Ambitions Entwined

Chapter 5 | Little Secret

"You're WHAT?!"

Katherine's shocked exclamation rang out over the pulsing beat of the music, drawing curious glances from the other customers crowded into the trendy bar. Beside her, Raphael choked on his cocktail, sputtering inelegantly into his sleeve.

I winced, holding up a placating hand. "Keep your voice down, will you? It's not exactly public knowledge yet."

Katherine leaned in, green eyes sparkling with excitement and concern. "Noreen Hunter, you can't just drop a bombshell like 'I'm getting married' and expect us not to react! Spill, now. Who's the lucky guy? And why am I just hearing about this now?"

I sighed, toying with the stem of my wine glass. I pulled them into our private booth, the pounding bass of the DJ's set muffled to a dull roar by plush velvet curtains. It was the perfect place to share secrets...and the weight of mine suddenly felt unbearably heavy.

"It's...complicated," I hedged, avoiding Katherine's piercing gaze. "Let's just say it's a strategic move that will secure my position at Hunter and keep the board off my back. The details aren't important."

Raphael snorted, dabbing at the damp spot on his shirt. His dark eyes fixed on me, "Not important? Noreen, you're talking about a lifelong commitment. Of course, the details are important!"

I shook my head, a rueful smile tugging at my lips. "Not lifelong, Raph. It's a temporary arrangement. Two years, max. Enough time to get the old guard to back off and let me run my company in peace."

Katherine studied me, a knowing look in her eye. "Spill it! Who is he? Do I know him?"

I stiffened, my fingers tightening involuntarily around my glass. "Why so curious? Can't you just trust me blindly on this one?"

She shrugged, taking a delicate sip of her luridly pink cocktail. "With your terrible luck in men, no, I can't..."

Raphael laughed, throwing his head back and the deep sound filling the room. His dark skin shone as the blueish light caught him. I stared at him in disbelief, shaking my head.

Swallowing hard, feeling the phantom press of James's hands on my skin, the searing heat of his mouth against my own. Memories of that fateful night, of gasping breaths and tangled sheets, threatened to overwhelm me. With an effort, I pushed them aside, focusing on the cool stem of my wineglass and the pounding beat of the music.

"Okay, you do know him, Kat," I admitted at last, my voice barely audible over the noise. "It's James. But it's a business deal, nothing more."

Katherine's eyes softened, her hand resting on my arm in a gesture of comfort. "Oh, hon. I know you. You wouldn't be doing this if you had any other choice. But are you sure it's a good idea? After everything he put you through?"

I shrugged, a bitter laugh bubbling up in my throat. "Good idea? No. But it's the only play I have left. The board backed me into a corner. It was either marriage or forfeit everything I've worked for. I won't let them take that away from me."

Raphael leaned forward, his brows knitted in concern. "But why James? Surely there are other options, other men who would jump at the chance to be with you, even if just as a sham."

I shook my head, a wry twist to my lips. "None with the 'pedigree' or connections to satisfy the board. And only some who understand the stakes quite like James. He needs this just as much as I do."

Katherine sighed, her expression troubled. "I just worry about you, Nore. I remember how he treated you in uni and the mind games he played. I don't want to see you get hurt again."

A pang of affection tightened my chest, a warm rush of gratitude for my fiercely loyal friend. "I know, Kat. And I appreciate your concern more than you know. But I'm not that naive girl anymore. I'm going into this with my eyes wide open. James can't hurt me like that again."