Broken Beast

He mimes being stabbed in the gut. "Simon and I are going to help Trish in the kitchen, so you and Adam can talk. Right, Simon?"

Simon barely stops himself from rolling his eyes.

"You and Adam are going to meet us this Friday, in the city, for dinner," he says. "And Simon is going to show up with a smile. Instead of this asinine attitude."

"God forbid someone take something seriously," Simon says.

Adam looks to me. This Friday.

Soon.

Sooner than we planned to announce our engagement, but a perfect opportunity.

I nod yes.

"Eight o'clock. Briar will pick the restaurant," Liam says. "Wear something fierce." He blows me a kiss and leads his brother into the kitchen.

Adam laughs. Actually laughs. "I'm sorry. I can't remember the last time something in this house felt so normal." He brings his hands to my hips. "I… I'm glad you're here."

"Me too."

He leans down to kiss me. There's a hunger in it. Different than before. As emotional as it is physical.

"Are you sure?" I ask. "About the set? At the gallery? If people already know it's us…"

"Is it good for your career?" he asks.

"Very," I say.

"Then yes."

"But people—"

"People will know I'm with the most beautiful, talented woman in New York." He pulls me into a tight embrace. "What could be better?"

I melt.

Apparently, the other Pierce boys aren't here just to berate Adam for his choices. They need to discuss business. Some pressing matter kept Simon from their last quarterly meeting.

They sit with me through breakfast. Mostly, Liam makes conversation and Simon picks apart my answers. He doesn't trust me with his brother. I appreciate his instinct, but his cold stare still feels, well, cold.

Liam apologizes for him being an asshole, again, then hugs me goodbye, relays the news that Briar has picked a spot for dinner, and follows his brothers upstairs, to Adam's office.

I stretch out in the theater with an extra sweet, extra creamy cup of coffee and watch an old favorite. Raise the Red Lantern.

The men spend the entire morning in Adam's office, only breaking for lunch, where they continue to talk business, and dinner, where, same.

I stay busy with work.

They spend the night, so they can make the long drive in the morning, and so they can spy a little more too.

I sleep in Adam's bedroom. I don't know why he wants me here. For our ruse. Because he wants to fuck me.

Because he wants to fall asleep next to me.

But when I feel his arms around me, I don't care why he's holding me. Only that he's hard and warm and close.

This is everything.

We have a lazy breakfast after his brothers leave, then he's back to work. It's different than before.

We actually talk during dinner. Spend our nights watching movies, or sitting on the balcony staring at the stars, or climbing into Adam's bed and fucking like rabbits.

He still keeps his clothes on.

Or blindfolds me.

Or both.

I want to see every inch of him, but I'm patient. I can wait.

And this—

This is really fucking good.

I spend my time working on my photography, finishing edits, curating another set from the photos of us, taking another round of pictures here.

Friday, I ride into the city with Adam.

He drives. I man the stereo. We sit in comfortable quiet. No need to fill the space with noise, to talk over the music.

Then he parks, leads me to the elevator, through the door, into his penthouse apartment.

Only it's different than last time.

The floor is covered in rose petals.

No. Not covered.

The petals spell Will You Marry Me?

Adam takes my hand, drops to his knee, pulls a ring box from his pocket. "Danielle, if I know anything, I know I need you by my side." He pulls the ring box open to reveal a massive princess cut diamond. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes."

He slides the ring onto my finger.

The massive rock catches all the light in the room.

And even though it's fake, I feel it.

I feel all that love and desire and promise of forever.

I'm engaged to Adam Pierce.

It's pretend.

But it feels so fucking real.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Adam

"Pictures." Danielle's eyes stay bright. "We need pictures."

"Now?"

"It worked well last time." Her smile widens.

"Taking pictures of yourself coming?"

"Yes." She reaches for me. Runs her fingers over my neck, chin, jaw.

Her eyes flutter closed.

Her lips find mine.

She kisses me with a different kind of hunger. For my body, yes. And for something deeper, truer.

My body, my heart, my soul.

I want to give her every broken piece.

But I don't know how.

I don't know if it's possible.

My thoughts disappear as her hand knots in my hair.

I need to touch her, taste her, feel her pulsing around me.

She pulls back with a sigh. "Fuck, Adam."

"Take this off." I run my fingers over the hem of her dress.

She shakes her head. "Pictures first." She reaches for her cell. "At least a few."

We're not here to satisfy our desire.