3.

Sitting on the edge of my worn-out sofa, I watched as movers carried out the last of my belongings. Boxes, furniture, fragments of my life were being neatly packed away, loaded into a sleek moving truck that would transport them to a world I still couldn’t quite fathom.

Why was I doing this? The question echoed in my mind, a repetitive mantra that filled the silence of my empty apartment. My stomach twisted with unease. Why? Because I had no other choice. Because I loved my job too much to walk away from it, even if it meant stepping into Logan Harrington’s personal domain. I clasped my hands tightly in my lap, as if trying to keep myself anchored in a sea of doubt.

“Claire,” a familiar voice called, yanking me out of my spiraling thoughts.

I looked up to see Logan standing in the doorway, his frame filling the entire space. He wore his usual confident expression, but something about his eyes seemed softer. “Ready?” he asked, and there was something unsettling about how easily he made it sound, like we were heading to a casual dinner instead of completely upending my life.

I swallowed hard, nodding stiffly. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, trying to inject some conviction into my words, but it came out sounding more like a question than a statement.

Logan stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over my empty apartment before settling on me. “You’re going to love it,” he said, his voice smooth but with a hint of something I couldn’t name—anticipation, perhaps? “The house has more character than you’d expect.”

“Character,” I echoed, half-sarcastic. “Is that what we’re calling it? Character?”

He chuckled softly, and I felt a tiny flicker of warmth spread through me. “Okay, maybe ‘opulent’ is a better word. But I think you’ll find it’s homey in a way.”

I crossed my arms, a protective barrier against the unfamiliar emotions swirling inside me. “Homey? You live in a mansion, Logan.”

He grinned, his charming smile nearly disarming. “And you’re about to share it with me. Come on, let’s go.”

As I stood up, brushing invisible dust from my white top, my mind raced. How had I let myself get here? Moving in with a man who was practically a stranger, all for the sake of a charade? My heart thudded uncomfortably in my chest as I gathered my courage and stepped toward him. But the moment I felt his large hand settle on my lower back, I flinched. My body reacted instinctively to the sudden touch, a reminder of the boundaries I wasn’t sure how to navigate.

“Hey,” he murmured, his voice lowering as he leaned in. “You need to be comfortable with me. We have to make this convincing, remember?” His breath grazed my ear, and an uninvited shiver traveled down my spine.

“I’m trying,” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips. The vulnerability in my voice made my cheeks flush.

He tilted his head, studying me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “Trying isn’t good enough, Claire. The press will tear us apart if they see through this.”

“I know,” I muttered, my voice faltering. “I’ll do better.”

“Good,” he replied, his gaze softening just slightly. “Because I’m not letting anyone ruin this for us.”

Before I could respond, Logan leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead. The act was gentle, yet the pressure of his lips was firm, like he was staking a claim. A performance, I reminded myself, though the neighbors peering out from their windows didn’t know that. They saw a billionaire and his supposed lover, sharing an intimate moment before leaving their old life behind.

Logan held the door open for me, and I climbed into the passenger seat of his brand-new car, trying not to feel like I was sealing my fate. As he slid into the driver’s seat, I caught a glimpse of the pristine leather interior. “So, this is what you drive when you’re not trying to avoid the paparazzi?” I joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

He chuckled, his laughter filling the car. “What can I say? It’s part of the job description.” He glanced at me, his expression serious for a moment. “But don’t worry, we’ll have some privacy. I have ways to deal with the press.”

“Like what? Hiding under a rock?” I shot back, trying to hide the nervousness that crept into my voice.

“Let’s just say I’m good at making problems disappear,” he replied, his smile returning. “For now, just focus on settling in. You’ll be living in luxury, Claire.”

As we drove through the bustling city streets, my heart raced with uncertainty. I was on my way to live in a mansion with a man who was both alluring and intimidating. Logan’s presence was magnetic, drawing me in even as my mind screamed caution.

“What’s the first thing you’re going to do when we get to the house?” he asked, breaking the silence.

I pondered the question, biting my lip. “Probably explore. Make sure I’m not moving into a haunted house.”

He laughed again, and it felt nice—real. “I can assure you it’s not haunted. Though I might need to check for ghosts in the guest room,” he teased.

“Great, I can’t wait to meet them,” I shot back, feeling a little more at ease.

As we pulled up to his mansion, my breath caught in my throat. The grand structure loomed ahead, a stunning blend of modern architecture and classic elegance. Massive windows gleamed in the sunlight, and the manicured gardens were the epitome of luxury.

“This is…wow,” I said, stepping out of the car and taking in the view. “This is your house?”

“Welcome to my humble abode,” Logan said with a smirk, gesturing grandly.

“I feel like I need a butler,” I joked, trying to shake off the feeling of intimidation.

He stepped closer, the warmth of his body radiating toward me. “I can be your butler if you want.”

I laughed, caught off guard by the suggestion. “You? A butler? I can’t imagine you doing anything that doesn’t involve wearing a suit and looking intimidating.”

He shrugged, leaning against the car. “Intimidating can be a good look, but I can clean up nicely when I need to.”

As we approached the front door, he placed his hand on my back again, guiding me inside. I flinched, but this time, I leaned into him, murmuring an apology. “Sorry,” I muttered again, trying to calm the fluttering nerves in my stomach.

“Just relax,” he whispered, and for a moment, I almost believed him.

He opened the door, and the interior took my breath away. High ceilings, exquisite decor, and an open layout that felt both inviting and luxurious. It was a world so far removed from my cozy apartment that it made my head spin.

“Your new home,” he declared, stepping aside to let me enter.

I stepped into the foyer, my heart racing. “Wow. It’s…huge.”

Logan chuckled, walking in behind me. “And now it’s all yours for the next year. What do you think?”

I turned to him, the reality of the situation crashing down. “I think I’m going to need a lot of time to get used to this.”

“Take your time,” he said softly. “I’m here to help you adjust. Just remember, the more convincing we are, the easier this will be for both of us.”

I nodded, even though doubt still lingered in the back of my mind. As he moved closer, I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and a part of me couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to lose myself in this strange new life—what it would mean to let down my guard around him.

“Just remember,” he said, breaking through my thoughts, “you can always say no if things get too intense. I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“Right,” I replied, trying to sound casual even as my pulse quickened. “Just a year, right?”

“Just a year,” he affirmed, his eyes locking onto mine, and in that moment, I realized how easily the lines between pretend and reality could blur.