Jennifer Faye - The Greek's Ready-Made Wife

The wispy feel of his hot breath on her neck sent a wave of goose bumps cascading down her arms. “I...I am. It’s magical.”

“Good. It’s not over yet.”

This evening had been so romantic that she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d almost gotten caught up in the show. Would he kiss her again? Her gaze shifted to his most tempting lips. Did she want him to?

He extended his arm to her and she accepted the gesture. Before they exited the restaurant, she glanced back at the table to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. “What about the cupcake?”

“It’ll be delivered to our suite along with another bottle of champagne.” He turned to the waiter to make the arrangements.

Our suite. It sounded so strange. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being intimately linked with Cristo—even if it was all a show.

On their way to the elevator, people stopped to congratulate them. Kyra smiled and thanked them, but inside she felt like such a fraud. A liar. Once again her life had become full of lies and innuendos, but this time instead of being a casual observer of her mother’s charade, Kyra was the prime star. She didn’t like it...but then again, she glanced at Cristo, there were some wonderful benefits. Not that she was confusing fiction with fact, but there was this tiny moment of what-if that came over her.

Once inside the elevator, it was just the two of them. He pressed the button for the top floor and swiped his keycard. She knew this was the end of her fairy-tale evening. She needed to get control of her meandering thoughts. It’d help if he wasn’t touching her, making her pulse do frantic things. When she tried to withdraw her hand, he placed his other hand over hers.

What in the world?

She turned a questioning glance his way only to find desire reflected in his eyes. Her heart slammed into her chest. Had he forgotten the show was over? They were alone now. But he continued to gaze deep into her eyes, turning her knees to gelatin.

Was it possible he intended to follow up that kiss in the restaurant with another one? Blood pounded in her ears. Was it wrong that she wanted him to do it—to press his mouth to hers? The breath caught in her lungs. She tilted her chin higher. Do it. I dare you.

He turned and faced forward. Wait. What happened? Had she misread him? She inwardly groaned. This arrangement was going to be so much harder than she ever imagined.

The elevator doors slid open. Another couple waited outside. The young woman was wrapped in her lover’s arms. They were kissing and oblivious to everything around them. Caught up in their own world, the elevator doors closed without them noticing. Now, that was love.

It definitely wasn’t what had been going on between her and Cristo. That had been—what—lust? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it wasn’t real. And now it was over.

Cristo grew increasingly quiet as he escorted her to their suite. He opened the door for her—forever the gentleman. It’d be so much easier to keep her distance from him if he’d just act like one of the self-centered, self-important jerks that her mother insisted on setting her up with because they had a little bit of money and prestige. Her mother never understood those things weren’t important to Kyra.

She stopped next to one of the couches and turned back to him. “Thank you for such a wonderful evening.” Before she forgot, she slipped the diamond ring from her finger and held it out to him. “Here. You’d better take this. I don’t want anything to happen to it.”

He shook his head. “No. It’s yours.”

“But I can’t keep it. It’s much too valuable.” And held far too many innuendos of love and forever. Things that didn’t apply to them.

Cristo frowned. “Now, how would it look if my fiancée went around without a ring on her finger?”

“You’re serious? You really want me to wear this? What if something happens to it?”

“Yes, I’m serious. And nothing will happen to it. Besides, I like the way it looks on your hand.” He slipped his phone from his pocket and started to flip through messages. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some business to attend to.”

“Now? But it’s getting late.”

His forehead wrinkled as though he was already deep in thought. “It’s never too late for work.”

And just like that, her carriage turned back into a pumpkin—her prince was more interested in his phone than in her. She felt so foolish for getting caught up in the illusion. Why did she think he’d be any different from the other guys in suits that she’d dated?

“No problem. I’ll just go to my room.”

There was a knock at the door.

Cristo moved to the door and swung it open. “You’re just in time. We were getting thirsty.” He turned to her with a warm smile. “Darling, dessert is here. Why don’t you go get comfortable and I’ll bring it in.”

A server rolled in a cart with a cupcake tree and a bottle of bubbly on ice. The man sent her a big smile as though he knew what she would be up to that evening. Wouldn’t he be surprised to know that she was going to bed alone?

Kyra was more than happy to head toward the bedroom. Her strides were short but quick. The evening’s show had left her emotionally and physically drained. All she wanted to do now was slip into something comfortable and curl up in bed.

“Kyra, you can come back.” Cristo turned to her. “Would you like me to open the wine for you?”

She didn’t want to return to the living room. And she certainly didn’t need any more bubbly. She needed time to sort her thoughts. But on second thought, it was better she went to him rather than having him seek her out.

Reluctantly she strolled back into the living room. “I think I’ll turn in early tonight.”

“It’s probably a good idea. You have a lot to do tomorrow. Good night.” He moved to the study just off the living room and pushed the door closed behind him.

How could he turn the charm off and on so casually?

With a sigh, Kyra headed for her bedroom, which was situated across the hall from his. This hotel suite was quite spacious, resembling a penthouse apartment. She should really snap some pictures to show her mother, but Kyra’s heart just wasn’t in it. Maybe tomorrow.

Her phone chimed with a new message. Still in her fancy dress, she flounced down on the bed with her phone in hand.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): Don’t keep me hanging. How’d the date go???

Kyra stared at the glowing screen, wondering what in the world to tell her friend. That the night was amazing, magical, romantic...or the truth, it was a mistake. Plain and simple. She shouldn’t have agreed to this arrangement. She wasn’t an actress. It was just too hard putting on a show. And worst of all, she was getting caught up in her own performance.

Still, she had to respond to Sofia. Her mind raced while her fingers hovered over the screen.

Mop&Glow007 (Kyra): It was nice.

Immediately a message pinged back as though Sofia had been sitting there waiting to hear a detailed report.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): Nice? Was it that bad?

Mop&Glow007 (Kyra): It was better than nice.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): That’s more like. Now spill.

Mop&Glow007 (Kyra): I wore the most amazing dress. We dined downstairs in the High Tide Restaurant.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): Good start. So why are you messaging me?

Mop&Glow007 (Kyra): Why not? You messaged me first.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): And I’m not with a hot guy.

Mop&Glow007 (Kyra): Neither am I.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): You mean the evening is over already?

Mop&Glow007 (Kyra): He’s working.

MaidintheShade347 (Sofia): What did you do wrong?

Her? Why did she have to do something wrong? It’s not as if they had gone out tonight with romance in mind. The night ended just the way she expected—though she really had thought at some point over dinner that he was truly into her. The man had given an Oscar-winning performance.