Page 70 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

“You live up to your last name, Dean. You were the sweet prince who swept me off my feet.”

A sense of satisfaction swept over me. That was exactly what I’d wanted her to experience.

“I needed to be sure that I wasn’t being swept up in the moment. That my heart and my mind knows this is fake.”

Why did that feel like a punch in the gut? That’s all this would be.

My focus needed to be on my career and only having one-night stands protected my heart. Simone ruined me for any other woman.

“And you’re sure now?” I couldn’t afford for this to be a one weekend thing. I needed her to be as invested in this fake relationship as much as I was.

“Yes.”

“I need you to be absolutely sure, Ashlyn. We both have a lot riding on this. When I posted that picture of us, I was telling everyone we were together.” I thought she’d understood. It’s why I’d asked if she was sure. We shouldn’t have needed to have this conversation at this point.

“I know. The newspaper article about us made it so real.”

I had to remember she was dipping her toe into my world, and I, in essence, was shoving her into the deep end.

“Yeah, it can be strange to see yourself like that.” My tone softened in understanding.

She nodded and gave me a shy smile. “I’m sorry for freaking out on you.”

“I get it.” And I did. This world wasn’t for everyone. “But Ashlyn, I need you to come to me when things get weird for you. When you closed yourself off like that, I thought you decided to walk away from this.”

“Oh, no, Dean.” She shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I committed to this. I just needed time for me to figure things out.”

“Okay. Then let’s move forward and chalk it up to growing pains in our relationship.” A wide grin stretched across my face. “Did you get the itinerary I sent you?”

“I did. I’m surprised your parents want to meet me so soon.” A blush crept up her neck, chasing a path I longed to follow with my tongue. But now wasn’t the time. I pushed those thoughts away.

“Well, I’m not one to jump into a relationship, and you’ve intrigued them.”

A nervous laugh slipped from her lips. “I’m not all that interesting. What if we have nothing to talk about?”

“I beg to differ. You and I never stopped talking when we’re together.” Our conversations over the two days spanned everything from favorite color to our favorite memory. We had so many things in common it helped solidify this bond we felt with each other.

“That’s different. They’re your parents. They’ll know I’m a fake. Do you think they want to meet me because they think I’m after your money?” A horrified expression twisted her pretty features, and I wanted to comfort her.

“No, they are well aware I can take care of myself. They want to meet the beautiful lady who has caught my eye.”

“Okay. But if I say something stupid, you need to back me up or get me out of there.” She was so cute.

“You won’t. Just be yourself and they’ll love you.”

A niggling sense of guilt poked at me about deceiving my parents. Telling them wasn’t the problem. Knowing the truth, that Ashlyn wasn’t my real girlfriend, their behavior around her would change. My parents would treat her with respect, but I wanted Ashlyn to see the warm, caring side of them. She hadn’t had much of that in her life.

“I don’t know if that’ll be enough. Promise me you’ll help me not make a fool of myself in front of them.”

I stood and moved around to the other side of my desk and leaned my hip against it. “I promise.”

Her shoulders lowered, and a relieved expression crossed her face.

I gave her my best smoldering look. “Want to seal our promise with a kiss?”

A nervous-sounding laugh erupted from her. “You’re ridiculous. Besides, what if someone sees us?”

“Youaremy girlfriend now. Do you honestly think they’d fire you?”