- Kieran -

I wonder how Connor managed to keep his gang activities from Alina for three months when I couldn’t even do it for a few hours.

The way she looked at me was clear enough that she knew I had something up my sleeve and I was even more nervous than I was before. So much for asking Lucy for help in getting the wedding bands.

She advised me to make it romantic for Alina, even if it was a fake arrangement. Said one broken engagement was enough for a woman to take in one week and I should prepare something special for her.

I ditched the idea initially, but eventually whatever heart I had left decided I couldn’t just shove a ring on her finger and mark her as mine for a few more days. I wouldn’t do that to her when I knew behind all that fierceness was a woman wanting to be loved.

I couldn’t give her that, so I’ll give her second best. A romantic night to remember.

We strode down the quiet beach, other than the occasional screaming of kids and parents and huddling of couples, it was perfect. The sun setting cast gentle pink and purple hues across the sky and I swung Alina’s heels in my free hand, the other intertwined with hers.

It was weird, the way her hand fit mine like it was meant to be there. I've never felt this full before.

“You’re acting weird Kieran, I’m not used to you being so quiet. At least do your occasional grunts or something,” Alina stopped walking entirely and I had to face the beauty of her.

It was unfair how I wanted her for myself when I didn’t have the ability to love. The soft rays of the sun kissed her smooth skin and I reached out to caress her cheek, “I’m not a caveman Alina, I don’t grunt.”

She scoffed, “You’ll be surprised to find out how much you do.”

I actually smiled and heard her stop breathing for a second. It felt unusual, the unused muscles of my face stretching into a grin.

“I have something to ask you darling.”

She gulped, already anticipating the worst, “Are you a drug dealer?”

I laughed and even that sounded strange to me, “The only drug I have and am addicted to is you Alina.”

Her eyes went wide and the weight of my words settled in my stomach like a rock. Where the hell were these words coming from?

I cleared my throat, hoping to ease the tense situation, “As your fake husband of course. I get a little too much into character sometimes, I apologise.”

She smiled a little but it didn’t reach her eyes, “It’s alright, you’re doing great.”

I held her face in my hand and pressed my lips to her forehead, feeling her tremble slightly, “Back to my question, I have something to ask you.”

She nodded and waited patiently while I got my wits back together, I could get lost in her eyes and never come back up to the surface. I pulled the little velvet box out of the pocket of my blazer and opened it.

An audible gasp escaped her sweet lips and I knelt on the sand in front of her, “Alina Simmons, will you take me, Kieran Knight, to be your fake husband for the next four days and whatever is left of our pretend honeymoon?”

She stared at me like I popped a third eye and I couldn't help but smile again.

"Kieran you didn't have to," she grabbed my hands and tried pulling me up, it only made me more stubborn.

I held my ground and she gave up on manhandling me.

"I'm waiting darling."

Her lips quivered, making me second check myself. Was this too much for her?

"You don't have to if you don't want to. I just thought it will play nicely into this thing we got. So guys like Nigel will stop sprouting in front of you," I joked, hoping it will ease off the tension in her shoulders.

It didn't, but she forced a smile anyway and finally nodded, "Okay then, just till this thing ends."

It wasn't real, but my emotionless heart felt like it was soaring across the universe. 

I stood up and slipped the ring on her ring finger as she did mine. The ring grazed her bandage and she looked up at me with a type of sparkle that matched the diamonds on the ring.

I held her face and leaned in to kiss her luscious lips. She responded fervently but I knew she was holding back.

Maybe she was saving up for later.

I pulled away and she wobbled unsteadily. I caught her waist and held her against me, letting my body support hers.

"I have another surprise for you."

If her eyes got any wider, she could be an owl.

I took her to a private cabana that I rented out and she seemed more comfortable than she did just minutes ago.

It relieved me, to see how she calmed down drastically just by a simple change in surroundings.

"I'm serious Kieran, you didn't have to. It's a short-term thing, you shouldn't- we shouldn't-" 

She stopped her rambling when our eyes met and I closed the distance between us, holding her hands in mine, "I want to. I know you've been through stuff and you don't want to share them with me. But here, I will take those worries away from you. Just for the next four days, let me be your husband."

I never knew my mouth could form such words. It scared me. Scared the unfeeling Kieran Knight.

My conscience must be taking over my body and I had no idea the change was taking place.

She pulled away and looked around us, "Even then this is insane. You know that right?"

I nodded slowly, not feeling like myself at all. Why was I being so nice to her? Why was I showing such care for a girl? Why did I listen to Lucy?

Why did I enjoy Alina's company so much? 

