Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Paul
The moment the engagement ceremony wrapped up, I heard applause crashing in from all sides.
Diana looked up at me, her lips curved in that perfectly trained smile, and I shot back an equally official one. We were both pros at this game.
I scanned the crowd, but Casey was gone. Where she'd been standing, there were just a few scattered translation sheets, trampled and messy under people's feet.
I fought the urge to bolt after her. Mr. Rossi was toasting me, so I pulled my gaze back, wrapped an arm around Diana's waist, and forced myself toward the waves of well-wishers.
"Paul, congrats. You two are a match made in heaven."
"The Vincent Family and Rossi family tying the knot—it's gonna shake up the European market."
For the next hour, I shook hands on autopilot, made small talk, nodded, and thanked them.
I kept telling myself, once this wraps, I'll find Casey and explain.
She's smart. She'd get it.
Family pressure, business marriage—it's old news in our world.
I'd lay it out, and since she loved me so damn much, she'd understand my side.
"Well done, Paul."
Elizabeth approached as the crowd thinned, in a deep blue evening gown, hair pinned perfectly, radiating that iron-fisted power.
"The Rossi family agreed to the investment. Tomorrow's board meeting is just a formality." She paused, nodding with satisfaction. "You handled it well. That's what a Vincent Family heir does."
I mumbled something, eyes locked on the side door exit. Then I spotted a familiar figure flash by, and this time, I didn't hesitate.
"Excuse me," I said, ignoring Elizabeth's slight frown, and turned away. "Gotta hit the restroom."
I moved fast, out of the ballroom, through the lobby, nearly knocking over a waiter with a tray as I shoved through the revolving door.
February wind in Boston hit hard, flapping my suit jacket open.
I found Casey at the street corner, leaning against the wall. She wasn't sobbing, but up close, I saw the tear streaks on her face, her eyes red and swollen. One hand clutched those translation sheets, edges crumpled from her grip.
I stepped closer, my voice low and rough, trembling without me even realizing. "Casey."
She didn't look up.
"Let me explain."
"Explain what?" Her tone was eerily calm, those eyes that used to brim with warmth now filled with despair and accusation.
"How you got down on one knee and slipped that ring on another woman's finger?
Or how you promised to take me to Hawaii just to keep me quiet while you sealed this deal?
Paul, which of your words were ever true? "
"Casey, cool it and hear me out." I started, trying to keep my voice steady. "Our European operations took a brutal hit, cash flow's on the brink. Only the Rossi family would inject the funds to save us, but the price is this marriage. It's not something I can just wish away."
"Paul."
"Just listen!"
She went quiet.
I clenched my fists, knowing what came next would crush her last shred of hope, but I had no choice.
"Me and Diana, it's business, nothing more. She knows it, I know it, the Rossi family knows. I'm the Vincent Family heir; my marriage has to benefit the family. It's been my burden since birth, not a choice. You..."
I paused. Spitting out those words was harder than I'd thought.
"If you were in Diana's spot, the Vincent Family would crumble."
"So I'm not good enough. You're dumping me."
"No, I'm not dumping you." I grabbed her wrist urgently.
"You can stay with me. I'll give you everything.
Best apartment downtown, enough cash each month to live it up.
You've always wanted your own language school?
I'll have people scout locations and handle the paperwork tomorrow.
You can be my lover. Isn't that good? No fake social bullshit, no pressure from my stepmom.
I can still love you, take care of you. It's the best setup for us. "
"Lover?" She echoed it softly, voice shaking. "You mean mistress, Paul. In your eyes, I'm not someone you can show off, just a toy you buy off with money, a dirty little secret, right?"
"That's not what I meant. I'm protecting you..."
"Paul," she cut in, "when did you start thinking this? Back in college? Or later?"
I didn't answer.
"Or have you always thought it, just never said?"
I stayed silent, because she was right.
Casey suddenly laughed, then tears poured down her face.
"We're done, Paul."
She turned and walked away, no hesitation.
"Casey—"
I started after her, but a voice stopped me from behind.
"Paul."
Diana stood at the hotel entrance, having slipped out somehow, her expression calm. "Guests are waiting. Ditching now is rude, isn't it?"
I froze, watching Casey's figure vanish down the street, something inside me dying with it.
