Chapter 75

Annie's POV

I watched Margaret Thompson hurry out of Howard's office, her expensive perfume lingering in the air.

Howard stood beside me, jaw tight as the door clicked shut.

"Does my decision surprise you?" he asked, turning to face me.

I shook my head. "Not really. Blood ties are hard to break, no matter what she's done." I thought of my own mother in Brooklyn who still sent me articles about "making marriages work" despite everything Philip had done.

"Even if she's manipulative and self-serving?" Howard'svoice was flat,but his fingers tapped restlessly against his leg.

"Especially then," I said. "Everyone deserves second chances." I crossed my arms, remembering how firmly he'd spoken to her. "Besides, you made it clear what happens if she messes up again."

Howard studied my face. "Does it bother you? My decision?"

I laughed, the sound sharper than I intended. "Why would it? I'm only*pretending* to be your girlfriend, remember?" The words stung my own lips as they escaped.

Howard's eyes darkened for a split second before his face went blank. He turned away without a word and walked back to his desk.

My heart raced as I watched him go. I pressed my palm against my chest,trying to quiet the hollow ache that formed there. What was happening to me? We were just putting on a show, but there was no audience here to perform for. That afternoon, I sat cross-legged on my office sofa, staring at my tablet. I'd finished the illustrations for Lucy's daily schedule-simple drawings of a little girl with golden hair brushing teeth, getting dressed, reading books.What should I work on next?

My monthly income had jumped ten times since joining Howard Technologies. I could create anything now-expand my portfolio,design new merchandise, or start that children's book I'd always dreamed about.

Howard appeared in my doorway without warning. He leaned against the frame, his suit jacket open, revealing the crisp white shirt stretched across his broad chest. The afternoon light caught his profile, and something clicked in my brain. Inspiration hit me like a lightning bolt.

I immediately dropped mny head and started sketching, trying to ignore how my pulse quickened at his presence. My fingers couldn't move fast enough as the idea took shape-a story about a cold, powerful businessman who agrees to a fake relationship with an ordinary woman.Two people findingreal feelings where they only expected convenience.

"What has you so focused?" Howard's voice made me jump. He was right behind me now, his breath warm against my neck as he looked over my shoulder.

"A new concept," I said, still drawing, hoping he couldn't hear how my voice had gone slightly breathless. "Something readers might like."

His eyebrows pulled together. "Does this concept involve me?" The low timbre of his voice so close to my ear sent a shiver down my spine.

I nodded, knowing I couldn't lie to him. "Yes, but not about our..." I waved my hand between us, "pretend relationship. I'm not stupid! Philip would see right through us if I put that online. Then what would I do when he started harassing me again?" Howard's shoulders relaxed. He moved around to sit beside me,the sofa cushion dipping under his weight, sliding me slightly toward him until our thighs nearly touched. "Then what story are you drawing?"

"You'll see when it's done," I said, enjoying the rare feeling of Howard not knowing something. I shifted slightly, but found myself unable to create more distance between us without being obvious.

"I look forward to it," he said, his voice deeper than usual. His cologne wrapped around me-clean and masculine-making it hard to focus on my screen instead of the man beside me.

My skin tingled from his nearness, heatspreading from where our bodies almost touched. As I stared at my tablet, a thought hit me-I'd never really been pursued by a man.

With Philip, I'd done all the work. I approached him first at that charity event. I suggested our first date. I moved the relationship forward each time. I even hinted about marriage until he finally proposed. Philip never chased me; he just accepted what I offered.

My hand froze above the screen as I became acutely aware of Howard's presence-the steady rhythm of his breathing, the subtle warmth radiating from his body, the intensity of his gaze on my profile.

"Having trouble?" Howard asked, leaning closer to see my screen, his chest brushing against my shoulder.

I turned to him, our faces suddenly inches apart. I swallowed hard before speaking. "Yes, I have the general idea, but when I try to start, my mind just goes blank."

Howard's eyes dropped briefly to my lips before meeting mny gaze again."If you drew our relationship on your current account,Philip would notice something was off." He tapped his fingers against his knee, the back of his hand grazing my thigh as he did so. "What if you created a new account?"

My eyes widened. "Why didn't I think of that?" So simple, yet perfect.A secret identity where I could explore these new feelings without Philip connecting the dots.

My fingers flew across the screen, the excitement of creation rushing through me again, though I was disturbingly aware of every inch where Howard's body nearly touched mine.

"What's the theme?" Howard asked, his voice rumbling through me as he leaned closer to watch me draw.

"A contract marriage story," I said before I could stop myself. "Two people agree to a relationship for convenience, but then develop real feelings." My cheeks warmed as I realized how transparent I was being.

Something like hunger flashed in Howard's eyes, though his voice stayed casual. "You were with Philip for years, and he wasn't good to you. You probably never experienced what love should actually feel like." His eyes lingered on my face, studying my reaction.

I nodded, surprised he understood so well. "That's true." I wet my lips nervously, noticing how his gaze tracked the movement.

"If you want to know what dating feels like,"Howard said, his voice dropping to a tone that made my stomach tighten pleasantly,"you could ask me."

I gave him a skeptical look, though my heart raced at the implication."But you've never had a girlfriend either, right? What experience do you have to share?"

Howard didn't answer with words. Instead, he reached out and tilted my chin up with his fingers, his thumb lightly brushing acro'ss my lower lip.The casual touch sent electricity racing across my skin, making me shiver involuntarily.

My breath caught as he leaned closer, the heat of his body intensifying.I could feel his breath on my face as he stopped just before our lips touched,the anticipation making me dizzy.

"Do you feel nervous?" he asked, his voice so deep I felt it in my chest,in my stomach, lower still. "A little excited?"

My pulse pounded, my skin burning everywhere he was close to touching

but wasn't. "Yes," I whispered, embarrassed by how breathy I sounded.

Howard's eyes darkened to stormy gray. "That's why just hearing about romance isn't enough. You need to feel it yourself." The roughness in his voice made heat pool in my belly, my body responding to him in ways I couldn't control.

I tried to think professionally, like this was still about my art. "So would readers prefer the kiss to happen or not?" My voice betrayed me by trembling, my question transparent even to my own ears.

"I don't know," Howard admitted, not looking away from my mouth. "I don't read romance comics." One of his hands had found its way to my waist, his fingers pressing lightly into my side.

"Would you mind if I find out?" The words slipped out as I stared at his lips,already knowing what they would feel like against mine.

Surprise crossed Howard's face, but he shook his head, his pupils dilating visibly.

Before I could think twice, I wrapped my arms around his neck, feeling the soft hair at his nape as I leaned in to kiss him. The moment our lips met, a jolt of desire shot through me. Howard responded immediately,a low sound coming from deep in his throat. His arms pulled me against him, one hand sliding up my back to tangle in my hair while the other pressed firmly at my waist until I could feel every hard plane of his body against mine.

I closed my eyes and gave in to the moment as Howard took control of the kiss, his mouth moving expertly against mine. All pretense between us suddenly gone, replaced by something far more dangerous and thrilling.