The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5) (6 page)

Jenna turned around with a pair of tall, brown leather boots and a long, chunky brown cardigan. “That top is perfect. Forget the rest of them. Here, boots and a sweater. Do
not
button it.”

“What if I get cold? It’s January, you know.”

“Yes, but it’s a warm January. And we’re valkyries. Suck it up, you’ll be fine. Besides, beauty isn’t always easy or convenient.”

“Says the woman who normally wears a uniform. That’s about as easy and convenient as it gets.”

“Yes, but when I go out, I let my light shine. Unlike you, who has yet to actually turn your light on. At least I know now there’s a bulb in there. Okay, hair and makeup time.”

“Jenna, settle down. My hair is fine and I don’t need makeup.”

“Your hair belongs in the same store as that old lady blouse. The bun is not happening. We have gorgeous dirty-blonde hair with all kinds of natural highlights that human women pay big bucks for and you’re hiding them in a knot. The hair is coming down. And look, no one
needs
makeup, but trust me, a little mascara and lip gloss are not going to kill you and they’ll work wonders to show off your blue eyes. Which are the same phenomenal blue as mine. You’ll see when I’m done. You, only better.”

Ten minutes later and Tessa’s hair was down and brushed and mascara and lip gloss had been applied. Tessa had even allowed Jenna to tweeze her eyebrows a little. Jenna was impossible to say no to. But as Tessa looked in the mirror, she knew that she looked nice.

“Well?” Jenna asked. “What do you think?”

“I look less whore-y than I thought I would.”

Jenna put her hands on her hips. “That’s a fine compliment for all my hard work. You look beautiful. Well, you always were, but now it’s apparent. Just think what I could do with a few more minutes.”

“This is plenty, thanks.”

“Yeah, I get it. All right, go. Have fun and figure out all this fake fiancée stuff.”

Tessa doubted fun would be part of the evening. She hesitated. “You’ll watch Duncan?”

They both glanced at the bed. The kitten was passed out on his back, his fat stripey belly exposed. Jenna laughed softly. “I don’t think he needs much watching right now.”

“No, I guess not. But half of the pizza is mine when it gets here. I’m going to want it when I get home.”

Jenna crossed her arms. “I’ll do my best but Salvatore’s is one of my downfalls. If there’s less than half left, I can’t be held responsible. Now quit stalling and go.”

Tessa sighed. “Fine.”

“Seriously, have fun. Or at least try to.”

“Sure.” Tessa left her sister and walked out to the living room.

Sebastian was facing the fireplace, one hand on the mantel, as he finished up a phone call. “Yes, that’ll be fine. Thank you.”

He hung up and turned around. His eyes widened. Then narrowed again. “Tessa?”

“Do I look that different?”

“I…yes, a bit, with your hair down.” He smiled and she had a moment of surprise herself.

He was shockingly handsome when he wasn’t frowning. She took an extra breath to get rid of the weird fluttery feeling in her stomach. Something she’d had for lunch must not have agreed with her. “Thanks. I guess.”

He nodded. “You look lovely.”

“My sister did it.” The fluttery thing wasn’t going away and she realized it had nothing to do with the burger she’d had at Mummy’s. Great. It was one thing pretending to be his fiancée, but to actually find him attractive? That was not going to help. “So, coffee?”

“Yes. But first we have a stop to make. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, that’s fine.”

The stop turned out to be downtown Nocturne Falls. Tessa hadn’t spent much time in town yet as she’d only just arrived the day before. Lunch at the diner had been her only foray and it had been brief since Jenna had to get back to the station after her break. The town was pretty at night with the shops all lit up and twinkle lights in the trees. From the Halloween colors to the cobwebs on the lamp posts and the occasionally crooked-on-purpose building, it was like visiting a theme park.

She watched out the window as he parked in a spot reserved for town employees. “Does it always look like this or is this just left over from an event?”

“No, it’s always like this. Keeps the atmosphere festive, I suppose. It’s more my brother Julian’s department. He’s in charge of theming and characters. And occasionally new businesses.”

She looked at him. “What do you do? I should know that.”

He nodded as he turned the engine off. “I’m the CFO of Nocturne Falls.”

She’d already assumed he had money. Knowing he was also in charge of the town’s money made sense. He seemed like the type to run a tight ship and an even tighter purse. “You must be good with numbers.”

His eyebrows lifted in response. “Better with them than with people.”

“Why’s that?”

He went silent a moment. “I’m a bit of a loner, I guess. People can be so…”

“Exhausting?”

His mouth bent in a half-smile. “Amongst other things, yes.” The remnants of the smile faded and his gaze shifted to the street. “Let’s go see about this ring, shall we?”

“Is that what the stop is about?”

He nodded. “The jeweler is very accommodating.”

Tessa imagined most business owners would feel that way toward the CFO of the town, although Sebastian didn’t seem like the type to throw his weight around. Especially if what Jenna had said about him never leaving his house was true.

They got out of the car (she realized too late that he was coming around to open her door) and she walked with him to a pretty little shop called Illusions. This time, he reached the door ahead of her and opened it. She went in. There were a few people in the store and two women behind the counters waiting on them.

One of them, a stunningly beautiful fae woman, greeted Sebastian, then Tessa, with a smile. “Hello there.”

Sebastian answered with a nod. “Evening, Willa.”

She excused herself from the customers she was waiting on. “I’m all set up for you in the back. Come around the counter and into my office.”

She went ahead of Sebastian and Tessa, slipping into the back room but standing at the door until they were in. A large orange cat lounged on the desk.

“Hi there, kitty cat.” Tessa smiled and gave him a little scratch. Without opening his eyes, he stretched and put his paw on her arm.

