A few days later, I walk the streets of New York, emailing Katy.

From: Pollux Clark

Date: December 1 2017 12:33

Subject: Lunch?

To: Katy Vanderlin, fake fiancée

Katy,

I’ve been thinking about you all day. Why don’t I swing by and we can grab lunch?

From: Pollux Clark, hungry.

* * *

I cross the busy intersection. My sister, Harper, always loved the busy city streets. Me, I’ve always been too busy to even notice. Life was always passing me by, but I’m rectifying that.

From: Katy Vanderlin

Date: December 1 2017 12:38

Subject: Out Of Luck.

To: Pollux Clark

Pollux,

Can’t. I’m in meetings all day.

Thanks, Katy Vanderlin, Senior Consultant and overworked.

Ah meetings. She can take a little break. I continue toward her work, hoping I’m not crossing any lines with her. But, everyone needs to eat. I press reply,

From: Pollux Clark, hungry

Date: December 1 2017 12:40

Subject: Not good enough

To: Katy Vanderlin, overworked and needs to let loose.

Katy,

Cancel. You need to eat. Besides, I know you’re dying to see me again.

Pollux, hungry, and always horny

I smile as I hit send and continue my journey toward the Masters building. She doesn’t respond, and I tuck my phone away as the receptionist waves at me on my way to the elevator.

When I step out on her floor, Anne looks up from her computer monitor, and her green eyes shine from behind her thick, quirky glasses.

“I’ll let her know you’re here.” She buzzes Katy and gives me the go ahead.

A good little employee.

I knock.

“Come in,” Katy’s voice says from behind the door.

I step through, and her baby blues are the first thing I notice.

So, bright and happy to see me. A woman with long blonde hair sits on a leather chair facing away from me. She spins around and I take in her deep, sapphire eyes.

“Pollux, this is Gabi Kendall,” Katy introduces.

I strut forward and take her polished hand in mine. “So, nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure. You’re Katy’s fiancé?” Her eyes travel me over. She’s happy with what she sees.

Aren’t they all?

“Yes. I actually stopped by to see if I could take her to lunch.”

Katy glares at me and shakes her head no.

“That’s a lovely idea. My husband and I are heading to Daniel’s. Why don’t you two come along?”

Perfect.

Katy gives me side-eye and then grabs her handbag. Thirty minutes later, we’re all seated at a white, linen covered table.

Katy and Gabi chatter away about dresses for the party later in the evening, and

Craig faces me polishing off a hunk of French bread with butter. “You know, if the French had any morals, they would never have made the baguette.”

I sit back, my eyes meeting his. “Morality is always important. I value high morals. A lot. I also value trust. Do you value trust, Craig?”

He takes a sip of his Bordeaux. “Absolutely. Trust is something I always try to instill in my life.”

His answers sound rehearsed, but who am I to judge?

“What about you, Pollux? What else do you value?” Craig asks.

I stare at Katy. Her thigh brushes against mine, and I reach down and graze my thumb along it. “Long legs.”

This makes Craig laugh. “Yes. Those are always valuable.”

Katy’s glares at me for a moment before returning her attention back to Gabi.

Craig leans closer to me and shoots a glance over at a waitress passing by.

“I bet she's got great legs,” he whispers.

I glimpse at the young blonde. “Yeah, maybe.”

“Nice and tight, I'm sure.”

How bold of him. With his wife, not even a few feet away.

It makes me feel awkward as he continues to ogle the girl.

Gabi addresses the table, “I’m so glad Katy has met such a nice, well-rounded man.” She beams as the words leave her mouth.

I nod as Katy answers, “Me too. Pollux is great.”

And that’s all I get. Great. Not charming. Not sensational in bed. Just great.

We finish eating, and as we exit the restaurant Craig mentions he forgot his phone.

He heads back inside, and I watch him talk to the waitress he was impressed with earlier.

“Find your phone?” I ask Craig when he returns.

“Yes, it was right there on the table.”

I smile. “It's a good thing you went back. Would hate for you to miss out on any tight opportunities.”

He lifts his brow, eyeing me for a moment.

“Have a great afternoon,” I cut in.

We shake hands, and his lips thin into a half-smile.

And as I kiss Katy goodbye, my eyes focus in the direction of Craig and Gabi. They hug, and she hails a cab as he strolls across the street to enter the Masters building.

I grab my phone when I'm far enough away.

“This is getting hard,” I say to Charlie when he answers.

