Текст книги "Feisty Princess"

Автор книги: Michelle A. Valentine

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Текущая страница: 4 (всего у книги 6 страниц)

Margo

THE FIRST DAY WE WENT public was the hardest. Since then, rumors have been flying all around the city. Gossip in this town spreads at lightning speed, especially when it involves the Naughty King and the Feisty Princess willingly committing to each other. If I were on the receiving end of that news, I would pity the idiots for thinking a relationship like that can actually work.

Good thing I’m not in this relationship for something as silly as love.

I don’t believe in love. I’ve seen too much when it comes to relationships; not only courtesy of my mother, but also from the assholes I’ve dated. One, in particular, did a number on my heart, so I learned that in order to not get hurt, you have to keep your feelings on a tight leash at all times.

At this point, I couldn’t care less if people pity me and think I’m a dumb twit who Alexander will blindside. I’m doing this for me and the company that will rightfully belong to me someday.

I find myself curled up on a chaise lounge in one of the biggest private libraries I’ve ever seen. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve enjoyed reading. Sneaking my mother’s romance novels and reading them in secret was one of my favorite pastimes. I find that as an adult, whenever I’m feeling stressed, a steamy romance seems to take my mind off reality for a bit. And this feels like the perfect place to hide out other than my room while I’m trapped here.

“Alexander? Aggie?” I hear a female voice call from the front of the apartment. “Anyone here?”

The distinct sound of heels clicking against the marble alerts me that whoever is in here is heading my way. I slide a bookmark into place and then swing my legs over the side of the seat just in time to see a four-legged ball of fur bound in my direction.

The yellow lab pup jumps into my lap and instantly assaults my face with his wet tongue. I giggle as I try to pull him off me. “My, you’re a friendly thing, aren’t you?” As if to answer me, the puppy barks and then places a paw on my arm. I stroke his head and smile. “You’re about the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

“Jimmy Chew!” The voice from earlier sounds in the room I’m in. “There you are!” The moment my eyes land on the woman, I instantly remember her from high school. Diem looks exactly the same, with her long blond hair and bright green eyes, only now she’s a little older and more beautiful.

Diem rushes over to me. “I’m so sorry, Margo. Jimmy is obviously still in need of a few lessons with a good obedience trainer.”

I wave her off, surprised that she remembers me as well. “It’s no problem at all. I actually love dogs.”

She smiles. “Me, too.”

“His name is cute,” I tell her as I continue to pet Jimmy.

Diem sits on the couch across from me on the other side of the large wooden coffee table. “Thanks. Those are my favorite shoes, so when I was thinking about a name, that was the first thing that popped into my mind.”

“I think it’s an excellent choice.” I glance in her direction and feel the need to strike up a conversation so we’re not sitting here in awkward silence. “I was admiring your paintings the other day. They are quite good.”

Her smile widens. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you. I actually just sold my very first piece, so I’m hopeful that’s a testament to my having true talent.”

“Congratulations. Alexander told me that the other evening.”

Diem adjusts on the couch, and I can tell by the way she’s fidgeting in the seat that she’s uncomfortable. She’s probably wondering what in the hell I’m doing in her family home considering we never really spoke back in school.

She licks her lips and eyes me suspiciously. “So it’s true, then—the rumors about you and my brother being married?”

Looks like she knows exactly why I’m here. Word travels quickly in this city.

It shouldn’t shock me that Alexander didn’t tell his sister. I mean, after all, he didn’t mean to marry me or make me apart of his family, so I can see why he wouldn’t want his sister in all this. But it still doesn’t mean it was the right thing to do. If he wants people to believe that we are actually married, then he should’ve told his family, just as I told mine.

My lips pull into a tight line. Confirming this for Diem might piss Alexander off, but it has to be done.

“It’s true,” I say with ease that surprises me.

Diem tilts her head. “That must’ve been some trip to Vegas. I’m betting that Yamada was involved in some way.”

I nod. “I’m not positive because the details are all still a little fuzzy, but I think he was the ringleader of the whole thing.”

“I knew it!” she exclaims. “Honestly, I’m shocked. I was afraid the two of you would kill each other in Vegas. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine this happening, but I should’ve expected it. Whenever Alexander and Yamada get together, something crazy always happens.”

“They seem like quite the pair.”

“That’s putting it lightly.” She chuckles. “The two alone are something, but when you add Jack to the mix, scandalous debauchery ensues. The three of them together is like one big fat never-ending party.”

