Chapter One

Leslie

“I would rather eat stones than fall in love with you!” I was half-yelled with tears sitting at the corner of my eyes, begging to spill at any moment.

His lips arched in a mild smile of maybe mockery. He moved closer to me in slow, steady strides. Audacious steps that ooze confidence.

My breath hitched as he got closer to me. His thumb rubbed across my brow, sending a warm sensation down my spine.

He tucked a strand of stray hair behind my ear before rubbing his thumb across my lips.

“I’m much closer now. Can you repeat what you just said?” he whispered to my left ear. His warm breath caused goosebumps on my skin.

“I said…” I almost choked on my spit but I swallowed hard.

“Hold on. Be careful what you say next as that might decide what the future holds.”

He snaked his palm slowly, holding me by my nape and I gasped, shutting my eyes.

“Now, speak,” he whispered again and I opened my eyes to look up at his dark eyes. Those dangerously daring eyes.

My body wanted him, and so did my mind, but my eyes glared at him, throwing daggers at this young CEO who thought less of me.

“I would rather…” I started, and his hand walked to my chest.

“I would rather…” his left hand moved further into my blouse while his right hand steadied by my nape.

I gasped, my knees weakening as he lowered his head to the side of my neck and I held his loosened tie to steady myself.

“What are you doing to me, Lex?” I managed to ask.

“I want you to repeat yourself.”

“You know…you know I can’t,”

“Why not?”

“You know what…” I stopped and bit on my lower lip as he kissed the side of my neck. As his wet lips touched my skin, I could feel myself lose control and get control at the same time.

I pushed him off.

I let out a deep breath before pacing around the room.

“This is not right!”

“What isn’t, my Shayla?”

“Don’t call me that. I am not yours!”

“You have been mine the moment you wore that grey leather skirt to my office as my secretary!”

“I just wanted a job. Not this. Not all of this!”

“Listen, you don’t get to decide what is and what isn’t. I get to decide here and what I have decided is that you are mine!”

I pressed my fingers on the bridge of my nose out of frustration.

“I came here tonight for your help. That’s all I asked for,”

I knew it was one of the worst decisions I have made in my twenty-five years of living to ask him for help but I was desperate. I needed to help my sister with her tuition fees and help my mum with her medical bills.

The responsibilities were choking. I was losing my mind. I had tried all other means, but they all circled back to me coming to him, but now, he is proposing this?

“What’s so hard about falling in love with me? I look good, stoic, and wealthy! What’s it not to like about me?”

“Stoic…” I repeated sarcastically.

“Oh, Shayla. You don’t get to decide if I’m not,”

“I have heard thousands of things about you. About how you sleep around with ladies and even your last secretary. I heard about the tantrums she pulled on tabloids. I am not willing to join that list!”

“We had a one-night stand,”

“Oh, Lex. Don’t play like that. That was a mistake.”

“My mistake?”

“Your mistake!”

“My mistake? Oh great!” he retorted before loosening his tie and walking away from me.

“Where are you going?”

“I mean, this is my house,” his shoulder shuddered before smiling and then continued walking.

“Please…”

“You need my help, Leslie. You need money and I have got that. A lot of it actually. I am willing to help if you are down to do the same for me. For just two months. Sign a contract to be my fiancee. You don’t have to fall in love. You don’t even have to do much. You can decide to still work as my secretary or not. Attend events with me and it will all be over after I get the deal with the company.”

I felt a chill at the way my name rolled out his tongue. He would usually ignore my name and call me Shayla.

“You make it sound so simple. I don’t have to fall in love with you?”

“Yes.”

“Why should I agree to be your fiancee if I do not love you?”

“Because you need money!” he stated the obvious again and I sighed. “And who knows, you might end up falling for me.”

“That wouldn’t happen!” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He took off his shirt, revealing his heavy-bodied packs and I swallowed hard before quickly darting my eyes back to his face.

“Who knows?”

He strolled forward to me, shirtless. His steps are a testament to his aura, dignified in ambiance. His gaze fixated on mine, intimidating my eyes away from keeping eye contact.

Now, he was a few steps away from me. His hands circled around my waist, pulling my lower body closer to him and causing his chest to press against mine.

“I know what you do every day, wearing those dresses and those pointed heels. You wanted my attention and now you’ve gotten it. Why are you fraying away now?…”

“Enough! Fine. I’ll do it. As long as I’ll get the money it's just for two months. No extension of date and no physical touch!”

He released his arm from my waist and raised it in the air.

“Sure. I’ll have my lawyer prepare the documents.”

I grabbed my purse from the plush sofa before my eyes caught the sight of my shoes.

“By the way. Stiletto heels are more corporate. They were never worn to get your attention!” I slammed the words at him before walking towards the door.