chapter 5

Josie POV

Few men had ever made me feel all warm and bubbly inside, but Matthias Lekas had just joined the ranks of those men. He was gorgeous.

Before our meeting, I knew who he was and had seen his picture a few times, but his reputation had always kept me from being even remotely interested. Now, I could see why women flocked to him.

He had a dangerous edge about him that I found extremely attractive. His green eyes looked unnatural and incredibly hot. I could stare at him all day.

“Married?” I asked, his question finally sinking in through my befuddled brain.

He smiled. It was a sexy, charming smile that made my face feel warm. “Yes. I asked if you’re married.”

I shook my head. “No.”

I wasn’t sure why he’d asked the question. It seemed a little odd and out of the blue. He smiled and nodded his head before sitting forward and sliding up to his desk.

He cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. “I appreciate you coming in today. Things got a little hectic yesterday, and I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“It’s no problem. I understand.”

“I’d like to take you out to dinner,” he said, his green-eyed gaze holding mine.

“Dinner?” I parroted, my mouth going dry. That had been about the last thing I expected to come from his mouth.

“Yes. Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?” he clarified, answering my question about whether it was a business dinner or one meant solely for pleasure.

I felt like a deer caught in the headlights of a speeding car. My heart was leaping at the opportunity, but my brain was telling me to proceed with caution.

How could I say no? It was more than his looks. He had something about him that I wanted to get to know better. Maybe it was his good looks.

“Yes, I’d like that,” I said and immediately felt the nerves kicking in.

“Great, can I pick you up at six?” he asked.

I wrinkled my nose, dreading denying him, but I wasn’t that lost in the moment to forget my basic rules.

“I could meet you there,” I said, not ready to tell the man where I lived, even though I was sure he could access the information in my employee file.

″Okay,″ he replied.

Matthias went over why he wanted me here. Of course, it was an offering for a position to be his personal assistant. Which is quite odd, to say the least, considering that he is a billionaire and I thought he had things under control.

He told me the amount I was going to get paid, the business trips, and how much I had to be on top of my game at all times.

″But there’s a catch,″ he replies, my heart stopped as he slides over the file to me.

“I need you to sign this contract.” Matthias pulled out a document from the folder in his suitcase.

“What contract?”

He hesitated, nervous about talking about something so awkward. “It’s about what we’re doing. Our pretend marriage.”

I laughed. “Are you serious?”

“It’ll be fine,″ he said reassuringly.

I looked down at the printed contract with his cursive handwriting titled Rules and Regulations in bullet points.

I have a curfew at one a.m.?

No side-boyfriends...

I must attend every event he goes to...

I have to be on time at work exactly by nine... not a minute before or after.... exactly at nine.

Lastly...

″Josie?″ He asked.

My hands trembled, but I couldn’t find the words to respond back.

“Spit it out,” He said.

“No sex?″ I questioned.

″This is business. Nothing personal.″

″Right,″ I whispered.

...

The Lekas Falls venue truly was magnificent. As the driver helped me out of the car, I took in the surroundings, the sprawling property bathed in the golden light of approaching dusk.

The main building stood before them, a huge luxury venue surrounded by shrubs, trees, and blooming flowers. A stone walkway led from the driveway up to the front entrance.

Matthias was coming down the steps and was spotted around with businessmen and women.

“Relax, Josie, I’ve got you,” he said to my ear before I wave at his business partners.

He tugged gently at my hand and I started to follow him up the stone walkway and then up the short flight of steps to the landing. My heart hammered so loudly I was amazed he couldn’t hear it.

The sensation of my back pressed up against his hard chest heated me. His lips brushed against my bare shoulder, and I’d never been so glad to have chosen a sleeveless blouse in my life. “You know, Josie, you really need to relax,” he whispered.

“I do?”

“Yes. You’re tense,″ he said as we both enter inside the venue. Businessmen and women wandering around in luxurious clothes with drinks in their hands as classical music was playing in the background.

It felt like Matthias and I was the only ‘young’ ones here.

“That’s probably because everyone around gawking at us.“I pulled out of his embrace to turn and look at him. Being under her his watchful eye filled me with anxiety.

I sighed then cringed.

″What?″ I asked.

“Never mind. It’s probably a bad idea.”

“No, I want to hear your idea.”

“I was thinking maybe if we kissed a few times it might break the tension.”

″Are you--″

″Do it,″ he replied quickly. ″Quick.″

My pulse quickened and heat spread across every inch of my skin. This was so very wrong, but my body pressed up against his felt so right. I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders and stared deep into his brilliant green eyes.

He kissed me like it was his last kiss on earth like there was no one else and all he wanted was this.

Nobody had ever kissed me like that. And now all I wanted was more.

His lips parted, welcoming me in. My tongue slipped into his mouth, gently exploring. Before I could stop myself, a low moan escaped my throat.

That spurred him on. He took over, his tongue colliding with mine as he kissed me deeply, expertly.

“That was quite a kiss.” He was breathing heavily, his eyes blazing with desire.

″Mmm hmm,″ I responded.

I had never for a second thought that Matthias might be attracted to me, but I knew it now. There was no denying it. A kiss like that couldn’t be faked.

″Let’s go,″ he said.