“How in the world would she need your help?”

  Bridgette never told Maggie about the trouble she’s in. I can’t believe it. I thought that they were close enough to tell each other anything, so the fact that Maggie doesn’t know the truth about Bridgette running is a shock to me.

  I wonder if Bridgette is even her real name.

  “I told her that I’d give her plenty of money if she went along with this. I know that she could use it, don’t you think?”

  She’s silent for a moment and I wonder if we’ve been cut off.

  “Okay. Fine. I’m going to talk to her later today and see exactly where she stands on all of this, so don’t try to sweet-talk her into anything else. Hell, you already got a ring on her finger, so I don’t know what other crazy thing you could do. Sleep with her, I guess.”

  Oh, if only she knew.

  “So,” she continues, “I’ll keep quiet about this and pretend like you two really love each other but only if she wants me to, you got it? I’m on her side here. She’s been there for me for a lot longer than you have.”

  I try to ignore the pit of uneasiness that’s growing in my stomach. She’s right. I know that she’s right, but I was off building something in Europe.

  I don’t think that I can explain that to her in a way that will keep her from hating me, though.

  “Thanks, Maggie. I’ll be careful with her, I promise. I know that she’s special.”

  She sighs. “Tell her that I’ll call her in a bit. We have a couples massage and hot spa coming up here in a few minutes.”

  “Enjoy your honeymoon. And thanks, again.”

  She doesn’t answer and instead just hangs up the phone.

  I stare at my phone in my hand for a few minutes. I’m not used to people hanging up on me. Then again, I’m not used to people telling me what I can and can not have.

  As much as I like my sister and want to respect her, I want Bridgette more. I’ve wanted her since I first saw her and I’ll do anything to keep her safe.

  But will I go so far as to actually marry her? The thought of being tied down with someone for the rest of my life is terrifying.

  Before I can give it much thought, though, there’s a soft knock on the door. When I open it, Bridgette is standing there with two mugs of tea.

  “Thought you’d like something to drink. It’s been a long day.”

  “I do want something,” I tell her, allowing my eyes to rake over her body. “But it’s not tea. Come on, let’s go somewhere.”

  She looks surprised, but she follows me willingly enough down the hall to the kitchen, where I grab my keys and she drops off her cups.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Is there anyone you can call to run the bakery tomorrow?”

  Her eyes widen. “Not a chance. Maggie would kill me, and you know that.”

  “Fine. Then we’ll stay in town.” I had wanted to get her in a car and take her as far away from here as possible. Away from Victoria. Away from Ivan. But if she won’t go with me then I just have to change my plans.

  That doesn’t mean that I have to be cooped up in her apartment all afternoon. After all, we’re supposed to be engaged and in love.

  I’ve never been engaged or in love, but I know how to show a girl a good time, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

  Bridgette

  “So where are we going? And did you talk to Maggie? How did it go?” Alex looks at me while I ask him questions, and I feel a flush run over my body. He has the same expression on his face as he did when he first saw me naked.

  Like he could eat me up.

  But this is supposed to be fake, right?

  We’re walking down the street and he pulls me close to him, pressing me up against his side while I talk. At first I feel a thrill in my heart, but then I remember that it’s because we’re supposed to be engaged.

  People would wonder why we were walking four feet apart if we weren’t even touching while walking down the street.

  Even though I know that, I can’t help but enjoy how it feels to be pressed up against him. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to be next to him all the time.

  That’s a dangerous line of thinking.

  “We’re going out for dinner and drinks. And yes, Maggie is fine. She’s not thrilled, but I told her that I would handle you with kid gloves.”

  I’m not sure what that means, but I’m pretty sure that he didn’t have kid gloves on when we were in bed earlier. I make a mental note not to let it slip to Maggie that I slept with her brother.

  And that I liked it.

  “If we were going to leave town, where would we go?”

  He pauses before answering, and I wonder if I’ve made him uncomfortable. “I have a cabin a few hours away. I thought that we could escape town and go there for a bit if we needed a break from…this.” He swings his arm out to show me the town.

  I get it. I’ve loved living here since I got here, but now that Ivan is here and so is Victoria, things have gotten…complicated.

  Yeah. Complicated.

  Like my feelings for Alex.

  Like right now I want to rip all of his clothes off and mount him on the sidewalk, and at the same time I just want to take his money and get him out of my life forever.

  But I can’t have it both ways.

  “Wait. You own a cabin nearby?”

  “I just bought it a few days ago. Right after the wedding, actually.”

  “So, you haven’t even seen it yet? You just bought a cabin, sight-unseen? What the hell for?”

  At first, I don’t think that he’s going to answer me. He looks at me with a dark stare that cuts right through me, and I shiver.

  “Because it’s always nice to have your own place around.”

  “You didn’t buy anything in town,” I point out.

  He shakes his head. “I bought it after the wedding. Just in case I wanted to take someone there.”

  Oh. Now I feel foolish.

  “Wait. How much money do you have that you can just buy a cabin? I want to see a picture of it. Hell, I want to go.”

