Page 96 of Valentine’s Billionaire Auction

“We care about him, Kaira. Even if he’s built up these walls, we see the man underneath. The one who is kind and generous, even if he hides it well. This party is the perfect way to show him that he’s not alone—that he has a family here, even if it’s not the traditional one he lost.”

This wasn’t just a party. This was a chance to show Roman how much he was loved and appreciated. By the time evening rolled around, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I retreated to the library with my new laptop and opened my manuscript, diving into the world I was creating. My fingers flew over the keys, the words pouring out of me faster than I could keep up.

Thank God for grammar checker.

I didn’t even hear Roman come in until he was standing behind me.

“Hey,” he said softly.

I turned in my chair, a smile spreading across my face. “Hey, yourself. I didn’t hear you come in. You’d make a great cat burglar. What time is it?”

Before I could say another word, he leaned down and kissed me. It was the kind of kiss that made my toes curl and my heart race. When he finally pulled back, his eyes were full of heat.

“How was your day?” he asked.

“Good. Even better now.”

“What have you been doing?”

“Oh, nothing,” I said with a sly smile. “I’ve been here all day. Waiting for you. Working. Writing.”

He kissed me again. “I’ve missed your lips since the moment I left this morning,” he murmured against my mouth.

I giggled breathlessly. “Hang on. Let me write that down. That’s a good line.”

He chuckled, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

“So I’ve been told,” I teased, my cheeks flushing.

“I’m going to make myself a drink, want something?”

“Please,” I said and closed my laptop. I left it in the library and followed him into what I was calling the lounge. It was basically another living room but it had a full bar in the corner. There were a few couches and chairs but no TV.

Roman went behind the bar. He pulled out two glasses and a bottle of scotch. “Do you want something specific or just something that isn’t scotch?”

“I’ll try the scotch,” I said, surprising myself. “When in Rome, right?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Pun intended?”

I grinned. “Maybe. Depends how adventurous you are.”

He poured two glasses, sliding one toward me. I took a tentative sip and immediately coughed. It burned going down, far more intense than any alcohol I was used to.

Roman chuckled, watching me with an amused expression. “Not quite what you were expecting?” he asked, taking a smooth sip from his own glass.

“It’s like drinking smoke and dirt,” I gasped, my eyes watering. “How do you drink this?”

“Practice,” he said with a smirk. “Want something sweeter?”

I shook my head, determined. “No, I can handle this.” I took another sip. It went down a little smoother. The gross taste was growing on me.

We moved to sit down, settling into comfortable silence.

I couldn’t help but marvel at how much had changed between us. When this all started, Roman had been an enigma—a cold, calculating man who saw me as little more than a means to an end. But now? Now he felt like so much more.

I glanced up at him, my heart swelling with a warmth I couldn’t ignore. Maybe I didn’t need book boyfriends anymore. Not when I had a fake fiancé who ticked every box.

Minus the fake part.