by Dee Ellis
“Oh, bella, it is beautiful. It is your favorite?” Cocking my head as he tips the sketch back at me, I flush again and nod.
It’s a pear-shaped stone set in a rose-gold setting with a halo of tiny diamonds and paired with a floral cap on the wedding band. It’s just seven carats but I think it fills out the ring just right. And it’s exactly what I would want if I ever got a chance to say yes to someone.
“Yeah, it’s my favorite design. It’s not classic or modern it’s just kind of its own thing.” Slowly I smile because the ring design is not unlike me.
We share a look before I suddenly realize what’s happening. I am flirting with a potential client here to get an engagement ring for his bride. Snatching the book back, I twist away and shake myself. Dammit, I am such a fool. Always waiting for my, my happy-ever-after, my chick-flick moment.
“Rian,” Again he says my name as if he likes the way it tastes on his tongue, “It is like you then. You should have whatever you want, bella.” Rolling my eyes, I flip to a fresh page and twist back with a tight smile.
“Maybe someday. With the right person. Now, what do you think your bride might like?” Nothing about my question sounds like I give a shit about the answer.
Roman smiles at me and chuckles. It vibrates in his chest and I watch his throat work with the sound. Jesus, even laughing looks sexy on him. Clearing my throat, I dart a look at Erin, who is just gaping at us. Cue another eye roll. I start sketching a circle, expecting him to start describing what he came looking for.
“Oh, I am certain I know just what my bride wants.” Dark eyes seek mine out and I am lost in their warm depths.
His fingers trace up my arm now, as if he likes the way that crackle pops between us. Can’t say I hate it, myself. I do recognize it’s inappropriate. And as I watch it and something pops between my legs, it’s goes beyond even that. Still, he traces my arm, going over the floral tattoo spread over my skin.
“Lovely. Does it mean something to you?” It does, in fact, mean something to me but I’ve shared too much with this man already.
“It does. Now. Erin can help you with whatever you need.” I clear my throat and close my sketchbook, starting to back away.
Roman’s hand closes gently around my wrist and he tugs once. I tumble back against the glass display, my jaw going slack. Leaning close and bringing his spicy sweet scent into my lungs, he shakes his head. Wets his lips as his eyes skim over me slowly.
“I found exactly what I need, bella. Design something pretty an heiress might like, si? Not like your lovely design. Because it won’t be for someone so beautiful.” Frowning, I twist away from him and glance towards Erin.
“Erin will gladly assist you with whatever you need, Mr. Thorn. Erin, want to take care of him for me, please?” Gnawing at my cheek to bite back the stream of expletives I want to throw at the cocky prick, I push through the doors leading to our back offices.
Shaking as I slam my back against the door, I realize tears are streaming down my face. What the actual fuck? Crying over some rich dick flirting with me? How painfully pathetic. Brushing the tears away with an angry grunt, I cross to my desk and sit down.
Flipping open my design book, I gasp when I realize two things at once. One, at some point during his eye-fuck back there, Roman Thorn stole my favorite design. Two, written on the blank page I open to is a few words in swooping masculine handwriting.
A perfect proposal needs planning.
Please help a desperate man out. I will come back bella.
Did the man of my dreams just ask me to help him propose to the woman of his?
Chapter Four
Roman
It’s been less than twelve hours.
Twelve hours since I walked away from the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. Closing my eyes as I ride through the countryside to meet with Helena, I am on edge. Not looking forward to seeing the woman I promised to marry.
Because now, I have another woman in my thoughts.
In my very fucking soul.
All night I looked over the sketch I snuck out of her book. Imagining the intricate design on her ring finger as she promises me forever. After rushing out with a vow to her friend I’d be back, I didn’t go back to the office. I went home where I spent the rest of the night finding all I could about Rian Dexter.
Twenty-six and single, she’s as sweet and perfect as I thought. A stellar student during her years at Oak Ridge, she was active in her sorority and seems to be everyone’s best friend—if you believe her active social media—and she wasted no time setting up shop after graduating with an MBA.