“I can see that. Jack and Alexander seem a lot alike,” I tell her.

“You know, I used to think that too, but Jack has really shown me a different side of himself lately. He can be a gentleman when he wants to be.” A slight blush creeps into her cheeks, and I instantly wonder if Diem has a crush on her brother’s best friend. “He’s actually the person to whom I sold my first painting.”

I lift my eyebrows. “Wow. That’s awesome. I didn’t take Jack as an art buff, but I’m sure the painting he bought was stunning just like the rest of your work displayed around here.”

“You really are too kind, but I don’t know if I would necessarily refer to the piece that he bought as beautiful considering it was a self-portrait.”

“Really?” Now that adds a twist to this little story. Maybe the attraction is a mutual thing. I bet Alexander doesn’t have the first clue that his little sister and his best friend seem to be into one another. “Well, it sounds to me like Jack digs the woman who painted it a lot.” I give her a wink.

Her blush colors her cheeks in full force as she lifts her shoulders in a bashful shrug. “I’m still not sure about that yet, and he hasn’t made any real moves yet, but I think it’s because he’s afraid of what Alexander might say.”

“Who’s afraid of me now?” Alexander’s voice slices through the room, and Diem instantly stiffens.

Alexander struts into the room and stops directly in front of me, folding his arms across his broad chest. Diem’s back is to him, and she’s staring at me with wide-eyes, begging me silently not to say a word about what she just admitted to me.

His eyes flick down to Jimmy, who is now asleep on my lap. “I wasn’t aware that you had a dog.”

“Oh, he’s—”

“That’s because he’s not Margo’s dog.” Before I have a chance to stumble over explaining that the cute little pup isn’t mine, Diem feels the need to interject. Diem turns toward her brother. “That’s what we were just talking about, actually. I was afraid of what you would say about the dog.”

Alexander sighs. “You have your own apartment, Squirt. If you want a dog to keep you company, you don’t have to ask my permission. You’re the one who’ll have to take responsibility for it.”

“The thing is, the dog isn’t actually for me either. He’s for you.”

Alexander furrows his brow. “Why would you get me a dog?”

Diem stands up, and the moment she does, Jimmy’s little head pops up to watch her. She steps over to me and scoops the dog up into her arms. “I actually picked him out weeks ago before he was weaned from his mother. I thought a dog might keep you company since I moved out. If I had known you were about to get married, I might have reconsidered buying you the dog.”

Alexander’s eyes flick in my direction, and I instantly throw my hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at me. She knew before she got here.”

His gaze shoots back over to Diem. “How?”

She chews on the corner of her lower lip. “Everyone’s buzzing about it. It seems that the two of you kissed in front of the entire staff of King, and they started researching the shit out of the two of you. They found notice of your marriage license online somehow.”

“Shit,” he growls before scrubbing his hand down his face.

“Here,” she says as she places Jimmy in Alexander’s arms. “They say dogs relieve stress.”

“Diem . . . no . . . I don’t need a dog.” Alexander stands there stiffly, cradling the yellow pup in his arms.

Diem turns and sits back down. “I dare you to resist that face. His name is Jimmy Chew and he’s the most adorable thing on this entire planet.”

He stares down at the tiny ball of fur. Jimmy stretches his neck in order to lick Alexander’s face, which causes him to smile. “He is pretty cute.”

Diem lets out a little squeal. “See! I knew even you wouldn’t be immune.”

I catch myself grinning from ear to ear at the very sight of Alexander holding what quite possibly may be the most adorable puppy on the planet. It allows me to see another glimpse of that easygoing guy I spotted with Yamada the night of Yamada’s party in Vegas—the guy he likes to keep hidden from me and the rest of the world.

“You didn’t want people to know that the two of you were married?” Diem questions with a confused expression as she watches Alexander cradle Jimmy in his arms. “If that’s the case, then you probably shouldn’t have made out in front of fifty people.”

“It wasn’t fifty,” he refutes instantly.

“Same difference,” she counters. “What’s the big deal? You meant to get married, right?” Alexander sighs as he takes a seat next to her. She tilts her head and studies her brother. “You didn’t, did you?”

King’s lips pull into a tight line and then his eyes flick to mine quickly before he turns his gaze to Diem. “No.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t believe he just exposed the secret he’s been hell-bent on keeping. I’m tempted to say something, but stop myself, knowing that it’s his secret. If he trusts his sister with it, that’s his business. I just hope she doesn’t go blabbing about it to the rest of the city.

