“Why not? You’re beautiful, magnetic almost, and you can hold your own against her. Don’t be confused. Dami reacted like she did because she saw you as a threat.”
Kat laughed, and I had to force myself to look away from the clean, elegant line of her neck.“Wow, I don’t know whether to be flattered by that or to start making funeral plans.”
“No harm will come to you when you’re with me,” I told her, already putting plans in place in my mind to ensure her safety.
“You sound confident,” she mused, her pale eyes lingering on my face.
I had the impression she liked what she saw, which made my body hard, and my blood hot.“I am confident. I can take or save a life in this city with a word.”
It was a plain truth that could sound intimidating or grandiose, but Kat merely nodded.“I’ll make sure to stay on your good side,” she said, wrapping her arms around her chest. “What do you expect from me?”
The way she said it, in a lower voice, with a hint of something intriguing in her voice, made it clear we were talking about more than a show.“Play along as my fiancée until my mother ceases her relentless urge to marry me off. In return, you’ll be protected and provided for.”
She moved closer, turning her slim body toward mine, and I stiffened. She raised a hand slowly toward my face.
I caught her fingers when they were only inches away from my cheek. “What are you doing?”
“Pretending. I wanted to see what it would be like to pretend with you,” she muttered, her hand still caught in mine.
“I don’t like to be touched,” I said simply and let her hand drop. Her skin was so warm. It had that same addictive quality that looking at her did.
She watched me steadily for a long moment and then nodded. “Okay, boss, whatever you say. Just tell me where you want me, and I’m there.”
I wet my lips, my mouth suddenly dry at her phrasing. Dark, lustful images filled my mind. Of her sinking to her knees and crawling to my room, her lips wrapped around my cock while I fisted her white-blond hair and fucked her mouth.
“First of all, you have to look the part, and as pretty as you might have looked in the sheet, Dami will be back, and you need clothes. Get ready. We’re going shopping.”
Kat’s eyes widened, and just when I thought she’d resist or make a fuss, she clapped her hands together and gave a little scream of excitement. I couldn’t remember when I’d gone shopping with a woman who was as excited as Kat. Her mood was infectious, and I found a grin trying to sneak on my lips as I watched her run around, looking for shoes that would fit. I didn’t know nearly enough about this intriguing woman, but one thing was for sure—I was going to find out.
CHAPTER5
Kat
Today wasn’t going at all like I’d imagined. But then, I’d never been swept off my feet and rescued by a dashing, dark and deadly-looking prince before, nor had I been asked to pretend to be engaged.
Jae took me to a boutique downtown. His security lined the place outside as his driver pulled up at the curb, and we got out. I felt like a celebrity—if a celebrity wore oversized sweatpants with socks and sliders and a huge black overcoat on top to hide how deranged she looked.
I walked toward the boutique, with Jae shadowing me from behind, his hand lightly nestled in the small of my back. “This might seem obvious, but I think I should point it out. I don’t have any money to buy fancy new clothes.”
His lip turned upward in a smirk. “You don’t have shoes, so why would you expect me to think you have money for a shopping spree?”
“I like to be clear,” I huffed, feeling silly for a moment. “I guess it’s another thing I’ll owe you.”
Jae Han ushered me into the store, and excited-looking assistants hovered expectantly. “I’ll put it on your tab.”
I tapped my lip, pretending to think about that. “Hm, in that case, I want to go to Target. Less to pay back. Your mother won’t be able to tell, right?”
Jae was smiling now, a proper, undeniable grin stretching his sexy, usually tight and emotionless mouth. “Kat, I don’t expect you to pay me back. Money is no object for me.” His tone shifted from teasing to serious.
“I get that. I’ve seen your house. Still, I don’t like being indebted to someone.”
He stepped closer, and I forgot how to breathe.His eyes ran across my face like they were trying to memorize my features. “Too bad. Maybe I liked you being indebted to me.”
His words sent a thrill of pleasure through me. Fuck, it felt good to be looked at like that by this man. This wonderful, sexy man.“Why is that?” I asked, playing with him. Who wouldn’t?
“Maybe I like to fantasize about all the ways I’ll demand you pay me back.” His eyes dropped to my mouth, and I wet suddenly parched lips.
“Erm, Mr. Song?”