Kylian's POVI couldn’t help but laugh by her very unenthusiastic approach to getting a diamond ring. Wasn’t it what every woman wanted? She was acting like I was dragging her in front of the firing squad. I had never met a woman so reluctant to have expensive jewelry bestowed upon her. She was definitely an odd duck.She put on a smile and pretended to actually like me as we walked into the store. We were immediately greeted by several associates eager to sell us something expensive to fatten their own pockets with a healthy commission.“We’d like some time to browse,” I said, slowing their attack.“Of course,” the lead saleswoman said, holding out an arm and stopping the other two.“Go ahead,” I told Yvonne.“What? You seriously want me to pick a ring?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.I shrugged. “I guess I could.”She waved her hand and made her way to the case farthest away from the head of the store where the most expensive jewelry was stored. She was looking at the cheap stuff.“Y
Yvonne's POVWearing an engagement ring had an allure, even if the engagement itself was purely business. As I gazed at the ring during my commute, I couldn't shake off the excitement of being Kylian Litt's fiancée, even if it was only a facade. The idea of it felt like stepping into a Cinderella fantasy, despite my financial stability and the reality of Kylian's less charming traits.While I had my own money, it paled in comparison to Kylian's wealth, and I wasn't accustomed to lavish spending. Yet, the ring held a special place for me. Deep down, I believed that beneath Kylian's tough exterior, there might be a softer, kinder side.Every once in a while, I caught a glimpse of that one side of him he tucked away. I got to see it on Saturday, briefly, but I saw it. Something had made him into the hard soul he was today. Something or someone had caused him to hide away his heart and erect steel walls around himself to keep everyone out.I wondered if there was even a slim chance of me b
Yvonne's POV“I don’t know, but I heard about it on the local radio station this morning while I was getting ready. I hightailed it over here. You’re famous.”I shook my head, the elevator stopped, and we stepped out. It was still early with only a couple of people in their offices. I could feel the eyes on me as we walked toward my office. Once inside, I closed the door, blocking out the looks and the whispers happening all around me.“I can’t believe this is happening. Why do people care?” I mumbled, taking my seat behind my desk.“Uh, duh, he’s only the most eligible bachelor in New York, hell, probably the country. It isn’t often you find gorgeous and filthy rich in the same package. Most ladies know they’ll have to marry some big geek or a really old dude to get a rich guy. Kylian is the total package. You have to admit he is hot.”I grinned. “He is an attractive man.”“Attractive. That isn’t the right word. Hot. Steamy. Devastatingly gorgeous. Even those words don’t quite come cl
Kylian's POVDealing with the media was a constant hassle, but a necessary part of asserting my position within Litt Group and ensuring my family acknowledged my progress towards producing the first heir. Securing my rightful place as the heir was non-negotiable, and I was prepared to take whatever steps necessary to maintain my position.I had instructed my secretary to manage all incoming calls, redirecting them to the public relations department. The level of public interest caught me off guard; I hadn't anticipated such fervor. Despite the chaos, I had attempted to reach out to Yvonne earlier to check on her well-being, but she wasn't answering my calls. The thought of her being angry with me yet again brought a wry smile to my face; it seemed like a perpetual state with her.“Mr. Litt?” my secretary buzzed.“Yes?”“You have a visitor.”“I’m busy.”The door swung open, surprising me. I looked up to find my mother staring me down as she strode toward me. She was not happy. I knew th
Kylian's POV“Why?”I laughed. It wasn’t exactly the response I was used to getting when I asked someone out for dinner. “My mother would like to meet you. It would be dinner at her house, out of the public eye.”I heard her gasp. “Her house? Doesn’t your mother live in a home the size of Texas?”I laughed. “It isn’t the size of Texas.”“I’d rather not.”“My brothers will be there. My family wants to meet you. This is part of the deal,” I reminded her.“Kylian, not all this is part of the deal. You didn’t tell me I’d be dodging reporters. It’s a madhouse downstairs. I’m going to have to sneak out.”“I’m sorry, but it will only be temporary.”She groaned. “I don’t want to lie to your mom. I’m not good at that kind of thing.”“Yvonne, this is part of the deal,” I said, getting frustrated with her argument.I had expected resistance, but now she was actually trying to turn me down. It wasn’t something I was used to, and I certainly didn’t like it. People didn’t deny me, especially women.
Yvonne's POVI was a bundle of nerves, never having been in a relationship long enough to face the "meet-the-parents" scenario. Meeting my fiancé's mother added an extra layer of strangeness. I had a gut feeling she wouldn't be thrilled about an ordinary girl entering her family. Maybe she suspected I was after her son's wealth. I hoped for a pleasant encounter, or at least to avoid a disastrous one. I'd heard horror stories from friends with difficult mothers-in-law and didn't want to join their ranks.Kylian's limo arrived promptly at six, and I opted for a safe little black dress. Throughout the ride to his family's estate, he remained absorbed in his tablet, barely speaking to me. It was a bit off-putting; he didn't even flirt or suggest anything, which was unusual for him.Upon reaching the grand mansion, Kylian seamlessly slipped into the role of fiancé, guiding me with a hand on my lower back as we entered. A woman in her mid-fifties, with graying dark hair, appeared from a near
Yvonne's POV“Our first date, I asked you about your education and you told me you didn’t have a degree. You lied.”I shook my head. “No, I didn’t. I don’t have a degree. You didn’t ask if I went to college, you asked if I had a degree.”“You purposely lied. I thought you said you were a shitty liar. It seems like you did a bang-up job that time,” he growled.“Relax. It isn’t a big deal.”“I need to know everything there is to know about you. My brother knows you better than I do!”I shook my head. “It’s a fake engagement. It doesn’t matter.”He scooted a little closer to me, pulling my body across the seat to press against his. I looked up at him, wondering what he was about.“I need to know everything there is to know about the mother of my child, the future heir to the Litt Group,” he said in a husky voice, his breath brushing over my exposed neck.“Kylian, you know plenty about me. I don’t have any dark secrets,” I managed to get out, even though my throat felt tight as his hand re
Kylian's POVI sat in my seat at the head of the table in the conference room, staring at Kieran. He was pretending like nothing had happened the other night at dinner. Pretending he hadn’t flirted with Yvonne and rekindling whatever friendship they had and pushing me out in the process. I couldn’t stop the negative thoughts from coming. I had to wonder if there had ever been anything between the two of them. Had they slept together at all? Maybe they had a friends-with-benefits type of thing? She looked genuinely happy to see him, something I didn’t see when she saw me. I could admit I was a little jealous.Kieran was pretending to be normal, to be my friend, but I didn’t trust him. As I listened to one of the board members talk, I zoned out, replaying the evening over and over in my head. Yvonne and Kieran had huddled together in the corner, laughing and talking like they had known each other forever. She had touched his shoulder and he was constantly touching her hand. She didn’t do