AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Let's find our mark," I shook off the dangerous daydreams. But as the night unfolded, I knew it wouldn't just be the mission that would test me—it would be resisting the pull of the man that pretended to be mine.
The murmur of the crowd swelled around us, a symphony of wealth that I couldn't help but mock internally. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead like stars in a sky too rich for my blood. The sounds of a live orchestra drifted through the air as couples danced elegantly across the polished wood floor.
"Alright, so we're newlyweds, madly in love, blah blah..." I began, keeping my voice low as I leaned closer to Kylo. "You're an investment banker on the rise, and I'm... what? A trophy wife?"
"Art dealer," he corrected smoothly. "With a taste for the bizarre." His lips twitched into a half-assed smile as he glanced down at me. "Suits you."
"Ha-ha, very funny" I snorted and rolled my eyes. The thought of 'playing house' with Kylo sent a thrill down my spine and ignited something far south of my belly button. My body reacted, an ache building between my thighs—the kind you get when you're starving and someone wafts a steak under your nose. But shit, this wasn't the time.
Control, Winslow.
We mingled through the crowd, sipped on champagne and nibbled on tiny canapés that tasted like caviar and truffles.
"Stay focused, Averill. We need his trust before we can pump him for information," Kylo whispered, his breath warm against my ear.
"Right, because Mr. Animal Rights is going to spill his guts to a couple of love-struck idiots," I muttered, the sarcasm dripping like poison from my tongue.
"Exactly," Kylo’s eyes scanned the room. "He's a sucker for a happy ending."
"Then he's gonna love us," My words were laced with enough irony to choke a horse.
We paused near a towering ice sculpture, the frigid air around it doing nothing to cool the heat that pooled inside me. This charade was messing with my head. Or maybe it was the way Kylo's hand settled on the small of my back, a silent message of solidarity—or ownership.
Fuck, why did bad things have to feel so good?
"Look sharp, here comes our mark," Kylo murmured.
Ansel Lake entered the ballroom like some kind of eco-warrior prince. Broad-shouldered and dressed to the nines. His jaw was set with determination and his eyes sparkled with kindness. He had that 'saving the world, one tree at a time' vibe that made women swoon and men roll their eyes.
"Damn, he's like Captain Planet with a trust fund," I couldn't keep the smirk from tugging at my lips.
"Remember," Kylo said, his voice tight, "we need him on our side."
"Relax, I'll charm the pants off him—if necessary." I winked even though the idea made my stomach twist. Not with dread, mind you, but with something dangerously close to anticipation.
"Let's keep it strictly metaphorical," Kylo said, but there was a hard edge to his voice that hadn't been there before.
"Jealous, Quinn?" I teased and enjoyed the flicker of irritation in his eyes a little too much.
"Of Captain Planet?" he groaned. "Please."
"Good," I said, patting his chest. "Because I might just have to fall head over heels for our tree-hugging tycoon. For the mission, obviously."
"Obviously," Kylo rolled his eyes, there was no missing the tension in his jaw.
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for the performance of a lifetime. Playing pretend with Kylo was one thing; pulling the wool over Ansel Lake's perceptive eyes was another beast entirely.
And Jesus H. Christ, I needed to get my body under control.
This was about finding answers, not indulging in whatever twisted fantasy my traitorous clit decided to weave together.
"Showtime," I said, my voice steady despite the riotous desire I desperately tried to cage. I plastered on the brightest, most carefree smile I could manage and stepped forward with Kylo by my side, ready to dance with devils and deities if that's what it took.
The chandeliers above dripped lavishness, sending shards of crystal light cascading across the ballroom like a shower of stars. I was caught in the flood, my skin flickering with reflections as Ansel Lake made his way toward us, the crowd parting for him like he was Moses and they were a Red Sea made up of disciples for his environmentally friendly gospel.
Before I could stop myself my foot shot out, my body probably taken over by the fear of somehow fucking up the only chance I had left at pulling out the entire thread of this loose end. In an instant I flung myself forward, gracefully of course, and pretended to trip landing me directly in the arms of Mr. lake himself-
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!" I feigned embarrassment as the entire ballroom's eyes were glued to the both of us, each breath hitched and waiting to see what happened next.
