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22 - Distraction
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2025-04-08 20:57:16
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The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 23 - Anger
I was still considering these complexities when movement in the garden caught my eye. Angel had packed up her sketching materials and was heading back toward the house. I watched her walking the stone path, her movements graceful despite her obvious distraction. She paused occasionally to examine a flower or architectural detail, curiosity evident even from this distance."Spying on your fake fiancée, Mr. Salvatore?"The voice startled me, a rare occurrence. I turned to find Isabella standing in the doorway to the balcony, arms crossed, expression knowing beyond her years."Observation isn't spying, Isabella," I corrected, my tone deliberately neutral.She rolled her eyes with the dramatics only a pre-teen could muster. "Sure looks like spying from where I'm standing."I raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you doing in this wing of the house? Your grandmother mentioned a science project requiring your attention.""Finished it." she declared proudly. "Volcano. Very original.""Imp
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 24 - Threatening
I exited through the front entrance and made my way down the long drive to the security gate where Sinclair's BMW was parked. He stood arguing with the security guard, his gestures animated and increasingly aggressive."That's my wife in there!!!" I heard him shout as I approached. "You can't keep me from seeing her!""Ex wife." I corrected coldly, making my presence known. "Or soon to be. I understand the divorce papers have been filed. By you."Sinclair turned, his expression shifting from anger to calculated charm with practiced ease. "Mr. Salvatore, I presume? I just want to talk to Angel. Clear up some misunderstandings."I studied him with clinical detachment. He was conventionally attractive in an unremarkable way—medium height, decent physique, the kind of generic good looks that belonged in mid-range men's fashion catalogs. Nothing about him explained the devotion Angel had given him."There are no misunderstandings to clear up," I replied evenly. "You made your position abun
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 25 - What Event?
ANGELINA~I woke the next morning with my mind still spinning from yesterday's revelations. The trust fund my mother had established. George's public smear campaign. Damien's unexpected intervention. And finally, my first riding lesson, which had left my thighs aching in places I didn't know could ache.Damien had been surprisingly patient during our lesson, his usual coldness softening into something almost gentle as he taught me the basics. His hands had been firm but careful when helping me mount, his voice steady and encouraging when I'd nervously taken the reins. It was a side of him I hadn't expected, competent without being condescending, attentive without being intrusive.A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts."Come in!" I called, expecting Rosa with breakfast.Instead, Marco entered holding a sleek tablet. He looked as immaculate as always in a tailored charcoal suit, not a hair out of place despite the early hour."Good morning, Miss Winters," he said formally.
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 26 - Photographers
After he left, I tried to calm my racing thoughts with sketching. The familiar rhythm of pencil on paper usually centered me, but today my hand kept shaking, ruining the lines. Three hundred people. Three hundred wealthy, sophisticated people who would be judging me, analyzing my every word and gesture, looking for proof that I didn't belong in Damien's world.They'd be right, of course. I didn't belong. This was all pretense, an elaborately staged play for Sophia's benefit. Yet the thought of embarrassing Damien, of failing to maintain our charade convincingly, made my stomach knot with anxiety.By the time Natasha arrived with her assistants, I'd worked myself into a state of barely contained panic."What is this?" she demanded, pointing to my face. "Puffy eyes? Blotchy complexion? This is disaster before we even begin!"For the next three hours, I surrendered to her ministrations, facial masks, hair treatments, manicure, pedicure, makeup application so detailed it felt like paint
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 27 - Worthy Of
"There are photographers," I said, panic rising. "....you didn't mention photographers." "An oversight," Damien admitted. "The foundation uses the images for promotional materials. We can avoid them if you prefer." I took a deep breath, remembering why we were doing this. For Sophia. For the charade. "No, it's fine. I was just surprised." Damien reached over, taking my hand in his. His touch was steadying, his grip firm without being restrictive. "Remember," he said quietly, "these people have no power over you unless you give it to them." With those words of unexpected wisdom, he nodded to the driver, who opened the door. Damien stepped out first, then turned to offer me his hand. The cameras immediately began flashing as I emerged, momentarily blinding me. Damien's arm went around my waist, his body slightly angled to shield me from the worst of the photographers' attention. He guided me forward with practiced ease, nodding acknowledgments to the press without stopping f