Charlie is my right-hand man, but more than that, he's a close friend.

“You're getting so close. Just remember why you're doing this.”

“Ok, send me over the report of what you found.”

“Will do,” he says, and I disconnect the call.

Remember why I'm doing this.

I grab at the rosary around my neck, running my fingers over the cross at the end. I’ll never forget why I'm doing this.

* * *

Later in the evening, the party passes by in a blur. I’m introduced to a bunch of people whose names I’ll never remember. If you want to know the truth, I’m not really trying to memorize them either. Once I acquire this company it won’t matter.

I smile and nod, with my hand on the small of Katy’s back, pretending I care.

She grabs flute after flute of champagne, and I finally stop her after her fifth glass.

Making idle chit chat with a few key people Katy mentions, I realize they bore the hell out of me, and I want to get out of here.

“My sister is an architect,” Marilyn Cooper brags. “She helped design the Wakefield Arts Building on Broadway.”

“It was nice meeting you,” I tell her. “If you’ll excuse me.” I don’t want to engage in talk about her sister. Who cares. Your sister has a great life and made something of herself. Big deal. Mine would have too.

We say a few goodbyes once Katy complains she’s tired.

“I’m a bit lightheaded from all the bubbly,” she whispers in my ear as I help her into a cab.

“I’ve got you.”

“Where to?” the bearded cab driver barks.

“Katy?”

She’s passed out, in my lap. I rattle off to head to the Plaza and lean my head back. Fuck.

Once we arrive to my penthouse suite, I help a sleeping Katy in and set her on the overstuffed sofa.

And because she looks sweaty and not her best, I move over to the marble wet bar and dampen a cloth to put on her forehead. This is one of those times where if she asked how she looked, I'd be expected to lie. Not that she's anything less than gorgeous. But, yeah. She’s out and doesn't move as I swipe the cool towel across her forehead.

I yank off my bowtie and toss it along the marble counter. This isn’t the way tonight was supposed to end. Running my hand through my hair, I blow out a deep breath.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I step out onto the moonlit back terrace to answer Charlie’s call.

“How’s it going?” he asks without a hello.

“It’s going good.”

“Good? We should be moving on the next phase of the plan.”

“I ran into a snag.” I glance at Katy sprawled out on the couch.

“Please tell me this snag doesn’t involve a woman,” he says. I’m sure his nostrils are flaring, and he’s running a hand through his wavy blond hair. He reminds me of a bull when he's agitated.

“Well…”

Before I can finish he cuts me off, “Dammit, you need to focus. Don’t get distracted by a woman.”

He’s right. Why am I even bothering? I need to forget about her and get on with my goal.

“She’s my in. I’ve met all the board members, and I met him. Talked to him and everything.”

“You’re playing with fire. Just keep your head in the game.”

“I don’t need you telling me what I should and shouldn't do. Remember who you work for.”

“Sorry,” he pauses, then continues, “I sent you over the reports. Let me know what you think.”

I disconnect and fire up my laptop. More reports. Reports I should read. Reports I hate again, because they aren't from Katy.

As I take in her sleeping body on the sofa, I’m moved to touch her. I cross the short distance and lean over to slide the soft strands of hair out of her eyes.

Her big blue eyes drift open and connect with mine.

“How did you get that scar above your eye?” she mumbles.

I smile. “Maybe another time.”

Her lids flutter closed, and she is once again dead to the world.

She stirs on the sofa, and her long leg dangles off the side of the cushion. Shit. She looks so uncomfortable. I decide to take her upstairs to the master bedroom.

She shifts again and tumbles onto the floor.

Fuck.

I lift her, and her body is not having it. She goes limp, then planks. I finally haul her into my arms and make my way up the grand staircase, into the master suite, and toss her on the bed. Nothing gentle or graceful.

She cuddles against my pillow, and I drape the heavy white comforter over her after removing her shoes. Well fuck. Where will I sleep? I'll be damned if I sleep on the couch. This mattress is large enough for both of us.

After getting ready for bed, I crawl in beside her, wearing only boxer briefs. Normally I sleep naked, but I can be a gentleman.

The scent of her hair fills the space, intoxicating me with its sweet smell. I toss and turn.

After a few minutes, her body nuzzles closer to mine.

She's such a bed hog. Arms and legs everywhere.

I rustle the comforter, trying to cover at least half my body as I try to drift off to sleep.

First thing in the morning, I'll deal with the reports.

But, tonight I need to deal with this hard on she’s bringing to life.