“Yeah,” she breathes like she can’t wait. “I want at least two and I want them close in age.”

  The vision of her round and pregnant kicks my libido into overdrive. It’s all I can do not to drag her across the table, into my lap, lay my lips on hers, work my hand under her dress…and see if I can manually persuade her to say yes to more than my scheme.

  Whoa. I need to reel that back. I’m here to get revenge with this woman. Of course I want to fuck her, too. But I’m not actually marrying her. We’re not having babies together.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “I’d love for my kids to have a totally different relationship than the one I have with Parker. We were born too many years apart to have much in common. I don’t know if it’s because he’s older or because he’s male, but he thinks it’s his right to boss me around.”

  “He’s just a standard bully. If you tell him to fuck right off, he’ll back down. He won’t have a choice.”

  “I’ve stopped listening to him. He used to help me with rent every so often if I had a lackluster sales month or he’d offer occasionally helpful advice. He negotiated the price of my car, and he fixed my clogged kitchen sink that threatened to overflow at two in the morning because my landlord didn’t answer the phone. But in the last three weeks, after I asked for my inheritance and he refused, we’ve barely spoken.”

  “Being seen with me is going to motivate him to pick up the phone fast.”

  She grimaces. “It’s been vibrating in my purse for the past ten minutes.”

  So he knows. I should be gleeful. The son of a bitch is probably angry and sweating, impotently raging that she’s with me and wondering what I’m doing to her right now. Good…except does Corinne know what she’s in for? It’s not my problem…but I feel compelled to make sure she understands.

  “Princess, your brother is going to be furious. Being with me might do irreparable damage to your relationship. If you can’t live with that, you should leave now, because once we start, there’s no going back.” Why the fuck am I warning her away?

  “No, he already did the damage when he refused to help my business and insulted my career.”

  “He’s also the last of your family, and I know what it’s like to be alone.”

  “I have friends.”

  I shake my head. “It’s not the same. I want you to really think about that.”

  “Are you suddenly backing out of being my fake fiancé because I’m reluctant to spread my legs for you?”

  “I’m telling you that some things, once done, can’t be undone. Like Parker sleeping with Hadley. He didn’t just prove his point, he destroyed my relationship with her. My friendship with him? Gone, too. In an instant. I never trusted him again.”

  She cocks her head. “You don’t trust women, either. Is that why you sleep with everything in a skirt and never let one close?”

  I hate the way Corinne sees through me right now. “You’re reading too much into the fact I like sex.”

  “You’ve made that clear. And if our ‘engagement’ drags on for a couple of months, can you really handle not screwing your usual variety of party girls, tourists, and strippers?”

  She’s asking if I’m capable of being faithful. It’s an encouraging step because she wouldn’t ask if it didn’t matter. And it only matters if she’s considering saying yes.

  “As long as I’m getting it from you, I’ll manage. But I’ll warn you. I have a very active sex drive.” She deserves to know that up front.

  A blush stains her cheeks. “Wow, you’re just…putting it out there.”

  “Would you rather I lie?”

  “No.”

  “Does the fact I’d want hot, frequent sex bother you?”

  “Bother? No. It’s…unnerving.”

  “Because?”

  “A lot of reasons. I’ve already gone into some. And it’s not like I know what I’m doing.”

  “In bed?” I recline against my chair and toss back the last of my scotch. “Princess, if you say yes, by the time I’m through with you, you’ll be a sexpert.”

  Her eyes widen. “Did you really just say that?”

  “I did.” I raise a brow at her. “You think I’m kidding?”

  “No, but the idea of sleeping with you…”

  “We won’t be sleeping.”

  “Stop trying to make me nervous.”

  A possibility I didn’t consider sooner smacks me in the face. “Did someone hurt you? Force you to—”

  “No,” she reassures me. “No man has ever done anything like that against my will, thank goodness. It’s you. You make me nervous.”

  Does she realize that she’s basically admitting she’s attracted to me? “Don’t be. I’ll make you feel damn good.”

