for his mother. Allyson remembered his words last night when they walked on the beach. She means well.
“Is that what she talked to you about last night?” he finally demanded.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you,” she replied. “I know how close you are to your parents. I know that lying about this relationship has been hard on you. I didn’t want to make all this more difficult for you. I know how hard it is to not get along with your parents. I don’t want that for you.”
“How could you do this? I trusted you.”
She hadn’t done anything—really. “I’m sorry I kept it from you,” she breathed. “I should’ve told you. I planned on telling you once we got back to New York…”
“I can’t believe a word you say,” he interrupted. “You were going to take the money, weren’t you?”