“Now you’ve done it,” Willa said as she shut the office door. “You’re his new best friend.”

“He’s very sweet. What’s his name?”

“Jasper. Feel free to put him on the floor, too. We’re going to need that desk.”

Tessa couldn’t bring herself to move the sleepy beast. “But he’s so comfortable.”

Sebastian cleared his throat. He wasn’t interested in cat talk apparently. “Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. And for understanding.”

Willa gave a little nod. “I know all about how your past can sneak up and bite you.” She opened a safe and pulled out a large, covered velvet tray, then carried it over and gave Jasper a little shove off the desk. “Sorry, baby, but I need the space.”

He jumped down and skulked off, finding a new place to lounge on top of a low filing cabinet.

Willa put the tray down and lifted the top.

Tessa sucked in a breath. There had to be twenty diamond rings on display, all of them enormous and sparkling like the sun and completely over the top. She hated to think of such assuredly expensive baubles gaudy, but to her that’s what they were. Not that she would say that to either Willa or Sebastian. “Wow.”

Willa laughed softly. “I feel that way too. All the time. Which one do you like?”

She looked at Willa, then Sebastian, then back at Willa. Clearly they both expected her to swoon over them. “They’re all lovely.”

Sebastian came closer and motioned to the tray. “Pick one.”

She looked at the rings again and finally shook her head, unable to make a decision. “None of these are really me.”

He sighed. “This isn’t about which one best suits your personal taste, it’s about fooling Evangeline.”

She frowned at him. “I understand that, but it seems to me that picking a ring that’s unlike something I’d actually wear goes against the whole idea here. You want it to be convincing, don’t you?”

His expression took an exasperated turn. “Choose a ring. You only have to wear it tonight and tomorrow night.”

Willa put her hand on Tessa’s arm. “Just a moment. I have something else.”

She took the tray back to the safe and returned with one half the size. She put it on the desk and opened it. The rings inside held diamonds just as large but all in much simpler settings, some without any accompanying side stones. “Better?”

“Yes,” Tessa answered.

Sebastian shook his head. “These are too plain.”

“These are more me,” Tessa shot back. If that meant she was plain, so be it. “But they’re all still so large.”

“I’m not compromising on that. I’d never buy the woman I love anything less than…that one.” He pointed to a ring that held the second-largest center stone with two long tapered diamonds on the sides.

Willa smiled. “A classic round solitaire with two tapered baguettes set in platinum. An enduring style for sure.” She looked at Tessa. “A good choice, don’t you think?”

The center stone was the size of a fat, spring pea and Tessa was already having palpitations at the thought of how much such a ring cost and what would happen if she somehow lost it, but Sebastian was right. To a point. It was a prop, not a symbol of his
anything
. Unless his desire to fool his ex-wife counted. “It’s beautiful.” And it was.

Just so unlike anything she’d ever thought would end up on her finger.

Willa pulled the ring free of the insert that held it in place and offered it to Sebastian. “Why don’t you see if it fits your bride-to-be?”

He made a gruff little noise of complaint but took the ring anyway.

Tessa offered her hand. And realized he was about to touch her. She went very still, unable to focus on anything but the ring in his fingers and the subtle trembling of her own. No man had ever put a ring on her before and she suspected no man might ever again.

To have the whole thing be a sham made her unexpectedly sad.

He wrapped his fingers loosely around her wrist while he guided the ring on.

His fingers were long and perfect and slightly callused, which surprised her. She’d thought a man who worked with numbers would have smooth skin. She couldn’t help but think that he had the kind of hands that looked like they’d be nice to hold. Large enough to envelope hers. And his touch was surprisingly gentle and warmer than she’d expected. Of course, she’d never touched—or been touched by—a vampire before.

She stared at the ring shining like a spotlight on her finger. It sparkled and glittered, demanding attention.

“It fits perfectly,” Willa said.

Tessa just nodded, a little blinded by the diamond’s brilliance.

Sebastian grunted, which apparently was a big part of his vocal repertoire. “I’ll have it back day after tomorrow.”

“No rush.” Willa’s voice held a smile. “I know where you live.”

“Indeed. Shall we?”

It took Tessa a moment to realize he was speaking to her. “Oh, yes. Of course. Thank you so much, Willa. Nice to meet you.”

The fae smiled back. “You too. Good luck with everything.”

Tessa left with Sebastian. It was impossible to ignore the ring. First of all, it was heavier than she’d imagined an engagement ring would be. Secondly, she felt like everyone was staring at it. Or maybe it was just her. She couldn’t help but glance down at it. It glittered like a disco ball and was about as out of place on her hand.

“Don’t fall in love with it. Keeping it isn’t part of the deal.”

She jerked her head up. “I know that. Trust me, I have no designs on you or your money. All I want is the job.”

He snorted softly like he didn’t totally buy that.

The noise and the sense of disbelief radiating off him raised her valkyrie ire, a rare occurrence. Mostly because she did everything to avoid it. Alarms started going off inside her. She clenched her right hand until the scar on her knuckles stood out white. She needed to fix this and now.

She stopped cold, forcing him to do the same, then backtrack to her. “What’s the matter?”

She kept her voice low but her tone clear. “This was your idea. If you’re going to disparage my character or imply that I am somehow
out to get something
beyond the job that was promised to me, then perhaps you should find yourself another fool.”

Her ire still rising, she pulled the ring off, shoved it into his hand and spun to walk away from him. Cooling off and calming down was paramount.

She’d seen his mouth come open, but had no idea if he was following after her or not. It was bad enough that he thought she wasn’t up to the task of convincing his ex that she was worthy of his affections, but for him to even slightly imply that she was somehow in this for financial gain was ludicrous.