After the banquet wrapped for good, I said goodbye to the last stragglers and made sure the Rossi family reps were gone.
Signed a couple prep docs for tomorrow's board meeting, then stood at the elevator, realizing I had zero desire to go up and find Diana.
Weird thought, since protocol said I should check in with her post-engagement.
But I just couldn't move.
Stood there maybe two minutes, then the doors opened, and out came Diana with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth spoke first. "I was just looking for you."
"What's up?"
"I heard about what happened outside. Paul, I don't meddle in your personal life, but tonight's your engagement to Diana. If anything jeopardizes this marriage..."
"It won't."
"Good." She paused. "You're lucky, Paul. Diana's not just the Rossi family's gem; that art foundation she runs pulled off three major exhibits in Europe this year. Everyone's talking. Cherish a girl like that."
I nodded half-assed. Elizabeth glanced at Diana and left.
We stood face-to-face for a beat. "Who was that woman?" she asked, casual, like small talk.
"Someone from before."
"College days?"
I paused. "Yeah."
She smiled faintly. "Paul, I don't care about your past flings. That's not part of our deal. But let's be clear: I'm marrying you for our families' interests, no sugarcoating. Within that, I need respect—including not letting anyone think your heart's elsewhere."
"I know."
"Good." She turned to the elevator and hit the button. "Tough night. Rest up."
Doors closed, leaving me alone in the empty lobby. I lingered, then headed to the side door by the stairs, up to the rooftop.
The terrace on the twenty-third floor faced the city's west side. Wind howled this time of year, twisting my tie, but I didn't bother fixing it.
I gripped the railing, and my mind drifted back to Casey's words.
I remembered her junior year in the library, reciting Shakespeare not for some test, just because she loved it.
She sat by the window, sunlight spilling in from the left, book in hand, reading a passage aloud—soft but clear.
Halfway through, she caught me watching, blushed, and said, "I know it's dumb, but I love it. Don't laugh."
I didn't laugh. Back then, I thought she was rare—one of those people who held onto something real inside, didn't drop it just because others might judge.
And then my mind slipped, unbidden, into that memory of us, raw and wild, our bodies locking together like they were made for it.
My rough palms cupped her full breasts, squeezing with just enough force to make her gasp, thumbs circling and flicking those hard, pebbled nipples until they peaked under my touch.
She arched into me, moaning low, and I trailed my mouth down her neck, sucking at the pulse point, teeth grazing her collarbone before dipping lower to her flat stomach, nipping the skin there, tasting the salt of her.
She was already soaked when I reached her core, her thighs parting eagerly. I spread her open with my fingers, diving in with my tongue, lapping at her slick folds, savoring the sweet tang of her arousal.
My tongue swirled around her swollen clit, flicking and sucking, building that pressure until her legs quivered, toes curling tight against the sheets. She bucked against my face, hands fisting my hair, breath coming in ragged bursts.
I didn't let up. Flipped us over so she straddled my face, her wet heat grinding down as I pulled her closer.
We shifted into a perfect sixty-nine, her mouth descending on my throbbing cock, lips wrapping around the thick shaft, tongue teasing the sensitive head, tracing every bulging vein with expert flicks.
She sucked me deep, hollowing her cheeks, while I gripped her round ass cheeks hard, fingers digging into the flesh, burying my face between her thighs.
I thrust my tongue into her dripping pussy, sucking greedily, lapping up every drop as she rocked against me. Our rhythms synced—her bobbing matched my thrusts, breaths mingling in hot, desperate harmony, bodies slick with sweat and need.
God, the way she tasted, that musky sweetness flooding my senses, driving me wild. I added fingers, plunging two inside her tight heat, curling them to hit that spot that made her shudder, her moans vibrating around my cock as she took me deeper, gagging slightly but not stopping.
Her hips ground harder against my mouth, clit pulsing under my relentless tongue, and I could feel her building, muscles clenching around my fingers. She came first, crying out around my length, her juices coating my chin, body trembling violently as waves crashed through her.
It pushed me over the edge; I drove in deep one last time, spilling inside her mouth with a guttural roar, filling her up as we collapsed together, spent and entangled.
But tonight, I'd told her she was too ordinary, didn't know our rules, could be my hidden lover.
I stared out at the distant city lights, a vague irritation bubbling up—not regret, not guilt.
I didn't know what it was.