Engaged Hearts: A Fake Marriage Small Town Romance, page 1
Copyright © 2024 by Lily Penna
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover Design: Lulu by Design in partnership with Bold Books Publishing
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter-Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Epilogue
Chapter One
About the Author
Dedication
To my husband, my co-author in this storybook life we share. You embrace every chapter, color every page, and weather every plot shift. Thanks for being my anchor through life’s uncertainties— especially when deciding what to eat. You’re the love story that keeps me turning the pages.
About The Book
A summer fling turned regret—now I’m trapped in a lie.
Fake an engagement with the billionaire I ghosted?
Sounds easy.
Except, he's the enemy... and the only man who ever made me want more.
Tristan Maxwell was supposed to be a fling, a dirty little secret I left behind.
Though small towns keep no secrets.
He’s my biggest business rival, and we were destined to be on opposite sides.
But with my family’s legacy at stake, I’m forced to rely on the one man I vowed to avoid-
Tristan Maxwell.
The plan? Fake a love story, protect what’s ours.
Yet every smirk, every touch drags me deeper into this fantasy, making me crave what I swore I’d never want again.
Each heated glance and stolen kiss make it harder to remember this is just an arrangement.
Pretending was never going to be easy, but with Tristan, it’s downright dangerous.
I thought I could control the game.
But now, my heart is betraying me.
Can I risk everything for the one man I shouldn’t want?
Chapter One
IVY
“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispers before descending on me with his tongue, producing a groan of pleasure of his own. My back arches in response as he parts my wet folds to gain better access to the delicate bud.
Each sensation of kissing and sucking pulls a hard gasp from me. My hands dig into his thick back hair, pressing him closer as my hips move in a demand for more.
A cry falls from my lips as I feel a finger enter me slowly. The careful, steady sucking on my clit doesn’t cease as the digit begins to pump inside me. Within moments, a second finger follows the first and my body shudders as the two work to stretch me. Rocking my hips along with his pace, I shut my eyes, allowing the steady pulses of pleasure to push me closer and closer to my edge. As the two fingers curl up, striking the perfect spot, a scream bursts from me.
“Miss Hamilton?”
The voice of Rebecca, my secretary, startles me from my daydream. I do my best to gather my composure hoping the perfect blends of orange, blues, and purples of the setting sun will be enough to steady my racing heart. Spinning in my chair, my bright blue eyes meet Rebecca’s green ones and I smile, hoping the flush on my face has faded away; the floor-to-ceiling windows allow the light from the sun to add an extra gloss to my freshly polished desk.
The young brunette smiles warmly at me as she shuts my office door behind her.
“It’s about the construction permit issue over in Brightwater,” she says, quickly stepping toward my desk.
Of course, it is.
“What is it now?” I ask, resting my cheek in the palm of my hand.
These past three months since joining Hamilton Acquisitions have certainly kept me busy. Each fire I was presented withheld its own unique challenge, but they weren’t anything I couldn’t handle. From the city refusing to grant a remodel permit due to some ridiculous zoning error made over five years ago to a rival company fighting tooth and nail to build some ostentatious high-rise that will completely block the views of our rental properties in the area, each problem provided an interesting, but not complicated, puzzle for my mind to work through.
“They finally received all the documents, and the city has sent over the permit today.” She smiles brightly as she gives a victorious little wave, using the folder with the permit.
Thank God. Finally, some good news.
A broad smile fills my face as I reach out for the folder. Rebecca truly is a godsend. Despite knowing the problems that are thrown in my lap have been handled, it is rare for me to see the end result as soon as it happens versus weeks afterward when I ask for a follow-up. Whenever she can, she brings me the good news as soon as possible.
My eyes skim over the documents and I can feel my brain click the final puzzle piece in place.
“Well, I’m glad they finally found the ‘missing’ documents they claim we didn’t send,” I say with a snort. “I appreciate your effort in this, Rebecca, but you know the trend.”
Rebecca giggles. “Yes, ma’am. We put out one fire and another shows up.”
“Exactly, but for now, why don’t you go on and head home. I have some reports that I need to finalize.”
“Are you sure, ma’am? I’d be more than happy to help.”
I smile. “Go home, Rebecca. At least one of us should feel like we’ve ticked everything off our to do lists.”
Rebecca nods before leaving me with my thoughts.
My eyes look back over the permits once more. Just like in any other line of work, there will always be obstacles and roadblocks to overcome. Unfortunately, more of them than not, those problems have a habit of finding their way into my lap; either by chance or by Dad.
It’s the curse and the blessing of being a Hamilton.
For every problem I seem to find a solution for, Dad always has another ready in his back pocket to give me. It would be a lie to say that I’m not exhausted.
