Page 18 of Jaylen

He could screw whomever he wanted. She did not care. This was not a real marriage. They would endure each other for the year. He was going to be doing a lot of traveling and that suited her fine.

But hell, if she was going to let James Monteith take her job from her. She was going to beg if necessary. Line up points that would show him how valuable she was. She was not going to be some society wife who sat on her ass and went shopping.

She did not even like to shop. She knew he and his father belonged to a very exclusive club and that the wives of some of those powerful men were making strides and achieving a hell of a lot when it came to setting things right in the world.

But she did not belong. She was an imposter. She was accidentally married to a man she did not want and could never have feelings for. Walking over, she sat on the edge of the soft and firm bed and felt the dejection and despair shrouding her.

She had been so sensible before, her mother was dead and so was the man who had made her, but she wanted to prove to herself that she could be someone. She had gone to college and excelled and proven to herself that she could rise about the situation and she had.

Now this. Now it was all ruined and she had no idea what to do about it.

*****

“What are you doing?” she hissed, easing back when he moved in to give her a taste of the cake.

“We are being watched, darling.” He kept an easy smile on his face. “We are supposed to be newlyweds and madly in love.”

“This is a private booth.”

“With people eyeing us avidly. Even and especially rich people like to know what’s going on with other rich people. The cake was a very good touch and the butterscotch with the raspberry is a favorite of mine. Eat.”

She glared at him and opened her mouth so that he could shovel it in. But she was unprepared for the kiss that came after and was about to shove him away when he introduced tongue and left her weak and disoriented.

“Was that really necessary?” She had to clear her throat twice before she could speak.

“Absolutely.” He grinned at her. “And fun for me.”

James cleared his throat and Anika started as she realized that she had completely forgotten the older man was sitting there.

“You have given them something to talk about.” His hazel eyes touched on Anika and he had to admit to himself that she was a classically beautiful woman.

She was wearing one of the dresses that he had ordered from the clothing company, a raspberry-colored deal that suited her well. Her hair was loose around her face, giving her a decidedly girlish look and appeal.

And he was having dinner with his son, something that would not have happened otherwise.

“I understand you have concerns about your job?”

Anika’s eyes flew to Jaylen’s face, but he was busy scooping up another piece of cake. The meal was sumptuous and the best the kitchen had to offer. It was an eight-course meal which meant that they had been at their table for the past two hours and were now down to dessert. She was practically wilting by now.

“Yes. I want to continue working.”

“I was against it at first, but Jaylen made some good points.”

“I told him that you are the best and he should exercise wisdom," he told her mildly, reaching for his glass of champagne.

“Thank you," she murmured, humbly.

“You are welcome," he inclined his head regally. “Part and parcel of being the perfect husband.”

“Don’t spoil it," she warned.

James watched them and wondered if this was something that could lead to the permanent. He had been at his son to get married. Naturally, he would have preferred someone from their own society and the damn press was going to have a field day digging into her past, but the girl was strong and durable.

He had watched her fielding questions at the press conference and she had shown grit. Jaylen needed someone like her.

She just might do.

“Just saying.” He eyed her over the rim of the glass. “And I have not told you how lovely you look.”