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CHAPTERFIVE
HAWK
The city lights streak in the distance as I grip the steering wheel of my Bugatti, needing my mind focused on the task at hand—convincing Drake to sell one of his businesses to me. The stakes are high, yet my mind’s consumed by the beauty beside me. She’s radiant, her presence distracting me from driving. All I want to do is stare at her, take in and memorize every inch of her.
Fuck.That’s the last thing I should be thinking about.
Tonight’s charity auction is a smokescreen for the power players to flaunt their wealth, impress Drake, and gain his approval. The fucker loves nothing more than being sucked up to. It’s nothing new to me. Most of my clients are egotistical bastards.
The relationship with him has been in the making for years. He was a close business partner with my father when he was alive. I suspect the old-fashioned stipulation of needing to be engaged or married to close the deal is a relic from a bygone era, something my father agreed to should I take over the business. Traditions die hard in this industry. As much as I play by my own rules, sometimes even I have to bend.
If Drake wasn’t the richest man in Europe, I wouldn’t waste my time, but he’s critical to keep on my side. Once this deal is done, hopefully, this week, then whether I split up with my fake fiancée will be less of an issue. For now, I need to purchase his business of luxury yachts. I have dozens of clients salivating at getting their hands on them, willing to pay millions.
Sapphire fidgets in the passenger’s seat, drawing my attention as she adjusts the slit of her dress. There’s a vulnerability about her that makes me want to shield her from the sharks we’re about to swim with. I hear Luke’s voice in my head about going soft around Sapphire.
“Hey, are you alright?” I ask, watching her stare out the side window.
She glances over, her gaze briefly meeting mine. Her eyes are wild, scared.
“I’m just not used to this… dresses, events, any of it. But I know it’s my job now, and I’ll do my best not to let you down.”
Taking a deep breath, I decide to rip off the band-aid.
“There’s something you should know. At tonight’s auction event, you’re not just my guest.”
Her brow furrows as she twists in her seat to face me.
“What does that mean?”
“For this deal to go through, I need to be engaged. It’s a ridiculous tradition, but one I can’t sidestep, so for tonight, I will need you to play the part of my fiancée.”
Her eyes widen, confusion behind them. “Sorry, come again?” She stumbles over her words.
Pausing to collect my thoughts and give her time to accept what I’m telling her, I eventually say, “It’s just for tonight. It should be simple.”
“Simple?” She blinks, her hands curled up in her lap. “Being engaged to someone I don’t really know in front of a room of strangers? That’s not my definition of simple.”
“I know this is a lot, but I promise I’ll be the one answering all the questions.” I give her a lopsided grin, trying to lighten the mood and not have her take it so seriously. “My plan is not to spend too long at the event. I’ll bid on a few pieces of jewelry to show my support, then we’ll leave. Most importantly, show him I’m engaged, so our meeting later this week to close the deal should go smoothly.”
She’s not saying anything at first, then slumps back into her seat.
“Okay, well, I mean, this whole night is me pretending to be someone I’m not already, so how hard is it to fake a relationship, too, right?”
“That’s a good girl.”
She narrows her gaze on me at those words, her breath picking up. Really, she shouldn’t look at me that way if she wants to keep her dress on when she’s around me.
“Okay, I guess I’ve got this,” she concedes. “But if we’re going to sell this, I need to know our story. Where did we meet?”
I glance at her momentarily, impressed by her assertiveness.
“A party. I saw you from across the room, and I was immediately mesmerized. I couldn’t get you out of my thoughts, and I knew I had to have you.”
“And then?” She raises an eyebrow.
“I came to your place and asked you out on a date, and you couldn’t resist me.”
She bursts out laughing. “You’re so sure of yourself. What if I said no?”
