AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ALYONA
Goddamn,I hate running. It’s not a good sign when I voluntarily get on a treadmill and pound the pavement so to speak, trying to outrun my twisting thoughts. Beads of sweat travel down my body, pooling under my sports bra, but no matter how high I crank up the speed, my thoughts flit back to the one place I wish they wouldn’t.
The fact that Leo spanked me. And I liked it. No, I loved it. I thought hate fucking his face was as good as it gets. Turns out the raw energy of being tipped over his knee and punished was way beyond anything I’d experienced before.
There must be something wrong with me. I went from furious at Leo to wet and needy in, oh, five seconds flat. I’m still trying to digest it all. Leo’s jealousy. My own petty games, taunting Leo about my nonexistent attraction to Jack. The butterfly tattoo flitting above his heart, which may or may not mean a thing. All the feminism abandoning my body when he threw me over his knee, only to send me soaring like a firework.
Screw it. I slam the red button on the treadmill, coming to an abrupt stop. After guzzling water, I towel off and head back to my stateroom. Well technically,ourstateroom. Thank the gods he knows better than to make regular appearances. Other than last night, he’s slept in his office, only coming in for showers and to get his clothes.
As I enter back into the room, I notice a nondescript package lying on the bed. I tear it open, and pull out a cell phone. Although it’s not mine, there’s a little note stuck to the front.
I’ve set up a secure line. Expect a video call from Kira soon.
The note is not signed, but it’s clearly from Leo. No mention of what happened earlier. But really, what is there to say? Anyhow, I’m too excited about being allowed contact with the outside world to complain.
I take a seat in the elegant armchair by the window. I only have to wait a few minutes before the video call rings and Kira’s face comes into view.
“Look at you!” Kira’s sweet smile brightens the entire screen, coaxing tears to my eyes. It feels like a lifetime ago since I last spoke to my friend, before my life spiraled into chaos. I hadn’t fully grasped how lonely I feel, being so far removed from everyone and everything familiar. Yet seeing her now brings all my swirling emotions into sharp focus.
“Georgia, get your butt over here,” Kira bellows over her shoulder at her sister-in-law and my friend. “You need to see how… glow-y Alyona looks.”
What!? I glance in the dresser mirror. I am looking rather flushed, and I dunno, dewy, but it must be from the workout. Or maybe time spent in the sun.
“How are you? I’ve missed you both so much,” I exclaim when Georgia’s face comes into focus, her head pressed against Kira’s in a contrast in colors. Georgia’s raven hair to Kira’s honey-blonde locks.
“We miss you, too!” Georgia croons. “Are you okay? Seriously, Aly, what is going on?”
I bite my nails, a terrible habit I dropped long ago, except when I’m stressed. Like really stressed. “I don’t even know. It’s been a crazy week.”
“Of course, you were nearly abducted!” Kira cries. “Although kudos to you for unaliving that mudak who came after you.”
A shiver blasts down my spine. “I’m still processing the trauma of that day, but honestly, there’s so much else happening, my mind can barely keep up.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Georgia frowns. “I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been. I hope you can at least relax now that you’re safe on the yacht.”
I blow out an exaggerated breath. Fuck, if she only knew. “I guess. It’s a bit messed up having to pose as Leo’s fiancée and all.”
My two friends exchange a look. Georgia’s eyebrows press together. “Sorry, what did you say?”
I shift in my seat. It almost sounds more ridiculous when I say it out loud. “It’s part of our cover with the yacht’s crew. We’re posing as a rich, newly engaged couple.” I hold up my finger with the sparkler to the camera so they can both take in the lengths that Leo is going in order to sell our story.
Kira’s jaw drops. “Whoa. That ring is serious business. Is it real?”
I gulp. “Yes.”
Beside Kira, Georgia looks like she’s fighting a smile. “So, what’s all included in this fake engagement? Hand holding? PDA? Hot al-fresco sex in the Mediterranean sun?”
My face glows with embarrassment. I didn’t plan on telling my friends the details of what’s going on between us, but I’m afraid my face says it all.
Kira elbows her sister-in-law with a frown. “What is wrong with you?”
“Okay, I was kidding about the sex. But seriously, what’s involved in pretending you’re engaged?”
I shrug, feeling oddly self-conscious. “First of all, let’s be clear, this was not my idea. Second, it’s nothing like that. A little hand holding here, a peck there, just so we’re believable.”
Memories of writhing on Leo’s face surface before I push them down and force a neutral expression on my face.
Kira tilts her head to the side. “And that’s not weird for you guys to be… touching and being all lovey-dovey?”