  He turns to me, a smile playing on his lips. “You made it pretty clear that if we closed the bakery for one day that Maggie would kill you.”

  I hesitate. He’s right, and I know that, but my curiosity is getting the better of me, like it always does. “I know, but I want to see it.”

  He smirks. “That’s what all the girls say.”

  “Whatever. You don’t want to show me your cabin, then don’t. I’m fine either way. I mean, c’mon, how impressive can a cabin be?”

  He shrugs, but I have a feeling that I’m getting under his skin, so I continue.

  “Once you’ve seen a cabin, you’ve seen them all, you know? Just like with other things.” I pointedly look at his crotch.

  “Oh, now you’ve done it,” he says, stepping forward and grabbing me by the waist. He pulls me to him, our bodies pressed up against each other in the middle of the sidewalk like we’re the only ones around. “Don’t even think that you can compare me to other men. I know that I’ve ruined them for you now.”

  He’s breathing heavily and I can feel his cock stir in his pants. I know that I shouldn’t, but I press myself into him a bit more.

  Two can play this game.

  “Now I’ve done what?” Our faces are so close to each other that we could easily kiss without much effort. I kissed him first the last time. I don’t need to do it again.

  But I want to.

  God, I hate him, but I want him.

  “You’re driving me crazy,” he whispers, leaning farther in. His lips almost graze mine, but then he pulls back, leaving me gasping for air.

  Abruptly he turns on the sidewalk, pulling me with him. We’re headed back in the direction of my apartment, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

  “What in the world are we doing now?” I struggle to keep up with him and yank on his hand so that he’ll slow down.

  “I’m proving to you that not all cabins are the same. We’re going to Maine.”

  “Wait.” I pull hard on him and he drops my hand. “You didn’t say anything about your cabin being in Maine.”

  He shrugs. “I don’t have to tell you everything, Bridge.”

  “What about the bakery?”

  He sighs and pulls out his phone before pressing a button. Whoever he calls picks up on the first ring.

  “James. I need you to take care of the bakery for me while we’re gone for a few days.” He pauses and my jaw drops open. “At least two, yeah, maybe longer, depending on how things are going. You always know how to find the right people for the job, and this is no different.”

  When I open my mouth to interrupt, he lifts a finger holds it in front of me.

  How dare he.

  “Sounds good. We’ll also need a car, so have someone come by her apartment. I’ll give you the keys when you get here.”

  He hangs up and reaches for my hand. “Now, fiancée, it’s time for us to pack and go to Maine. I have someone taking care of the bakery for us. James is the best at what he does and is always there for me.”

  “You’re kidding me. How much money do you have? Really?”

  “More than enough. Now, are you going to check out my new cabin with me or am I going by myself?”

  For a moment, I consider telling him to go to his stupid cabin by himself, but I know that I won’t. I’m too curious. I’m also spoiled after one afternoon in bed with him.

  “Let’s go.” I grab his hand and start walking towards my apartment, trying to look more confident than I feel.

  In truth, though, I’m scared.

  How in the world am I supposed to keep from falling in love with this man when he doesn’t always act like a jerk?

  How am I supposed to be okay with a fake engagement when I think I may actually like him?

  And how am I going to explain all of this to Maggie?

  Chapter 9

  Alex

  I’m pretty sure that Bridgette has never been in a limo before. Her eyes grow wide when the car pulls up to her tiny apartment and the driver gets out and carries our bags to the trunk.

  “Are you kidding me right now?” She’s stretched out on the seat across from me as we drive out of town and has just discovered all of the snacks I keep in my limos.

  “You can eat whatever you want,” I tell her, leaning over and grabbing a piece of chocolate. “And there’s wine in the cooler there.” I point and she rolls her eyes.

  “No, there’s not. You can’t drink on the road,” she says, but she opens the door anyway. I have it stocked not only with wine, but some beer, water, and soda.

  “You can in the back of the limo. Hand me a water, will you?”

  She tosses me one and grabs herself a coke.

  “So, tell me again who you trust enough to run the bakery? Because I still think that Maggie is going to kill me when she gets home.”

  “She may very well kill both of us,” I agree. “But I think that it’s worth the risk to get to spend some time with you.” I pause, but she doesn’t really react. “The man is Peter. I trust him to run my company for me in my absence. He has a great team and they’re always willing to come in and do what’s necessary.”

  “But what about doing the actual baking? Running a company and making great croissants are two totally different things.” She’s sitting up now and looks concerned.

  “True. But they’re flying someone in from France. He’ll take care of it.”

  She sputters on a sip of her coke.

  “You’re flying in a baker? Are you serious right now? How much does that even cost?”

  I shrug. Honestly, I have no idea how much it costs. I don’t like to worry myself with that type of mundane information, not when I have staff who can do it for me.

  I’d rather be spending time with Bridgette than worrying about how to run the bakery.

  “I can’t believe you. You buy a cabin without seeing it, rent limos to take a road trip, and fly in bakers when you don’t want to work. Who are you, really?”

  Before I can answer, she continues.

  “Oh, and you’re being blackmailed into marrying Victoria. You have a weird life, man.”