"Come on, don't tell me you've never thought about having sex outdoors?" I tried convincing her and myself all this was for carnal needs.

If only my heart will stop coming alive.

She stopped admiring the view and turned back to me, "All this for some sex?"

I reached for her again and wrapped my arms around her waist, dipping my head to her sensitive neck, "Awesome sex."

She gave me access to her neck like how she did at the beach and I gladly marked her. Kissing and nipping on her soft flesh, her sensual moans filling the space.

I lifted her and took her over to the bed, laying her down gently.

I got up and released the curtains from their hold. Letting them drape over and shield us from the world.

For now and the next four days, was just for Alina and I.

***

- Alina -

He was lying. I could see through his lies. Funny how I knew he wasn't telling the truth when we were only acquainted for a few days.

The way he gazed at me when he fake proposed was a clear indicator to me. 

We couldn't carry on. 

This thing we had going has started to sink and if we continued any longer than it has, the boat will capsize and leave us both drowning in the depths of our own darkness.

So I had to leave. Leave the handsome naked man next to me and let him have the boat to remain afloat. At least one of us has to survive.

He pulled me closer to him, his face resting just above my bare breasts, "Rest my darling."

His voice was so hoarse from all the sexual activity earlier, it brought shivers up my spine.

I ran my hands through the sexy mess of his hair, "How long did you intend to stay here Kieran?"

He groaned and looked up at me for a moment before snuggling my boobs, "What do you mean?"

"Before you knew I was here on a honeymoon, how long did you intend for your stay to be?"

He sighed, his warm breath feathering across my nipples, "Just for the weekend."

My heart stalled, "Why did you stay?"

"You looked like you needed someone here, I volunteered. Anyone will be up for some mind-blowing sex with you."

I could hear the roughness in his tone, as if he was forcing those words out his mouth. He didn't mean them. The last part at least.

"You sound like a sexually deprived caveman."

He chuckled, his body vibrating with the deep baritone, "Maybe I am, just not the sexually deprived part."

I smiled and let his warmth seal the cold of my heart for a few more hours, "Goodnight Kieran."

"Goodnight my wife."

I didn't dare touch him anymore after that. The lines were blurred, fantasy and reality.

This little runaway world we built was getting way too real and my emotions were not keeping track. I didn't like the way I could read Kieran's expressions, understand the twists of his words and every tiny shift of his mood.

We didn't know one another that way. And I wasn't about to learn anymore.

I stayed in bed with him for another hour or two, wide awake. Waiting for his deep slumber to creep up on him so I could leave.

Leave for good.

I lifted his arms and wriggled out of his embrace, my body already hating the idea of leaving. Wanting his warmth to encase and wrap me into oblivion.

But my mind was strong, as it always has been. 

He stirred in his sleep and I paused, looking down at his peaceful face. Sated of the desire he had for my body.

My heart broke a little more as I slipped away and picked my clothes off the floor. I quickly got dressed and pulled a fraction of the shades open. The wind from the sea swept onto my face and I felt better, like nature was telling me everything would be alright.

Even with the tears streaming down my face. 

Why was my heart breaking at the thought of leaving him?

I went back to the bed and leaned over him, pressing a kiss on his cheek. Careful to not let my tears touch him.

"I'm sorry honey," I twisted the ring off my finger and placed it on the small table by the bed.

I turned and walked till I found the limo from last night, the most romantic night I've ever experienced.

"Mrs Knight, it's the wee hours of the morning. Is Mr Knight coming?" The chauffeur asked.

I shook my head, "Take me back to the hotel, I have some business to attend to. Please come back to fetch Mr Knight when the sun rises."

I was on my phone the whole way back to the hotel. Getting Wilson to book my flight and to let the company know I was heading in first thing in the morning to get a head start on things.

I needed my mind completely occupied with zero thoughts of Kieran.

The suite was empty and felt lonely compared to just last morning. 

I shoved my clothes into my luggage and was about to leave when Lucy appeared in the doorway.

"Miss Simmons, are you going somewhere?"

I fiddled with the handle of the luggage bag, "I have some matters to settle back home. Help me inform Mr Knight that I'll be gone, will you? He can still stay here the rest of the duration that I've booked the room."

"Why Miss he won't be happy to find that you've left without saying goodbye."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a deep breath, "I'm sure he'll understand, it's not like I should matter to him anyway. I had fun, we had fun. It's time to get back to reality."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Her voice rang in my head, the way it sounded so much like my father's.

Did I really want to leave?

Leave Kieran's lingering touch, his gentle caresses, warm hugs and passionate kisses? 

It was too real, something I wasn't expecting.

Expectations kill.

"I'm sure."