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“What’s wrong? Tell me.”
“Nothing.” Ben is refusing to look at me, which is a dead giveaway.
“Something is wrong, I can tell.” I haven’t known him for a long time, but I could tell he was hiding something.
“My brother thinks this is some kind of stunt.” He gestures to me and then back to himself.
“Us?”
“Yeah.”
“Uh-oh.” Ugh. All of a sudden, I’ve got sweaty palms.
“Don’t worry. He doesn't have any proof. This is just a theory.”
Maybe he didn't have any proof, but we were living on borrowed time. Eventually, someone would figure it out. And then, we would both be in trouble. I could only imagine what a scandal it would cause. Not just here, but also abroad. And then I would be infamous, which is the worst kind of fame you could have. it might not be Monica Lewinsky level notoriety, but it was right up there.
“Maybe this pretense has gone on long enough. We should come clean? Or at least quit while we’re ahead?” I wrap my arms around myself. “I hate lying to everyone. And your grandmother spent a lot of money on me today. I feel horrible.” I doubt I'd be able to enjoy wearing the dress. Maybe we could return it after I'd worn it? Although, that sounded extremely tacky. I bet queens don’t do that.
“I know,” Ben says, splaying his hands. “I promise, it won't be much longer.”
“Well, if it goes on any longer, we're going to be celebrating our first anniversary. These things have a way of getting out of hand.”
Ben laughs. “And which anniversary is that? Paper?”
“I think so. You can get me a divorce decree, that should do.”
“Thank you.” Ben nudges me with his arm.
“For what?
“For making me laugh. I needed that.”
“You’re welcome. So, what do we do with your brother?”
“Ignore him?” Ben shrugs. “Especially right now, since I have other things on my mind.”
“Please tell me you aren't hatching another plot. Because you're going to have to get another Bonnie, Clyde. I've had enough schemes.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Ben leans forward, and there’s nothing but heat and hunger in his eyes.
“You, and the way you look in that dress.”
I sighed. Instantly, my pussy responded, growing damp.
“I need you, Isabelle.”
I laid there for the longest time, watching him sleep. When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of a prince who would sweep me off my feet. I never dreamed in a million years it would ever happen to me.
Of course, this wasn’t a fairy tale. My prince is commitment-phobic. Besides, we lived in two different countries. Hell, two different worlds. Soon, this would be over. I shouldn’t get attached to him.
And yet, I couldn’t stop myself from brushing the hair from his forehead. He murmured in his sleep and reached for me. I fell back into Ben’s arms and closed my eyes. I’d worry about the future later.
For now, I wanted to lay in his arms and enjoy the moment.