Page 46 of Beautiful Lies

The echoof my footsteps fills the hallway as I walk out of the dining room.

I can still feel Isla’s gaze on me, even when I know she can’t see me anymore.

I can just imagine what she’s thinking. She looked as overwhelmed as she did last night, still trying to fight yet still losing.

At least she was compliant.Barely.

Getting her to do anything is like trying to tame a wild animal that was never meant to be caged. She’s fucking hard work.

But… I can’t deny that I enjoyed the hunt, the capture, and the reckoning.

And waking up with my hands on her soft, curvy body?Christ.That image has been branded into my brain forever. I lied when I said I had morning wood. That was all her. The way her skin felt against mine, the sound of her breathing, the heat of her body pressed into me. She has no idea how close I was to losing control. To spreading those perfect legs so I could explorewhat lay beneath those black lace panties and tasting her until she was shaking apart.

I would have loved to eat her pussy for breakfast then bury myself balls deep inside her and fuck her until she remembered exactly who she belonged to.

True, Isla isn’t my usual type, but that has nothing to do with her looks or attitude. It’s the kind of woman she is. One who makes me forget the rules I live by.

She’s beautiful, fiery, defiant. And she’s already gotten under my skin.

I admire her nerve, her mouth, the way she keeps pushing when every instinct should be telling her to run. I even find it fascinating that’s she’s managed to unravel the iron-clad control I usually have over my cock.

The women I’m used to are simple. The easy type you can call for the night or a lunchtime blowjob. They know the score. I take what I want; they take what they can get. No emotions. No expectations. Just a place to sink my cock.

But nothing about my bride-to-be is that simple.

She’s supposed to be an easy problem to manage, a means to an end, a pawn in this game, yet the little artist fascinates me more than I’d like.

She almost managed to pierce through the armor and appeal to my human side when she asked about the restaurant. For a second, I saw something in her eyes that reminded me what empathy used to feel like. I could’ve told her the truth, that I plan to level it and build luxury apartments, but I gave her a courtesy instead and told her I’d buy her out—which I will do.

When I looked into those hazel eyes, I saw her soul, and for a heartbeat, it restrained the beast inside me. But only for that moment. My plans haven’t changed, and when she gets the payout, she’ll forget all about the sentiment of the restaurant.

Her father sure as hell didn’t think twice about it when he fucked me over.

Sheila meets me in the hallway, tablet in hand and glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.

She lives here with four other members of staff: Don, my driver and head of security; Andreas, the chef; and the two new maids whose names I can’t recall.

She knows everything that’s going on, though I’m aware her heart isn’t entirely in my marriage plans. Not because she disagrees with me getting married to pay a debt, which she does, but because she’d rather see me married for real.

She has the deep emotions of the mother I should have had. She started out as our nanny and practically raised my brothers and me.

When we left for college, she went to work for my father at Vale Global as his PA and trusted advisor. I hired her myself after graduation, when I discovered my previous assistant had been selling stories about me to the press. That was when I realized the only person I could trust with my life, and my sanity, was Sheila. We’ve been on this path ever since.

“Your bride-to-be seems nice,” she says, her tone carefully neutral. “And interesting.”

I stop and sigh. “Yes to the interesting part. The niceness is debatable. I’ve yet to see that side of her.”

She gives me a pointed look. “It’s understandable if she takes her time to warm up to you.”

“I suppose so.” I straighten my jacket, but keep my focus on Sheila. She has a way of smoothing chaos I’ve never mastered. Maybe she’ll know how to tame my pretty little shrew. “Maybe you can help her warm up.”

“I’ll do my best.” She dips her head in a curt nod. “Everything else will be taken care of while you’re away. The wedding should be pretty much planned.”

Efficient as ever.“Thanks.”

“If there’s anything else that needs to be done, call me.”

“Just do whatever you think will keep Isla out of trouble.”