LOGINRolland*Her eyes widened for a moment, and he immediately regretted what he’d said. He hadn’t meant it like that, hadn’t meant to say that. He didn’t get angry easily, but the woman knew how to push his buttons.In the car, she’d asked him not to let her down. The words had tugged at his heartstrings and left him speechless. He just knew he wanted to keep that promise, in any way that he could. She didn’t seem like a bad person. He’d been looking forward to meeting her sister and he still didn’t know what to make of it. He didn’t have siblings himself, but he was sure they weren’t supposed to sleep with their sister’s boyfriend. Rolland knew it hadn’t been long it happened and that the wound was still fresh. He’d admit this all seemed like a game to him, but it was serious to her, and he wasn’t there yet, but he was willing to try.“I’m sorry.” He said. “I didn’t mean to say that.”She swallowed, turning away from him. "Yes, you did.""Fine. I shouldn't have said it. I'm sorry." Rol
Stephanie* “Oh, my God Stephanie!” Aunt Phoebe grabbed her fingers and hugged her “Congratulations, my love. It’s so beautiful.” Guilt pricked Stephanie at her aunt’s genuine happiness. She glanced at her mother. The joy beaming on her face did nothing to diminish the growing guilt. Suddenly Rolland was hugging her from the back and kissing her head. It felt strangely familiar. His arms around her seemed to envelope her senses, and if she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought he actually meant it.She’d just sealed her fate. There was no going back from here. The family offered their congratulations and heartfelt wishes and for the umpteenth time, Stephanie reminded herself she was doing this for the greater good.“Congratulations,” Claire said when the jubilations had calmed down. “Stephanie.”Somehow the name didn’t sound so good coming from her. Her expression was straight, unchanging. Stephanie didn’t want to think too much of it but for a moment there, something had pricked at
Stephanie was pissed.She didn’t have time to dwell on her anger as her family’s estate came into view. Her hands shook violently and it really occurred to her how serious this was. Not only did she not want to disappoint her mother, she also didn’t want to give Claire the satisfaction of knowing she still loved Matt. It just wouldn’t do. “I’m begging you.” The words came out in a whisper. “Don’t let me down.”Rolland was silent. For some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. It was already embarrassing enough that she was begging him; she didn’t want to see the mocking look she was sure he had.The car that had picked them up at the airport stopped, and Stephanie knew it was now or never. This was it. Everything depended on Rolland.Their bags were carried into the house by male servants who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Stephanie hoped it wasn’t overwhelming for Rolland. She’d purposely forgotten to mention her parents were rich because she wasn’t sure if he’d wa
Rolland knew the gears in her head were running. When Grace had said she needed a favor, he definitely hadn’t thought it’d be to act as the fiancé of her best friend. He wished desperately he was anywhere but here, but he owed Grace a lot. His cousin had gotten him out of a lot of shit with women he’d recklessly gotten involved with. He didn’t know how but she knew how to get rid of people. It was a frightening thought, but he knew he could always count on her to keep a crazy ex away.It was the first time she’d asked him for anything, and he figured it was too small a price to pay in return. The woman he was supposed to be helping, Stephanie, wasn’t what he’d expected. She was beautiful and sultry, with an ass he wouldn’t mind having in his bed, bare and inviting. He hoped to God she hadn’t noticed him staring at her ass while they were in the queue. Grace had mentioned her boyfriend had cheated on her with her sister. Sheesh, the man must’ve been either blind or crazy. Rolland did
No, it wasn’t going to be great, Stephanie thought for what was not the first time since the restaurant. Where the hell was her supposed fiancé? He was thirty minutes behind schedule, too late to be considered late. She feared he wouldn’t show. Maybe he’d chickened out. After all, Stephanie wasn’t sure he’d had to play a fiancé role before, probably something along the lines of boyfriend or an escort. God, she was in trouble. Her mother was going to pop from a heart attack. Why had she lied again? The woman in the speakers announcing flights piped up, calling passengers aboard. Their flight was to leave in fifteen minutes. Nothing was going to keep her from boarding that plane. She told herself she didn’t care if he could or not. She’d figure something out on the way.Grace wasn’t answering her calls, and Stephanie wondered why she hadn’t even bothered to collect his number. Hell, she didn’t even know his name. She’d admit she hadn’t really taken the entire thing as seriously as she
Grace’s genius idea had been to hire Stephanie a fiancé. The main purpose was to make her mother happy and then give Claire something to fume about. Her sister hadn’t even rendered so much as an apology. Stephanie hadn’t heard from her since that night. Images of Claire’s slim legs wrapped around Matt’s naked waist as he drove into her teased her subconscious, and it was all she could do to keep from going crazy.“Tell me again who this man is?” Stephanie asked her friend, slipping her straw into her mouth. Two days after, they’d met up at their favorite restaurant to discuss the particulars. She didn’t think it was as brilliant a plan as Grace was painting it out to be. In fact, Stephanie wasn’t interested.“My cousin,” Grace answered, tapping at the screen of her phone. After a few beats, her gaze lifted to Stephanie. “I just texted him. He can’t make it for some reason, but he’s agreed to do it, so we should be grateful.”“Tell me again how you came up with this?” Stephanie almost