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 28 - Accidents
After Elena left, I took another steadying breath before returning to the ballroom. The speeches had begun, and I quietly slipped back into my seat beside Damien. Without looking at me, he reached under the table and squeezed my hand briefly, acknowledging my return.As the formal program concluded and guests began circulating again, Damien guided me toward the silent auction displays. We were examining a painting from an emerging artist when I felt a splash of cold liquid down my back, soaking through the thin silk of my dress.I gasped at the sudden chill, turning to find a woman in a red dress with an acidentally overturned wine glass."Oh my goodness I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, her tone dripping with false sincerity. "How terribly clumsy of me."Damien's response was immediate and controlled. "Accidents happen," he said smoothly, though his eyes had turned to ice. "If you'll excuse us."Without another word he guided me through the growing crowd of onlookers, his arm protectiv
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 29 - Draw
I woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains and the sound of gentle knocking. My head still ached slightly from the two glasses of champagne I'd had at last night's gala, lightweight that I am, but the memory of Damien's fingers against my bare skin as he'd tended to the wine stain remained far more intoxicating than any alcohol."Come in" I called, sitting up against the pillows.The door opened to reveal Izzy, bouncing on her toes with barely contained energy."You're still sleeping?" she asked incredulously. "It's almost ten!"I glanced at the bedside clock, surprised. I rarely slept this late, even on weekends. "Sorry, Izzy. The gala ran pretty late last night."She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Boring grown-up stuff. Nonna said you wore a fancy dress and someone spilled wine on you."News traveled fast in this house, apparently. "Unfortunately, yes. It was quite the disaster.""Was it an accident?" Izzy asked, perching on the edge of my bed without invitation. The familia
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 30 - His Sanctuary
Damien painted? The revelation was startling. I couldn't imagine those controlled, precise hands creating art, yet somehow it made perfect sense."How do you know if no one's allowed in?" I asked.Izzy shrugged, suddenly very interested in arranging her markers. "I might have looked when he was away on business once. Just a peek.""Izzy," I admonished gently, though curiosity burned through me."I know, I know. But they're really good! Dark and moody, but good." She gave me a sly look. "You should ask him to show you. He might, since you're getting married and all."The innocent comment was another reminder of the fragile fiction surrounding us. Before I could respond, Marco appeared in the doorway, his expression as inscrutable as ever."Miss Winters," he began formally. "A delivery has arrived for you.""For me?" I asked, confused. No one outside Damien's household even knew I was here."Yes. If you'll follow me."Izzy trailed behind us as Marco led the way to the front hall, where
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-08
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The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 45 - Hospital
DAMIEN~The hospital corridor stretched before me, sterile and unforgiving under fluorescent lights. .I'd spent the past three hours watching doctors come and go from my mother's room, their faces carefully neutral while delivering progressively worse news. Angel had remained by my side the entire time, her small hand occasionally finding mine when she sensed my tension rising.Now, as we waited for the latest round of test results, she'd finally succumbed to exhaustion, her head resting against my shoulder as she dozed. I studied her face in repose...the sweep of her lashes against her cheeks, the slight part of her lips as she breathed. The vulnerability she displayed without hesitation continued to baffle me."Mr Salvatore?" I looked up to find Dr Jones approaching, clipboard in hand. Her expression told me everything I needed to know before she spoke a word."I'll wake her," I said quietly, gently rousing Angel with a light touch to her arm.She blinked awake immediately, disor
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 44 - Support Each Other
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
I had no answer that wouldn't reveal too much of myself. Instead, I did the only thing that made sense in that moment, I rose on tiptoe and pressed my mouth to his. Unlike our previous kisses, this one began gentle, almost questioning. His lips moved against mine with careful restraint, letting me set the pace. But when I parted my lips in invitation, something snapped in his control. His arms wrapped around me, hauling me against his chest as he deepened the kiss with a hunger that matched my own. I threaded my fingers through his hair, marveling at how soft it felt despite its controlled appearance. He walked me backward until I felt the edge of his desk pressing against my legs, his body caging mine against the solid wood. "Tell me to stop," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with desire. "If this isn't what you want..." "Don't stop," I breathed. "Please." The plea broke his remaining restraint. He lifted me onto the desk in one fluid motion, stepping between my le
