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Chapter 66
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Hired Fiance Chapter 67
Emma's POV The evening had a relaxed air, the sun dipping below the horizon as everyone gathered in the grand sitting room after dinner. The atmosphere was a blend of laughter and conversation, with the clinking of glasses and the occasional burst of laughter filling the air. The whole family gathered there. My mother and grandmother were in deep conversation about some upcoming charity event; Dad and Daniel were playing at the billiards table, while Ryan, Eva, and I were in lighthearted banter about the wedding party. Ryan had been the center of attention all day, charming all ladies with his easy demeanor and quick wit. I could tell that even Dad, who usually had a skeptical eyebrow permanently raised around new people, was beginning to warm up to him. But Daniel wasn’t going to let Ryan off that easily. As the evening wore on, I noticed Daniel watching Ryan, a mischievous glint in his eyes, like he was waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.That moment came when Daniel teased
Hired Fiance Chapter 68
Emma's POV I looked at Ryan immediately, but he just smiled and declined the offer politely. "Thank you, sir. But I am happy with my work. " "Well," Daniel finally said, a hint of reluctance in his voice, "I’ll admit, you know your way around the financial world. But let’s see how you do on the billiards table."Ryan’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he straightened up and chalked his cue. "I think I can manage," he replied, flashing a grin in my direction that made my heart skip a beat.The game began with my father and Daniel taking turns against Ryan. The atmosphere was competitive, but friendly, with plenty of good-natured ribbing flying around. Ryan handled the cue with the same precision he’d shown in his earlier discussions, his shots calculated and smooth. The balls clicked against each other with a satisfying sound, each shot expertly sinking into the pockets.It wasn’t long before Ryan was winning, much to Daniel’s chagrin. Every time Ryan made a particularly difficult sho
Hired Fiance Chapter 69
Emma's POV See?" Ryan said, his voice was low and filled with warmth. "You’re a natural."I barely heard him, too lost in the sensation of being so close to him, too aware of the way my body was reacting to him. My cheeks were flushed, my heart was racing and I could barely catch my breath. I wanted to turn around, to look into his eyes, to see if he was feeling the same thing I was, but I was too scared of what I might find there.Instead, I just nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks."Ryan stepped back, giving me some space, but the absence of his touch only made me crave it more.What was happening to me?? I wanted him to leave me and step back as I was not myself a few moments ago, and now, when he did, I am still feeling restless. I could still feel the ghost of his hands on my skin, the warmth of his body lingering around me. I was a mess, my emotions all tangled up in a knot of confusion and desire.Mom, Eva, and Grandma clapped from the sidelines, clearly amused
Hired Fiance Chapter 70
Emma's POV He looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if he was trying to figure out what to say. Then, he let out a sigh and leaned his forehead against mine, his voice barely above a whisper."Maybe it doesn’t have to be just pretend if you want. "The words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a rush of something—hope, fear, longing—I couldn’t quite place it.But before I could respond, before I could even process what he had just said, the sound of laughter from the sitting room reached us, pulling us both back to reality. Ryan straightened up, his hand dropping from my face as he took a step back."We should get back," he said, his voice suddenly distant.I nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment at the loss of his touch. "Yeah, we should."We walked back to the sitting room together, but the atmosphere between us had shifted. The lighthearted banter from earlier was gone, replaced by a tension that neither of us
Hired Fiance Chapter 71
Emma's POV As I got ready for bed, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come in such a short time. Sharing a room with him had initially been a nightmare. We were strangers, thrust into this charade of an engagement, and now, here I was, feeling a strange sense of comfort in his presence. But tonight felt different—more significant, somehow. I could sense that he was going to push the teasing a little further, and the thought made my heart race.I slipped into my pajamas, choosing a simple, soft set that I hoped would be comfortable enough to sleep in and plain enough to discourage any of Ryan’s usual banter. As I emerged from the bathroom, I found him lounging on the bed, a mischievous grin already playing on his lips. He was waiting for me.“Ah, there you are,” he said, propping himself up on one elbow. “I was beginning to think you’d fallen asleep in there.”I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help but smile. “Very funny. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”He chuck
Hired Fiance Chapter 72
Emma's POV I didn’t like where this was going. Or maybe I did, but that was the problem. The idea of Ryan lying next to me, without any clothes on, was both terrifying and undeniably appealing. But I couldn’t let him know that. I had to stay in control.“Interesting how?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked at me. “Well, if we’re going to be convincing, we should probably get used to being close. Really close. And what better way to do that than by sharing… everything?”I swallowed hard, my mind racing with all the implications of his words. Was he really suggesting that we…? No, surely not. But with Ryan, I could never be sure.“Ryan,” I began, trying to sound stern, “we’re supposed to be convincing, not reckless.”“Reckless? Who said anything about being reckless?” he asked, feigning innocence. “I’m just saying we should be comfortable with each other. You know, as an engaged couple would be.”“Comfortable
Hired Fiance Chapter 73
Emma's POV I shook my head, still smiling, as I settled back into bed. Despite all the teasing and banter, I felt a sense of peace that I hadn’t expected. Being with Ryan, even in this strange, pretend engagement, was starting to feel… right. And as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for us—if this was just a temporary arrangement, or if it could be something more.But for now, I was content to let things unfold naturally, to enjoy the playful moments and the way he made me feel. Because as much as I hated to admit it, Ryan had managed to break through my walls in a way no one else ever had. And maybe, just maybe, I was okay with thatI closed my eyes, willing myself to relax. But just as I was beginning to drift off, I felt him move closer again, his body heat enveloping me.“Goodnight, Emma,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.“Goodnight,” I managed to reply, my voice barely above a whisper.And as I lay there, my heart pounding in my
Hired Fiance Chapter 74
Emma's POV There were freshly baked scones, still warm and golden, their golden crusts still warm from the oven, and their buttery scent filling the kitchen. They were accompanied by small jars of clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam. He had selected an assortment of cheeses—creamy brie, sharp cheddar, a tangy blue, and a nutty gouda—along with thin, crispy crackers and slices of crusty baguette.He had also packed a selection of muffins and finger food. Nestled among the savory items were bowls of plump, juicy strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries, their deep, rich colors a feast for the eyes. He had even thought to include delicate cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, some cutlets, and for dessert, he had packed a small tin of chocolate truffles, each one rolled in cocoa powder and filled with rich, velvety ganache and doughnuts, a nod to the traditional English picnic. To top it all off, there were chocolate truffles, rich and decadent, nestled in a small tin
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