FAKE: An Enemies to Lovers Standalone Romance Read online

  The drinks came quickly as I discussed specifics with Kylie.

  “So, the contract states that you will live with me until the baby is born. You’ll continue to work and do your normal daily activities, but we will have at least three public outings a week and there are certain brands, experiences, and places we will go for publicity and marketing. To the world, you are going to be a reformed vixen, and I’m going to be a softened-up bachelor billionaire. We will get married, and our wedding is going to be lavish and expensive, just get ready for that. We will also have a honeymoon; again, it is going to be epic and very public. We will have our baby, and it is going to be as media-obsessive as a royal birth. These are non-negotiables in the contract. But … it is a contract; there will be an end date.” She looked at me with big wide eyes that were glossing over with tears. “This is a good thing, Kylie. Think of it as a business adventure. By the end of this, you’ll be a billionaire’s wife, you’ll have more money than you’ll know what to do with, our child will be known and respected, and your false deplorable reputation will be nothing but a childish misstep of your youth. I’m putting you on the lifeboat, sweetheart.”

  She stared at me and said nothing at all, just sipped her water.

  I took a deep breath and a healthy swig of my own drink.

  “Thoughts?” I pressed.

  “About what? Being held captive? Being a billionaire’s kept woman? Living a lie? Wow ... I have so many thoughts right now, it’s really hard to pin just one down.” Oh good, she was being snarky, at least it was better than a zombie caught in headlights.

  “Instead of thinking of yourself as a captive, think of me as your roommate and hopefully more ... but we can cross that bridge when you land on planet Earth again. As far as being kept, do whatever you want with my money. I know you have your own money, use all of what I give you for your foundation. That way you aren’t being kept; you’re agreeing to a contract for a fixed amount of time for the betterment of the clients you serve. Think of it more like a lease than a sexual contract. And lastly, the lie. Well ... isn’t that already a well-trod path for you? I didn’t think you were above it.” Boom ... let that sink in.

  She took a deep breath and bit her lip, signs she was considering my offer, though she was conflicted.

  “Where will I sleep? You just have one big very white room.” This seemed to make her tremble.

  “Believe it or not, this has been the hardest part of these negotiations for me. Remember, I too am giving up some of my freedom. I’m also going to be a father; that was never on my bucket list ... trust me. I gave up that dream a long time ago.” Actually, I hadn’t, but the thought of being a father still filled me with horrifying fear.

  Kylie’s child would be my first, but I had been an expectant father once. I vowed I would never go through that kind of pain ever again. For some insane reason, Kylie gripped me. I should have used protection, but part of me didn’t care. If there was a person on this planet that I’d actually even consider having a child with, Kylie was it. I barely knew her, and yet I loved the idea of her. As our arrangement stood, I’d see the baby after she moved out, and we’d share custody unless she sued me for the full responsibility of our baby, then I’d consider letting her have the child and go back to my rather dull but sexually promiscuous bachelor life.

  I owned an apartment in Manhattan. It had three bedrooms, two stories, and was rather lavish. I used the place for parties, and it’s where I brought mistresses I wanted to fuck more than once at a hotel. That wasn’t home. It was a place where I conducted private business. I couldn’t imagine living there. While it would have been much better suited for Kylie and me, I didn’t want that. The intimacy my penthouse provided would bring Kylie and me closer. Perhaps if we ended up hating each other we would need a different living arrangement, but I didn’t anticipate that kind of drama for us.

  I also had a house in upstate New York, it was massive, and the two of us were sure to get lost in it. I’d never see her. That was my summer vacation residence and a place I used when I went skiing. We could visit, but it was far too big and too far from the city for it to be considered. I wanted her in my sanctuary.

