The week following our steamy session at the Maeers' estate, I called my lawyer first thing Monday morning, requesting an addendum to our fake relationship's original contract. The poor soul was surprised with the content of my request - a section on sexual activities.

I sat in my office, staring at the manila envelope on my desk. Inside was a new clause in our contract. Steeling myself, I grabbed the envelope and stride out of my office. "I'm going to see James," I told Matheo in passing. "Clear my schedule for the next hour."

The drive to NexusWave's headquarters was short. My mind rehearsed the speech I'd prepared. This was pure business, nothing more.

A stern older woman with a permanent frown etched into her features looked up as I approached her desk.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Maeers is not available for unscheduled meetings," she said, her tone frosty.

I plastered on my most charming smile. "I understand, but this is an urgent personal matter. It will only take a moment."

The assistant's smile faltered slightly. "I understand, Ms. Hunter, but Mr. Maeers has a packed schedule today. Perhaps I could arrange a meeting for later this week?"

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my growing irritation. I glanced at the assistant's nameplate, "Grace. This matter cannot wait. It's kind of pressing."

The assistant's frown deepened, but something in my expression must have given her pause. Her eyes widened slightly, and I could see the gears turning in her mind. "Personal matter?" she repeated, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Oh! I was not expecting Mr. Maeers to be a dad so soon. Now I understand all the hush and hurry of the engagement. Congratulations!"

I blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in her demeanour. "What? N-no, I'm not preg-," I said, shaking my head vehemently.

But she was already scurrying away, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Please take a seat. I'll let Mr. Maeers know you're here. He will call for you once he's free."

I sank into the plush leather chair, baffled at what had just happened, tapping my foot impatiently as the minutes ticked by. Five minutes turned into ten, then fifteen. By the twenty-minute mark, I was seething with barely contained frustration.

Just as I was about to storm the office myself, Grace called for me, her expression beaming.

"Mr. Maeers will see you now, Ms. Hunter."

I shot her a confused look before stalking past, pushing through the heavy oak door with barely restrained fury. There, lounging behind his expansive desk, sat James. He dared to casually sip a cup of tea, looking for all the world like he hadn't just kept me waiting for nearly half an hour.

"Noreen," he greeted with a smirk, setting down his cup. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I slammed the manila envelope onto his desk, the sound echoing in the spacious office.

"New terms," I bit out, struggling to keep my voice level. "To our arrangement. Specifically, addressing the new... development from last weekend."

James's brow furrowed as he reached for the envelope, sliding out the documents and scanning them quickly. His eyes widened, choking, tea spraying across the desk.

"Sexual... activities?" he managed, his voice strangled. Looking at me in disbelief. "You had your lawyer draft a sex clause? I didn't realize we needed a legal contract for sex."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes, keeping my expression carefully blank. "Once a month, minimum. Any changes need to be agreed upon by both parties. I thought it prudent to have it in writing, to keep it strictly what it is - just sex."

James stared at me, his mouth agape. For once, the suave businessman seemed at a loss for words.

"Noreen," he hissed, glancing furtively at the door. "My assistant is right outside. What if she heard you?"

I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Please. Grace is too well-trained to eavesdrop. Besides, she thinks I'm here to happily share the news of my unexpected pregnancy." I shrugged. "Don't ask me why; she drew conclusions on her own."

James's cup of tea made a dangerous near fall as he stared at me in stunned silence. I could've sworn the man had forgotten to breathe as he finally inhaled a deep, shaky breath. "And you let her believe that?" he hissed.

"Either that or I would have to wait until the end of the week. Turns out you're a very busy man..." I glared at him and his cup of tea with pursed lips. "Now, will you sign, or should I assume you're not interested in the new terms?"

James's eyes narrowed, a flash of heat simmering in those intense blue eyes. "You drive a hard bargain." Reaching for his pen, he signed it with a flourish before handing me my copy. "There."

I took the document, "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Maeers. I trust you'll uphold your end of the agreement."

With that, I turned on my heel and strode out, leaving James staring after me, the contract clutched in his hand.

"Go, I'll just be here, nursing my wounded ego and planning our next officially sanctioned hookup," he whispered more to himself than to me.

As I passed Grace's desk, I paused, fixing her with a relaxed smile. "Thank you for your assistance, Grace. Mr. Maeers was elated with the surprise visit!" I made it purposefully ambiguous; let James deal with his gossipy assistant.