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 42 - Jealous
The tension between us was unbearable during the ride back to the estate. Damien's declaration, ' You're mine' — echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying me. His hand remained possessively on mine, thumb occasionally brushing my palm in a way that sent shivers up my arm. Neither of us spoke, the silence filled with unresolved questions and unspoken desires. Marco kept his eyes carefully forward, though I caught him glancing at us in the rearview mirror once or twice. I wondered what he thought of this arrangement that had clearly evolved far beyond its original parameters. When we arrived, Damien escorted me inside with his hand on the small of my back, a touch I was becoming familiar with, even dependent on. The mansion felt emptier than usual, with Rosa having taken Izzy to a doctor's appointment in the city. "I'll be in my study," Damien said, his voice formal again as we reached the grand staircase. "Take some time to rest. Today was... eventful." I watched him retr
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 41 - Belong With Me
The possessive declaration should have triggered every feminist alarm in my body. Later, I'd examine why it had instead sent a thrill of something dangerously close to longing through me. For now, I stood silently beside Damien, aware of every patron and staff member watching the drama unfold.George's hands clenched at his sides. "You think you've won Salvatore. But I know Angel. She needs more than your money and your cold bed." His gaze shifted to me, suddenly gentle. "When you remember what real love feels like Angel, call me."With that parting shot, he stalked out, leaving uncomfortable silence in his wake.Damien's hand returned to my back, his touch steadying. " Are you alright?"I nodded, not trusting my voice yet. The confrontation had left me shaky, caught between anger at George's presumption and confusion over my reaction to Damien's territorial display.Elena approached, her expression a masterpiece of false concern"Oh my god, Angel! That was intense. Are you okay?""F
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
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 39 - Painting Again
ANGELINA ~ The gallery had become my sanctuary over the past few weeks - the one place where I could exist as simply Angel, not Damien Salvatore's fiancée. I loved, loved losing myself for hours arranging exhibits, researching artists, and occasionally sketching during quiet moments. Today, I was cataloging a new shipment of sculptures when Elena's excited voice broke my concentration. "Angel! You won't believe who just walked in," she said, practically bouncing with excitement. I looked up from my inventory list to see her barely contained enthusiasm. Despite learning of her betrayal the previous day, I'd forced myself to act normal around her, following Damien's advice to 'keep your enemies closer.' The words still tasted bitter in my mouth each time I smiled at her, but perhaps it was my fault for asking Damien to help her get a job here, after she'd claimed that she'd been fired. "Who?" I asked, feigning interest. "Richard Knight," she whispered dramatically.
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 38 - A Weakness
She startled, turning to find me watching her. A blush immediately colored her cheeks — the first acknowledgment of last night. "Damien," she said, setting down the brush without having touched the canvas. "I didn't hear you." "Clearly." I entered the room, noting the organized chaos of her supplies, brushes meticulously arranged by size, paints grouped by color family, palette scraped clean in preparation. "You've been here a while." "Just... thinking," she admitted. "About painting? ...Or about last night?" Her blush deepened, but she met my eyes directly. "Both." I appreciated her honesty. It was refreshing after years of dealing with people who calculated every word for maximum advantage. "Regrets?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral. She considered the question, her head tilting slightly. "No" she said finally. "Do you?" "No." The simple exchange cleared some of the tension between us. Angel relaxed visibly, setting aside the brush she'd been clutching like a lifeline. "
The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée 37 - Bit Less Grumpy
That, at least, didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was the twist of satisfaction I felt knowing George had betrayed Angel even earlier than she realized. "Keep monitoring the situation," I instructed. "Especially any further contact between Sinclair and Luciano's people. And increase security around Angel, discreetly. If she asks, tell her it's standard procedure." "Of course." Marco hesitated, something unusual for him. "There's a personal matter I feel I should mention." I raised an eyebrow, waiting. "Ms Winters spent the night in your quarters," he said carefully. It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes." "That... changes the parameters of your arrangement..?" Leave it to Marco to cut straight to the heart of the issue. "I'm aware." He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I've known you a long time, Damien. Long enough to recognize when you're...invested." "Your point?" I asked, my tone cooling. "Just that Ms. Winters isn't like your usua
