A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

As they waited behind the line of people going back inside, Julian leaned down and nuzzled her ear.

“Let’s go have some fun at the reception,” he murmured. “You, me, a little dirty dancing…..”

She laughed as the tightness left her chest. It was hard to remember all the reasons she shouldn’t become involved with this man when he charmed her to her toes.

She tucked her hand willingly in his, and this time she curled her fingers around his as he led her into the hotel. No, logically she shouldn’t immerse herself in this charade. But then attraction was anything but logical. She had only a few more hours before she would be jolted back to reality. She planned to enjoy every single one of them.

They danced. Slow, sensual songs and even the more upbeat tunes. Julian was astonishingly adept as he spun her around the room. Somehow she hadn’t seen him as the type to do more than a staid waltz or just a slow cuddle type dance in the middle of the floor.

She should have known. The man was a study in athletic grace. They took a quick break and Julian left Nina to go get drinks for them both.

Nina turned to see Elizabeth approaching through the crowd, her face lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Nina! I’m so glad I got over to you before Julian spirits you away again.” She said,

Nina smiled warmly back at Julian’s mother. Elizabeth reached out to squeeze Nina’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough for coming. It’s so obvious that the two or you are in love.” She said,

It took everything Nina had not to react to that statement. Obvious? How could it be? In lust, yes, but love? Julian would be horrified that his farce had worked a little too well. Nothing like a rumor of being in love to scare off the opposite sex. A man like Julian probably had more women than he could shake a stick at.

But he didn’t take any of them to the wedding. He’d taken her.

Business, Nina reminded herself. It was convenient and business had been at the forefront of his mind.

“The two of you make such a lovely couple,” Elizabeth said wistfully. “Isn’t it amazing how you both found your way to each other after all these years.. Like it was always meant to be. I do hope you’ll agree to a wedding date soon. Don’t make him wait, even though I’m sure he deserves it. I want him to be happy.”

“I’m sure the both of us will come up with a mutually satisfactory date,” Nina said diplomatically.

Elizabeth squeezed again and then suddenly Nina found herself enveloped in the older woman’s arms.

“It was a joy to have you here, Nina. I’m so happy and I can’t wait to see you again.” She said,

Elizabeth drew away, beaming at Nina the entire time, and Nina felt like the lowest form of pond scum for her part in deceiving this nice, wonderful woman.

“Oh, look, there’s Julian with your drink. I’ll disappear now and let you two get back to your fun.”

Elizabeth blew a kiss in Julian’s direction and melted back into the crowd.

“What was that all about?” Julian asked as he approached.

He handed her a wine glass and stepped in close, their bodies touching.

Nina grimaced. “She was telling me how wonderful she thought it was that we’re getting married.”

“Ah, well, that would explain the look of torture in your eyes.” he replied.

He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He stared down into her eyes, and then he simply kissed her.

Stunned that he would be so public, even when perpetuating a hoax, she stood there in the circle of his arms while he kissed her senseless.

Desire unfurled and spread rapid fire through her belly. All he had to do was kiss her and she was helpless to do anything more than respond.

“You know, we have a late check-out,” he murmured against her lips. “Very late check-out. My jet can leave at my ready. What do you say we go back to the room?” he asked.

No. They needed to return home. She needed the weekend to be over so she could recover her sanity. But instead of no, she opened her mouth and whispered, “yes.”

The predatory gleam was back in his eyes. He put both their glasses down on a nearby table and then he took her hand and all but dragged her from the reception. They ran down the hallway to the elevator like two hormonally imbalanced teenagers.

When they reached the room, he threw open the door, swung her into his arms and carried her straight to the bedroom. He plopped her down on the bed and stood back as he tore out of his clothes.

She leaned up on one elbow to stare appreciatively at his physique.

“You know,” she said coyly. “There is one of your fantasies we haven’t played out yet.”

His eyebrows shot up and then he crawled onto the bed until he loomed menacingly over her.

“Oh, really. Which one?” he asked.

She circled her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a kiss. Then she slid her mouth to his ear to whisper in shocking detail exactly which fantasy she was talking about.

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Julian’s plane landed in New York close to midnight. He helped her down the steps onto the tarmac and stood next to her as they waited for his car to pull forward. Abby walked past them and hurried inside the car, but not before turning around, giving them a weird look and saying, “I don’t know exactly what this is, but can you guys wrap it up quickly so I can go home?”

Julian grinned at Abby while Nina smiled.

He touched her cheek, pushing aside a stray strand of hair. In truth, she looked and felt disheveled from head to toe. What had started as a quick interlude had turned into an afternoon of wanton, hedonistic pleasure. They’d made love more times than she could count.

They’d stumbled out of the hotel looking like a pair of illicit lovers hurrying back to their spouses after a hot weekend affair.

She shook her head to clear that notion.

There was nothing dishonorable about her liaison with Julian. It was separate from business, she asserted firmly. Separate.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Are you sure you won’t let me escort you guys home?” Julian asked.