Page 26 of The Heiress Masquerade (Dollar Princess #2)

Harrison knew the minute Aimee left the office. The tingle of awareness just behind his neck, which had been ever present whenever she was around, had suddenly dissipated, and he’d known in that instant she wasn’t in the outer room anymore.

How or why he’d gotten so attuned to her being there, to the point he knew when she left, he didn’t want to examine too closely, even if he’d only ever been afflicted by such a condition with her and no one else. And despite the fact that he’d been trying to ignore her all week, he’d never actually ignored her at all.

How could he when he was so acutely aware of her in the very next room? Her laugh, her chatter, even her sighs when she was frustrated with something were all sounds he’d gotten ridiculously used to over the past week, to the point of near madness.

Wanting someone so much, but not being able to have them, was starting to mess with his head. He’d had the best goddamn sex of his life, and she’d carried on like it had meant nothing, and he was acting like a fool for insisting they marry after he’d taken her virginity.

Most women would have been begging him to marry them in such a situation. But, no, not Aimee Elizabeth Thornton-Jones, who seemed to think it was more than acceptable to have a liaison with him, and nothing more. Would she have thought that if she’d known beforehand that he was the reluctant heir to an earldom? Actually, that probably would have scared her away.

“Miss Mitchell,” he yelled out suddenly, startling Mrs. Holbrook, who’d been running through the notes she’d taken in the meeting with Wilheimer last week, with both him and Ben.

“Yes, sir,” Miss Mitchell replied, sticking her head around the doorframe.

“Where has Miss Th-Jenkins gone?” How did Aimee pretend so easily? It was bloody hard to remember to call her by her false identity now that he knew who she was.

“She had a family emergency and had to rush off,” Miss Mitchell said nervously. “I’m sure she’ll be back once she’s sorted things out.”

“Where did she go, Miss Mitchell?” God knew what sort of shenanigans she was up to, if she’d managed to recruit the normally by-the-book Miss Mitchell into her scheme.

“Her cousin did something she shouldn’t have so Miss Jenkins went to talk to her,” Miss Mitchell said, biting her bottom lip.

“Berate her, don’t you mean?” He could only imagine how her cousin doing anything she wasn’t meant to could throw a wrench into Princess Aimee’s grand plans.

“Yes, probably,” Miss Mitchell admitted with a little nod of her head, her spectacles bobbing precariously on the bridge of her nose, her hazel eyes looking remorseful.

“And I’m guessing she went alone?” The woman had no sense of the potential peril she faced, even pretending to be her cousin.

Miss Mitchell nodded her head. “She did.”

“Of course she did.” Harrison sighed and stood up. “Continue going through the notes without me,” he told Ben and Mrs. Holbrook. “Then come up with some strategies I can employ against Wilheimer over the weekend. We’ll discuss them after I’m back.”

He had one reluctant fiancée to go find, then haul back to the office, because if she thought he’d allow her to traipse about London on her own, at least not without him behind the scenes to ensure she was safe, she needed reminding that that wasn’t happening on his watch.

…

Aimee came out of her visit with Evie feeling more confused than when she’d gone into the Countess of Brexton’s residence. Because contrary to her initial belief that Evie had gotten herself into a mess she wouldn’t be able to get out of, Evie had managed to sort it out rather effectively, convincing the duke to go along with merely pretending to be engaged for the remainder of her trip, rather than actually being engaged.

One fewer thing she needed to worry about, she supposed. Cutting down a walkway through a park, Aimee glanced over at some of the people she was walking past, and nearly did a double take when she recognized the Earl of Brexton.

“Miss Jenkins?” he exclaimed, coming to a stop in front of her, while he waved at his other companions to go ahead. “What a pleasure it is to see you again!” He bowed, taking her hand and placing a deft kiss across her knuckles. “What are you doing in this part of town?”

“I was visiting my cousin and am now heading back to work.”

He smiled. “Ah, so you’ve heard about their accidental engagement. I hope you don’t intend to shoot my cousin.”

“Not at this stage.” Aimee smiled back at him. “But let’s see what unfolds in the next few weeks, my lord.”

“That’s a relief.” He grinned. “But, please, call me Sam, given we’re to be related, even if you don’t sound too enthusiastic about their engagement.”