Grace flashed a bright smile. "Of course, Ms. Hunter. Have a wonderful day."

✦﹒✦﹒✦

I descended the stairs of my house, the crimson satin of my gown hugging my body, the hip-high slit exposing my naked leg. James stood at the bottom, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of me. I couldn't help but smirk at his reaction.

"You wore red," he said, his voice rough with barely concealed desire.

"I did promise, didn't I?" I quirked a brow, sauntering past him. "Let's make them 'pea green with envy' tonight."

The corner of James's lips tilted up, clearly pleased I remembered the words he had said back at that secret restaurant meeting when we agreed to our fake relationship.

The ride to the festival was silent, but the air was heavy with unspoken words. I could feel James's heavy and heated gaze on me. His hand crept over, coming to rest on my thigh.

"You look good enough to eat," he murmured, his thumb tracing maddening circles on my skin. I hid my smirk and crossed my legs pointedly.

"Down, boy. Remember you already had your monthly fix at your parent's house?" I kept my tone light but firm. "Tonight is strictly business."

James's jaw tightened, but he withdrew his hand. I knew he wasn't used to being denied, but tough luck. We had an arrangement, and I intended to keep things professional.

As we emerged from the car, the red carpet was a blur of flashes and shouted questions. James's hand found my waist, guiding me past the hungry reporters with practised ease. Inside, we paused for obligatory photos before diving into the glittering crowd.

Almost immediately, James's parents accosted us. His mother, resplendent in a shimmering silver gown, pulled me into a warm embrace. "Noreen, dear, you look ravishing! That colour on you—divine!"

I smiled, returning the hug. "Thank you, Evelyn. You look lovely as well."

James's father clapped him on the shoulder, his eyes twinkling. "Son, you're a lucky man. Better treat this one like a queen, you hear?"

James grinned, pulling me closer and locking his warm look on me. "Don't I always?"

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. If only they knew the truth behind our picture-perfect act.

We chatted with his parents for a few minutes, the very image of a happy couple. When they finally moved on to greet other guests, I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Noreen! Over here!" I turned to find Katherine, stunning in emerald silk, waving me over. I made my way to her, snagging a flute of champagne for each of us.

We air-kissed, falling quickly into gossip. "I had no idea you'd be here!" I accused. Katherine laughed.

"Well, back at you! You could have dropped your bestie a warning." Her eyes quickly fixed ahead of me and nodded meaningfully to where James stood, surrounded by a gaggle of admiring women. "The hungry singles seem to be trapping your man..."

I felt a prickle of annoyance as I watched them fawn over him, their intentions clear. I didn't like it. Not because I was jealous, of course. But if James didn't shut it down, it could break the facade of our perfect relationship. I caught his eye, raising a brow pointedly. He had the grace to look chagrined, extricating himself from his admirers.

"Speaking of surprises, did you see the invite for our MBA reunion?" Katherine asked, reclaiming my attention. "It just came through. I'm dying for a chance to have some fun!"

"I haven't checked my personal email in ages," I admitted. "But that sounds divine. Heaven knows I could use some unbridled enjoyment." I glanced at where James was approaching. "Though I suppose that fiancé of mine will have to tag along and ruin it."

James reached us in time to catch that last bit. "Ruin what, exactly?" He cocked a brow.

Katherine filled him in on the MBA reunion. James huffed a laugh, snaking an arm around my waist and pulling me flush against him. "We're a package deal now, love."

I smiled tightly, suppressing a shudder at his touch. "Lucky me..."

The lights soon dimmed, signalling the start of the film. I breathed a sigh of relief, hoping to lose myself in the movie and forget the infuriating man beside me. No such luck.

I could feel James's heat radiating beside me as we sat in the darkness. His glances teasing and full of tantalising promise. A ghost hand crept slowly up my thigh, fingertips barely brushing the edge of my gown. I shuffled in my seat, trying to dissuade him, but that hand kept going up until it slipped under my dress. When he found only bare skin, his eyes flashed with surprise before darkening sensually.

"Going commando, love?" he whispered to my ear. "And here I thought you were a good girl."

I shot him a withering glare, keeping my voice low. "This dress is skin tight. Panty lines would ruin the look."

He chuckled lowly, his fingers inching higher. I squirmed, caught between irritation and reluctant arousal. "James," I hissed, "Stop. People will notice!"

