In his bed?

MAXIMILIAN’S POINT OF VIEW.

Summer had gone crazy.

First, I thought she’d said it just as a joke, but it turned out that she was actually serious.

A fake engagement? With her?

The woman I hated the most?

Unbelievable.

“You don’t have to pretend you want it,” she whispered in my face, batting her eyelashes at me. “I’m sorry I pulled you into my mess.”

I stared at her, watching her pouty lips move slowly, full and glossy. My fingers tapped my chin carefully, and I thought of the whole situation.

What did I stand to get?

And why did I even agree in the first place?

“Miss Foster—‘’

“—I think calling me Summer is fine,” she cut in with a slightly harsh voice, her eyes darting around the hall briefly. “We’re engaged now. And it’s going to be so weird if you keep calling me by my last name.”

I straightened my posture. “I haven’t accepted your proposal yet.”

I watched her eyes widen, and she scrunched up her face, pulling my arm to a secluded corner.

“What are you saying, Max? You just… never mind.”

I could tell she was disappointed from the way she sounded and how fast her shoulders slumped when she let go of my arm.

This wasn’t something I could take lightly like an untreated rash. Yes, this woman was one of the most influential and competitive business owners in the city.

Pretty, perfectly shaped with a sculpted figure. Golden-hue eyes that shone like the sun, and ivory skin so clear I could see my reflection.

But she also had an… unusual past.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Miss Foster,” She’d turned gloomy and restless, with her fingers raking through her hair nervously. “But you should know why I’m… hesitant to agree.”

She turned sharply at me, her eyes already welling up with tears. If I didn’t know better, I’d have said she was acting too desperately.

“I don’t know why. Please fill me in.”

How could I say that without sounding rude?

“You know…” it felt awfully heavier than I’d expected. My jaw tightened when I tried to force it out. “What you did… three years ago—‘’

“— Are you being for real, right now?” She tilted her head to the side, scoffing and biting down on her lower lip. “Anyway, it’s fine. I can’t force you if you don’t want to. After all, we’re enemies.”

Yes, enemies. Rivals. Business competitors.

I gave a small nod, readjusting my tuxedo and retreating backward slowly. My mind kept trapping me with guilt as I watched her pace around, her chest heaving uncontrollably.

She felt like she was in a dilemma. Although I had no idea what was going on behind closed doors, it had to be so much to cause her that disruption.

“Summer!”

That bastard was approaching her, the fucking idiot who’d tried to hit her in front of the crowd.

The man who was supposed to be the star of the show tonight.

“Shit.” I watched her panic, and also groan out in muffled anger. She didn’t want to hold a conversation or even meet him.

“On second thought, let’s do this,” I chimed, suddenly realizing that I held some kind of resentment toward Alessandro.

He’d done nothing wrong to me— I just hated the sight of him.

Also— we could be the power couple.

A fake one, actually.

I remembered how much pressure my Father had mounted on me to make Summer mine.

It was something for a business whatever.

And that felt like the perfect moment. I could play Summer’s fake fiancé and get close to finding her business secrets, while fulfilling whatever my father wanted at the same time.

Killing two birds with one stone— boom.

Summer raised her head to me, her eyes glistening with surprise, and then excitement.

She rushed to hold my hand, with Alessandro getting closer to where we stood.

If there was anything I loved and knew how to do best— it was playing pretend.

“Kiss me, Summer.”

Her eyes widened at me, hesitating for a second. That was the second time we were doing that tonight, but it felt like it was going to take more than a kiss to fool everyone.

“W-why?”

“Because Alessandro is three steps away and watching,” I whispered in her ear, running my tongue slowly over the lobe. “And I want to show him that you’re mine, and mine alone.”

I felt her body quivering in my hold, almost like she was being melted by my words and actions.

Poor Miss. Foster, I hoped she stuck to the idea of acting and playing pretend rather than falling into my arms.

She swallowed hard— I heard and watched her do it.

“You’re sure this… would work?” She asked me, her eyes glistening with uncertainty.

Let’s put it to the test, shall we?

I pressed my lips against hers without responding, allowing my hand to grab her waist while the other held her neck in place.

The kiss was slow at first, but then, something ignited in me, rushed through my veins, and alerted the bulge in my pants.

Her lips tasted like mint and citrus, refreshing and sweet. And the way they felt soft, succulent, and tender.

Who would have ever thought that kissing the enemy would feel like heaven?

She tried to break off, but I was just getting started. I grabbed her with both hands, swooping her off the ground completely by holding both butt cheeks.

Her gasp exuded surprise, but it was all for the plot to me. She coiled her legs over my waist as I carried her to the nearest open door, shutting it behind with a loud thud from my foot.

“What are you doing?”

She whispered, moaning into my mouth after I’d refused to set her lips free.

I had no idea whose room that was, or what had happened on the bed, but I tossed her gently on it, my hands working on my sleeves.

Her eyes widened amid the heavy pants she threw, rushing to sit up with her hands trying to slap mine off my buttons.

“Max—‘’

“— You wanted to make things believable right?” My voice dropped to a reprimanding tone, seriousness burning in my face as she gave a slow nod. “Good. Now lie your back down on the bed. I want to make love to you.”