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CHAPTER 12
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-15 21:57:09
Bab terkait
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 13
That was it? ‘Okay’? Maxima had no idea why, but she kinda felt let down. He hadn’t tried very hard to argue her out of her position. And not that she’d have caved, but it would have felt good to know she was so desirable he’d make an issue out of wanting to sleep with her. She supposed he’d find another willing partner to play his games easily enough that not getting into her bed wasn’t going to bother him very much. How depressing… She hadn’t even been entirely honest. She’d slept with men she knew she didn’t love, but she’d always felt more than mere friendship, she supposed. And more than simply lust. And Maxima hadn’t been sharing living quarters with them at the time. Fortunately, since she couldn’t think of anything to talk about and her companion didn’t seem interested in starting a new subject of conversation, the cab pulled up in front of a wonderful building on the Upper East Side. The area was quite nice, and full of up
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-15PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 14
“Oh… My… God… I think my tongue just had an orgasm.” Billie moaned as she bit into the Salted Bourbon Caramel and Dark Chocolate tartlet, freshly prepared by Maxima for a ‘tasting marathon’. Her fourth in less than a minute. Maxima couldn’t remember when she’d felt so gratified. Four days after she’d moved into Liam’s place, she was already experimenting, cooking with recipes she knew as she got comfortable with the stove and playing with the ingredients to try new, original combinations.“Girl, you are a freaking food genius!” Billie swallowed, trying to control herself, and gave in, reaching for another tartlet.“I know you needed a guinea pig, and I was happy to help, but this is my last one. Stab me with that chef’s knife if I even try to reach for another one after this.” She popped the treat into her mouth and closed her eyes as she devoured it.“I am going to have to spend the next week at the gym to make up for it,” she said, openin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-16PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 15
“Honey, I’m home!” Liam felt like an idiot announcing his presence in his own house, but he didn’t want to startle his temporary roommate. He stepped inside and felt his nostrils quiver. What was that amazing smell?“Hi, Liam!” a cheerful voice answered him. “You’re home early.” He put down his briefcase. He’d never thought of his home as cold before, but walking into it now, Liam noticed a huge difference. The space felt warm, lived-in, and whatever that woman was cooking, his stomach wanted some. Dragging his tie off, Liam moved closer to his kitchen. He had never thought a woman could look so sexy in an apron. The image reminded him of moms and old ladies at Christmas dressed as Mrs. Claus. But on Maxima? The red-and-white striped apron was about the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Liam stared in amazement. Never had there been so much activity in his kitchen so long as he’d lived here. He’d grilled the odd steak, and a woman or
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-17PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 16
When she’d settled herself on the other side of the big farmhouse table, Liam poured the wine, then raised his glass.“I would like to propose a toast.”“Let’s hear it,” Maxima said in a curious voice.“I toast to our mutual success.” She smiled at him, and they both drank.“You were a big hit at dinner the other night, by the way,” he told her.“Really?” Liam reached for a tiny ‘vol-au-vent’, a small hollow case of puff pastry stuffed with crab and some kind of sauce, and popped it in his mouth.“Oh, wow! Max, this is fantastic,” he said thickly. “I kinda hated crab… up until now.”“Thank you! I’m glad you like it,” she said, taking a sip from her glass. “So… my presence was a success… Great!”“They all loved you. Howard is convinced you’d be the perfect hostess at any company function. He’s beside himself with excitement.” Howard Shields wasn’t the only one beside himself with excitement, and Liam got the feeling his fake future wife had picked up
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-17PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 17
‘Yes, Liam, it is. Tougher than you can possibly imagine.’ Maxima couldn’t believe she said those words out loud. Liam looked so hurt at her words that she wanted to take them back. Say something else… a white lie, maybe. But Maxima was essentially an honest person, and tough didn’t even begin to describe what it was going to be like to spend an entire weekend with Liam when everyone thought they were an engaged couple. It was bad enough to share an apartment that he was rarely in. What would it be like if they had to share a room? Or the same bed? The kiss was still tingling on her lips, and in truth, she’d barely tasted the food she’d worked so hard preparing. All Maxima could taste was Liam. If she could turn the experience of kissing him into a flavor, she’d be the most successful caterer in history. Who could resist the taste of passion? Why hadn’t she said ‘no’ when this ridiculous charade was first suggested
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-18PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 1
