Chapter 2

My heartbeat echoed in the silent study.

James was crazy, totally insane.

He stood up, walked over to me, and reached out to tousle my hair. "Always leaving your mark on my things, huh?

"I really like that habit of yours."

No. I didn't. I was trying to make him hate me.

But when I saw the intense possessiveness in his eyes, my mind went blank.

He was way more terrifying than anything I'd ever read in a book.

*****

After failing miserably at stirring up trouble several times, I realized I needed to take drastic measures.

James's birthday party was the event of the year, drawing in all the city's elite and big shots. This was the perfect opportunity.

I was going to humiliate him with everyone watching.

On the night of the party, I went all out. I squeezed myself into a tight, sequined dress in pink, slapped on neon green eyeshadow, and slathered my lips with blood-red lipstick.

I was going to be the gaudiest, most out-of-place eyesore here.

As I walked into the party room on James's arm, every single pair of eyes in the room snapped to us.

The air was filled with sharp intakes of breath and hushed, scandalized whispers.

"Oh gosh. Who's that woman with Mr. Sterling? What the hell is she wearing?"

"I heard she's Mr. Sterling's new fling. Her taste is honestly terrible."

"Seriously, how did Mr. Sterling end up with someone like her? She's totally dragging his reputation down."

Yes. That was what I wanted. I hoped they could roast me harder and make sure he heard every word.

I could feel the arm I was holding tense up instantly.

James's face went cold.

He was about to lose it. He was going to drop my hand. Victory was right within reach.

I was already gearing up to roll on the floor and make a huge scene the moment he let go.

But instead of letting go, James pulled me right into his arms, holding me tighter.

He turned, scanning the crowd with a cold, intimidating glare.

In an instant, the whole room went dead silent.

A reckless heiress, probably nursing a crush on James for years, swaggered over, wine glass in hand, and spoke with a sly, mocking tone, "Mr. Sterling, your date tonight is certainly unique."

I gave her a mental high-five.

Girl, that was the spirit. She should keep roasting him and make him lose face.

James didn't bother to spare her a glance. Instead, he leaned down and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

He said in a voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, "My girl always looks good to me."

Then he looked up at the heiress, his gaze as cold as a blade. "It seems the Carter family could use a refresher on manners."

The heiress's face went ghostly pale.

Everyone knew that with a word from James, the Carter family could be wiped off the map in the city's elite circles.

I was totally stunned.

Wait, was he really okay with this? How was he not losing it?

James ignored everyone else and marched me straight to the center of the party room.

He grabbed the mic, and instantly, all eyes were on him.

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest.

What was he doing? Was he about to declare I was his one and only? No way, please.

"Let me introduce someone," he said. His voice boomed through the speakers, echoing across the room. "Olivia Summers, my fiancée.

"She's full of energy, a bit of a troublemaker, and loves coming up with creative ways to see if I really love her."

He looked down at me, his eyes overflowing with pure pampering and adoration. "I want her to know, and all of you, too.

"If it's her, she can do whatever she wants."

The entire room was stunned into silence.

I felt my breath catch in my throat.

He led me out onto the empty terrace, and the night breeze sent a chill through me.

He slipped his jacket over my shoulders, wrapped his arms around me from behind, and gently rested his chin on my head. "Were you scared tonight? Afraid I wouldn't like you this way?"

His voice was low and gentle, wrapping around me like an invisible net. "Don't be afraid. As long as you're with me, you can do whatever you want.

"Even if you break the heavens, I'll make it right for you."

No. All I ever wanted was for you to leave me alone.

My breakup plan was officially dead.

*****

Ordinary moves couldn't faze James. He was a total lunatic.

I decided to take a real gamble.

There was nothing that could bruise a guy's pride more than getting cheated on, especially someone as insanely possessive as James.

I spent a ton of cash to hire a fresh-faced, handsome boy from the actor market. He was handsome, talented, and totally convincing.

I got the whole plan set. We would act all flirty and suspicious at the hotel entrance, and James would walk right by and catch us red-handed.

He would definitely blow his top and kick me out on the spot. In case things got ugly, I paid the handsome boy three times his rate for any hospital bills.