“Yamada?” She only has to say his name like a question, and it seems to resonate with Alexander.

He nods. “Yes. And now it’s a fucked-up mess. The board will be all over my ass because of that stupid clause Father put in his will if it gets out that Margo and I rushed into this unintentionally. Jack is afraid the board will see it as a weakness, accompanied by poor decision-making, and swoop in to contest my sole authority to make decisions for the King Corporation.”

Diem’s mouth drops open. “They can’t do that, can they?”

“Afraid so, but Margo has agreed to help me convince everyone that we’re a happily married couple.”

Diem turns her attention to me. “That’s really awesome of you, considering I know the two of you don’t really get along so well.”

I open my mouth to reply, but Alexander cuts me off.

“Don’t toot her horn too much, Squirt. It’s not like she’s doing this out of the goodness of her heart. She’s getting something out of it too.”

“Just what’s rightly mine and you know it,” I fire back in my defense.

She lifts her eyebrows. “Oh? Well, I’m still glad she’s doing it. I don’t want you to have any issues with Daddy’s company. I knew it meant a lot that it would be in your hands when he was no longer here. And on that note—” Diem pushes herself up from the couch. “I’d better get going so you two can get ready.”

“Ready?” I asked confused as to what she’s referring to.

“For the King Corporation Education Gala, of course. It’s the company’s biggest event of the year, and they will expect Alexander to make an appearance with his new bride. If you ask me, it’s the perfect time to convince the board that you’re a happy couple.”

“You’re right,” Alexander says as he stands. “I hadn’t told Margo because I didn’t think it would be a good idea to have her there, but it might be best to confront the board head-on before the rumors get to them. Here.” He begins to hand Jimmy back to Diem, but she shakes her head. “Come on. What am I supposed to do with him?”

Diem smiles and begins to backpedal out of the room. “He’s your dog. You’ll figure it out. Good luck, you two.”

Once she leaves the room, Alexander turns to me. “The gala begins at eight. I know it doesn’t leave you much time to get ready, but there are new gowns in your closet that will fit the occasion. I had Aggie pick up a few for you just in case I needed you to accompany me to the gala. Choose whichever one you like.”

As much as I want to argue and tell him that I’m not going, I know that in order to uphold my end of the deal, I need to play my part. A wife would be happy to attend something like this on husband’s arm, so I’ll have to force myself to smile.

I push up from the chaise. “I’ll be ready.”

Alexander nods. “Thank you.” As if on cue, Jimmy barks. “I can’t believe she got me a dog. She knows how busy I am.”

I smile as I lean in and pet the dog. “I think it’s sweet that she cares enough about you to worry about you being lonely.”

Alexander’s gaze locks on mine the moment I glance up at his face. He opens his mouth to say something as his eyes search my face, and this weird tension floats between us. I’m not sure what he was about to say to me, but whatever it is, he’s holding back.

I’m curious as to what it might’ve been, but I don’t ask. Instead, I step around him and head toward my room. “I’ll meet you in the foyer?”

“Seven thirty sharp,” he calls over his shoulder.

As I head to my room, it hits me that living in this apartment with Alexander King hasn’t been anything like I expected. Everything from his relationship with Aggie and Darby to his willingness to give in to his sister has all surprised me. Maybe there is some truth to what Yamada was saying about Alexander having a heart because I’m pretty sure I just caught a glimpse of it back there.

Alexander

STANDING IN THE FOYER OF my apartment, I glance down at my watch. What in the hell takes a woman so damn long to get ready?

Jimmy paws at my leg, begging for my attention. I bend down and scratch the soft fur behind his right ear. “I can’t play right now, buddy. You be good for Aggie while I’m gone.”

Diem’s right. I have a hard time resisting this dog no matter how hard I try.

A sigh escapes me as I stand upright and check my watch again. I hate being late; it’s a pet peeve of mine. I always have to be early. I’m tempted to go to Margo’s room to tell her to hurry her sweet ass up, but before I can decide, she appears at the top of the staircase.

My breath catches at the very sight of her in her black gown. She pauses for a brief second, and our eyes meet just before she descends the staircase. It’s like watching a scene from a movie with her moving in slow motion, as she gets closer and closer to me. She’s pulled her dark hair back, and the style accentuates her gorgeous face. She’s even more stunning than any time I’ve ever seen her before. It’s truly like staring at a piece of art, but I don’t think Diem could even create something so perfect. I can’t pull my eyes away.

I stand there with my mouth hanging open, and it’s hard for me to even find the appropriate words to say to her as she halts directly in front of me.