  “If you’re going to pleasure me, shouldn’t I feel like a queen? That’s what you said…”

  I take her hand and press my lips to her palm. “Every chance you’ll let me. So, are you saying yes?”

  She purses her lips together. “Let me think about it over dinner.”

  Either Corinne is hesitating because she’s reluctant to throw herself into the proverbial fire or because she wants to see me sweat. If the latter, she’s kidding herself. Yes, I want to fuck her. I’m a man and she’s hotter than hell. But since she’s running short on options to get her hands on cash, she needs me more than I need her. Other opportunities to punch back at Parker will come. If I’m the reason for her hesitation, I’ll set her at ease. I might be a bastard, but I’m not heartless.

  I nod. “If you need, sure.”

  We polish off the appetizers in silence. When our waitress comes to refill our drinks, I ask her to go ahead and bring the meal. A few minutes later, she’s setting our plates in front of us.

  “Can I recommend a rosé with your tuna?” Ailani rattles off some winery from Provence that sounds obscure and expensive.

  “Please.”

  So she’s already breaking her vow not to drink again for a while. I really do make her nervous. I’ll need to prove that I would never hurt her. Make her body twist, writhe, buck, and sweat? Yes. Every fucking day. Every fucking time.

  She picks at her food and orders a second glass of wine. I repress a smile.

  I polish off the last of my rare steak and set my utensils aside. I can’t resist toying with her. “You don’t like your tuna?”

  “It’s fine.” She gulps more wine.

  “Glad to hear it. When you’re done eating, I’ll look forward to your answer.”

  “Besides being a manwhore, you’re a pushy bastard.”

  “I’m just letting you play your game, princess. Let me know when you’re bored and want to get down to it.”

  She drags in a deep breath. “Suppose I say yes. I need tonight to myself. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pack up my stuff, come to your house, and—”

  “Are you serious about getting your brother to cede control of your money or not?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you sure? Because waiting only postpones the inevitable and increases the chances someone will see through our ruse. If we’re going to do this, we’re starting tonight. I’ve promised I’ll give you a couple of days to get used to me before we have sex. I’ve sworn I’ll make it good for you. That’s all I’m willing to give. The rest is up to you. Yes or no?”

  Ailani chooses that moment to take our plates away. “Coffee?”

  I’d love another scotch, but I need a clear head. “Please.”

  “Another wine?” Corinne asks.

  For what happens tonight, she needs to be completely sober. “No. She’ll have either coffee or water.”

  She glowers. “Water, please.”

  As soon as our server leaves, Corinne turns on me. “You’ll have to be less high-handed if we’re going to pretend to be engaged.”

  “If you think you’re going to change me, you’ll be doomed to disappointment. Is that a yes?”

  “You can be a real jerk.” She sighs. “Fine. I’m saying yes. You can be my fake fiancé until my brother comes to his senses.”

  The triumph spiking through me is almost sexual. I smile. “Perfect. What do you need from your hotel room for the night—clothes, toiletries, medicines?”

  “My nightgown and skin care.”

  Fine, but if I have my way, she won’t be wearing the nightgown for long.

  I send a text to my assistant. Lisa will have to be in on the ruse, too, or it will never work. She texts back immediately that she’ll collect Corinne’s things. Another reason I value my assistant. She doesn’t bother me with small problems, like how to get into someone else’s hotel room; she just handles them.

  “Everything will be delivered in the next hour.”

  Corinne pauses. “Just like that?”

  “Just like that. Are you on the pill?”

  “Why would I be? I’ve never had sex.”

  “There are other medical reasons to take it.”

  “To regulate periods. I tried once. My system couldn’t tolerate the hormones.”

  So if I don’t want her pregnant, I have to be careful. “Good to know.”

  Dessert arrives, along with steaming hot coffee. Ailani sets the bill at my elbow. “No rush.”

  Actually, there is. Corinne said yes. We need to get started on my revenge. And if tonight goes as desired, I’ll have her naked and under me, too.

