Although, I wouldn’t mind pulling the cloth out from under Javier and ruining his entire charade. It would serve him rightfor denying Raina the divorce she’s asking for and essentially blackmailing her into helping him.
This whole thing is absurd, but I know I can’t be angry with anyone other than myself for the part I’m now playing in it…I’m the one who insisted on being her fake fiancé, and had I just gritted my teeth and let her get on that dating app, I’d happily be in my apartment right now, probably between the thighs of a leggy blonde.
Raina stays quiet for another fifteen minutes or so as she scrolls on her phone. My eyes stay on the road as the GPS takes us further into the countryside. The scenery is beautiful with wide stretches of green pastures and vineyards that lead us to what I’m told is the wine country of Spain.
“Well, your options are slim out here,” Raina concludes, dropping her phone into her lap. “Explore the town, enjoy a wine tour, or drive further into a neighboring city to find some more options. Ribera del Duero is a popular tourist destination, but mostly for its rich history and wine.”
“Wine sounds great,” I say through a clenched jaw, trying not to look over at her. Every time I do, my body ignites with a heady mixture of lust and irritation, and the way she looks today is doing nothing to help.
Her hair is swept back into a ponytail, but she’s kept the front pieces out, letting them frame her lightly made-up face. The brown sweater dress she’s wearing hugs her hips thanks to the black belt she’s paired with it, and her black leather boots sit on the tops of her thighs, giving me only a small gap of skin to admire on these back country roads.
“Tomorrow we should ride with the top down,” she muses, looking out the window.
“That sounds like a terrible idea. It’s cold. It’sNovember.”
“We can’t let the convertible go to waste, though.” She grins, and the sight is contagious.
Smiling, I shake my head. “You’re crazy.”
“Maybe,” she agrees.
When we finally make it to the Moreno property, I’m surprised to see an ostentatious mansion as we pull up to the gates. It’s nothing like the feeling the rest of the town gave off as we drove through it, and it’s the first time that it’s really sunk in how wealthy this family is.
Makes sense as to why he’s playing games.
Rolling my driver's side window down, the crisp air stings my cheek as I lean through the window and press the call button on the gate's security system. Moments later, we’re buzzed through.
“This isn’t at all what I expected,” I comment as we travel up the long driveway, inching closer to the mansion. “Especially with no prenup.”
“Me either. But we never discussed finances or wealth during our one-night stand,” she says with sarcasm. From my peripheral, I see Raina roll her eyes.
“Perhaps you should have.”
“Hmm, you’re right. Next time I get drunk, I’ll be sure to have a contract in my purse. I wonder if bringing it up before the clothes come off or right before we both pass out would be a better time.”
“Maybe not getting so drunk to where you can’t remember your own actions would be the better course of action.”
Raina snorts. “Oh, I’m so sorry,Dad. Maybe you’re right.”
My fingers grip the steering wheel tighter. “Unfortunately, RP, I don’t have a daddy kink, so your attempt at a dig doesn’t have the effect you’re probably hoping for.”
“Whatever,” she retorts like a disgruntled teenager, crossing her hands over her chest. “And that’s a really stupid nickname, for the record.”
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again.
Infuriating. Fucking. Woman.
It feels like an eternity has passed in flammable silence, and by the time I put the car in park, Javier’s opening Raina’s door.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s holding a match.
“Darling,” he greets. I don’t have to see his face to know there’s a smug smile painted across it. I can hear it in his tone. “How was the drive?”
“Long.” Raina unclasps the chain from her neck and makes a show of pulling my ring from her finger to switch it out with the one he gave her. She strings my ring on the platinum chain and fastens it back together before depositing it back in the confines of her dress. “I didn’t realize the hotel you booked for us was such a lengthy distance.”
Javier offers his hand, which she takes, and he assists her in getting out of the car. “There’s nowhere in Ribera del Duero worthy of your presence. You deserve the finest accommodations.”
Javier really lays it on thick and leans in to kiss her gently.
