The Subtitute Bride

Chapter 4: Kiss Me Like You Mean It

"You have to kiss me."

Kaela choked on her water. "WHAT?"

It was the next evening. The Anderson Family Engagement Party. A ballroom full of billionaires, cameras, and judgmental old ladies.

Rhys had been giving her instructions for the last hour.

"Rule for tonight: Smile. Hold my hand. And when my grandmother asks us to kiss, you kiss me. Like you mean it."

"That was NOT in the contract!" Kaela whispered, panicking. She was wearing a stunning white gown that cost more than her entire life savings. Her hair was curled, her makeup perfect. She looked like a real Anderson.

"I'm adding it now," Rhys said, adjusting his black tuxedo. He looked unfairly handsome. "Everyone thinks we are madly in love. Madly in love couples kiss, Kaela."

"I've never... I mean... in front of so many people..."

Rhys looked down at her. Her lips were painted red. She was nervous, playing with her fingers.

He suddenly felt guilty. "Have you... never kissed anyone before?"

Kaela's face turned as red as her lipstick. "That's none of your business! Of course I have!"

She was lying. Badly.

Rhys smirked. For the first time, a real smirk. "You're a terrible liar, Mrs. Anderson."

Before she could answer, an old but elegant woman approached them. Rhys's grandmother.

"There you are! My favorite couple!" Grandmother Anderson hugged Kaela tightly. "You look beautiful, dear! Rhys, you are so lucky!"

"Thank you, Grandma," Kaela said sweetly. She was good at acting.

"Now, come, everyone wants to see you! The press is here!"

She dragged them to the center of the ballroom. Flash. Flash. Flash. Cameras everywhere.

"Rhys Anderson! Kaela! How did you meet? How long have you been dating?"

Questions were thrown at them.

Rhys put his arm around Kaela's waist, pulling her close. His hand was warm on her bare back.

"We met at a charity event," Rhys answered smoothly. "I saw her, and I knew I couldn't let her go."

Kaela wanted to roll her eyes. Liar.

"He's lying," Kaela said into the microphone, smiling. "He actually spilled coffee on my dress first. He was very clumsy. I thought he was an idiot."

The crowd laughed. Rhys looked at her, shocked, then he laughed too. A real laugh.

"Yes, well, she called me an i***t and walked away. I had to chase her."

"And he did," Kaela added, looking up at him. "For months."

They were so good at lying, they almost believed it themselves.

Then Grandmother clapped her hands. "Now, a kiss! For the cameras! A kiss for my grandson and his beautiful fiancee!"

The crowd cheered. "KISS! KISS! KISS!"

Kaela's heart stopped.

She looked at Rhys, panicked. "Rhys..."

Rhys's eyes dropped to her lips. His playful expression was gone. Now it was serious. Dark.

"For the contract," he whispered so only she could hear.

Then his hand moved to her jaw, tilting her face up.

And he kissed her.

It was not a soft, fake kiss for the cameras. It was deep. Possessive. His other hand tightened on her waist, pressing her body against his.

Kaela gasped, and he took advantage of it, deepening the kiss.

Flash. Flash. Flash.

The cameras went crazy.

Kaela forgot where she was. She forgot the crowd. She forgot this was fake. All she could feel was Rhys — his lips, his cologne, the way he held her like she was his.

When he finally pulled away, both of them were breathing hard.

Kaela's lipstick was smudged. Rhys's lips had a red stain.

The crowd screamed and clapped.

Grandmother was crying with happiness. "That! THAT is true love!"

Kaela touched her lips, dazed. "You... you said just a small kiss..."

Rhys wiped his own lips with his thumb, his eyes never leaving hers.

"That was small," he said in a low voice. "You have no idea what I want to do to you, Kaela."

Kaela's knees went weak.

This contract was getting very, very dangerous.

And somewhere in the crowd, Vanessa was watching them, her phone in her hand, recording everything — with a plan to destroy them.