“Dad, are you sure you don’t want me at the office? I know we have that big meeting tomorrow.” I take a seat on the couch next to him.

This is probably not the best time to start a conversation, seeing as he’s glued to the screen, watching the financial news.

That’s just like him, working even when he’s supposed to be on vacation. Makes me feel like it would look bad if I were to just go traveling when there’s a big meeting to prepare for.

My role in this meeting is minuscule, but I was hoping that Dad would give me a bigger responsibility after seeing my supposed fiancée and how grown-up I’m being.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure Diana can handle it,” Dad says.

Ah, Diana. It’s always her. I love her like a sister, but it annoys me when Dad would turn to her for help instead of me.

I guess it’s my own fault for getting arrested and imprisoned; I’m not always the best person to represent the bank because of my reputation.

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s perfectly capable of taking care of everything, but—”

“Listen, son,” Dad says. It’s always a sign that he’s about to make a big speech when he speaks in that tone. “I’m glad you’re eager to start working, but I’m even more glad to see that you’re finally going to settle down. Having a wife can really make you focus on what truly matters.”

I nod, knowing he’s not done yet. He has given me some version of this speech more times than I can count.

“And what really matters is the family. When you put the business first, everything falls apart.”

“Yeah, but Piper and I can always go at a different time. I’ve just been looking forward to the meeting tomorrow.”

I’m not actually responsible for anything important tomorrow, but it’s the first big meeting I’ve been invited to in years, so I want to show everyone that I’m still the sharp, intelligent, cut-throat businessman I’ve always been.

“No, son. Trust me. Business can wait. It always can. Put your fiancée first. Happy wife, happy life. The sooner you learn that, the better,” he says as he picks up the remote control and turns off the TV. “And now, I’m listening to my own advice and going to spend time with your mom by the pool. I promised her I’d only watch TV for one hour a day while we’re here.”

He pats me on the shoulder and walks away without saying anything else.

Oh, well. I guess there’s nothing left to do but to go to Paris with Piper.

It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with her—especially after last night. I’ve decided I’ll have her, regardless of whether I’ll need her to play the role of my fake fiancée again. I could still see her in the city; it doesn’t have to be in Paris.

Besides, tomorrow’s meeting has been on my mind since I decided to commit to the fake engagement plan.

At least the plan seems to be working, and that’s the most important thing. Dad doesn’t seem averse to the idea of giving me more responsibility anymore.

There will be other meetings to attend, and other deals to close. Meanwhile, I guess I’ll enjoy myself in Paris before I start throwing myself into work.

It’ll be a good chance to get to know Piper’s sexy little body. She seems so deliciously responsive, and I can’t wait to see everything she has to offer.

* * *

It’s already late by the time we finish dinner with my family and get back to the city. We haven’t had a chance to speak in private about the international trip we’re about to take right this very night.

My family can be crazy sometimes. I’m used to it, but it must seem strange to Piper.

She looks exhausted when her cute ass lands on the passenger seat of my Porsche. It must be tiring, meeting so many strangers in such a short time and pretending to be something she’s not, at the same time.

“How are you doing?” I ask as I turn on the engine, putting one hand on her thigh. Her skin feels soft and smooth through the thin fabric of her sundress. How can it be that the most casual, innocent touch instantly makes me crave more? Something about this girl must be magic.

“Good,” she says with a smile. She looks tired, though, her eyes red and her make-up running a little.

“Thanks for being such a good fiancée,” I say, hoping to perk her up a little bit.

She laughs, a girlish sound that makes me want to scoop her up into my arms and give her the biggest hug.

“We’re going to your apartment next,” I say as I start to drive. “We only have enough time for you quickly grab your passport, pack some clothes, and then we’ll need to go straight to the airport.”

“Oh, we’re not going to your place as well?” Piper asks.

“I have my passport right here,” I say, pointing to the glove compartment. “Sometimes, I have to travel at the last minute for work, so now I’m always prepared.”

“Oh. What about clothes? You don’t want to grab some stuff from home?”

“No, I have some clothes at the house in Paris.”

I can also just buy more if those aren’t enough, but I feel like my family has already shocked Piper enough with their wastefulness. It’s kind of obnoxious, the way we spend money. And I’ve never realized it until I went to prison and spent some time with normal people.

“Don’t worry about packing everything, okay? There are stores in Paris, too. Some of them even sell clothes,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

She smiles, but she remains quiet, and I wonder if she’s just tired or if she’s annoyed at the suddenness of the trip.

Maybe she’s worried about having to spend two more nights with me? She knows I won’t be a gentleman. I don’t plan on letting her go without sleeping with her at least once. I already know she wants me, too. She just needs a little bit more persuasion, and I happen to be pretty good at that.

“Hey, this trip, it’s not going to be a problem with your work, right?” I ask.

“Well, I’m supposed to work tomorrow and the day after that, but I’ve texted my manager to ask for those days off.”

“Okay, great,” I say. “That means you’ll get a smaller pay check, though, right?”

“Yeah.”

“You know what? I’ll waive the rent for the rest of the year for you. I know this is getting to be more inconvenient than you expected.”

“Really?” Piper asks, excitement in her voice.

“Yeah, sure. It’s not like the money is a big deal to me.”

Honestly, I’d happily pay the equivalent of her rent for the rest of the year to get a couple more nights with her anyway.

I don’t know what this is I’m feeling toward her. I’ll need to bury myself balls deep inside her to get her out of my system.