Sagging into my chair, I run a hand through my shoulder-length pin-straight blond hair before tapping on my earpiece. “Call Zoe.”
The earpiece lets out a small chime, and within seconds, the phone begins to ring.
I need a break. Someone to help take my mind off things, and Zoe Newman is just that person. Ever since grade school, Zoe has always been able to help me relax or focus on something other than whatever current stressor I was facing.
Even if it meant helping her solve her own problems that came with being the only heir to the Newman Toys.
If it wasn’t for her and my other best friend, Sophia Fitzgerald, I don’t think I would have a social life when it comes to girlfriends.
“Vee!”
Zoe’s excited voice shrieks in my ear, causing me to wince and smile at the same time. With all of my responsibilities at the company, it’s been impossible to meet up with her. The best I can do is the sporadic phone call, but even then, the last time we spoke was over three weeks ago. I’ve missed her.
“Hey, Zo. What are you up to?”
Zoe groans, “Daddy’s still on me about making this new toy. He’s had me rework my candy bunny idea like EIGHT times. Saying, ‘Pumpkin, changing the color isn’t making improvements.’ But like, if the bunny was blue at first and then pink, that’s an improvement.”
I chuckle, knowing Zoe’s confusion is genuine. Despite what many people think, Zoe does have a head for business. The ideas she comes up with are unique and innovative, but she lacks the ability to focus and execute them in a way that will lead to profits. It’s clear her father sees that, which is why he keeps pushing her, but sometimes Zoe just needs a bit more guidance to hit the mark.
“Zoe, he means the whole idea, not the design. What are some changes you can add to make the toy better?”
“I did make it better. I even added a little heart to one of its ears,” she whines.
And sometimes she just misses the mark completely.
Another laugh leaves me as I shake my head. “I guess you and I are having similar days. Have you heard from Soph lately? I’m sure she probably had some ideas to help you out.”
“Every few days or so, but not recently,” Zoe pouts. “When she didn’t answer my calls or text last week, I called her dad’s office and can you believe what he said to me?”
“I can only imagine,” I say, frowning.
“He told me she was working and no longer had time for her little friends, so any further communication with her would be a hindrance to the company. The jerk.”
My forehead wrinkles. “Do you think she’s okay? It’s not like her to not return our calls.”
“She sounded fine the last time I talked to her, but with a dad like that, he’s probably working her like a slave,” Zoe hisses.
My jaw tightens as I make a mental note to try and call her again later tonight.
“How are things going at the office?” Zoe asks after my silence runs a bit longer than I had intended.
“It’s going well, none of the problems I have are too serious. I just feel like a hamster trapped in a wheel right now. Working so hard just to go nowhere.” I rest my forehead on the cool dark mahogany wood of my desk and hum bitterly. “Is it too late to go back in time to the summer again?”
Zoe laughs. “Well, I tried to convince you to take another week. But somebody was all ‘duty this and Hamilton that.’”
“Shut up. I couldn’t stay and you know why.”
“Speaking of the reason why you couldn’t stay, there’s a new spread of him on Infinity Shores Weekly.” Zoe gives me a playful little hum.
“Zoe, I don’t want to talk about him,” I say, rolling my eyes while shifting my chair closer to my computer screen. Within seconds, I pull up the news article in question and marvel at the flawless images of Tristan Maxwell.
“I’ve got to admit, Vee. He is one of the sexiest men I’ve seen in quite some time,” Zoe teases in my ear.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, feigning ignorance as I continue to scroll through the images.
“So you didn’t just look up the news spread?”
“No.” I keep my voice even, knowing it’s a pointless lie but refusing to give her the satisfaction.
“Uh-huh. Okay. Well then me saying page six is my favorite picture would be pointless, right?”
I quickly scroll down to the page in question and see an image that highlights his muscular form and stunning 6’2” height perfectly. A hand is buried within his thick jet black hair as his burning onyx gaze toward the camera instantly makes memories of the first time I saw him rush to the forefront…
As we make our way toward the bar, a wave of goosebumps suddenly trails down my back. My steps slow as my eyes scan the bar once more, this time taking a closer look at the people.
The feeling of being watched is a sixth sense for me, and regardless of my status and name, I know my physical features tick off a lot of boxes for men. The trick is deciding if they are even worth my time.
“Vee!”
My head turns to see Zoe and Sophia waving me over at the bar. The eyes continue to watch me as I take a seat on the gray chair between my friends. Zoe takes another sip of her Jack and Coke while Sophia pulls her Amaretto Sour toward her.
“An Old Fashioned.” Throwing my order at the bartender, I turn back around in my seat to continue my search.
