And yet again, I found myself in the library.
He had an impressive one. I wasn’t one to covet what others had, but living in a stale penthouse apartment meant I didn’t have the opportunity to build the type of library I wanted. I picked up the book I had been reading earlier and settled in, losing myself in the pages once more. My eyes darted over the sentences, and each word drew another line onto a canvas I couldn’t resist. A picture came to life in my mind’s eye, and I allowed myself to drown in it, to be completely swept away by its current and away from the insane scenario I’d found myself on an idiotic business trip.
“Good read?”
Cristoff’s voice ripped me from my trance, and it took all the energy I had to suppress a groan. The man really was becoming a nuisance.
“Yes. It is,” I said.
“Well, don’t let me interrupt too much. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve planned a nice dinner for you and your fiancée to share. I have some business to conduct this evening, so I’ll be off the premises.”
“Speaking of business, since I have you alone—”
“Nonsense, we can get to that later. I didn’t want you to think that because I was gone for the evening that the two of you wouldn’t get to eat. And might I say, that fiancée of yours has set forth a very nice meal for the two of you to enjoy tonight.”
“I’m sure she has,” I said flatly.
“I told the chef to bring it up to the balcony of your room so you don’t have to fool with getting dressed to eat in the dining room. No use in only two people sitting at a table that seats twenty.”
“When you do get some free time, Cristoff, there is a great deal we need to discuss.”
“We have all week, Phillip. And it’s obvious you’re prioritizing work over that beautiful woman of yours. If you’re not careful, she’ll turn her sights elsewhere.”
“I’ve got my relationship under control.”
“Then you won’t mind if I entertain the idea that you can treat a beautiful woman like Elizabeth to a romantic week while conducting business,” he said.
I bit down onto the inside of my cheek as Cristoff stared down at me. I wasn’t pleased with this turn of events. A romantic dinner for two on the damn balcony of our room? It was already hard enough to resist Elizabeth. And honestly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to any longer. But this conversation had been eye-opening. Cristoff was under the impression that I was neglecting Elizabeth—neglecting my fiancée. Which meant we weren’t selling the “happy couple” facade as much as I thought we were. I drew in a deep breath before closing my book, then stood and offered my hand to him.
Sell it well, Phillip. Your contract depends on it.
“Elizabeth knows I can get wrapped up in work sometimes. It’s why she travels with me on some of my business trips. Thank you for the opportunity to treat her to a bit of romance as well.”
And when Cristoff smiled before shaking my hand, I knew those were the words he wanted to hear.
But I still had no idea what the hell I was going to do about dinner.
Chapter 16
Elizabeth
I walked out onto the balcony of our shared bedroom and found the most romantic setting I’d ever witnessed. Candles flickered with small flames on the table, and flower arrangements littered the ground around the balcony’s edging. The gold-rimmed plates donned two settings, and a bottle of very expensive champagne chilled in a silver ice bucket in the middle of the table. There was music wafting softly from somewhere, violins and cellos and the soft sound of a choir in the distance. And to top it all off, a full moon hung heavily in the sky that night.
It was the perfect setting for a perfect night. Except the entire thing was based around a fake engagement.
“I hear you’re the one that picked out the menu for tonight.”
I whipped around at the sound of Phillip’s voice and found myself breathless at his appearance. His khaki-colored suit was paired with a shirt and a tie the exact same color. His shoes were cream colored and brogued, and his dark blond hair was parted and laid out in meticulous fashion. His green eyes were darkened. It was the only pop of color his entire outfit had. And the khaki-and-cream outfit only served to enhance them, as well as the red of his lips and the glistening of his skin in the moonlight, all of it heightened because of the muted decadence of his outfit.