  I don’t want to get mad with her because I know that she’s right, but I can’t help the flare of anger that I feel burst inside of me. She’s gorgeous and sprawled back on the seat. I want to be kissing her, not arguing with her.

  “I’m not the one who was lost in a hand of poker, remember?”

  Her eyes flare and she sits up, pointing her drink at me to make a point.

  “That. Wasn’t. My. Fault.”

  “Sure, but it was your brother’s fault, wasn’t it? So, what does that tell you about your family?”

  I’m going too far, and I know it, but I don’t want to stop.

  “It tells me that both Maggie and I have shitheads for brothers. You happy?”

  She crosses her arms across her chest and I have to tear my eyes away from her tits to look at her. She’s seriously angry. I’ve gone too far.

  “Bridgette, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have. Let’s just get out of town and see your cabin. We can decide if we want to stay then, okay?”

  “We need to stay,” I tell her. “We need this engagement to look real, okay? You told me that you’d help me, and I transferred the money to your account, so I really need you to pretend that you’re in love with me.”

  “I don’t even like you.”

  Her words tear through me at first, but then I pull it together.

  Fine. She may not like me now, but she will.

  I want her to want me.

  I want her to need me to breathe.

  But at the same time, I don’t want to be tied down and actually have to marry her. That’s no better than having to marry Victoria.

  I need to claim her. I need to keep other men from looking at her.

  But when the time comes to keep her, I don’t know what I’ll do.

  Bridgette

  We’re silent for most of the rest of the ride, which would be awkward except we’re in a limo. I just keep pretending that I’m famous and he’s my security detail.

  With his gorgeous tattoos and hard body, it’s not much of a stretch for me to imagine.

  The only problem is that most celebrities probably don’t want to sleep with their security detail.

  I do.

  “We’re almost here.” Alex leans forward and points behind me, so I turn around so that I can look through the window.

  “I thought that you said this place was a cabin.” What I’m looking at is most certainly not a cabin. It’s a towering building that is right on the edge of the ocean. We’re winding around a high cliff with huge sharp rocks on one side of the road. Ocean spray keeps hitting the windows of the limo as the tide crashes into them.

  The driveway is long and winding, but from down here I can see where we’re going. The house, or cabin, is huge. I can already see a large front porch, sprawling gardens leading away from the building, and that it has multiple floors.

  It’s the biggest individual residence that I’ve ever seen.

  “Well, it’s kinda like a cabin, right? One family, on the beach, secluded. I thought that it fit the definition fairly well.”

  I turn to look at him and raise my eyebrows. “You and I have different definitions of a cabin. I was thinking something…smaller.” I make a box with my hands. “Possibly with running water, but maybe with an outhouse. That’s what a cabin is to me. This…this is a mansion disguised as a cabin.”

  “You like it?”

  I’m looking back out the window when he speaks, but I turn around so I can look at him. There’s something in his voice that takes me by surprise. Hope, I think.

  He sounds hopeful that I’ll like it.

  “It’s really big. Is your house in Europe this big?”

  “Some of them are.”

  “I’m sorry. Did you say that some of them are? Exactly how many houses do you own?”

  He shrugs. “A few. In different countries. I like having places to stay so that I don’t have to worry about a hotel.”

  I have to remember to close my jaw, but before I can say anything else, we pull up to the front of the cabin. The driver is at my door before I can reach the handle and helps me out. Alex stands next to me, snaking his arm around my waist.

  “What do you think? Tell me for real.”

  It’s absolutely gorgeous, but I’m not sure how to tell him that. In fact, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a house as beautiful as this one. There are huge columns, a wrap-around porch that is to die for, and the whole thing is painted a creamy white.

  It’s basically my dream house, but he had no way of knowing that. Right?

  “It’s okay.”

  He laughs. “Oh, Bridge, you and I both know that this is better than just okay. Let’s go check it out. I do know from the listing that one of the wings doesn’t have heat or ac, so we’ll want to sleep in a comfortable room.

  It barely registers what he’s said about us sleeping in a comfortable room. Singular, not plural, but I’m too busy staring at the house to really listen to him.

  “I bet it has a great kitchen,” I tell him, walking up the steps.

  He follows, taking my hand and stopping me before I can go inside.

  “Don’t you think that I should carry the bride-to-be over the threshold?”

  “Aren’t you taking this a little far?” I ask, but I don’t stop him when he bends to scoop me into his arms. “Nobody is here to see whether or not we act like we’re engaged.”

  “No,” he says, thoughtfully, “but we may as well get to know each other. We need to pretend, and your acting skills need brushing up.”

  “Hey. I’ll have you know that I wasn’t acting earlier.”

  Immediately, I blush. I don’t know why I said that, but now he knows for a fact that he was able to make me come and that I wasn’t faking.

  “I never doubted it. Now, Future Mrs. Ward, shall we check out the Maine cabin?”

  I adopt the snootiest voice that I can. “If we must, Alexander. Although I don’t know that it comes anywhere near the house that we have in Paris.”

 

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