“Uh-oh. I know that look.” Zoe begins craning her neck as well. “Someone’s got Vee’s antenna going.”
“Far left corner,” Sophia says softly, eating her cherry garnish. “Tall, dark, and handsome in the light blue polo button-down. As soon as we got off the elevator, he locked in on her.”
“Okay, super Sophie.”
Sophia rolls her eyes at Zoe. “It’s always good to check your surroundings. I just happened to see him light up when he saw Vee.”
Our eyes meet and every part of me gets warm as my heart doubles its speed.
Blinking to pull myself from the memory, I let out a sigh. God, I hate how his dark eyes send chills through me and how that sly smirk makes my entire body heat up with excitement.
I had no idea who he was when I met him, but it was only supposed to be a one-night hook-up. I never expected to enjoy it all summer, to the point of wanting so much more…
My body heats up at his touch and he plants a trail of kisses that runs along the base of my neck.
“I want to see you again,” he mutters against my skin.
My stomach flutters at his words as I chew on my lower lip.
Am I against another night like this one? Absolutely not! But I can’t let him think this will be something more than that. “I… I’m not really looking for anything serious right now.”
He chuckles. “Did I say it had to be serious? You wanted me to show you a good time, didn’t you? Well, there are other things I have in mind, but I don’t think one night will be enough to show them all to you.”
My heart skips a beat at his words, and I can’t help but let out a small laugh. “Other things?”
He turns me around to face him and smiles. “Yes, and I promise, no strings attached.” He makes an ‘x’ over his heart before leaning down to rest his forehead against mine.
“What do you say, Ivy?”
I could say no and make a clean break now. That way I know for certain there won’t be any of that mess that comes with emotions, but the idea of eight weeks with my body feeling like it’s been set ablaze just by the sound of his voice is too much for any sane woman to resist.
“No strings,” I say firmly, making sure that line in our deal is as clear as glass.
“Scout’s honor,” he says, giving me a playful wink.
I smirk, before turning back around so that he can zip me. “Alright then, Mr. Scout.”
A whole summer exploring what Tristan has to offer? Sounds like a great plan to me.
I slam my computer shut, breaking away from the memory once again.
No, I mentally scold myself. It was a terrible plan in the end, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Summer is over and so is anything I had with the man who was using me to benefit his own family’s real estate business.
“Vee? Are you there?”
“Uh, yeah. Sorry,” I reply with a shake of my head. I can’t keep letting my mind wander to thoughts of him. To the delicious things he did to me… to what I’d love more than anything for him to do again.
Zoe lets out a giggle. “You were ‘not thinking’ about that somebody pretty hard… huh?”
You have no idea.
“Can we please talk about something other than the son of my family’s business rival?”
There’s a heavy sigh through the phone after a moment of silence. I know damn well she was expecting me to have some undying romance, but I don’t have time to let my mind drift away to such things when I have so much work on my hands.
“Well, I was giving real golden advice over here and you weren’t even listening to me.”
I could hear the pout in her voice as I shut my computer. “You’re right. I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
“Just tell your dad that you’re sick of all this corporate crap. Tell him that you want to do something more meaningful and fulfilling. Tell him that you want to open an event venue and how it would be the right move for you. Why be miserable just so you can say you’re a good daughter?”
If only it were that easy.
“Zoe—”
“Let me finish,” she quickly says, cutting me off. “This is the second time I’m saying this.”
I sigh, but let her continue.
“You just have to go in there and tell him what it is that you want. He had his dream of starting this business and now you have your own business dream. It’s not fair that he gets to maintain his dream at the cost of yours.”
Zoe allows time for her words to sink in before she continues. “You can even finish off with the puppy dog eyes. That always works on my daddy.”
“Our dads are two different men, Zo, but you’re right. It’s not fair. I should be able to go after whatever dream I want. It’s my life, after all.”
I rise from my desk while working out what exactly I would say to him in my head.
“So here’s what I’m thinking,” I begin, speaking more to myself than to Zoe. “The opener needs to start with my most recent successes. That way he will be reminded of the value I bring to the company. Then I push the numbers from last month and how those profits would be distributed in a way that will leave plenty of money left over for a raise.”
I pace in front of my desk for a moment running through those steps in my head once more.
“I like it so far, but why the profit part?” Zoe asks. “Shouldn’t bringing in money be an understood part of your success?”
I shake my head, only to remember that she can’t see me. “Dad needs to see that I’m capable of running the company alongside him and Theo. That’s why I have to stress how I’ve been successful. What I’ve done so far may not be enough to get Dad to release my trust fund, but it should be enough to get the raise. At least with that bit of added income, my dream has a better chance of becoming a reality.”