His green eyes were curious, and Aimee couldn’t help but compare them to the green of Harrison’s, which were a deeper, more vivid shade, and were usually filled with annoyance. Unlike the friendly and comforting green of Sam’s.

Aimee sighed. “It’s not that I’m not happy, it just complicates things.”

“I suppose it would. You’ll be returning to America eventually while your cousin will be staying here.”

“Yes, that’s it.” She couldn’t very well tell him the true reason for her concern. “You’re not worried about how quickly they’ve gotten engaged?”

He grinned at her. “Not in the least. I think our cousins are perfectly suited to each other. Not many people like to talk about rocks, let alone study them in detail and go digging for them, as they both do. Personally, I find the topic rather boring.”

Aimee couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s exactly how I feel, too. Though E—Aimee still tries to spark my interest in them, which never works.”

He laughed, too. “Alex does the same with me. Honestly, he’s an encyclopedia when it comes to fossils, and doesn’t quite understand when others don’t share his enthusiasm.”

“They do sound perfect for each other, don’t they?” The fact made Aimee both angry and sad for her cousin, because if the truth of Evie’s identity was ever revealed, a duke, no matter how scholarly or seemingly perfect he might be for her cousin, simply wouldn’t marry someone who was illegitimate. It was so unfair.

“Which is why I’m thrilled with their engagement,” Sam said, blissfully unaware of the truth of the matter. “For too long, Alex has closed himself off to love, and I believe your cousin might just help him heal.”

“I didn’t realize you were such a romantic, Sam.”

“I’m a big believer in love.”

“Then why haven’t you fallen in love and married yet?”

“I’ve fallen in love many times, and out of it just as quickly,” he said, laughing, “so I’m not in any rush to find a wife.”

“You’re a Lothario, then,” she replied, raising a brow, thoroughly enjoying their banter. Sam was so good-natured and happy compared to Harrison that it was nice to flirt a bit without repercussion, especially with an attractive man whom she wasn’t attracted to.

He laughed again and shook his head. “I respect women too much to be a true Lothario; however, I do admit to adoring and appreciating them greatly.”

“Yes, I imagine you do.” The man was a flirt through and through, but a fun one.

“Speaking of which, can I escort you back to your work?” he asked, an eager glint of interest in his eyes.

“That won’t be necessary, Brexton,” Harrison’s deep voice drawled from behind Aimee, and instantly she stiffened, her whole body vibrantly aware of him.

“What are you doing here?” Aimee turned around to face him.

“Going for a walk.”

She didn’t believe him for a second.

Sam glanced over to Harrison. “Stone? Do you know Miss Jenkins?”

Harrison flicked his gaze to Sam. “She’s my fiancée.”

Sam looked taken aback. “She is?”

“I’m not his fiancée,” she told Sam before turning to Harrison and glaring at him.

“You will be.” He crossed his hands over his chest, his expression implacable.

“No, I won’t.” Aimee smiled through gritted teeth, before turning back to Samuel. “I’m sorry for such a display, Sam—”

“You’re on first-name terms with Brexton, too? Is there not a man in London you don’t call by their first name?”

“Sam and I are to be cousins given Aimee is engaged to the Duke of Hargrave.” At least temporarily.

“Your cousin is engaged to Hargrave?” Harrison’s anger was replaced with bafflement as he glanced over to Sam. “But he’s always been against marrying.”

“Thought you were, too, old chap,” Sam said, clapping him on the back. “Seems a lovely lady can change anyone’s mind, doesn’t it?”

“You two know each other?” Aimee glanced between them both.

“We attend many of the same Society events,” Harrison replied.

“Of course you do, given you’re a secret earl in waiting .” She still didn’t quite know how to feel about that revelation. Surprisingly, she found herself more disappointed with that bit of information than she should have been. At least before when he was just Harrison Stone there was maybe a hint of the possible. As an earl, everything was impossible.

“It’s not a secret, I just don’t advertise it, and I’m called an heir,” Harrison grumbled. “Only the Queen has ladies-in-waiting.”

Sam laughed. “I think earl in waiting has a certain ring to it. In any event, I was going to go and wish Miss Thornton-Jones well on her engagement, so I’d best head off and do that.” He turned to face Aimee. “Unless you wish me to accompany you?”

“I’m accompanying her,” Harrison answered, with a scowl. “So bugger off, Brexton.”

