The morning of the wedding was a hurricane of hairspray, frantic bridesmaids, and Maya's mother, Mrs. Chen, who had the investigative skills of a seasoned detective."Maya, darling," Mrs. Chen said, poking her head into the suite. "The ceremony starts in two hours. Why is your 'fiancé' currently doing wind-sprints in the hotel gym? Does he ever stop moving?""He's… high energy, Mom," Maya lied, struggling with the back of her bridesmaid dress. It was a floor-length lavender silk gown with a zipper that seemed to have been designed by a sadist. "Go help Sarah with her veil. I'll be down in a minute!"Once the door clicked shut, Maya let out a groan of frustration. She reached behind her back, her fingers fumbling with the tiny metal teeth of the zipper. It was stuck halfway up her spine, right at the most unreachable spot.
"Need a hand?"Maya jumped, nearly tripping over her hem. Julian was standing in the doorway, smelling of cool rain and expensive soap, his hair damp from a post-workout shower. He was wearing a white dress shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, with the sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms that had no business being that distracting."I've got it," Maya said, her face flushing. "I just… the silk is caught.""You don't have it. You're going to tear the fabric." Julian walked over, his footsteps silent on the plush carpet.He didn't wait for her permission. He stepped behind her, and the sudden proximity made the small hotel room feel microscopic. Maya froze as she felt his cool fingers brush against the bare skin of her back. Her breath hitched."Stay still," he murmured.His touch was steady and clinical, yet the heat radiating from him was anything but. Maya stared at her reflection in the vanity mirror. Behind her, Julian was focused on the zipper, his brow slightly furrowed in concentration.
For a second, he didn't look like a cold CEO or a hired escort—he just looked like a man taking care of his woman."There," he whispered. The zipper glided up to the nape of her neck.He didn't pull his hands away immediately. His fingers lingered for a heartbeat too long against her shoulder blade. Maya's heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird."Julian?" she breathed."You look…" He paused, his gaze meeting hers in the mirror. For the first time, the "CEO mask" cracked, and she saw something raw and hungry in his grey eyes. "…Presentable.""Presentable?" Maya turned around, annoyed that she'd expected a compliment. "I'm wearing four layers of Spanx and enough hairspray to start a fire. I'd hope for at least an 'adequate.'"Julian's lips quirked into that rare, dangerous smirk. "Fine. You look dangerous, Maya. Like you're ready to burn this whole vineyard down if someone mentions your ex.""That's the plan."
A sharp knock at the door interrupted them. It was Sarah, the bride, looking pale. "Maya! Liam is downstairs. He's telling everyone he's going to 'talk some sense' into you before the ceremony. He thinks Julian is a fake!"Maya's blood ran cold. She looked at Julian, the panic returning. "He's going to corner us at the altar. He knows I can't afford a guy like you."Julian reached out, grabbing his charcoal blazer from the bed. He threw it on, the transformation back into the untouchable titan complete in seconds. He offered her his arm, his expression turning to stone."Let him try," Julian said, his voice dropping into that low, authoritative tone that usually ended boardroom arguments. "I've spent the morning memorizing your family tree and your favorite childhood dog's name. If Liam wants a show, Maya, we're going to give him a masterpiece."Maya took his arm. His muscles felt like iron beneath the suit jacket. As they walked toward the door, she realized she wasn't just afraid of Liam anymore—she was afraid of how much she wanted Julian's "performance" to be the truth.