A Fake Marriage Romance Collection by Victorine E. Lieske

Author:Victorine E. Lieske [Lieske, Victorine E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-18T04:00:00+00:00

Penny bit her lip. Had she said too much? Put her nose where it didn’t belong? Harrison’s brows pulled together in confusion. “You want to move out?”

“No.” Penny laughed. “I think you should move out. I mean, it’s none of my business and all, but isn’t it time to get your own place?”

“Oh.” Harrison scratched his chin. “Of course. That makes perfect sense.”

“It does?”

He smiled. “Yeah. It’s just that…” He turned away from her and grabbed the terrace railing, his knuckles white. “I can’t afford to move out.”

Penny’s mouth fell open. “What do you mean?”

Harrison shook his head, and leaned over. “I don’t have the money. Not enough to get a place in L.A. The firm is worth billions, not me. Patrice controls all the money. I only have a few thousand in the bank.”

Astonishment washed over her. “Don’t you get paid at your job?”

“Yes.” He sighed. “At least, I used to. The investment group hasn’t been doing so well the past few years. Money’s been tight. It was either lay someone off, or stop taking a salary.”

Penny swallowed the lump that had grown in her throat. She looked down at the three thousand dollar dress she’d put on his credit card. Oh, no. Panic filled her. “Why did you tell me to buy this dress?”

He shrugged. “It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not! I’ve just spent an enormous amount on a stupid dress! I probably spent the last of your bank account. What are you going to do?”

Harrison looked out at the city lights and mumbled something inaudible.

Penny leaned closer to him. “What?”

Again, he mumbled something she couldn’t hear.

She whacked him on the arm. “Spit it out.”

He turned to her. “My stepmother gives me an allowance.”

Her first reaction was to laugh, but as soon as the first bit came out and his face fell, she clamped her hand over her mouth. When she was sure no more would come out, she took a breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just…come on. You’re an adult.”

His cheeks reddened. “I know. It’s technically my money. She’s been giving me checks out of the trust fund. She just won’t give me the whole thing.”

“Because she wants to control you.”

He nodded, looking miserable. She had the strangest urge to stroke his cheek and console him, but instead she folded her arms across her chest and tried to ignore the romantic view that stretched before them. “Why does she even want you living there?”

“It’s all about having power.”

“Ugh. That’s so frustrating!”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll move out when my attorney forces her to give me access to my trust fund. Should be soon.”

Right. Not for two years if The Dragon Lady had anything to say about it. Living with her was making Penny crazy. Who knew how long they’d have to pretend to be married, all the while stepping on eggshells around Patrice? Desperation filled her. “Couldn’t we crash at Trent’s house? Just for a little while?”

Harrison stared at her like she’d suggested they hit up a bank.

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