- Alina -

Damn that man.

The barriers I've put up to protect myself were corroding and it was all his fault.

I knew something was up the moment the PI company was called 'Night Investigations'.

Who did he think he was? The Dark Knight?

When he reached into his pocket earlier, the ring flashed harshly in my mind and I nearly wanted to run out of the cafe. One failed engagement is enough for one week in my dramatic life. I have to tone it down.

"Miss Simmons?"

I looked up at Louis, "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"The convention is tomorrow, do you want to look through your speech?"

"Sure, have you gotten my gown ready?"

"It'll be delivered to your home first thing in the morning."

"Thank you, do I have anything else scheduled for today?"

"No Miss, but you do have a dinner appointment."

I raised a brow, "With whom?"

"Kieran Knight from 'Knight Insurances', he checked for your availability with me earlier. I asked you and you agreed while you were sending off your emails."

Clearly, I wasn't listening.

"Text me the details and you can head home for today Louis. I'll see you tomorrow."

"I can cancel if you want."

Did my horrified expression give my reluctance away?

"It's alright, I'll handle him."

He left and I grabbed my bag and script for my speech, quickly striding out of the office and into the late afternoon sun.

A black Mercedes Benz pulled up in front of me and the chauffeur alighted, "Miss Simmons, Mr Knight is expecting you."

My forehead creased, "Does he think I can't make it to our dinner date on my own?"

"No, I just don't want my wife to get cold feet and run away from me again," Kieran stepped out from the passenger door and I very blatantly ogled at him.

Seeing him in a casual shirt with Bermudas was one thing but having all those firm muscles in a sharp black suit?

Was the sun suddenly warmer?

“I didn’t run from you. I walked, drove and flew away.”

His eyes seemed to darken and he rubbed his forehead, “We have some time before our reservation, let’s go somewhere for a walk.”

I didn’t want to, my emotions were still a mess and the very reason I left was to stay away from him to clear my head. But the way his eyes held mine, I didn’t have much of a choice.

Why was he so insistent on keeping this charade up?

He took my bag and script from me and placed them in the seat of his car before taking my hand and walking down the pavement that was starting to fill with people who were getting off work.

It felt weird, the warmth of his hand cocooning mine. They fit amazingly well together. I also noted the absence of his ring and I had mixed feelings about it. I would sort those emotions out later.

He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed the knuckles of each finger, “I don’t like people who can’t keep to their agreement.”

My blood froze, “I don’t see you going after each person that breaks a clause.”

He looked down at me, “You should’ve at least said goodbye.”

I looked away from his piercing gaze, there was no way I would’ve done that even if I had to go through it a second time. Because I know I wouldn’t leave if I did.

“Imagine the shock I received when I woke up to an empty bed and Lucy telling me my wife had gone without me,” he mumbled and I heard a hint of hurt in his tone.

I pried my hand away from his, too real. This was too much.

“You don’t have to do this Kieran, seriously. It’s getting too much. I can’t- I can’t do this. Whatever this is.”

We stopped walking at a corner and he sighed, his thumb skimming across my bottom lip, “If you’re going to cut our agreement short then a penalty must be in place.”

I swallowed, “We didn’t discuss this.”

“I didn’t think you would chicken out and leave.”

“Kieran-”

“Stay, just for three more days. I can’t give you much but my presence. Lose yourself with me Alina. I quite enjoy the bliss of having a temporary wife. It feels like a life I can run away from. Once this is over I won’t bother you again, I give you my word.”

He slipped an arm around my waist, the other hand holding my chin tenderly in the middle of a crowded walkway. What was I supposed to say?

“Our agreement still stands?”

He nodded, “Of course, I won’t pry into your life. But only if you promise not to run away again.”

I thought about it for a while more before letting a meek smile appear on my face, “I promise.”

***

- Kieran -

Promises, I could keep to them. As long as Alina did. Technically she already had that gone, considering she hired Scott to find out more about me. But I could let that one detail slide.

Only for her.

Why was I fighting so hard to keep her by my side?

“Thank you,” Alina gladly took her refilled glass of champagne and drank it down like it was water.

I took her hand from across the table, “You’ll get drunk if you keep this up darling.”

She smiled widely and shook her head, whipping around to look for the waiter that left just seconds ago, “I promise I won’t puke on your shoes again.”

Another promise.

I tugged on her hand gently, getting her full attention, “One last glass and we’re leaving alright?”

She frowned and did the cutest pout I’ve ever seen on a woman, “Why are you stopping me from drinking? I’m legal you know.”

I chuckled, she was definitely drunk. I let the waiter fill her champagne flute before handing my credit card to him, “I know you’re legal, but I don’t want you to get a hangover tomorrow. You have a convention to attend.”

She sulked and took the flute, drinking her alcohol steadily. Her cheeks were flushed a girly pink and her lips were moist from the bubbly. The waiter handed my black card back to me and I held Alina's body close as we snaked out of the restaurant.