“Answering for me is not the way to go about getting me to change my mind about marrying you.” Aimee crossed her hands over her chest and shook her head at him. “Honestly, Harrison Stone, you might know the ins and outs of business, but you have a great deal to learn about women.” She turned to Sam. “But thank you, Sam, I’ll be fine with the jackapanny here.”

“Jackapanny?” Harrison raised a brow.

“I heard it from one of the girls the other day, and thought it more than appropriate for you,” she replied. “It’s a way to describe someone as being an annoying idiot.”

Sam began to laugh but when Harrison turned and scowled, he had the good sense to cover his mouth and feign a cough instead. “In that event, I shall wish you both a good day, and I’ll look forward to seeing how whatever this is between you two resolves itself.” Sam grinned at them both, before turning on his heel and walking toward his mother’s house.

“You’ll have to deal with a damn difficult female one day, Sam,” Harrison called out after him. “And, trust me, you won’t be grinning then.”

“I can’t believe you followed me again,” she said as soon as Sam was out of earshot. “Shouldn’t you be focused on the Wilheimer deal instead of me?” She turned and began to walk through the park toward the office.

“I promised your father I’d look after you,” he replied, following alongside her.

“I don’t think taking me to your bed was the looking after my father had in mind.”

“No, it wasn’t,” he ground out. “But, regardless, you’re now my responsibility, and I will ensure your safety.”

“How lovely to be a responsibility to you.” She shook her head. He’d taken her father’s request to keep an eye on her to ridiculous proportions. “I can see why you’re worried. Cleary, the nannies pushing the babies in their prams could be a danger to me. Or perhaps it’s the old ladies taking a walk you’re suspicious of?” She pointed over to several elderly women, who were happily strolling along the footpaths.

“Be sarcastic all you want, London is not the safest of places, even in Mayfair,” he mumbled, as they left the park and turned right onto the main thoroughfare. “You just have to accept that I’m protective of certain things.”

“I don’t have to accept anything. And I’m not a thing. I’m a woman, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed.” He glanced down at her and there was heat in his eyes. “I can’t help but notice every damn time I see you.”

Suddenly, Aimee forgot she was upset with him and wanted to kiss him until they were breathless. She nearly groaned at how badly she wanted that. Shaking her head, she dragged her eyes forward and well away from him; she couldn’t encourage that sort of behavior until he’d dropped the issue of marriage completely.

“Is your cousin really engaged to the Duke of Hargrave?” Harrison asked, abruptly changing the subject.

“Yes and no,” Aimee replied, not sure exactly how much to tell him, but given he knew her secret, and she was tired of lying to him, she told him the truth.

“You two ladies have woven a tangled web, haven’t you? Hargrave will be furious if he finds out he’s been lied to.”

“Do you think my cousin is in danger from him?” She stopped on the footpath, prepared to turn around and march back to the countess’s.

“He won’t hurt her,” Harrison said. “He’ll just be damned furious. Far more than I was, given he’s previously been betrayed by an American heiress.”

Aimee nodded as they resumed their brisk walk, turning onto Fleet Street. “I was only young when that happened, but even I heard about it.”

“Do you think your swap isn’t going to be found out?” he asked after several minutes.

“I hope not.” It had been so simple at the start but had quickly turned very complicated. “If it does, it could prove to be a bit messy.”

“A bit messy?”

“Fine, very messy, but it will all work out. I’m certain of it.”

He shook his head, looking thoroughly unconvinced. “It will when you agree to marry me.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, not this again.” She was getting thoroughly sick of him mentioning it.

“I’m not going to stop mentioning it just because you say no.”

“That’s exactly what you should do,” she replied, glad that the office was close. “I’ve never had this much trouble from the men I’ve rejected in the past. Once I said no, that was the end of the matter.”

“How many proposals have you had?”

“Five, if you count your half-baked one.”

“Half-baked?” He looked as if he was about to choke on her description.

Aimee shrugged. “What else would you call it? My other proposals have at least been a lot more creative than a blunt demand that we get married. I would have to say the other proposals were all done rather decently, some more formal and businesslike than others, but all had much more deference in their requests to ask for my hand in marriage than you continually blustering on about the subject like a caveman.”

“A caveman?”

