: O

f the worst I've ever had. It's almost enou

mo

rowly escaped a man who turned out to be rich enough to rival literal royalty, sl

don't want t

the rug. My ragged blue dress still sits in a wrinkled heap where I left it, but now a fres

d dry my hair as best I can befor

for the

ssed in his ivory dress shirt and black slacks from last night. Now that

leep deprived, he's t

rt is wrinkled, it's clear he's heavily muscled underneath. He looks older than me, but not

oy–he's a man. The tho

voice nags, You're an i

t, but it comes b

learned nothing after last night? Locked in a hotel? No choice

ted to hurt me, he would have. I was incapacitated all night, but he didn't

r

eel-blue eyes flashin

e you f

s even. Un

I already cried on him this morn

ead h

s if he ex

ing up some medicine. Anyt

rrowed clothes, not

gs from my apartment.

k at

myself obeying without question. The e

ork, I need yo

sed to admit that I

e more than just a promis

al? O

lips. He points to the bed besi

ement, if that makes yo

ber, I still don

a Ambe

s. "Luca

out a dress and curtsy bef

ous, Miss Amb

eing s

k I see a sparkle o

o sign. Take as long as you need to read it

ing a real relationship and not a business arran

have the best reputation when it comes to romance. Some wi

g te

ust another reminder that

, he doesn't have the best reputation? H

y just met him. W

ily relocate you wherever you wish at the end of the summer provided my conditions are met.

voice sou

is sound

choice," I shrug, lower

k at

st his order and

s a m

lting my face so I'm forced to look at him. He's staring down a

low ne

esture, but I can't help feeling awkward at his

you'd rather relocate now, I can make that

st, though I'

d probably take their

is is the closest you'll ever

voice and f

s safer with

ly, then rel

eads down my neck. It's unlike the cold chill I normally feel when

an i

attend social events with me, and be seen with

ant to hurt m

tion dances b

't let

idn't have to help me last night. He didn't have to off

ou get out

ns. For a moment, he

my family has a certain stan

es

in expectations

e wh

He's clearly trying to imply something, but I'v

rri

aw d

h

h

ut my priorities," he continues, as if th

million alarm bells going off in t

le down. Preferably with he

that, it sound

m, at

I'll be a p

idea frustrates him. "You'll be m

that wo

rave. Maybe even excited. Terrified, definitely, but it's a sort

o I sign

me than you may be comfortable with. We'll need to be convincing. There may be time

fake-dating romances,

gret it. His expression is one of sho

is time there's a challenge behind h