  I snap a credit card onto the leather sleeve without even glancing at the total and hand it back to Ailani. “We need to go. Can you wrap up the hula pie and take care of this?”

  She nods. “Right away.”

  When our waitress disappears again, Corinne frowns. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking you home and stripping you down.” Might as well be honest.

  “You agreed to no sex for a few days.”

  “I won’t fuck you.” Unless she says yes. “But you agreed to let me touch you. That’s what I’m going to do.”

  Ailani returns, quickly shuttles our giant slice of ice cream pie into a to-go container, then puts it in a bag with some dry ice. “Will there be anything else?”

  I leave her a healthy tip and sign the slip. “Ten minutes of privacy. Then we’ll be leaving. Would you let Duke know I’d like to speak to him on our way out?”

  “Of course. I’ll leave your dessert up front with the hostess. Thank you for dining with us this evening. It was a pleasure.”

  As she slips out of the room, hula pie in hand, I smile. Now, the real pleasure is about to start.

  Slowly, I lift my napkin from my lap, set it on the table, rise to my feet, and head straight for Corinne.

  “What are you doing?” she asks, wide-eyed.

  “What does it look like?” I stop at her side, then kneel beside her and take her hand. “I’m putting a ring on your finger, princess.”

  “Give it to me. I-I can slip it on.”

  Not on your life. “Let me.”

  Before she can object again, I fish the ring out of my pocket and slide it down her slender finger. It fits like it was made for her. The symbolism of me settling that sparkling band in place fucks with my head. It’s too easy to imagine that she’s actually mine…

  I meet Corinne’s stare. Her eyes are even wider. She pulls away too fast.

  “There.” I clear my throat as I stand and help her to her feet. “We’re engaged. Congratulations.”

  She swallows nervously. “Are we leaving now?”

  “Not quite yet. First, I think I should kiss my bride.”

  Kiss is an understatement. I’m playing to win.

  Excitement tightens my gut. By the time we leave here, Corinne will look rosy and sated. And every one of those prying bastards in the dining room paying more attention to us than their meal will notice. Through their online pictures and words, they’ll tell Parker, too.

  I don’t have to utter a single word.

  But that’s not the reason I’m excited.

  I’m finally getting my hands on Corinne. I’ve thought of almost nothing else since we met. I should be obsessed about my clients’ portfolios and the shit this ridiculous, overindulgent movie is making of my reputation. Instead, I’m fixated on her.

  Maxon warned me about the Reed proclivities. The genetic gift of making money apparently comes with the curse of thinking with our genitals. I can’t get cocky or sloppy. I can’t lose sight of my goals.

  “Here? Now?” she asks breathlessly.

  I cup her face and stare into her dark, expressive eyes, soft below the sexy arches of her brows. Her luscious mouth grabs my attention as if she tugged on my cock. I’m dying to press her against the wall and fuck her, but that’s my impatience. The head still thinking rationally remembers my plans.

  “It’s just a kiss, princess.”

  “Why not wait until we’re someplace less public?”

  “Because we have to pose for the cameras on our way out. If you push back on the PDA in front of those people…” I let her draw the obvious conclusion.

  “Everyone will know the truth.”

  “Exactly. So let’s get you comfortable with having me all over you while we’re alone.”

  She swallows. “You’re right.”

  My heart trips into a gallop as I bend to Corinne and touch my lips to hers. The first contact is a full-body jolt of electricity. Stunned, I jerk back and gaze down at her. She’s waiting with breath held and lips pursed, so fucking beautiful I can’t resist tunneling my hands into her hair and kissing her again.

  I brush over her softness, back and forth. Her breathing turns choppy as I claim her mouth, luring, coaxing, teasing. Then impatience urges me to nudge her lips apart and glide deep, stroking her shy tongue. She melts and molds against me with a hum of arousal. Desire ratchets up. The taste of wine on her lips is sweet, but it’s her reaction—her indrawn breath, the way she seizes up as if she’s shocked that she likes my kiss, followed by her unsteady exhalation—that intoxicates me.