Her shop’s been in trade papers, her designs raved about in elite press, and worn at lavish events. At weddings, she beams next to beautiful brides but outshines them all.
Today I meet with Helena to discuss our proposal and wedding. We have contracts to sign and rules to agree to. All things most arranged marriages handle before nuptials take place. Until yesterday, I was on board and had in mind to make the best of it for us both.
Now I plan to do everything I can to talk Helena out of it.
“Do you think it’s a wise choice?” Benny calls back with a backward glance in the rearview mirror.
“No, I don’t think it’s a wise choice. I think it’s my only choice.” Sighing, I shove my hands through my hair in frustration.
All night I dreamt of Rian. Of her full mouth wrapped around my cock while I fed off her sweet cunt. Her skin bare against mine as I pin her beneath me and fuck her pregnant. Those ocean blue eyes filled with pleasure as she came on my cock and told me she loved me.
Never in my life have I wanted something like I want Rian.
I am not a man used to going without what I want.
“Helena will not be pleased.” I laugh as Benny pulls up to the hotel Helena calls home when she’s on the East Coast.
“Helena is never pleased.” I wince as I say it—not untrue but unkind.
Making my way inside the hotel, I nod at the concierge before passing through to the veranda. Helena waits at a table, an empty martini glass beside her. Christ. It’s ten am. Noticing me headed her way, she sighs and stands, embracing me quickly and pecking my cheek.
“Morning husband-to-be. You look dapper today.” Glancing down at my usual suit, t-shirt, and sneakers, I smile politely.
“Thank you. You look lovely as always.” In a classic Chanel suit and silk top she looks like she’s worth a fortune—and she is.
With her dark hair pulled back tight, her face is long lines and elegant structure. Flawless, almost. But beneath too much make-up, I see how tired she seems. Suddenly I recall Rian’s lovely makeup-free face with its freckles and cute blemishes. How fresh and bright she seemed—how alive.
“I presume we have a wedding to discuss.” Helena bites the olives off the stem from her martini, seeming less than enthused.
“Actually, we might a lot more to discuss, Helena.” Her gray eyes go wide, and she twists towards me—ah, a spark of life does exist.
After we order lunch, our talk begins slowly. Neither of us believe our marriage is anything more than business. As friends, we planned to make the best of it—we had even joked once about taking one for the brand and sleeping together for an heir.
Everything is different now—and not just for me.
“I am in love, Roman. Daddy didn’t approve and you and both our fathers made it very clear this marriage was going to happen. Part of me expected you to back down since we don’t feel anything for each other. But since you are so dedicated to the brand....” Sighing, she empties her second martini; finally, I see how our arrangement’s worn her down.
“We do not have to go through with it.” I am a coward because I let her put her cards on the table first. “We thought—our fathers and I, that is—that it was the best choice for the brand and for us both. Truth is I met someone too. You are dear to me, Helena but... my vows would be lies if I said them to you.” Helena’s eyes go wider before she g
iggles loudly. Seconds later, I’m laughing too.
Just like that, our engagement is broken.
We enjoy lunch together, discussing the other people in our lives. I don’t share that I just met the woman in mine yesterday. It hardly matters. Helena offers sixty-five percent of the company for me to marry someone else. Anyone else, she teases.
“Whoever she is, don’t let her get away from you as easy as you let me, fratello.” Winking at me, she stands with a bright smile, her unease gone.
Standing too, I can’t help the foolish grin that takes over my face. No chance of that. We embrace quickly and decide to sit with our lawyers before the end of the week take care of all the details. As we break apart, something catches my attention behind her.
Rage clouds my vision a hazy red before I get control.
“See you later this week, darling. Got some business to attend to.” Planting a chaste kiss at her cheek, I leave her.
Seated with a man I discern is too old for her, Rian watches me. Our eyes lock and like yesterday everything else fades away. My broken engagement, the older man she sits with, the noise of the diners on the veranda. Just the two of us remain.
