“Oh my god this ring is so beautiful. How many karats is this diamond?” She said while admiring it on her finger. “It must have cost a fortune…”

Shane had a splitting headache and couldn’t wait to go to bed, but he had one nagging question rolling around in his mind that would not allow him any mental peace; Since his engagement and marriage to Danielle was for business purposes and all for show anyway, why did he care how she was acting? As long as she was publicly convincing, why was he so bothered by it? In fact he should’ve been thrilled by the Academy Award winning performance she had just given, but instead he felt disappointed, confused and hurt.

As soon as they got inside the house, Danielle tried to initiate sex with him, but he just wasn’t feeling it tonight.

“Shane what is going on with you? And don’t tell me you’re just tired. I’m not stupid. You’ve been acting weird for days now…… I deserve an honest answer.”

Shane took off his tuxedo jacket and undid his tie and threw them on the bed. Then he sighed and plopped down in an overstuffed chair in the corner.

“I just don’t know about this whole thing anymore Danielle,” he said staring blankly into space.

“Shane what are you saying? You don’t want to marry me now? What about the contract?”

“I’ll still pay you your money. You’ve earned it. God knows an actress should be paid for her work. You can even keep the ring. I just don’t think this is working out very well.” He couldn’t hide the resignation in his voice.

Dani started to cry. “Why didn’t you say something before tonight? Before you just publicly announced our engagement? Do you know how cruel and humiliating this is?” She yanked the ring off her finger and slammed it down on the nightstand.

“We can tell everyone you dumped me. I just think we’re making a mistake that’s all.”

“Where is all this coming from anyway? What did I do wrong? I did everything you asked professionally and socially. What more do you want from me?”

Shane looked deeply into her eyes with profound sadness.

“I honestly don’t know who you are anymore, Danielle. You’ve changed so much. You used to be the most unpretentious person I knew. I loved that about you; the fact that you were so genuine and real. But now it seems like you’re the exact opposite.”

“Well Shane why don’t you tell me exactly how I’m supposed to remain unpretentious and real when every day I have to PRETEND to be somebody I’m not. I have to pretend to be a social butterfly on your arm, I have to pretend to be a lying unethical asshole at work, I even have to pretend to myself that a loveless phony marriage is good enough for me. Shall I go on?”

Shane tried to explain further. “It’s just that I can no longer discern what’s real in our relationship and what’s an act. What’s true and what’s a lie? And what do you mean loveless?”

“Well how do you think I feel with you saying all those beautiful heartfelt things to me tonight; how you love me and can’t wait to spend the rest of your life with me……but all the while I know your words are as good as hollow.”

“And what did you say to me? ‘I love you Shane Tanner and I can’t wait to be your wife.’”

“Didn’t you hear what I said Shane? I had to pretend that your money and lifestyle were enough for me when I knew I was selling myself short. I even convinced myself it was an acceptable substitute for love when I knew that wasn’t true. I betrayed my own self just to be with you…. just to make you happy. And I don’t know… I’m trying to be the woman you wanted. You’re the one who made this all about money. I thought maybe I could fake it long enough that I could be happy. I loved you once, and I wanted to love you again Shane.”

Danielle’s emotional pain came flowing out in full force at that point as she sat on the bed awash in her tears.

Shane came over and sat on the bed next to her. He pulled her into him and enveloped her tenderly in his arms.

“But Danielle I do love you. Don’t you see? I’ve loved you for years. It was my fucking father who made me leave you last time; he said I had to put our business first. I made the business my priority and now I’m losing you all over again. I thought I could make this a business arrangement, but I’m hurting even worse than before. The woman I wanted so desperately is hiding behind a mask, and it’s all my fault.”

“You know you would have saved us both a lot of trouble and heartache if you talked to me sooner. The truth is, I never got over you. Not in all these years. It’s always been you.”

Shane kissed Dani’s tears away as they both realized that they had always loved each other but somehow they let their insecurities get in the way of showing their true feelings. Shane went to the nightstand and picked up the ring. Then he got down on one knee and proposed to Danielle again.

“Danielle Kane will you marry me……for real?”

“Yes Shane Tanner. And it’s about damn time you asked me.”

He slid the ring on her finger as they fell onto the bed together in a passionate kiss.

“I love you Danielle,” Shane said as he unzipped her designer gown.

“I love you too Shane,” Dani said as she stroked his cock through his tuxedo pants.

“I think I’m feeling a little better,” Shane smiled mischievously.

“Lucky for him,” Dani replied as she removed the rest of his clothes.

As Shane slid her slinky designer dress slowly down the curves of her body it became obvious that she had purposely forgotten her undergarments again.

“Fuckin’A, you little minx. You were commando all evening and I didn’t even take advantage of it?”

“Whose fault is that Mr. Clueless?”

Shane didn’t waste any more time as he plunged his face between her splayed legs and pleasured her to ecstasy before she even knew what hit her. And before she could fully regain her breath and strength Shane peeled her legs back to her ears and drove his cock into her engorged and still throbbing pink opening.

“Now Danielle, I’m just asking to double check.…..are you sure you want to marry me?” he said as he fucked her slowly and teasingly.

“Yes I’m sure I want to marry you,” she laughed. “Yes….yes….yes!” she cried out as he drove it home with a vengeance.

And so without any further pretense, Shane and Danielle were officially engaged to be married…..for real.