  “I was hoping you’d sleep in my bed. It’s huge. Also, I promise, and trust me—here is where I’m making a sacrifice. I will allow you to dictate what happens to us sexually. I’ll want sex with you every night, but I’m going to leave the sexual initiation to you, at least at the start. If we never start a sexual relationship, I’ll be honest, I’m going to be disappointed, but if we do, it will be you who begins it. I want that part of our relationship in your hands.” I hated relinquishing my power in that regard, but I knew Kylie would never accept my terms if I didn’t. “You will live with me in the loft until the baby comes. I’ll give you a private space, with a desk and computer and a couch, but we won’t have any walls between us. If you need space from me, you may take twenty-four hours once every two weeks to go back home to your roommates. Also, you can get away for a few hours every day, if you need it, but if we have an engagement, that takes priority. The world must see us as a couple. I have a large apartment in Manhattan, but I use that for mistresses and private parties. I don’t want us living there.”

  “So, you’ll be having other women while I bake your baby in a place with no walls or doors so that we can be intimate? Yay ... where do I sign?” Her eyes skewered me.

  “Well, if we never become intimate, I might consider meeting a woman at my apartment. In fairness to you, though, and the sacrifice you’re making to bring our child into this world, I promise I will tell you when I am going to be with the woman, who she is, and where we will be. It would only be after you refuse me to a point that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt there would never be an ‘us.’” I probably went a little too far into the commitment zone for my own comfort, but I said what I said ... it was out there. “Until that point, consider me invested in you. Now ... what do you say?”

  I studied her face and saw she was considering my offer; it was the most encouraging sign I’d gotten all evening.

  Chapter 19

  Kylie

  “What happens if I say no?” I had to see what the other side of this might look like.

  “I wouldn’t advise it. You’re going to show more than you are pretty soon, and people will figure it out. They are going to make awful assumptions about you and run with them. It might hurt your career and your foundation. Everyone loves a playgirl, not so many love an unwed single mom who can’t name the baby’s father.” He had a point.

  “When would I have to move in?” Maybe I’d be given some time to regroup and come up with a better plan.

  “Tonight.” I can’t believe he said that with a straight face.

  “I can’t. Not tonight ...it’s too soon.” I was in full panic mode.

  “After dinner, we will go to your apartment, and I’ll sit in your living room and make small talk with your delightful roommates while you pack a bag for the week, then you and I are going back to my place. I already have your little nook furnished and decorated. You will read and sign the contracts at my place. We’ll get some ice cream ... I might be kidding about that and get you in bed because a pregnant woman needs her rest.” He was Lord of New York again, and it kinda made me hot ... as much as I didn’t want to admit it.

  “What’s in the box other than contracts?” I hated surprises, and my guess was, whatever he had in the box would be a doozy.

  “You will have to open it when our guests arrive.” His smile was positively devilish.

  “What guests ... Alec? Please ... I’m not ready for this.” I had already cried enough. I didn’t want to become a blathering idiot, but I was terrified of what he might spring on me. “I don’t know how to make this all go away. I just want to have a baby and live my life.”

  He was sort of a mastermind of surprise. His grand gestures were starting to give me post-traumatic stress disorder.

  “Trust me, Kylie, that’s what I want for you
too. I hope ... I’ll be included in my child’s life, but this assures he or she has one that they’ll be proud of. I wouldn’t be doing this if you hadn’t lied about who you were. I have a strong feeling I know why you did, and I want to dig you out of the hole you created for yourself.”

  Heat rose on my neck.

  “There’s nothing wrong with being a sexually liberated woman?” I started to fume.

  “Absolutely not, those are usually the kinds of women I prefer to date, but there is a little bit more of an issue with a sexually reluctant woman pretending to date gay men and men who are unattainable to seem as if they’ve reached the peak of sexual liberation. There’s nothing wrong with being who you are, Kylie. You’re out there helping kids like you. What’s wrong is not owning your story.” He had a point, though I hated to admit it.

  “So, you get to be a hero, and I’m the damsel in distress?” That sucked.

