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For some reason, he keeps hold of my hands, twisting my fingers so my jewelry catches the light. “I was just saying how curious I was about Roman’s family life. He’s a man of mystery — now I see why that might be. He has something precious here, doesn’t he?” He leans in conspiratorially, and I frown.
Then I realize what he’s looking at. My left-hand glints with the silver ring my Mom bought me for my sixteenth birthday, about the only thing I wasn’t willing to pawn in Italy. I’d switched it from my right ring finger earlier to avoid staining it while Leo painted around my hand — and forgot to switch it back.
Wait… does this man think I’m married to Roman?
I clamp down on a mangled laugh, the very thought sending a shudder through me. It’s mingled with both hot desire and utter disgust, especially when the memory of being taken on his desk washes over me with devastating clarity. Each time I think of it, it feels like his mouth is still on me, coaxing me like we never stopped in his office and my core is still building to that devastating orgasm.
“Oh. Yeah, I’m not?—”
“Mr. Reid. I see you found my most esteemed guest.” Suddenly, Roman’s hand is perched on the small of my back, right where my dress drapes lowest. He grins warmly, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes — then again, his smiles never do.
I can’t help but twist to face him, bewildered by his words. Suddenly, I’m a guest now?
He could have just made up a lie if he wanted to keep Leo a secret — I could be a cleaner, or… I don’t know. A caterer?
Then again, manual laborers don’t often dress in sequins.
“And here I thought that was me.” Mr. Reid tips his champagne flute towards us. “You didn’t tell me you were married, Roman! This changes everything. You know how passionate I am about supporting men who work for more than just the sake of their business.”
“Yes, well…” Roman’s throat bobs against his tight collar. I want to pull away, laugh at Mr. Reid’s terrible misunderstanding, but Roman’s hands tighten around my hip, refusing to let me go. “I prefer to keep my wife separate from all this. She’d like to remain out of the spotlight, but she didn’t want to miss the party tonight. Did you, honey?”
My wife?
I freeze, completely lost for words. Is he using me to get into Mr. Reid’s good graces?
I blink numbly, realizing that they’re both waiting for an answer. I’m too stunned to remember the question and have to guess. “Um, yes. I mean, no.”
Roman laughs, a terribly fake sound that surprisingly fools Reid. “Excuse her. The bubbles go right to her head.”
Now I’m just annoyed. I might be baffled, but I’m not dumb, and I sure as hell won’t let him belittle his new fake wife. I dig my heel into Roman’s toes with a smooth grin. “I’m just so overwhelmed. I can’t quite believe I’m Roman’s wife.”
He clears his throat, sounding pained. His fingers tighten enough to bruise the soft skin around my hips as though he’s trying to silence me.
Reid sips his champagne, oblivious to our new little game. “Well, perhaps you and I can talk some more about your investment opportunity after all, Roman. Tell me, where did the two of you meet?”
Roman and I look at each other, both of us equally at a loss. “The zoo,” I decide at the exact same time he says, “A coffee shop.”
He furrows his brows, and I bite my lip. “You’re right, it was a coffee shop! It’s been such a long time, I almost forgot.” Cloyingly, I pat his chest. “He’s a family friend, so we’ve known each other for years.”
“A slow burn, huh?” Reid looks positively thrilled. Since when have businessmen invested in people based on their love stories? “That’s lovely. You look pretty young, if you don’t mind me saying…”
“I’m twenty-six.”
“Mature for her age,” Roman adds. I fight not to roll my eyes. I’m more mature than he is in his damn forties.
“Well, when it works, it works.” Reid shrugs. “Wow, I wish I brought my wife here tonight. She’d love to meet you, I bet.”
“What a shame!” I quickly avert my scowl back to Roman. “Sweetie poo, may I talk to you?”
He narrows his eyes. “Of course, honey bun.”
He drags me through the party, nodding at his acquaintances as he goes. The amount of unfamiliar faces makes me dizzy.
Together, we go down the echoey hallway where Leo’s bedroom lies.
He tugs me inside. Immediately, I rip my arm from his grasp.
“What on earth was that?” My words are sharp, my teeth bared. As though Roman isn’t disrespectful enough, he’s now using me to impress his investors. I don’t want to be his honeybun!