The chill of the night hit us and I pulled my blazer off, wrapping it around her. She rested her head on my chest, eyes closed and I whipped my phone out. My plans always seem to go down the drain with her.

We’ll have to postpone our walk under the stars for another day.

Make it count, you don’t have much time left.

My heart clenched at the thought. Keep it together Kieran, this woman deserves a loving husband and wonderful life. Something you can’t give.

I called my chauffeur and shoved my phone back in my pocket, hearing Alina mumbling in her tipsy state.

The car arrived before I could make out a word and I lifted her into my arms, getting into the backseat and letting her lean on me.

“Where to sir?”

“Take us to Miss Simmons’ estate, the address Scott sent to you earlier.”

He nodded and sped off.

Alina reached her hand out and placed it on my chest, “Kieran.”

I pushed the button for the separation barrier between the driver and passenger seats to come up. I didn’t want anyone to hear our conversation.

“Yes darling.”

She planted a kiss on my neck and I stiffened, “You smell nice.”

“You smell nice too Alina.”

“I like it when you lick my nipples.”

What the actual fuck?

“You’re drunk.”

She looked up at me, her eyes glassy and out of focus, “I am, but I know what I like.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed the side of my mouth like the fucking tease that she was. My dick jerked.

“What do you like darling?” I swooped her onto my lap, her butt pressing on my growing erection. I groaned.

Her lips stopped at my ear, “I like it when you slide your dick inside me and fill me up.”

I could get used to drunk Alina.

I kissed her breathless and she clung tight to me, her lips hungrily devouring whatever she could.

“We’ve arrived Mr Knight,” my chauffeur announced through the intercom and Alina ground her ass on the tent of my pants.

Bloody fuck.

I opened the door and lifted her out, she stumbled and I tried to keep her upright.

“Easy there,” I wrapped my blazer tighter around her and walked her up the steps.

The door opened and the man I recognised as Wilson opened the door.

“Welcome home Miss. And this gentleman is?”

I opened my mouth to introduce myself but Alina got a head start, “Wilson, this is Kieran, he’s my husband. Husband, this is Wilson, my awesome butler.”

Wilson looked between Alina and me but before I could even explain, my wife vomited all over the floor and my shoes.

So much for promises.

***

- Alina -

Kieran was resting on my sofa set in my room when I woke up at around four in the morning. He wore a bathrobe and a frown. An oddly sexy frown.

What is he doing here?

And why does he look so grumpy even when he's asleep?

I checked my own clothes and found that I was changed into one of my white silk pyjamas. My breath smelled horrible and my mind flashed back to our dinner, the champagne, car ride back and the scene of me spewing my guts out in my own living room.

Poor Wilson.

I got up quietly and went to my master bathroom, taking a quick shower and brushing my teeth.

I grabbed a bathrobe and tightened it around my waist before going downstairs to get a glass of water and some aspirin.

I popped the pills in my mouth and swallowed them down with some water before hearing a voice from the living room, “Miss?”

Wilson strode into the kitchen and I smiled weakly, “Sorry about the mess, I drank a little.”

He chuckled, his grey hair messy around his head. Different from his usual prim and proper ways. My father took him in when the bank boomed. Wilson was a few years older than my father and was well respected in our household.

The maids, cleaners, chefs and other staff were under his care. He used to look after me when my parents were busy with work. He was always there even when I was busy with my own life.

“It’s alright, the cleaner took care of it.”

I nodded, “Did I wake you?”

“I couldn’t sleep, you just announced to me that the man in your room right now is your husband. Is that true?”

The shit I put myself into sometimes baffle even me, “He didn’t do anything to me Wilson.”

“I didn’t say he did. I got rid of Connor the moment you left and you’re back so quickly with a new man.”

“I made an agreement with him. It’s a childish thing really.”

“Does your father know about this?”

“No of course not, he’ll go all papa wolf on me and lock me in his wolf cave.”

“How long will this last then?”

I bit my lip, “Two more days.”

Where did the time go?

“I won’t have to chase him out then would I?”

I laughed, “Thank you for the kind thought but no, you won’t have to chase Kieran out.”

“You’re laughing, that's a good sign.”

The muscles on my face froze and my lips flattened into a tight line, “I’m happy.”

He smiled and turned to walk away, “Yes you are, goodnight Miss.”

“Goodnight Wilson.”

I went back to my room and settled down on my bed. Looking at Kieran’s sleeping form on the sofa.

I’m happy.

Just for the next two days Alina, be happy with him. Let him make you happy.

I climbed out of my bed and Kieran shifted, his eyes opening slightly as he watched me make my way over to him.

“Alina?”

He sat up and I crashed my lips to his, taking everything I could before this fairy-tale ended.

I wanted him, needed him and nothing else. Just until this ends.