  “Or ... I get to be the hero, and you get to be the mother of a child, the CEO of a foundation that helps kids overcome trauma and a staunch businesswoman who doesn’t take shit from anyone. Which is more of who you are.”

  “How is this less fake?” I nailed him with that question.

  “It’s not; it’s just a better fake for all of us.” Well, now we knew what page we were on.

  “Do you have any other questions? It’s almost time for dinner.” His face was sweet and patient as I bombarded him with worries and thoughts.

  For the next ten minutes, I made stupid excuses for which he had smart solutions. I voiced my concerns about not having a place to put my clothes. What if I wanted to jam out in the living room, and where would I see my friends? It all ended up boiling down to “We’ll figure it out when we get there.” I had exhausted all my options and ran out of wiggle room; I was going to have to live with Alec unless I could figure something else out during dinner.

  “Okay are we settled then?” He became all smoldering and hot again. “I have a roommate?” The way he said roommate made my insides melt.

  “I guess.” I gave in.

  “Great, and just in time, our guests are here.” He turned to the front door, and I saw about fifty or more kids from our center all dressed up and ready for a fancy meal. “We bought them clothes and invited them tonight. Maralis was the one to pick who got to come. The criteria were grades, participation in center services, and desire to have an elegant dinner with you and me for our special announcement.” His eyes narrowed, and he got that devilish look in his eye.

  “Wow ... they are going to love this, Alec. Why are you being so wonderful? I didn’t think it was like you to be so generous …” I didn’t know him, but he never struck me as overly kind or altruistic.

  “You’re not the only one who can live a fake life.” He winked at me and stood up to greet the kids coming.

  He was charming and attentive to each of the teens that came through the door. They had all just come from several beauty salons and barbershops around town where they had their hair and nails done. The young men had their hair cut and were shaved and primped. After their makeovers, each was taken to a special boutique set up just for them where they picked several outfits from name-brand designers. Maralis was there to orchestrate the whole thing. The media was also in attendance as were my bewildered roommates who walked into the party at the last minute.

  Luques was the most happening restaurant in town; it took months to get a reservation. The kids, most of them still homeless, must have been beside themselves with happiness. I flitted from table to table greeting each guest until I could catch up with Maralis while my roomies got drinks. Their expressions looked as shocked and overwhelmed as mine.

  “Did you know about this?” I asked with a smile plastered on my face.

  “Alec approached me yesterday. Don’t freak out; this is a good thing. He’s a saint.” I fucking hated her at that moment.

  “And when did I stop being in charge of my life?” I growled still smiling like a stupid ass.

  “The minute you spread your legs and got yourself pregnant.” Fuck her, really?

  “Don’t!” I bit back as my smile faded.

  “The agency owns your body; you want to get pregnant, you sign a contract, and we let you get pregnant. Do you want to date a billionaire, have his baby? Ditto. We design your life just as we always have. You are just damn lucky Alec came to us ... this is a no-brainer. Take the ride, Kylie. This is going to blow you up so big you’ll need to call your assistant to book time for your own thoughts. You will belong to the world, and there’ll be no bigger icon than perhaps the father of your child, depending on how you play this. Now go talk to these kids; we’ve spent a hell of a lot of money on them.” At that moment, I hated her, though I knew she was right.

  Maralis had always been right about those things, especially when she scooped me up at the age of seventeen after seeing me in a school play. At the time I was in foster care, and she worked with me through high school, then college, and now through this. I didn’t see a way out of it, so I smiled again and drifted toward my true sanctuary that was at the bar still wide-eyed and bewildered.

  When I finally got there, I plopped down next to Madison and ordered a grapefruit fizz.

  “What the fuck?” Avery blurted out. “Tell me what is happening here.”

  “The Tsunami known as marketing and enterprise is happening. Alec told Maralis I’m pregnant. Now I have to live with him and pretend to be a happy couple with a fake marriage and eventually a fake divorce someday all so I can have the baby and he or she can grow up in the spotlight and eventually smoke crack or do opioids because his or her little life is so screwed up.” My stomach bottomed out just thinking about it.

