Page 156 of The Substitute Fiancée

“It feels so good to be inside you,” I confess to her as pleasure builds between us.

Sweat beads on my body but I don’t care. Our moans become incoherent. Pleasure builds more and more until it becomes almost unbearable, then we both tip over, seized by a violent orgasm. And as my hot seed spurts into her and her walls contract around me, I dream of one day seeing her belly round with my baby inside.

“I love you, Sam. I love you so fucking much.”

The tension in our bodies releases, and we slowly straighten.

Our breathing calms. When we finally pull apart, Sam turns toward me. Her hands frame my face, and she kisses me gently.

“I love you, Alexander,” she whispers. “I’ve never loved anyone but you.”

Just like that, my heart explodes.

After another shower, I carry her to bed.

I make love to her again, slowly, tenderly, taking all my time. Each caress is a promise. Each kiss, a silent declaration.

And as I watch her sleep, I know I made the right choice.

No matter what the world thinks.

No matter what the board of directors will say tomorrow.

She’s worth it.

*

The next morning, 7:23 a.m. My phone won’t stop vibrating. Messages. Notifications. Missed calls.

I grab it, still half-asleep, Sam curled against me in the rumpled sheets.

David. Three missed calls. Five messages.

My stomach tightens.

David: Check Twitter. Now.

David: We’ve got a problem.

David: Call me as soon as you’re awake.

I sit up abruptly. Sam stirs beside me, slowly opening her eyes.

“What’s going on?” she murmurs, her voice still heavy with sleep.

“I don’t know yet.”

I open Twitter. And my blood runs cold.

It starts with a single anonymous post that’s gone viral. A photo of me storming out of the meeting room, jaw tight, clearly in a hurry. Someone photographed me without my knowledge.

@TechGossipFR: “AlexanderDelaunay, CEO of MatchMapping, left a CRUCIAL board meeting to attend his girlfriend’s graduation presentation—artist Samantha Chevalier. Irresponsible or incredibly romantic? What do you think? #MatchMapping #Leadership”

The post already has 17,000 retweets. 41,000 likes. Hundreds of comments.

I scroll, nausea rising.

@InvestorWatch: “While MatchMapping loses 15% of its active users, its CEO prefers playing Prince Charming. Shareholders will appreciate that.”