We found a relatively quiet spot in Central Park and sat on the grass. I’d packed a blanket for us in the wicker basket, and we sat on it, spreading out the cheese board and pouring wine into two glasses.

“You’ve brought grapes!” Jessie exclaimed, and she excitedly popped one green grape into her mouth. I couldn’t help but stare at her, the way she stretched her neck backwards and her lips fitted around the grape deliciously. I felt the urge to run my tongue down her neck, flashes of the previous evening returned to me. Jessie naked and sprawled on my bed, the sweet taste of her…I wanted her again.

I stretched myself out on the blanket, while she sat cross-legged facing me.

“So, now what?” she asked. She’d caught me staring.

“Now we do what we always do…talk and laugh. It’s not like we have to pretend.” I replied, and she smiled.

Before all this happened, she wouldn’t have asked a question like that. We were always comfortable in each other’s presence. Hanging out together was never a task. But from the look in her eyes now, I got the sense that she was uncomfortable.

“Should we…like…pretend to get cozy though? For the cameras,” she suggested.

“Good idea.” I said and stretched my arms out towards her. Jessie’s cheeks flushed, and her eyelids fluttered shyly. Then she moved towards me and slowly fit herself into my arms. Her back was pressed against my chest, her hair was on my face and in my nose. I was surrounded by her smell and presence. She was soft and warm in my arms.

As long as she didn’t notice my cock growing in my pants, we’d manage; I thought.

She ate some more grapes, while I sipped some wine. Even though it wasn’t very obvious, we could both sense that there were cameras on us.

“Have you ever done this before?” she asked.

“A picnic out in Central Park? Can’t say that I have. Never had the time for it.” I told her.

“Besides, you don’t really seem like the picnic type.” she added.

“I’m not so sure about that. I’m quite enjoying this, to be honest.”

Jessie turned her head sideways so she could look at me from the corner of her eyes.

“Did you just say you’re enjoying this?” she asked, with a laugh in her voice.

“What’s there not to like? A beautiful woman in my arms, a glass of wine in one hand, the sun on my face and cheese to devour.” I explained, smiling at her.

Jessie gulped and looked away from me.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked, and she sighed.

“I’m just thinking about how good you are at pretending…for the cameras.” she said.

“Okay, yes, the circumstances are strange, but it’s not like I’m constantly pretending. You know that I enjoy spending time with you, Jessie. I always have. I don’t have to try when I’m around you.” I told her.

I couldn’t stop myself in time. I reached for a lock of her dark hair that was falling over her eyes and tucked it in behind her ear. She gazed at me, turning slowly towards me now.

“What are we doing, Leo?” she murmured.

“We’re having a picnic.” I replied. I knew she was asking me a different question—one that I wasn’t prepared to answer yet. What were we doing? What were we going to do in a few weeks once this ruse was over?

“This feels crazy, somehow.” she continued, and I brushed the tip of her nose with my thumb.

“Yes, it is crazy. But if I had to choose anyone to fake marry in this world, Jessie; it would always be you.” I replied.

She was looking into my eyes, and then she moved closer to me. Her face tipped in my direction, and I knew what she was going to do. She kissed my lips tenderly, and I reached for her face, pinching her chin tightly as I kissed her back.

My tongue slipped into her mouth, and she moaned. I weaved my other hand in her hair, throwing the glass of wine down on the grass. We kissed ravenously again like we’d been hungry for each other for centuries. Even though it had been less than a day that I was inside her.

She pulled away from me a few moments later, breathless and heaving.

“For the cameras…” she said and slowly moved away from me.

I felt like I was in shock. I had kissed a lot of women, but nobody kissed like Jessie. Nobody made me feel this way. Like I wanted to wrap my arms around her and protect her forever.

She cleaned up the mess the fallen wine glass had made and poured some more for me. I definitely needed the alcohol.

“Thank you, Jess, for doing this for me.” I told her, straightening myself up. I needed to hide the throbbing cock in my pants.

She nodded and smiled.

“It’s fine, Leo. I know you would have done the same for me.” she said.

“Of course, in a heartbeat.” I told her.

I was watching her, searching her face…looking for any signs that the kiss might have meant more to her than a fake attempt for the cameras.

“After this is over, Leo, I think I’m going to go on a vacation to clear my head.” she said.

“By yourself?”

“Yes, I definitely need it.”

“Then you won’t have to wait too long. I’m going to set up a meeting with my uncle in the next few days and discuss the situation.”

She nodded, looking glum and not smiling.

“How soon can we have the marriage annulled?” she asked. Was she really that desperate to get away from me?

“Maybe in a few months, so that nobody gets suspicious. But once I get control of the company, we don’t have to live together anymore. You can go on your vacation and be free.” I told her, with a weak smile on my face.

“Good,” she answered.