  “Or,” Madison reeled me back in. “You accept the grand gesture of a billionaire who could have left you stranded or worse branded you a whore, denied paternity, dragged you through the mud, and made your life a living hell.” She smiled at me and raised her martini to my face.

  “And living with a stranger I slept with once isn’t going to be a living hell?” I countered her move with my mocktail.

  “What choice have you got?” Madison asked. “I mean you do have choices; no one is holding a gun to your head. You can stand up on one of these tables, get everyone’s attention and spill that “T” all over the floor. ‘Hi everyone, I hate to ruin your great night, I know you don’t get many of them living on the streets and all, but I just wanted you to know that my asshole of a one-night stand billionaire dick face just dropped one million and a half dollars on this foundation, planned this evening for you and had the fucking audacity to offer to man up and be the father of the child we made one night while fucking …’ Because, you know, I can bang a glass and get their attention if you want.” Damn, she was such a pragmatic pain in the ass.

  “Or you could just run away with us and go into the witness protection program.” Avery smiled, bless her.

  “No, I can do this. I should do this. Look at them ... they’re having the time of their lives.” My eyes scanned the room, and all of the kids were having so much fun.

  The waiters brought them courses of food they’d never eaten before and with wonder and a few snickers they ate like kings and queens. I was changing their lives just as I had intended. Maralis was talking to the media, making sure this made headline news, and Alec was sitting alone at our table with a big ridiculous box in front of him. Suddenly, a pang of sadness washed over me. He was just sitting there quietly eating his food. No one was talking to him, not even the media. I realized how lonely he must really be.

  He was untouchable. He made so much money that most of his friends were probably on his payroll. Outside of the women he dated, I didn’t know much about his life or the people he considered dear. At that moment, though, he just seemed too distant and set apart. It made me love him a little ... just seeing how isolated from the world he must be. I pushed people away ... for him, they didn’t even try to come near.

  “I think I’m going to go back
to him.” I nodded at Alec. “Just ... um,” I bit my lip. “He looks a little out of place.”

  Madison and Avery glanced over, and at that moment, he turned to us. His expression seemed pained, though he smiled.

  “I think you should, Kylie ... just give this a shot. We’ll always be here for you,” Madison offered.

  “Yeah, we can call the police at any moment,” Avery rallied.

  “I’ll just take this one step at a time, that’s pretty much all I’ve got in me.”

  “That’s all you need.” Madison hugged me, and Avery slapped me a high five, and I moved from the bar back to the table to be with Alec.

  “Everyone is really enjoying themselves,” I said as I sat down to my pasta that hadn’t been touched. “Thank you. The kids would have never had an opportunity like this in a million years.” I tucked into my food without looking up at him.

  “So are the roommates planning an ambush when I bring you to get your things later this evening?” His voice was dark and distant.

  “You behave ... they’ll behave,” is all I said.

  “Depends on your definition of good behavior.” His smile was wicked. “Perhaps you should open the box; that might better define the parameters …” While there was still a trace of darkness in his eyes, I sensed a quiet kind of fear as well.

  With my heart pounding, and my hands trembling, I smiled at him in a coy and flirtatious manner knowing that the cameras had caught me returning to my table.

  “Why, Alec,” I used a flirty Southern drawl. “Whatever did you get me?”

  Under his breath, he responded, “Good ... you’ve decided to play along.” His smile warmed as his voice heightened enough for those around us to hear him. “Open it, love ... I’m excited for you to see what’s inside.”

  With my hands still shaking, I opened the big pink and blue box, not even thinking that the colors were baby colors or that he’d do something so intrusive as to publicly announce my pregnancy without my consent, but as I pulled the lid off of the box, I found inside a big yellow plush bunny holding a soft baby blanket embroidered with the words: