Microsoft Word - catherine mann - landis brothers 4 - rich man's fake fiancee.docx by Catherine Mann Page B
Authors: Catherine Mann
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dose of arousal. Just thinking about her naked body tangled in the sheets with her auburn hair splayed over the pillow…
Damn. He wouldn’t be standing up from behind the protective cover of his mahogany desk anytime soon. “I am captivated by her.”
Brent stared him down and Matthew held his gaze without wavering. Finally, his old family friend nodded. “Either you’re a brilliant liar or in more trouble than you realize, my friend.”
The camera flash blinded her.
Ashley blinked to clear the sparks of light as the intense reflection bounced off the marquise-cut diamond on her finger as she stood in front of the podium outside Matthew’s campaign headquarters in Hilton Head.
RICH MAN’S FAKE FIANCEE
14
CATHERINE MANN
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1878
THE LANDIS BROTHERS
She hadn’t wanted him to spend so much on the ring, but he’d swayed her by telling her the proceeds from hocking the rock afterward would go to the charity of her choice. That he knew her and her wishes so well after such a short time swayed her more than anything.
His campaign manager, Mr. Davis, stepped between them and the microphone. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the press. That officially concludes our conference for this afternoon.”
Ashley forced a smile on her face as cameras continued to click while Matthew escorted her toward a chauffeur-driven Suburban. The weight of the stone on her hand provided a constant reminder that while she might not be committed to this man, she was committed to her decision to help him with his campaign to beat his scumbag opponent.
She extended her fingers and stared at the brilliant diamond in the shiny gold setting, thought of their night together, followed by his cageyness the next morning.
She feared she’d made a mistake.
Not in deciding on the engagement. She still believed in making sure that rat bastard running against him didn’t get to exploit anyone else.
But this ring? She turned her hand to catch fragments of sunlight in the facets of the stone. The ring was perfect, exactly what she would want in a real engagement and now she could never have it because the marquise cut would always remind her of Matthew Landis and the way he’d hurt her.
She couldn’t help but think of how he’d hotfooted toward her door. When this relationship didn’t benefit him anymore, he would likely hotfoot his way out of her life just that fast. She didn’t want to view him in such an unfavorable light, but what else could she think? That’s what he’d shown her, and he was a politician, after all.
Although she’d seen signs he wasn’t the typical politician, she reminded herself he was used to spinning things to his own advantage. She needed to remember that in order to survive this debacle.
Ashley slid into the backseat of the Suburban, the driver closing the door after her while she settled into the decadently soft leather. A built-in television played a twenty-four hour news channel.
Matthew tossed his briefcase to the floor before buckling his seat belt. “Thank God, that’s past. We should have some time to talk before we reach my place.”
Her ears perked up and she lost focus on the ring. “Your place?”
“Yes, you should familiarize yourself with the property.” He angled to face her, his knee brushing against hers and stirring more than nerves in her stomach. “It would seem strange if you’re unfamiliar with where I live.”
“Of course. That makes sense.” She forced her face to stay blasé even though inside she couldn’t ignore the frustrated twinge that his reasons for taking her home were merely practical. “Why didn’t your campaign manager come along then? Where is he now?”
“Don’t know.” Matthew shrugged as a golf course with a lush lawn and palm trees whizzed past.
“I thought he wanted to tell me more about the upcoming agenda.” She tugged her lightweight sweater closed over her floral sundress she’d borrowed from Starr. The outfit was
Damn. He wouldn’t be standing up from behind the protective cover of his mahogany desk anytime soon. “I am captivated by her.”
Brent stared him down and Matthew held his gaze without wavering. Finally, his old family friend nodded. “Either you’re a brilliant liar or in more trouble than you realize, my friend.”
The camera flash blinded her.
Ashley blinked to clear the sparks of light as the intense reflection bounced off the marquise-cut diamond on her finger as she stood in front of the podium outside Matthew’s campaign headquarters in Hilton Head.
RICH MAN’S FAKE FIANCEE
14
CATHERINE MANN
SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1878
THE LANDIS BROTHERS
She hadn’t wanted him to spend so much on the ring, but he’d swayed her by telling her the proceeds from hocking the rock afterward would go to the charity of her choice. That he knew her and her wishes so well after such a short time swayed her more than anything.
His campaign manager, Mr. Davis, stepped between them and the microphone. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the press. That officially concludes our conference for this afternoon.”
Ashley forced a smile on her face as cameras continued to click while Matthew escorted her toward a chauffeur-driven Suburban. The weight of the stone on her hand provided a constant reminder that while she might not be committed to this man, she was committed to her decision to help him with his campaign to beat his scumbag opponent.
She extended her fingers and stared at the brilliant diamond in the shiny gold setting, thought of their night together, followed by his cageyness the next morning.
She feared she’d made a mistake.
Not in deciding on the engagement. She still believed in making sure that rat bastard running against him didn’t get to exploit anyone else.
But this ring? She turned her hand to catch fragments of sunlight in the facets of the stone. The ring was perfect, exactly what she would want in a real engagement and now she could never have it because the marquise cut would always remind her of Matthew Landis and the way he’d hurt her.
She couldn’t help but think of how he’d hotfooted toward her door. When this relationship didn’t benefit him anymore, he would likely hotfoot his way out of her life just that fast. She didn’t want to view him in such an unfavorable light, but what else could she think? That’s what he’d shown her, and he was a politician, after all.
Although she’d seen signs he wasn’t the typical politician, she reminded herself he was used to spinning things to his own advantage. She needed to remember that in order to survive this debacle.
Ashley slid into the backseat of the Suburban, the driver closing the door after her while she settled into the decadently soft leather. A built-in television played a twenty-four hour news channel.
Matthew tossed his briefcase to the floor before buckling his seat belt. “Thank God, that’s past. We should have some time to talk before we reach my place.”
Her ears perked up and she lost focus on the ring. “Your place?”
“Yes, you should familiarize yourself with the property.” He angled to face her, his knee brushing against hers and stirring more than nerves in her stomach. “It would seem strange if you’re unfamiliar with where I live.”
“Of course. That makes sense.” She forced her face to stay blasé even though inside she couldn’t ignore the frustrated twinge that his reasons for taking her home were merely practical. “Why didn’t your campaign manager come along then? Where is he now?”
“Don’t know.” Matthew shrugged as a golf course with a lush lawn and palm trees whizzed past.
“I thought he wanted to tell me more about the upcoming agenda.” She tugged her lightweight sweater closed over her floral sundress she’d borrowed from Starr. The outfit was
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