  With a low moan, I pull her flush against my body and deepen the kiss. Corinne offers zero protest, clinging to my shoulders and rising up on her tiptoes to get closer.

  Fuck, she doesn’t just taste good; she smells incredible. That something I caught a tantalizing whiff of yesterday when we met fills my nose. The scent is so lushly feminine. Not too floral, not too musky. Whatever that is, I want it for myself. I want to own it, bottle it. I want it swimming in my head as I bare her virgin body for my pleasure. I want it dripping off my skin when I’m between her legs, driving deep, and making her cry out my name.

  Gripping the back of her dress with one hand, I slide the other down her body and cup her ass to fit the dizzying heat of her pussy against my cock. Her groan fills the air, impatient and needy.

  Suddenly, she wrenches free, panting. “I think we’re good with kissing now.”

  I shake my head. “You’re not comfortable yet.”

  “That’s more kiss than I’ve ever—” She stops and shakes her head. “I mean, more than I expected.”

  So Riley never kissed her like he’d goddamn die if he didn’t have his lips on hers? It figures since he also never managed to find his dick around her. “Tip of the iceberg, princess. I’m going to do that to you every chance I get.”

  “It’s not necessary. I’ve seen pictures of you with other women online. They don’t look overheated and flushed, and no one questioned whether you actually had sex with them.”

  “I wasn’t engaged to any of them. You have to look in love and well sated. If you don’t, there will be doubt.”

  “You just want me to give in and have sex with you.”

  “Fuck yes, I do. But that’s not the reason I’m kissing you. You want this ploy to succeed? Focus. People can spot a fraud.”

  She hesitates. “At least give me a minute to catch my breath. I’m just… It was unexpected. I didn’t think you would kiss me so…passionately.”

  Hasn’t Corinne been listening to how much I want her? Or did she not believe me? “I’m very passionate. Let’s get you there, too.”

  I capture her mouth again, this time diving straight into her hottest depths to caress her tongue and claim every part of her she’ll give me. I half expect resistance, but she slowly loops her arms around my neck, tilting her head to take me deeper.

  Son of a bitch, I’ve done nothing more than kiss Corinne. We’re fully clothed. I’ve never seen her naked. And already, this is way hotter than the last five times I got laid. I don’t know what it is about her… The fact she’s Parker’s sister? Is it her innocence? Her beauty? The intrepid way she’s determined to save her business, regardless of the obstacles in her path? Whatever it is, she sparks everything inside me to burning life, including a possessive urge I didn’t expect.

  Again, she pulls free with flushed cheeks and uneven breaths. The way she bites that already swollen bottom lip kicks up my lust.

  “Has any man ever made you come?” I need to know.

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “It is now.” I grab her chin. I’m gentle but firm as I force her to look at me. “Yes or no?”

  “That’s too personal.”

  “The way I’m kissing you is pretty personal. So is the way I’m going to fuck you. Tell me. I have to know how slow to take this.”

  “Never,” she finally admits.

  That shouldn’t thrill me, but I get a sick triumph from knowing I’ll be the first man she’ll surrender herself to, the first to give her ecstasy, the first to hear her cry out in strangled pleasure when I send her to the ultimate peak.

  And that excitement has nothing to do with Parker. The truth is, I want Corinne in a way that makes me feel out of control. It’s dangerous and self-destructive. I’m not thinking straight.

  Right now, I don’t care.

  “Let’s fix that.”

  She gapes at me. “Here?”

  I just smile and press her back against the table, taking control of her mouth while I urge her pretty ass onto the flat surface. Wedging myself between her thighs, I tug on her hair until she offers me her throat with a gasp. My body buzzes as I lick my way up her neck, over her thready pulse point, then settle my lips over hers. I love getting her tongue against mine. I need her body melding to my own… Jesus, I feel like a parched man slowly dying of thirst and she’s the only oasis that can save me.