“Well, you have a party to prepare for, so I’d better go home and finish packing my suitcase. Tomorrow I’m going to leave Scarsdale for good.” Maxima got up from the comfortable armchair and put on her shoes. Billie Right, her best friend, did the same thing.“Are you sure you don’t want to come to our party? We would all love that very much,” Billie asked.“I'm afraid I can’t,” Maxima replied to her best friend.“Oh, come on, hon. This is going to be our last party as college girls. Well, college dropout, in your case.” ‘College dropout…’ The definition was right, but Maxima didn’t feel like a college dropout. She felt more like a survivor. This part of her school education just wasn’t made for Maxima. She tried with all her might for everybody's sake, but college was just a prison. She did her best to be a perfect college student for almost three years, but at one point, Maxima felt trapped. She became the shadow of herself, a perfect ghoul.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 2
Maxima put the suitcases near the door and then looked around the house. It was way too quiet and way too big for her alone. The night was warm and pleasant, so Maxima decided to stay outside and enjoy the nightly breeze. What better way to say goodbye to the place that has been her home for the last seven years?“Yeah… I’m going to stay here. I’ll doze off on the plane.” She sat on the swinging chair, enjoying the quiet night. The street was empty, no one in sight. The lamplights offered the best light ever so that she could ‘spy’ on her neighbors without getting caught in the act. From her porch, Maxima could see Mrs. Right in the kitchen, cleaning and loading the dishwasher. Billie’s mother was the perfect housewife. The house was always spic and span, the kitchen was always ‘in full mode’. Spending time with Billie’s family has always been a blessing. And not only because of Billie, or her parents, who always made her feel so welcome in their hous
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 3
FLORENCE, ITALY (4 years after)“Chef Davenport, we are all waiting for you in the kitchen,” her sous chef said, from outside the changing room.“Okay, thanks for letting me know. I’ll be out in a second,” Maxima replied, pulling out her cell phone. She looked at the display, trying to stay calm. Her last text was staring back at her. ‘School is over. It’s time for me to come back to the States. How about we see each other for a few drinks and a long chat, just like the ones we used to have? Max.’ No reply. Maybe Billie had no desire to see her… Maybe Billie forgot all about that last favor. Those words were still very much present in Maxima’s mind. ‘The moment you decide it’s time for you to come back home, promise me I’ll be the first person you'll call… after your mom, of course.’ “Is going back the right answer? Is it? And if so, going back to what? To whom?” Maxima murmured. “I’ve spent these past four year
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28
Bab terbaru
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 17
‘Yes, Liam, it is. Tougher than you can possibly imagine.’ Maxima couldn’t believe she said those words out loud. Liam looked so hurt at her words that she wanted to take them back. Say something else… a white lie, maybe. But Maxima was essentially an honest person, and tough didn’t even begin to describe what it was going to be like to spend an entire weekend with Liam when everyone thought they were an engaged couple. It was bad enough to share an apartment that he was rarely in. What would it be like if they had to share a room? Or the same bed? The kiss was still tingling on her lips, and in truth, she’d barely tasted the food she’d worked so hard preparing. All Maxima could taste was Liam. If she could turn the experience of kissing him into a flavor, she’d be the most successful caterer in history. Who could resist the taste of passion? Why hadn’t she said ‘no’ when this ridiculous charade was first suggested
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 16
When she’d settled herself on the other side of the big farmhouse table, Liam poured the wine, then raised his glass.“I would like to propose a toast.”“Let’s hear it,” Maxima said in a curious voice.“I toast to our mutual success.” She smiled at him, and they both drank.“You were a big hit at dinner the other night, by the way,” he told her.“Really?” Liam reached for a tiny ‘vol-au-vent’, a small hollow case of puff pastry stuffed with crab and some kind of sauce, and popped it in his mouth.“Oh, wow! Max, this is fantastic,” he said thickly. “I kinda hated crab… up until now.”“Thank you! I’m glad you like it,” she said, taking a sip from her glass. “So… my presence was a success… Great!”“They all loved you. Howard is convinced you’d be the perfect hostess at any company function. He’s beside himself with excitement.” Howard Shields wasn’t the only one beside himself with excitement, and Liam got the feeling his fake future wife had picked up
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 15
“Honey, I’m home!” Liam felt like an idiot announcing his presence in his own house, but he didn’t want to startle his temporary roommate. He stepped inside and felt his nostrils quiver. What was that amazing smell?“Hi, Liam!” a cheerful voice answered him. “You’re home early.” He put down his briefcase. He’d never thought of his home as cold before, but walking into it now, Liam noticed a huge difference. The space felt warm, lived-in, and whatever that woman was cooking, his stomach wanted some. Dragging his tie off, Liam moved closer to his kitchen. He had never thought a woman could look so sexy in an apron. The image reminded him of moms and old ladies at Christmas dressed as Mrs. Claus. But on Maxima? The red-and-white striped apron was about the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. Liam stared in amazement. Never had there been so much activity in his kitchen so long as he’d lived here. He’d grilled the odd steak, and a woman or
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 14
