“And then we’re going out afterwards?”

“I’m not sure.” He looked at me again and pursed his lips as he studied my face. His green eyes looked annoyed and slightly dazed and I wondered if he was okay.

“Are you okay?” I asked him softly.

“I’m fine.” He snapped and turned away from me. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” I ran my hands down my thighs and took a deep breath. “Let’s do this. Is there anything I should know?”

“Anything like what?” He turned back at me and frowned.

“I don’t know. Things your fiancée should know that I don’t.”

“You know everything you need to know.” He opened the door.

“We haven’t even discussed the engagement or anything.” I hurried out as we walked down the grand corridor. “How did you propose?”

“Figure something out.” He shrugged and then laughed. “What a mess this is.”

“We don’t have to go through with it.” I whispered, feeling extremely self-conscious.

“Go through with what?” He stopped at the top of the stairs. “We’re not actually getting married, you do know that right?” His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “Or were you hoping for something else?”

“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean? Am I hoping for something else?” My voice rose. “You’re the one that made me come here to be a part of this farce.”

“Fine, as long as you don’t think this is going to end in a big wedding with you becoming a Queen.”

“I wouldn’t want to marry a jerk like you.” I hissed annoyed. “In fact, I want to go home tomorrow. I’m done with this and with you. You can’t just speak to me like I’m some sort of—”

“You look very beautiful tonight, Lola.” His voice dropped as he interrupted me. “Very very beautiful. I’m happy you’re here with me. Fake engagement or not.”

“I, uh.” I stared at him in shock. Had he really just said that? He thought I was beautiful? He was happy I was here? What??

“Let’s go do this thing, yeah?” He grabbed my hand. “Let’s go make our grand entrance, everyone is waiting to meet you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” I mumbled under my breath as we made our way down the stairs. I could hear the sounds of violins and a piano playing. There were hundreds of people milling around the palace and I felt my stomach rumbling out of nerves. We were so not prepared for this. Everyone was going to know the engagement was a sham.

“It’ll be okay, Lola, breathe.” Xavier whispered as we stepped into the hallway. He gave me his first real smile of the night. “Now, let’s go and have some fun.”

***

His View

I watched Tarquin’s eyes widen as he stared at Lola in her dress. His expression held the admiration and appreciation I’d felt when I’d seen her. I hadn’t been prepared for the gamut of emotions that had hit me when I’d seen her in her dress and her small hopeful smile had frightened me. I was not interested in falling for Lola. I was not interested in love. I didn’t want my heart to tighten when I stared at her. Like now. She was smiling at Tarquin as if he were her fiancé. It irritated me. Didn’t she realize that Tarquin might take her smile the wrong way? He might think she was interested in him. I grew angry just thinking about it.

“Lola, come.” I grabbed her arm. “We need to talk.”

“Hi, Xavier.” Tarquin grinned at me and I ignored him.

“Where are you taking me?” Lola gasped as I pulled her out of the room with me.

“We need to talk.” I hissed, annoyed at her. “You cannot keep flirting with every man you see.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve not been flirting with anyone.”

“You will receive a lot of attention tonight.” I pulled her into a small bathroom and closed the door. “You cannot let it get to your head.”

“Xavier, I was just talking to Tarquin. No one has been flirting with me. In fact, no one has even smiled at me asides from him.”

“Trust me the men are doing a lot more than flirting.”

“What are you talking about?” She rolled her eyes.

“I’m talking about this.” I grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her face towards me before I kissed her hard. She was hesitant at first, but then she kissed me back passionately. That was one of the things I loved about Lola, she was always so honest with her emotions and physical reactions. I knew her body craved mine just as much as I craved hers. Her lips sucked on my tongue and I pulled her dress up and squeezed her ass. I was pleased to feel that she was wearing a thong.

“Xavier,” she muttered against my lips. “What are you doing?”

“Shh.” I groaned and lifted her up against the wall. “Wrap your legs around my waist.”

“What?”

“Just do it.” I unzipped my pants.

“No, you’ve been hot and cold to me all day. You didn’t even speak to me when you came into the room. I don’t get you.”

I groaned as I looked at the desire and uncertainty in her eyes. “I thought you looked beautiful. It took me back a bit. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away.”

“Everything—”

“Shh.” I kissed her again and undid my zipper.