The CEO's Temporary Bride

Chapter 3

An hour later, I was sitting on a ridiculously plush couch in an obscenely dark high-end lounge that made me feel like a fraud against the shiny modernity of it all. I had my legs crossed and tried to look as sure of myself as I could manage, but my head was nothing short of buzzing. I took a quick glance around the clubby room, looking for the man who Kenneth Bennett, aka Riley’s dad, had tried to set her up with.

Come on, Harper, I thought, it’s just one evening. You can do this.

But as I tried to steel myself, my thoughts scattered again, and anxiety crept in. What if… he’s some pompous, middle-aged Wall Street type? Someone who thinks he can impress me with his vacation home in the Hamptons? I forced myself to take a deep breath. No. Think of the money. Do it for the loan…

"Are you, by any chance, Riley Bennett?" a voice interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced up and promptly forgot how to breathe. The shoes were so shiny they practically glowed in the dark, light spilling through spots hidden in the low ceiling, and his suit looked like it had been sewn onto him. If GQ was still a thing—it probably wasn’t in this day—he would’ve belonged on its hot-s**t cover without competition. He wore his clothes like armor—impenetrable and wholly expensive—and both his blue eyes and fine chiseled features looked positively lethal at any distance.

“Yes,” I managed, with a smile that I hoped didn’t look as nervous as it felt. I tossed my hair, attempting to channel Riley’s fearless energy. “That’s me. Riley Bennett.”

He watched me for a second, his gaze unreadable before he gave a slight nod. “You look… different from what I expected.”

“Oh, you know. I like to keep people on their toes.” I leaned back, hoping I looked mysterious instead of terrified. “Besides, isn’t that the point of a first date?”

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement crossing his face as he took his seat across from me. “I suppose so.”

My heart was pounding in my chest as I realized that charming him might be harder than I’d thought. But I could still pull this off; I just needed to be bold. After all, the goal was to scare him off, right? Leaning forward, I dropped my voice to a sultry whisper.

“So, tell me… are you the kind of person who believes in fate?”

His gaze didn’t waver. If anything, he looked slightly more interested. “Not particularly,” he replied smoothly. “I prefer things I can control.”

“Well,” I said, twirling a strand of my wigged hair, “aren’t you the practical one?”

He leaned back, his expression cool, as he studied me in silence. It was unsettling, like he could see right through my attempts at charm. I swallowed, quickly scrambling for another topic.

“Alright then. Are you… a Scorpio? “I’ve always been really into astrology. Helps me understand people.” I batted my eyelashes, trying to play up the ‘quirky heiress’ vibe Riley had drilled into me.

“Not a Scorpio,” he replied, his mouth curving slightly. “And you? Are you one of those people who reads their horoscope every morning?”

“Oh, sure,” I said, leaning in with a large, flirtatious smile. “Not like there’s anything… to lose. You know, the universe helping us out.”

He c****d his head to the side, and I could see something sparkly in his eyes. “The universe?” he echoed.

“Yeah.” I nodded stoutly. No big deal; just talking about the universe granting me my most secret desires over here. Not a problem at all.

Is he… enjoying this? I wondered, thrown off by his cool attitude. Come on, Harper, stop being such a wuss. Level the playing field.

“Well,” I said slowly, trying to sound as though I was confiding a great secret, “sometimes in life you meet people and you feel an instant connection. Like it’s a sign.”

He raised an eyebrow, apparently unbothered. “Really?”

“Yes,” I said, leaning in, meeting his eyes this time. “I have a sense for things like that. Whether someone is going to mean something to me or not. Or if they’re just meant to pass through.”

He looked me up and down, his stare unwavering as I felt a strange flip in my stomach. He sipped his drink and kept staring. “Interesting philosophy. And what do you feel now?”

I hesitated, realizing I’d taken the game too far. Abort mission, my brain screamed. I laughed, waving a hand dismissively. “Oh, you know. These things are never foolproof,” I replied quickly. “Besides, half the time they’re just… coincidences.”

“Are they?” he asked, leaning back, that slight smirk still on his face. He was clearly enjoying watching me squirm.

“Yes,” I replied, my voice a little too loud. “Definitely coincidences.”

Just as I thought I’d managed to save myself, he took another deliberate sip of his drink, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, I was struggling not to laugh as I watched the guy across from me attempt to sip his tea, gripping the cup by the rim instead of the handle like some kind of ancient prince. There’s a handle for a reason, buddy, I thought, amused despite myself. He seemed oblivious to how out of place he looked, too, sitting stiffly with an air of importance.

Still, I had to admit he was... annoyingly attractive. Okay, Harper. Remember what you’re here for. I took a quick breath, channeling my best seductive smile as I leaned back, letting my gaze drift lazily over him.

“You were a little late,” I said, adding a hint of a purr to my voice. “I usually don’t wait around, but I thought I’d make an exception.” I tossed my hair, giving him a wink. “Men can’t seem to leave me alone.”

Nothing. Not a single reaction. Is he for real? I felt a twinge of irritation but pushed through, leaning in a little more as I tried a different approach.

“I’ll be honest,” I said, letting my voice drop low. “I have a... voracious appetite.” I trailed a finger along the rim of my glass and leaned in, close enough to get his attention. “So how about we skip the small talk?”

Finally, he raised an eyebrow and gave me a considering look. “Give me your phone,” he said, holding out his hand.

“What? Why?” I frowned, confused but handing it over nonetheless.

He didn’t answer, simply tapped in a number and handed it back to me, his expression as calm as ever.

My heart skipped. “You... took my number?”

“Yes.” He stood up, straightening his jacket. “You’re... interesting,” he said, as if to himself. “Expect a call soon.”

With that, he walked out of the restaurant, leaving me sitting there, half-embarrassed, half-stunned.

"So..did I do it?" I mumbled. "That's him running away, right?"

Ethan’s POV

Walking out of the restaurant, I loosened my tie and exhaled sharply, That had been… unexpected.

She was different from the women Howard usually set me up with, Bold, unpredictable, and utterly unlike anyone I had ever met. But there was something about her, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

David’s car was waiting at the curb, and as I climbed in, I caught his knowing smirk in the rearview mirror.

“Well?” he asked as we pulled away. “How was it?”

I didn’t answer immediately, staring out the window as Manhattan blurred past. “Interesting.”

David snorted. “That bad, huh?”

I ignored him, my thoughts drifting back to her. The way she’d tried so hard to keep me off balance, the way her confidence had faltered just enough to reveal glimpses of something real beneath the facade. It wasn’t often that someone caught me off guard, but she had.. repeatedly.

“Are you going to see her again?” David pressed, his tone light but curious.

I glanced at my phone, her number now saved in my contacts. “Maybe.”

David let out a low whistle. “Howard’s going to love this.”

I smirked, leaning back against the seat. “Let him.”