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14 - Quite An Effect

Author: Grace Kara
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-08 17:31:22

I tensed, knowing this was dangerous territory. Damien's hand squeezed mine imperceptibly.

"My mother died of cancer when I was seventeen," I said, the truth easier than fabrication. "My father... passed shortly after. I have a stepmother and two step siblings, but we're not close."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sophia said, genuine sympathy softening her features. "Cancer is a terrible thief." She glanced at Damien, an unspoken acknowledgment of her own diagnosis passing between them.

"It is," I agreed quietly. "Though I'm grateful for the time I had with her. She taught me everything important — about art, about life." I swallowed, surprised by the emotion welling up. This wasn't pretense; thinking about my mother always affected me this way.

Damien's arm slipped around my shoulders, drawing me closer to his side. The gesture seemed protective, comforting, so unlike the cold man I'd met yesterday.

"Angel doesn't speak much about her family," he said, his voice low. "It's painful fo
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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   15 - Endearment

    After Sophia was safely ensconced in her town car with her nurse, Damien and I stood on the sidewalk, maintaining our couple's facade until her vehicle disappeared around the corner.The moment it was gone, Damien stepped back, breaking our physical connection. The sudden withdrawal left me feeling oddly bereft."You did well." he said, his tone reverting to its usual businesslike cadence. "The details about carrying you through the rain and bringing you soup when you were sick, good improvisation. Believable without being excessive.""Thank you," I replied, uncertain whether to feel proud or disturbed that I'd become such a convincing liar in the space of twenty-four hours. "Your mother is remarkable.""Yes." A flicker of genuine emotion crossed his face. "She is."Marco appeared with the SUV, holding the door as we slid into the backseat. The privacy partition was already raised, separating us from the driver's compartment."We're heading to the estate now," Damien informed me, re

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   16 - Deeply In Love

    The scale of Damien's estate overwhelmed me. Every hallway seemed to extend into infinity, every room larger than my entire former apartment. Rosa guided us through the main floor, pointing out rooms with casual mentions of priceless artifacts — 'That's the original Monet in the drawing room' and 'The library contains first editions from the sixteenth century' — as if discussing everyday household items.I tried to maintain composure, but my eyes widened at each new revelation. The indoor pool with a retractable glass ceiling. The cinema room with authentic vintage theater seating. The wine cellar that Rosa claimed housed bottles worth more than most homes."And this will be your suite miss." Rosa said, opening double doors to reveal a space larger than George's entire house.A sitting room with plush velvet furniture opened to a bedroom dominated by a canopied king sized bed. Floor to ceiling windows overlooked manicured gardens and the distant shimmer of the lake. The bathroom fe

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   17 - Surprised

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   18 - Butterfly

    He acknowledged this with a slight nod. "You're welcome to use any of the facilities. The stables, the tennis courts, the gardens, consider them at your disposal."" stables?" I couldn't hide my surprise. "You have horses?""Three. Do you ride?"I laughed softly. "I've never even been near a horse.""I'll teach you, if you wish."The offer caught me off guard. "You'd do that?""Why not?" He refilled my wine glass. "We have six months together. Might as well make them educational."Six months. The reminder of our temporary arrangement sobered me. I was already growing dangerously accustomed to this surreal existence after just one day."I should work on a more convincing backstory for us," I said, steering the conversation to safer ground. "In case your mother asks more specific questions."Damien set down his fork, giving me his full attention. "What did you have in mind?""Details about our relationship. First date, first kiss, when we realized it was serious. The things people usu

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   20 - Revelation

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   22 - Distraction

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Latest chapter

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    As I came down from the high, I became aware of Damien watching me with naked hunger. "I want.... to taste you," I whispered, surprising myself with the admission. His eyes widened fractionally, the only sign of his shock at my requestb. "Angel, you don't have to— " "I want to," I insisted, sliding off the desk to kneel before him. "Show me how.... to please you." For a moment, I thought he might refuse. Then he nodded once, his hand gentle as he guided me. "Start slow," he instructed, his voice strained with restraint. "Use your tongue first." I followed his directions, exploring this new intimacy with curiosity and growing enthusiasm. The taste of him, the weight on my tongue, the way his breath caught when I found a particularly sensitive spot—all of it was intoxicating in its novelty. When I finally took him fully into my mouth, his hand tightened in my hair, not forcing but anchoring himself. "Christ, Angel," he groaned, the rare profanity telling me more about his pleasure

  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   43 - Exploration

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   41 - Belong With Me

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   40 - Possession

    "Oh my god!!" Elena squealed once he was out of earshot. "Richard Knight wants to see your work! Do you know how many artists would kill for that chance?" "It's probably just courtesy," I said, slipping the card into my pocket. "Don't be stupid" she chided, linking her arm through mine and leading me toward the staff room. "This is your chance to establish yourself independently. You know, so you're not just Damien Salvatore's arm candy." The barb stung more than it should have. "I'm not arm candy." Elena's expression softened into faux sympathy. "Of course not, honey. But let's be real - your engagement happened awfully fast after your divorce. People talk. Having your own career would shut them up." I disentangled myself from her arm, anger rising at her manipulative concern. "I don't really care what people say about my relationship." "You should," she persisted. "Especially since —" The gallery door chimed, cutting her off. We both turned to see George striding in, d

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   38 - A Weakness

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   37 - Bit Less Grumpy

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  • The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée   36 - Deliberately Sabotaged

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