But he only nuzzled my neck, his breath hot on my skin. "Let them..."

I swatted at him, gritting my teeth. From a few seats down, I caught Katherine's wide-eyed gaze. Great. Just what I needed - an audience for James's antics.

I endured his attentions for as long as I could, but by the time the credits rolled, I was wound tighter than a piano wire. When the lights came up, I extracted myself from James's grip, making a flimsy excuse about the powder room.

Katherine cornered me there a few moments later, her eyes bright with mischief. She looked around, making sure no one was around, "That was quite the performance!"

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "Ugh, don't remind me. James is absolutely incorrigible. As if I don't have enough to deal with..."

Katherine smirked. "You seemed to love it, bestie!" she teased, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "The tension between you two is thick enough to cut with a knife!"

I glared at her. "The only thing there is is the stress he puts me through every time we have to put up the act. He's just...handsy!"

"Mhmm, sure, Nor." Katherine rolled her eyes. "This could work in your favour. Think about it, how long have you been without some good, hot, sexy time? He clearly likes what he sees in you, and you can't deny James is eye candy!" she shot me a wicked grin. "Nor, take what he's clearly willing to give you! Relax a bit; that work of yours is way too stressful. You need some release, or you will look like a shrivelled raisin by the time you hit 30!"

I felt my cheeks heat and my jaw drop. "Are you suggesting I shag him?" 

Little does she know I already have.

Katherine snorted. "Hell, yes! He's as hot as they come; I wonder how you can handle being close to him without jumping his spine..." She poked my chest. "Besides, you were never one to back down from a good time before...You need to let loose, friend!"

I swatted her hand away. "That was when we were at university; now I have an image to keep and a company to run, which steals away too much time."

Katherine stared me down with an arched brow. "Excuses, that's all I hear. If it's your image and lack of time you worry about, that's just proving my point. He's right there beside you, sleeping under your roof almost every damn day..." She waved her hands. "Who will judge you for having a good time with your future husband? It's the easiest, most judgement-free hook-up you could ever get! And don't forget I expect all the dirty details when you finally give in."

I felt my blush deepen, but I kept my tone prudish. "There won't be any dirty details because there won't be anything to tell. Now, can we please drop this?"

"For now," Katherine allowed. "I see right through you, bestie. Right through to that old, forgotten part of you that you keep repressing but that I know wants to climb that man like a tree."

"Katherine!" I sputtered, smacking her arm. She danced away, laughing, but her words stayed with me. Discomfort prickled under my skin because, deep down, in a place I didn't want to acknowledge. She was right, and I hated that she knew me so well.

I stared at myself in the mirror. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes bright, and my pupils dilated. This discussion brought up thoughts of that wild, reckless night...and morning.

The night passed in a blur of schmoozing and small talk. I was hyper-aware of James at my side, his hand on my hip, his heat pressing against me. Maintaining this was exhausting.

Finally, blessedly, I couldn't take another minute. I leaned into James, my tone strained, and murmured, "Darling, I'm positively knackered. Take me home?"

Something in my voice must have betrayed my fatigue because he simply nodded, brushing a kiss to my temple. "Of course. Let's get you home."

Relief crashed through me as we made our goodbyes. In the car, I slumped against the leather, utterly spent. James was quiet, but I could feel his eyes on me.

When we reached my house, James walked me to the door, ever the gentleman. He lifted my hand, brushing a kiss to my knuckles, my muscles tensing at the contact. "Goodnight, Noreen."

I gave him a tired smile before slipping inside. The moment the door closed behind me, I sagged against it, drained in every possible way.

How would I manage to keep this up for two years?

Being close to James was a conflict on its own. The logical side of my brain screamed to get away, not to get hurt again. The lady side of this treacherous organ, however, wanted James on a purely lustful, physical level that I couldn't remember ever feeling - needing - so strongly.

Katherine's words echoed in my head. I should have come clean to my friend and told her I'd already slept with James. But I didn't want to admit it. Putting it in words, aloud, was acknowledging it, and I wasn't ready. I felt shame, probably due to our past; this wrong, forbidden thing that should never happen between victim and bully. She would never judge me for it, but I would, and I did...

I stripped off my gown and collapsed into bed, my mind awhirl. Sleep was a long time coming, and when it did, it was filled with fevered dreams of forbidden touches and stolen kisses from a particular handsome auburn-haired devil.