Rian flushes because she feels the weight of my gaze.
Surely, she senses how badly I want her—she must see it.
“Rian, you look lovely today.” I ignore her lunch date because he doesn’t matter to me. Nothing but her matters to me.
“Hello again Roman.” Slowly my eyes scan over hers—when our eyes meet again, I smirk because her eyes just returned from their own scan.
“May I join you?” Not waiting for her response—though it’s rude—I drag a chair out and sit beside her.
“Roman, I am with a client.” Breath picking up as I sit close to her, I smile at her then her client.
“I assumed as much, bella. We’re acquainted—I supply the wine at his hotels.” Precisely how I know he’s married with a mistress and has no business sitting with my lady.
“Something I can do for you, Roman?” Twisting to face me, her eyes sparkle a little as we focus on one another.
“Absolutely, bella. Got a wedding to plan.” Her eyes narrow before flicking past me to where I just left Helena.
Dressed in an elegant pink sundress, she positively glows. Her slender shoulders and neck are bare, and I have the urge to see my marks at her skin. Beside us, her client seems to realize I’m staking a claim. Good. He should recognize she’s mine, and he has zero chance.
“Your lovely bride? Lucky man.” I adore that she seems jealous.
Reaching out I cup her jaw to tip her eyes back to me. I want them on me only. My thumb traces her full mouth before I sigh raggedly.
“Yes, I am a lucky man, Rian.” Breath panting, her skin flushes and I can feel the heat of her body as it twists into mine.
Unable to deny us, I reach a hand beneath the table to drop it at her thigh. We both react the moment my fingertips press into her bare skin. Beneath the filmy cotton of her dress, I make out the budding of her nipples. I growl out a sound and cut a look at the other man who is already out of his seat and offering apologies.
“Wait what? Why...” Rian frowns before my fingers slide higher on her thigh, my head dipping to brush my mouth over her ear.
“Your client,” I say the word harshly before my tongue traces her ear, “Realized his mistake in looking at something that does not belong to him.” As she shudders, my mouth presses beneath her ear and I lick the thrumming pulse in her neck.
“Stop it. Who do you think you are?” Smiling against her skin, I move my hand higher, closer to the heat between her legs.
“A groom looking forward to his wedding day.” Husking the words into her neck, I breathe deep the scent I want to drown in.
“You have no shame.” Chuckling darkly, I dip my head to lock gazes with her.
“No, bella, I do not.” Rian softens beneath my gaze before she seems to rein herself in. I prefer her soft and wild, but I respect her for not giving in to a man she thinks is marrying someone else.
Before I can explain why I am shameless about what she makes me feel, she breaks away. I let her go because I don’t want to push. Not yet at least.
Soon she won’t be able to get away from me—I will bind her to me in every fucking way I can.
Chapter Five
Rian
Fresh batteries for my battery-operated-boyfriend are the least of my worries.
Although I put the guy to work the past few days, so he does need some fresh juice. Seems since Roman Thorn walked into my life, I realized how unsatisfied my lady business is. Or rather, he brought my lady business back into business—and I’ve done my best to handle it without hiring out for extra help.
Walking away from him two days ago after he touched me was nearly impossible. We were at a hotel, he was looking at me with fuck-me eyes, and I was so achy and hot for him it was pathetic. But it was pathetic because I saw him with his fiancé at that hotel.
Beautiful and classy she looks like a million dollars and I bet she’s worth as much too. Stunning and stylish she’s exactly who I’d expect someone like Roman to fall in love with. Basically, the exact opposite of me.
“Stop it right now.” Erin insists before cutting the music off.
“What? What am I doing?” All I am doing is sketching a statement necklace a client requested for a red-carpet event.
“Self-hate. Your brows dip in when you’re tearing yourself down.” Snorting at her accurate but unwelcome assessment of my moment of self-depreciation, I shoot her a look.
