Without answering her question, Steven King tossed her a grin that had Marie turning red. Had she always blushed this easily?He had only been awake for about eight minutes but was seeing an opportunity to complete the wicked revenge plan he had against her.“Oh, I wouldn't worry Marie, I know you think I have the most beautiful hair. You already told me yesterday.” He said, laughing at the alarmed look on her face. He knew that he had to get up from her lap now but if he was being honest he’d prefer not to.What was happening to him? And why did he want it to continue? “That's not fair, Steven! I gave up my turn for you.” She said, playfully swatting his arm.“I mean, I did you a good deed because you know how you’ve always wanted to touch my hair? I let you do it for hours. What could be more gentlemanly?”Laughing at the way Marie rolled her eyes, Steven lifted his head from her lap and sat up to look at her. Her lovely green eyes sparkled in the darkness, as the cool evening bre
Although his face was veiled in the darkness, Marie could see various emotions flutter on Steven King’s face before he schooled his features into his trademarked inscrutable expression. Tonight, however, she was seeing it for what it was; a smokescreen to hide his feelings, and she was not going to budge until she got an answer out of him.“Marie, I think you know the answer to that.” He responded in a cool voice before pulling himself up to tower above her.“Humor me, Steven King.” She said, unwilling to back down now.“No, Marie. I do not have feelings for you. What's that got to do with anything? You think just because we’ve shared a few kisses, I’m suddenly going to develop feelings for you?”Even though Marie had expected those words, their impact landed on her hopeful heart like a heavy blow. If he didn't have feelings for her, why had she caught him looking at her the way he had so many times tonight?How many times was her foolish heart going to get hurt before it stopped pan
“Will you answer that thing, or leave it on silent mode?” The irritated voice of Steven King landed on her ears, tearing her out of her reverie. Marie thanked her stars for the gazillionth time that she had had the good sense to resave Alden King’s name with A.K , initials that could mean anything to anyone. If she hadn't done so, not only would her perfect mission to steal Steven King’s heart had gone to bust, she would have lost her job. Too shocked to piece an apology together, Marie turned off her cell and dashed to the bathroom. Since arriving at the cottage, the reception on their cells had been wonky so she hadn't tried to reach either Alden or Sandra.A feeling of unease coursed through her as she remembered she and Sandra's last meeting at her house. Steven was right. Sandra hadn't been fair to her. It was a different thing if she had told Sandra her marriage to Steven was fake as well, but she hadn't and her friend who knew how long she had loved the man was angry at her fo
Well, that was fast. Marie thought as William King’s velvety voice wafted to the room Steven and Marie were. Steven, who looked more stunned than excited, tried to get up and run to meet his father when Marie remembered that she hadn't had the time to warn him. Desperate to warn him before he saw William, she did the only logical (or not) thing she could think of. Pushing him back to the sofa, Marie took her halter neck top off and stood before a wide-eyed Steven King whose mouth had fallen open.“Just a minute to make ourselves decent, Mr. King. ” Marie called out, causing William King, who was about to round the corner to where they stood, to halt.“Are you out of your mind?” Steven half yelled, as he stood up and shoved the top to her.“I’m not. I did it to buy some time. We need to talk.”“Marie, I don't know if you’ve noticed but my dad's here. It's going to take more than you in a fancy bra to stop me from going to see him.”Rolling her eyes, Marie said,“I don't want to stop
Steven King's heart tumbled in his chest as he watched his father’s eyes skim through the menu. They hadn't said a word to each other since they sat down, making Steven feel like a kid in the principal’s office.Why was he acting like a bunch of nerves before his dad? The same person he had desperately longed to see for so long.“I think I'll have the pancake, eggs and orange juice. It is freshly squeezed, I hope?”“Yes Dad.” Steven answered as he beckoned on Stefan to take their order. “Wow, Dad. It's good to see you. How did you manage to get in? I thought this was just for married couples?”“It is. I brought my wife, Serena.”His wife? “Wow… That's… Congratulations, Dad! I'm happy… I had no idea you remarried.”“I didn't. Oh, you should have seen your face, Steven.” William said, slamming the table with his bare palm as he laughed. Steven, who wasn’t sure what the joke was, laughed along with him.“ Hiring a wife is so easy these days. In my time, it was a loooot harder. It's a
Marie’s heart thundered in her chest as he heard the two men coming to the room. She had just spoken with James who had told her that he was calling to give Steven updates on the prank caller. Marie had told him Steven was visiting with father and she had been pleased to hear the wariness in his response. It pleased her to know that not everyone was fooled by William's smoothness. They had spoken some more before Marie told James she would get Steven to call him back. Marie heard the door swing open as the two men walked into the suite. Feigning disinterest, she picked up Steven’s book, the one he had been reading and stretched out on the bed. “What are you doing?” He asked, looking pointedly at the book.“Just some light reading.”Shaking his head, Steven said,“I do not like creases or dog ears on my books.”“Yes, Sir.” Marie answered in a syrupy voice which didn't fool Steven.He headed to the wardrobe and opened it, bringing out his box. Marie watched from behind her book as he
Marie's heart all but sang in anticipation as she ate her breakfast. She had been so eager to get started on her mission that she woke up at the crack of dawn and had been brainstorming ways to achieve her goal without arousing his suspicion. She had waited for him to wake up but he must have been so exhausted because it was nearing 12PM and he had only stirred twice but not woken up.As she dug into her chicken and vegetable wrap, Marie closed her eyes to savor the explosion of flavors in her mouth. For the umpteenth time that morning, she doubted if success in her mission was possible and if Steven was going to appreciate it. However, she knew she didn't want things to go back to how they had been before. She would not allow things to go back to how they had been before.After she finished off her breakfast, she overheard an elderly couple talking behind her.“Oh come on, Thomas. You do know everything about me. We’ve been married forty years. The answers will come. There's so many
Steven’s eyes fluttered open as he heard hushed voices conversing around him. Marie hovered over him, her face looking flushed and our eyes wild with concern. Without thinking, he reached out and stroked her cheek.“Steven? Doctor, he’s awake!”As she leaned into his touch, Marie smiled down at him. He couldn't remember anyone ever smiling at him like that ever. Her smile made him feel needed.“Can I have a moment with the patient?” The Doctor asked, looking around. Marie made to get up and excuse them like Dana, Stefan and everyone else in the room but Steven shook his head.“Oh, your wife can stay. I meant everyone else.” Oh yeah. She was his wife, his fake wife. His fake wife whom he really really wanted to touch. His head felt clogged but he tried to focus on what the doctor was saying.“Can you sit up, Mr King?” The doctor asked as Marie’s hands came around him in support. This was the thing with Marie, she was always there to help, to support, to fix things. He couldn't rememb