Margo glances down at her outfit and runs her hand over her stomach as if to smooth out the fabric that’s already lying perfectly in place. “It doesn’t fit exactly right, but I think it can work for a few hours.”

I bite my bottom lip. “You’re stunning, Margo.”

Her hypnotic blue eyes flit up to meet mine, and my heart flutters in my chest. “Thank you. That’s the first real compliment you’ve ever given me.”

I tilt my head. “I don’t believe that’s true. I distinctly remember telling you that you had great tits.”

She bends down to pet Jimmy on the top of his head before flicking her eyes back in my direction. “Why do you always do that?”

“Do what?” I ask, completely perplexed as to what she’s referring to.

“Get crude with me every time we have a conversation. Every time you say something sweet to me, I almost start believing you aren’t a complete asshole, but you always ruin the moment with that mouth of yours. It wouldn’t kill you to be nice every once in a while.”

Her words stun me for a moment. I didn’t mean to insult her, and having her in a pissy mood before we leave for this event isn’t ideal. God knows I don’t need her bitching me out in front of the very people who need to believe we’re in a real relationship.

“You’re right, Margo. I’ll work on that,” I tell her. “I promise to tone things down a bit.”

“Thank you,” she replies. “It will be nice not to be sexually harassed by you every time we have a conversation.”

“I’m not saying it’ll never happen again. I mean, have you seen you? I can’t help thinking about your body and sex when I see you. You’re sexy as hell,” I admit.

Redness creeps up into her cheeks, and it’s the first time anything I’ve ever said to her has caused that reaction. At that very moment, I realize the way to win Margo Buchanan over is with flattery. My habitual filthy talk had turned her on and helped me find my way into that sweet pussy of hers, but it never made her blush. It was like it pissed her off, but she was so turned on that she allowed me to fuck her even against her better judgment. But telling her how amazing I think she looks and meaning it affects her.

“Ready?” she prompts.

I shake my head. My palms begin to sweat as I reach into the pocket of my dress slacks. The velvet box in my hand suddenly feels like it weighs a ton as I hold it out to her. “I got you something.”

Her eyes widen. “Alexander . . .”

“It’s just a replacement for the one I gave you in Vegas. If we are going to pull this off, then we need to pull out all the stops and make our relationship believable. If you were really my wife, the ring on your finger would be large enough for the entire world to see. I would want everyone to know that you were mine. Clearly, our options in Vegas were limited when we went ring shopping in the middle of the night.”

I open the black velvet lid, revealing the fifteen-carat diamond ring that I bought her from Jacob and Co.

Margo gasps as her hand flies to cover her mouth. “Oh, my God. Alexander! I cannot accept that.”

I pull it out of the box and hold it out to her. “Consider it a thank-you gift for helping me. It’s yours to keep, and you may do as you please with it once we’re through with this whole marriage thing.”

I wait with bated breath for her answer. She stares down at it, and for a moment it almost feels like I’m actually proposing to her. “What do you say, Margo? Will you be my fake wife?”

“Yes,” her answer comes out barely above a whisper and relief floods through me.

I would’ve felt like a complete jackass for getting a replacement ring if she would’ve ended up saying no.

She swallows hard as she takes the ring from me. “It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Allow me.” I snap the box closed and stuff it back into my pocket before taking the ring and sliding it onto Margo’s ring finger. I stare down at her hand, memorized by the way it sparkles. It actually looks even better than I expected on her.

“It’s perfect,” she says. “I love it. Thank you, Alexander.”

I turn and then extend my right elbow to her. “Come on, Mrs. King. It’s time to break every woman’s heart in Manhattan.”

She shakes her head as she loops her arm through mine. “You are so damn full of yourself.”

I shrug while wearing a lopsided grin. “It’s not being conceited when it’s the truth. You know as well as I do that most of the women in this city dream about taming me. They’ll be jealous as hell once they see for themselves that you’ve hooked me.”

“So you think I’m about to walk into a pissed off beehive because you’re off the market?”

I nod. “I hope you’re prepared to use that witty tongue of yours to ward off all the questions you’re about to be bombarded with. I need you to defend our relationship to anyone who questions it. It’s vital that you’re in on this charade with me one hundred percent.”

She pats my forearm with her other hand as if to soothe me. “Don’t worry. We’ve got this.”

I stare down at her and smile. “Shall we?”

With that, we say our goodbyes to Jimmy and head toward the front door. I take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for what I’m sure is about to be a very interesting evening.