“Doing no such thing. No reason to, Rin-Tin-Tin.” I shoot her a look to drop it. But she’s waiting with her own look and I know I’m not going to like what she has to say.
“He scheduled a private design meeting. With you. Tonight. Paid a fortune to set it up—enough to cover rent for three months, Rian.” I slam my pencil down and curse as the soft charcoal breaks.
“Erin! Seriously? Your level of betrayal right now is just...” I slash my hand through the air far above my head, letting her see how deep she’s cut me.
All I get is an eye roll and a snort of a laugh. Returning to my sketch, my hands shake. I don’t want to be alone with Roman as badly as I want him all to myself. It’s weak and pathetic to lust for a man I met while he came to choose an engagement ring for his bride.
Jesus Christ who am I?
After Erin leaves for the day—with a good luck and a go get’em girl—I still wonder this. Since we met, he’s all I can think of. Even though he’s here to get a ring for another woman. After the other day at the hotel, I got lost down a dark hole of information about Roman Thorn.
Heir to a winery empire he lives his life below the radar. Seems his bride-to-be lives up the lifestyle—her flawless face is everywhere—but it was harder to learn much about him. I put in the work though. I know he likes to fly his own plane, likes the outdoors, and loves to travel the world. Basically, he’s everything my dream man would be.
“Bella.” I shudder when I hear his voice humming behind me. Slamming my laptop shut—where I was stalking his social media because I am a glutton for punishment—I twist to greet him with a tight smile.
Christ was he this beautiful last time I saw him?
In a dark suit with a white t-shirt that fits to his muscled chest and defined abs, bright white sneakers and a sexy smile, he’s a vision of sexy perfection. Of engaged sexy perfection, I remind myself.
“Hello Mr. Thorn. Take a seat; I will be with you in a moment.” Gathering my sketches, I round the counter to join him.
Seated at the design table in the corner of our small space, he stands when I approach. Towering over me, his dark eyes slide over me slowly. Appreciatively. I flush beneath his gaze, pleased he likes how I look. I realize it’s foolish, but I like the way he looks at me.
“You look stunning today,” He places a hand at my back, and I jump from the contact, “Been too long since I saw you last.” I sit beside him at one
of the curved benches, setting my designs between us.
“Saw me two days ago, Mr. Thorn. How is your fiancé?” I narrow a glare at him when he moves in close, our knees touching.
“Fine, I hope. Call me Roman, bella. Mr. Thorn was my father and I am nothing like my father, I assure you. You look so lovely in pink. It is most definitely your color.” Reaching out, he brushes the back of his fingers across my cheek and I lean into the touch.
Although I know better, I indulge in his closeness. I breathe deep his spicy sweet scent as I turn my body into his. As if I’m drawn to him from somewhere deep inside me I don’t control. Roman lets out a soft sound much like the growl he made days ago, and I realize I am pressed into his side, my body against his.
“Rian,” His voice is deep and rough as his words breathe hot against my mouth, “So much I need to tell you, bella. My engagement is not like most.” His thumb passes over my lips and I hear my moan before I snap out of it as horror washes over me.
“Stop it. I won’t help a man like you.” I start to twist away, embarrassed and anguished as tears flood my eyes. What the hell?
“I am a good man. I will prove it to you. When I get near you, I lose myself. I can barely breathe bella. Let alone tell you all the things I need you to know. You enchant me. I want you so badly I ache.” Taking my hand from where it claws at my thigh, he moves it to his lap. I gasp when he strokes himself with my hand, the thick, long, hard length beneath his slacks jerking to my touch.
“A good man? Good enough to tell me you want me when we’re here to design your bride’s ring?” I don’t stop touching him though. I let him run our laced hands over his cock, my thighs trembling.
“Had to see you. Had to be alone with you, Rian. My engagement needs a ring like a champion needs a trophy. It means nothing. Not to me or to her. We promised our fathers. I keep my promises. Before you...” Shifting my eyes to his, I gasp to see the startling look of need in his dark eyes. It echoes mine; I have no doubt.