CHAPTER SIXTEEN
SEBASTIAN
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T hat went well...until the end.
As the limousine moves through the night, I glance at the blue diamond on Emily’s finger and the same sensation that’s filled me since putting it on her hits me once more.
I don’t recognize the feeling, but if I was a spiritual man, I’d be questioning if the act itself was a sacred vow. Despite the ruse.
I feel bonded to her.
Or maybe it’s the lie that ties us together?
Emily played her part well during the evening—most of it—and while she seemed overwhelmed, it spoke to her sweet English personality.
Sweet and sexy.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her, so it’s just as well they think she’s my future wife. Although Victor needs to keep his fucking eyes to himself. Whether he’s attracted to Emily or found the situation humorous, I don’t know. He shot her several smirks, and I almost throttled him.
Khalid is suspicious, as he should be.
By the end of the meal, I realized it’s going to take a lot more than one dinner to convince him to reinvest. This will mean convincing Emily to do a lot more than wear my ring.
She needs to move in with me.
Which...has its pros and cons.
I fully intend to fuck my fake future wife and enjoy the time we spend together. The downside is that my addiction to the little minx may grow. I also need to ensure she’s clear that none of this is real.
None of it.
And she has no claims.
Khalid openly raised questions about the development which allowed us to continue discussions in a more casual environment. Except the conversation didn’t quite go in the direction I expected.
Thanks to my future wife.
“I hear the mayor is not as supportive of the project since the protesters increased their noise.” Khalid said over the main course. “How confident are you that you can control it?”
“Fairly confident,” I replied, slicing into my Atlantic salmon. “It was expected but this is how city's progress. I don’t need to tell you that.”
The sheikh nodded, his head lowering in a silent touché .
That’s where the topic should have ended, but it didn’t.
“Some of their points are valid,” Emily piped up, surprising everyone, including Victor, whose fork froze halfway to his mouth.
We shared a surprised look.
Khalid was amused. “Tell us your thoughts, Emily.”
No, please don’t.
I had no idea she’d taken an interest in the project or the protesters besides taking notes at the team meeting. One. One fucking meeting.
“Well, it’s a family neighborhood. Parents have invested in homes to raise their kids.
A nice area. The development will attract a different demographic.
Late-night diners and drinkers.” She seemed to catch herself and glanced quickly at me, then added more softly, realizing she’d fucked up.
“I guess I understand how they might not want that.”
Christ.
Victor finally began chewing while I conjured up ideas to torture her when we got home.
First, I’d had to respond. I couldn’t let that go.
Casually sipping my wine, I shot Khalid an amused women huh, smirk. “We’ve had interest from a national daycare wanting space, so I don’t think it’s quite that dire.”
I ran a hand over her hair and gave her the most condescending smile. Inside, though, I was wondering how long you can strangle someone before they run out of air . Information I may need, if Emily is going to live with me for the week.
“My fiancée is too kindhearted. People adapt. Communities adapt. Or they move because it's no longer the right place for them. It’s how cities keep growing and evolving.”
Her mouth snapped shut, but I saw the flicker of annoyance within them.
“Emily disagrees.” Khalid sipped his drink, amused.
“Oh, no, it was an observation.” Emily began, then glanced at me. “I just think—”
“Emily is an administrator,” I said, reaching for my glass—instead of her neck—and took a quick gulp. “Her skills lay elsewhere.”
On my cock, choking it if I have my way.
Victor began coughing, banging on his chest. “Shit. Went down the wrong way.”
Emily remained quiet, and when the dinner conversation moved on, I glanced down and was greeted with wild fury. I lifted a brow, as if to say, next time, zip your lips. Which backfired on me. After five long beats, Emily plastered a smile on her lips, then turned back to the sheikh.
“I grew up in South West London and know the impact a development can have on an area. It can be devastating and push those wanting a good life into less safe areas. I’m sure none of you want that on your conscience.”
Fuck.
I’d never seen him look so amused.
“Is that right?” He shot me a quick glance, then went back to Emily. “So, what do you recommend? I’d like to hear what your administrator has to say.”
Jesus.
That was too close to home.
Fortunately for me, she hadn’t been expecting his response and was put on the spot. “Sebastian is right. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m sure it will be a great success.”
Khalid is a powerful and wealthy man, and while he was amused, I know his suspicion is higher than if she’d just kept her sexy damn lips shut.
So I’m pissed.
But I still need her.
Now more than ever, and I’m angry with myself.
When we pull up outside Emily’s apartment building, she sits silently. I know she’s upset, but I’ve never had to think this much about a woman’s emotions. When Josh climbs out, I sigh and twist my body to face her.
“You were very rude and demeaning.” Emily pouts. “If this is how you are going to act, then I do not want to be your fake wife any longer.”
She begins to tug the ring off, and it immediately infuriates me. I grab her finger and push it back on.