“Oh… My… God… I think my tongue just had an orgasm.” Billie moaned as she bit into the Salted Bourbon Caramel and Dark Chocolate tartlet, freshly prepared by Maxima for a ‘tasting marathon’. Her fourth in less than a minute. Maxima couldn’t remember when she’d felt so gratified. Four days after she’d moved into Liam’s place, she was already experimenting, cooking with recipes she knew as she got comfortable with the stove and playing with the ingredients to try new, original combinations.“Girl, you are a freaking food genius!” Billie swallowed, trying to control herself, and gave in, reaching for another tartlet.“I know you needed a guinea pig, and I was happy to help, but this is my last one. Stab me with that chef’s knife if I even try to reach for another one after this.” She popped the treat into her mouth and closed her eyes as she devoured it.“I am going to have to spend the next week at the gym to make up for it,” she said, openin
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 13
That was it? ‘Okay’? Maxima had no idea why, but she kinda felt let down. He hadn’t tried very hard to argue her out of her position. And not that she’d have caved, but it would have felt good to know she was so desirable he’d make an issue out of wanting to sleep with her. She supposed he’d find another willing partner to play his games easily enough that not getting into her bed wasn’t going to bother him very much. How depressing… She hadn’t even been entirely honest. She’d slept with men she knew she didn’t love, but she’d always felt more than mere friendship, she supposed. And more than simply lust. And Maxima hadn’t been sharing living quarters with them at the time. Fortunately, since she couldn’t think of anything to talk about and her companion didn’t seem interested in starting a new subject of conversation, the cab pulled up in front of a wonderful building on the Upper East Side. The area was quite nice, and full of up
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 12
Oh, no! The words bounced around Maxima’s brain like a pinging dot in one of those annoying computer games. No, no, no, no, no! If she’d had one rule for herself, if she’d thought any of this through enough to have created some set of rules for herself, which would have been a pretty damn good idea, rule number one would have been: NO KISSING. Well, no physical contact of any kind, obviously. But it was too late for that, so maybe, if she pulled herself together long enough to list a few rules for personal conduct, she had a tiny possibility of getting through this charade without making a fool of herself. The same way it already happened four years ago, on that night. Maxima got through the rest of the night somehow, but she was always conscious of Liam’s presence beside her, of the feel of his arm when it brushed hers. Even through the summer-weight jacket Liam wore, she felt his body heat the same way she felt the insistent attr
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 11
Even with her in those ridiculous heels, they were in time, and before he was remotely prepared, they were standing outside the restaurant. Liam drew in a quick breath.“It’s now or never… Ready?”“As ready as I’ll ever be, Liam.”“Okay.” Liam reached for her hand… her soft, perfect hand, with long, delicate fingers.“I hope you don’t mind. We should act like… Well, you know… Like…”“Lovers,” she closed the sentence, wrapping her fingers around his. The clasp was perfect. Her hand felt surprisingly reassuring in his. Even if the word “lovers”, and the way she’d said it, had him conjuring up a vision of the two of them in bed… Hot, sweaty, and orgasmic. Which was not what Liam wanted to be thinking about when he saw his bosses. They walked into the upscale restaurant and were directed to the upper floor, where a private space had been reserved. There weren’t many people there yet. Only the key ones: Howard and his wife, Amanda; Howard’s brother, Gregory
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 10
“What the hell was I thinking?” Liam said slowly, preparing to exit his expensive Upper East Side penthouse. “Asking my sister for help… Accepting her conditions and choosing Maxima Davenport as my fiancée… Man, I need a shrink. A really good one.” He was heading out for possibly the most important evening of his entire life. And to add a little extra spice to the evening, he was about to see a real blast from the past. Maxima Davenport, the chef recently returned to the States after spending the last four years in Italy. Liam had no idea what she was like now. Billie kept her well hidden, as far away from his grasp as possible. The only thing his sister said to him was that Maxima would be on time and ready to do the part of his loving fiancée.“I hate blind dates! I hate the fact that my house is going to get turned upside down by a stranger… a woman I have kissed in another lifetime.” Liam gave a look at the apartment. Everything was just perfect. He call
PRETENDING TO BE MRS. RIGHT CHAPTER 9
“So? Am I a genius or what?” Billie exclaimed, sounding ridiculously pleased with herself. Another long second of silence passed. The coffee shop was busy with midmorning traffic, moms with kids in strollers, older folks with crossword puzzles, and a large noisy table that seemed to be some walking club. The steaming hiss of the espresso machine punctuated the babble of voices.“What did you just say?” Maxima finally managed to respond. She’d spent the morning looking at two hopeless places to rent, one where a cat came to greet her at the door and her eyes started watering before she could even cross the threshold, and the other with a supposed non-smoking roommate who seemed to think that joints didn’t count. They’d met at a coffee shop in the area. Billie looked pleased with the purchase of an old cookbook filled with recipes for dishes from all over the world, a gift for Maxima. She was looking through the book, so she hadn’t fully paid attentio