“How else would you describe your badgering?” She felt like rolling her eyes at the man. “Just find someone else to marry. I’m sure some women would overlook your bossy tendencies given you’re heir to an earldom.”

He stopped in the street, and Aimee paused to look back at him.

“Why don’t you want to marry me?” he asked, genuine confusion on his face. “A marriage between us would make good sense from a business and social perspective.”

Aimee knew it made sense. Except for the part about her having to give up all her dreams to be a countess, something she didn’t even want in the first place.

“Do you love me, Harrison?” She found herself bracing for his answer. Not that she wanted him to answer yes…at least she didn’t think she did. But she’d always imagined that if she did ever marry, it would be to a man who loved her, the same way her father loved her mother. Adored her was more like it.

“Who said anything about love?” He seemed uncomfortable even mentioning the word.

Aimee shrugged. “That would be the only reason I’d ever consider getting married. And given you don’t love me, then it’s pointless for you to ever mention marriage again.”

“I have no intention of loving anyone,” he grumbled. “Besides, most marriages are arranged and have nothing to do with love, your parents being the only exception I know.”

“Which is why if I ever marry I want that, too.”

“Your parents’ marriage is a rarity.”

“It is. Which is why I never thought I’d marry.” And she hadn’t, until she’d met Harrison. But he refused to love, and she could never marry without that. Not that she was in love with the man, goodness no, far from it. Yet at the back of her mind was the small thought that he was the only man she could envisage a future with. The only man she could possibly give her heart to.

The thought left her terrified. No. she couldn’t fall in love with Harrison Stone. He was her nemesis. Or at least he had been. Not to mention his life was completely entwined here in England. She could never leave New York or her family. The very idea of being an idle countess, hosting balls and soirées, with no possibility of ever running her father’s company, was enough to send a cold shiver through her entire body.

Such a life was what she’d rallied so hard against. To go back on her convictions and settle for a life like that would be torture. She couldn’t do it, not even for a man who might just possibly have stolen a little piece of her heart without her even knowing he had, until right then.

“We’re nearly back,” Harrison said, glancing over to the office building taking up the entire next block. “We can discuss this later.”

“There’s nothing more to discuss. You don’t love me, and I’ll never marry a man who doesn’t love me, so do stop mentioning the topic. Oh, and one more thing.” She narrowed her eyes upon him. “Don’t tell people we’re engaged when we’re not.”

His jaw clenched. “I told Brexton that because he was flirting with you.”

“Why would you care if he was flirting?” she replied, feeling weirdly glad that he’d noticed.

“I care.”

“You do?” A small seed of hope blossomed in her heart with his words.

“Yes, I bloody well do,” he continued. “You’re mine, and he damn well needed to know it.”

“Yours?” Aimee roared, the seed burning as her anger flared back to life. “I’m not yours! I’m no man’s, and the sooner you accept that, the less chance you have of me shooting you in the nether regions!”

He stepped closer to her and lowered his head until it was only inches from hers. “The moment you gave yourself to me, you became mine, just as I became yours,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that reverberated through to her very core.

She briefly closed her eyes, part of her thrilling at his possessiveness, her body wanting him to possess her again. To touch her. To thrill her to the point of bliss.

“We belong to each other, Aimee Thornton-Jones,” he murmured, his breath a soft whisper against her earlobe. “And the sooner you accept that, the sooner I can make your body writhe in ecstasy once again as I slowly slide inside you, filling you with my cock and thrusting against your hips, over and over again, until you orgasm harder and longer than you ever have before.”

Aimee couldn’t help a low moan from escaping her lips. The man was causing chaos in her body, a deep burning need that was growing to the point of no return and wouldn’t be content until he satisfied her again. “You will?”

He took a step back from her, his eyes burning bright with desire. “I will. As soon as you agree to marry me and not a second before. Now come on, let’s get back to work.”

His words broke the spell in an instant. Was he trying to seduce her into agreeing to marry him? How dare he! Especially as part of her was worried it just might work.

Strength, Aimee. Strength.

Just because he could do wicked things to her body, and make her want him with an insatiable appetite, was no reason to allow him to seduce her. She couldn’t let him.

A weekend away wouldn’t help that, but thankfully with Mrs. Holbrook there, things should stay respectable. At least she hoped so, because she got a feeling that if she let Harrison touch her again, she wouldn’t say no.