“Yeah.” I walked over to him and tilted my head up and him. “Let me tell you this. If you spank me, I will be spanking you too.”
“Oh?” Xavier licked his lips and he leaned in towards me and whispered in my ear. “I like it when you talk dirty to me, Lola. It turns me on.”
“What doesn’t turn you on?” I answered him lightly and he laughed.
“Touché.” He nodded. “When it comes to you, there isn’t much that doesn’t turn me on.” He winked at me again and walked out of the room. I leaned back against the door and sighed. I was in way over my head. I had no idea what I was going to do. If I was smart, I’d tell him that I wasn’t going to be a part of this anymore. I’d tell him I needed to go back to London right now. This very instant. I didn’t even care if I didn’t get my bags. If I was smart I wouldn’t let another hour go by in his company. There was something so hypnotizing about him and I was grappling internally over my lust for him and my worry for my own self-preservation. I just didn’t see how this could work out for me. In any way. I didn’t want to experience heartache, but a part of me wondered if it wasn’t a small price to pay to have one of the most magical summers of my life. I just didn’t know if the pleasure was going to be worth the inevitable pain I knew was coming.
***
The chiffon dress fit me perfectly and I stared at my reflection in amazement. My hair was being obedient for once and looked silky and smooth. My makeup looked perfect and I grinned as I spun around the room. I felt like a princess. Even if I was a fake one. My heart beat fast as I wondered what Xavier was going to say. He’d never seen me dressed up like this. I hoped he would be impressed, though I was sure he’d been with plenty of beautiful women in his life. I heard the door opening and I paused as he walked in. He stopped as he gazed at me. His eyes narrowed as he looked me over and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking from the expression on his face.
“Are you ready?” He said finally and turned away from me.
“Yes.” I answered him, feeling disappointed. Did he think I looked bad?
“Okay, we need to go down in a few minutes.” His voice sounded angry. “There are a lot of people you’ll be meeting tonight. Do not worry if you don’t remember their names, these are not people you’ll be meeting many times.”
“Okay, that’s good to know.” I mumbled and stared at him.
“Do you need anything before we go down?” He gave me another quick glance and I shook my head. Why was he acting like this? “Good, dinner won’t be too long.”
“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.”