Billionaire's Contract Engagement (Kings of the Boardroom #3)(32)

Fascination was a very tame word to describe her fixation with Evan. Attracted. That wasn’t a very descriptive word, either. It seemed no matter the word, it didn’t do justice to the overwhelming barrage of sensations she experienced in his presence.

Thank God the weekend was almost over and she could hopefully gain some objectivity again. This ruse of theirs was a dangerous fantasy for her. If she didn’t remove herself from it immediately, she was going to fall complete victim to it.

She could just see trying to explain that to her boss. The boss who had put his company’s fate in her hands.

And then the ceremony was over and suddenly Evan was smiling down at her once more. She promptly forgot all about her worries and reservations.

Once again he was attentive. He touched her frequently as if he couldn’t keep his hands off her. It made her nuts the way her body leaped to life under his attention, but she couldn’t control it.

As they waited behind the line of people going back inside, Evan leaned down and nuzzled her ear.

“Let’s go have some fun at the reception,” he murmured. “You, me, a little dirty dancing…”

She laughed as the tightness left her chest. It was hard to remember all the reasons she shouldn’t become involved with this man when he charmed her to her toes.

She tucked her hand willingly in his, and this time she curled her fingers around his as he led her into the hotel. No, logically she shouldn’t immerse herself in this charade. But then attraction was anything but logical. She had only a few more hours before she would be jolted back to reality. She planned to enjoy every single one of them.

They danced. Slow, sensual songs and even the more upbeat tunes. Evan was astonishingly adept as he spun her around the room. Somehow she hadn’t seen him as the type to do more than a staid waltz or just a slow cuddle type dance in the middle of the floor.

She should have known. The man was a study in athletic grace.

They took a quick break and Evan left Celia to go get drinks for them both. Celia turned to see Lucy approaching through the crowd, her face lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Celia! I’m so glad I got over to you before Evan spirits you away again.”

Celia smiled warmly back at Evan’s mother.

Lucy reached out to squeeze Celia’s hand. “I can’t thank you enough for coming. It’s so obvious that the two or you are in love.”

It took everything Celia had not to react to that statement. Obvious? How could it be? In lust, yes, but love? Evan would be horrified that his farce had worked a little too well. Nothing like a rumor of being in love to scare off the opposite sex. A man like Evan probably had more women than he could shake a stick at.

But he didn’t take any of them to the wedding. He’d taken her.

Business, Celia reminded herself. It was convenient and business had been at the forefront of his mind.

“The two of you make such a lovely couple,” Lucy said wistfully. “I do hope you’ll agree to a wedding date soon. Don’t make him wait, even though I’m sure he deserves it. I want him to be happy.”

“I’m sure the both of us will come up with a mutually satisfactory date,” Celia said diplomatically.

Lucy squeezed again and then suddenly Celia found herself enveloped in the older woman’s arms.

“It was a joy to have you here, Celia. I can’t wait to see you again.”

Lucy drew away, beaming at Celia the entire time, and Celia felt like the lowest form of pond scum for her part in deceiving this woman.

“Oh, look, there’s Evan with your drink. I’ll disappear now and let you two get back to your fun.”

Lucy blew a kiss in Evan’s direction and melted back into the crowd.

“What was that all about?” Evan asked as he approached.

He handed her a wineglass and stepped in close, their bodies touching.

Celia grimaced. “She was telling me how wonderful she thought it was that we’re getting married.”

“Ah, well, that would explain the look of torture in your eyes.”

He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He stared down into her eyes, and then he simply kissed her.

Stunned that he would be so public, even when perpetuating a hoax, she stood there in the circle of his arms while he kissed her senseless.

Desire unfurled and spread rapid fire through her belly. All he had to do was kiss her and she was helpless to do anything more than respond.

“You know, we have late check-out,” he murmured against her lips. “Very late check-out. My jet can leave at my ready. What do you say we go back to the room?”

No. They needed to return home. She needed the weekend to be over so she could recover her sanity.

But instead of no, she opened her mouth and whispered, “yes.”

The predatory gleam was back in his eyes. He put both their glasses down on a nearby table and then he took her hand and all but dragged her from the reception. They ran down the hallway to the elevator like two hormonally imbalanced teenagers.

When they reached the room, he threw open the door, swung her into his arms and carried her straight to the bedroom. He plopped her down on the bed and stood back as he tore out of his clothes.

She leaned up on one elbow to stare appreciatively at his physique.

“You know,” she said coyly. “There is one of your fantasies we haven’t played out yet.”