My Billionaire Guest Asked Me To Be His Fake Fiancée For One Night — But His Secret Rule Changed Everything

Part 2

The next few days passed in a bizarre, dreamlike blur.

Tyler was incredibly true to his word about making our arrangement look perfectly convincing.

He spent nearly every waking moment by my side, much to the absolute, open-mouthed astonishment of my entire family.

We took long walks through the snow-covered grounds, our shoulders brushing as we navigated the icy paths.

We sat together in the massive library for hours, discussing philosophy and literature by the crackling fire.

To any outside observer, we appeared to be in the midst of a whirlwind, passionate courtship.

I confess, I am utterly baffled by all of this sudden attention.

My mother cornered me in the hallway one afternoon, her eyes wide with genuine confusion.

He has shown more interest in you these past three days than any man has in six years.

I kept my expression carefully blank as I folded my hands tightly in front of me.

Perhaps he simply enjoys having an intelligent conversation, Mom.

But he could have his pick of literally any woman in the country, she pressed, her voice dripping with disbelief.

Why on earth would he choose to spend his time with you?

The cruel implication stung just as much as she intended it to.

Perhaps you wildly underestimate me, I replied smoothly, turning on my heel and walking away before she could see the hurt.

What my family didn’t know was that our time together had become far more than just acting.

Tyler was wickedly intelligent, fiercely protective, and possessed a dry wit that made me laugh out loud.

He was also becoming dangerously, terrifyingly easy for me to care about.

On the fifth day of our arrangement, he insisted on teaching me how to waltz in the empty ballroom.

We must appear completely natural together at the gala, he reasoned, stepping uncomfortably close to me.

If we stumble through the very first dance, everyone will immediately know this is a total sham.

He was right, but I hadn’t anticipated what it would feel like to be held so tightly in his strong arms.

He moved with effortless grace, his large hand resting firmly against the small of my back.

You dance beautifully, he murmured, his breath warm and sending shivers down my spine.

Why did no one ever notice this about you before?

Because when you stand against the wall long enough, you just become part of the furniture, I replied quietly, looking away.

He spun me suddenly, pulling me flush against his chest so I could feel the steady, rapid beat of his heart.

Then they were all absolute fools, he said fiercely, his dark eyes locking intensely onto mine.

The air between us suddenly grew thick, heavy with unspoken tension and an undeniable, magnetic spark.

My heart hammered against my ribs as his intense gaze dropped slowly down to my lips.

I realized with terrifying clarity that our carefully constructed rules were beginning to crumble into dust.

If I wasn’t incredibly careful, I was going to fall hopelessly in love with a man who was only pretending to be mine.

I pulled away abruptly, terrified of the dangerous fire burning in his eyes.

Would I risk my fragile heart for a man who only wanted a fake fiancé, or was he playing a much more dangerous game?