Page 20 of His Haunted Desire

Her reaction catches me by surprise. I wasn’t sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this transformation.

“I’ve asked Ellie if she’ll stay here while I’m away, and she’s agreed. Plus, the shop will have to close for a few days.”

“I don’t care about any of that,” she says excitedly. “I’m just happy to see you dating. And with a man like Raiden Blackwell. Now,he’sa catch.”

It’s past time I told her that this is all for show. An arrangement, nothing more, but seeing the delighted look on her face, the words just won’t come out.

“Because he’s rich,” I mutter.

“No, not because he’s rich,” Grandma replies. “Because he’s handsome. Polite. And funny.”

“Is he?” I ask dubiously. “I didn’t know you two were so close.”

She looks at me oddly, probably wondering why I’m getting so defensive about her approval of my so-called date. “We’re not close, dear, but he has come by the shop often enough for me to make an assessment of his character. And my assessment is… good on you, girl!”

When she laughs, the world suddenly feels lighter. I can’t take this away from her.

“As long as you’re okay with it?” I say.

“This is the best news I’ve had in months. You and Raiden Blackwell, becoming an item, starting something.”

“Don’t get carried away,” I warn her. “I’ve agreed to be his date for the Retreat. There’s no guarantee anything will come of it.”

In fact, I’m going to guarantee that nothing comes from it, but I won’t tell Grandma that.

“When do you leave?”

“Tomorrow,” I say.

“Perfect. That gives us enough time to design a mask.”

I nod. Yeah, this is good. A mask means pretending will be easier. All I have to do is get through this weekend, and I can keep the wolves from our door just a little longer.

CHAPTER 8

RAIDEN

Isit in the back of the limo, looking across the street at Needle & Muse. My hand keeps clenching into a fist, then relaxing, then clenching again as if I’ve got no control over it. When Aurora emerges carrying a suitcase, I climb out of the car and take it from her. She’s wearing a white coat with fluff around the hood, making her look adorable, small, and vulnerable. As if she needs someone to protect her.

Again, if I said that, I bet she’d slap.

The driver climbs back into the car when he sees I’ve taken the case. I put it in the trunk and wave Aurora into the limo.

“Pulling out all the stops, I see,” she notes.

I made a promise to myself earlier. This was going to be business, nothing else. I’ve never been one of those men,- the love-at-first-sight type, the heart-on-his-sleeve type, but there’s no denying that Aurora is more appealing to me than most.

But she’s made it clear this is an arrangement, nothing more.

“Someone might see us on the way to the dock,” I tell her. “For an event this grand, I’d pick my girlfriend up in style. Come closer. I’ve got something for you to look at.”

I reach into a briefcase and take out the contract, handing it to her, along with a pen. Our fingers brush when she takes it.

The car pulls away as she looks over the contract.

“Fifty thousand,” she mutters.

“Fifty thousand,” I agree.