“Leave it on.” I growl, irrationally annoyed, and it has nothing to do with Khalid or the Crown Plaza. “We are not actually engaged, so you can’t end it.”
I search for a better reason and come up with nothing.
“I may not be a billionaire or fancy businessperson Sebastian Remington, but I am a woman with feelings. I did my best given I had about three minutes' warning.”
Shit.
My eyes roam the darkened limousine, then return to her. Emily is right. I purposely threw her under the bus so she couldn’t run. The orgasm wasn’t planned, but it definitely put her in a compliant mood. One I’m not sorry about in any way or form.
But I was a jerk.
“I’m sorry. The sheikh was playing you and testing us. I had to do damage control, and you ended up the victim.”
Hurt crosses her face, so I take her chin.
“There is half a billion dollars on the table, and many more already invested, Emily. I can’t have this falling over.”
She nods.
“There’s more,” I say, and questioning blue eyes snap to mine. “You need to move in with me.”
“What? I can’t. I live here.” She looks horrified, and now I’m the one offended.
I glance at the diamond, then back at her, then to the Black Hawke Security guard standing out on the street waiting for us.
That thing is worth more than Emily will ever earn over ten lifetimes. Fact. Not judgment.
“I can’t live with you, Sebastian. Are you crazy?” Emily shakes her head over and over and I wonder if she’s going into a panic. “You’re my boss.”
“I’m more than that. Jesus, my fingers were inside your pussy a few hours ago.” My cock thickens as her eyes drop to my pants.
Not helping, Emily.
“I thought this was fake,” she whispers.
Our chemistry isn’t, and she knows that. I could slip my fingers inside her panties and she’d forget her name in three seconds.
The entire situation is a mess, but we can make it work for us.
“Listen, while you wear this extremely expensive diamond, you need the guard. You can’t live here, it’s not safe.”
Borrowing it was a favor that I’ll one day have to return. Losing it? Not even something I want to contemplate.
“One week, Emily. I have a guest room,” I say, but we both know she’ll be in my bed. After tasting her again, I need to fill her with my hard cock. I need her mouth on mine while her breasts press up against me.
I need all of her.
I glance outside the vehicle and consider her position. I haven’t offered anything in return, and given I’m a businessman, that’s rather poor of me.
Pleasure aside, I have bullied her into it so it’s time to make this right.
“I am asking a lot. What if I pay your rent for three months and then help you find another job?” I tuck a lock of auburn hair over her ear.
“Let’s enjoy this sexual attraction between us, and once the sheikh returns to Dubai, I’ll move you back to your apartment and you can forget you ever met me. ”
Why does that idea not sit right with me?
But I’ll do it.
For her.
I watch as Emily considers the offer. I might come from a wealthy family, but even I know having rent paid for three months is an irresistible offer.
The only thing that is nonnegotiable is that she can’t keep working for me. This past week has been hell, and after I sink inside her, and lick her pussy—two things I am absolutely going to do—we can’t go back to being CEO and PA.
“One week?” Emily asks, biting her lip.
“One week. Max.”
She holds up her hand with a cheeky grin. “Do I get to keep the ring?”
Fuck, no.
“Nice try, sexy.”
A N HOUR LATER, Emily is in one of my guest rooms unpacking while I stare out the window and sip on my Macallan, wondering how I ended up with a roommate and fake fiancée.
Me, a man who has zero intention of marrying and almost considers it a fate worse than death.
“Hey.”
I turn and find Emily standing before me in a pair of sleep shorts and the tiniest fucking top I’ve ever seen. She has a toothbrush in her mouth.
“Joo we gwo to swork together chomorrow?”
My brows lift.
She holds up a finger, runs over to the kitchen sink, spits, runs the water, brushes the rest of her teeth and then wipes her arm over her mouth.
Jesus Christ.
“I said, do we go—”
“I translated.” I toss down the rest of the golden liquid and drop the glass on the coffee table. “House rules. Do not brush your teeth in the fucking kitchen. No feet on benches or tables.”
She frowns.
“No friends over.”
“Wow.” Emily walks around the counter and the water from her toothbrush drips onto my polished wooden floors.
I almost have a stroke. Those cost...never mind.
“The ring stays on. Always. Josh goes with you everywhere.”
“How am I going to explain it to everyone at work?”
Good question.
When I don’t answer, Emily lifts the huge diamond and shoves it near my face. “This is not exactly small.”
“Why do you need to say anything?”
Emily sighs. “Because...do you really not know? Girls see an engagement ring and will ask. Especially one this big.”
“Tell them it’s fake.” I shrug.
“It does look fake.” Emily stares down at it, nodding.
“Well, it’s not. You will drive with me to the office, going up in the private executive elevator. Then Josh will shadow you during the day.”
“Maybe I’ll tell them I went home with that guy on Friday night—”
I see red.
“What guy!!”