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"Julia," Jerry returned with a sigh "As I’ve explained--we’ve got to make this as real as we can for obvious reasons"
"I’ve said Alek can move in with me" To Julia, that was a ood about tricking Alek He’d insisted froe be real He’d made it known that he intended to sleep with her; he also wanted children Julia couldn’t allow any of that Alek didn’t understand and neither did Jerry Julia was incapable of love, the kind of trusting love a husband and wife shared That possibility was dead, destroyed by Roger’s treachery Never again would she put her faith in a man Alek expected her to be his wife in every way, but soon he’d learn the truth Soon he’d know for hi cheated Such deception didn’t sit ith Julia, but there was no avoiding it
While Julia admired Alek, she found herself nervous around hi naked, somehow Exposed He seemed to be able to look into her very soul That didn’t make sense, but she couldn’t shake the suspicion that in some uncanny way he knew all there was to know about her
"I," Jerry went on "We need proof that what pro less than earth-shattering love A hurried-up affair in so to want evidence of your commitment and devotion to each other"
"A hurried-up affair at the Four Seasons will convince theain "It looks better Now, I suggest you go out and get yourself a fancy wedding dress while I inia We’ll deal with the caterers and the photographers and see to having the invitations hand-delivered"
"Jerry, this is crazy!" Julia protested The idea of dressing up in an elaborate wedding gown, as if she were a loving bride on display, appalled her Nor was she keen on posing for a series of photographs, like a neife passionately in love with her husband It was too h with this," she said evenly
"You’ve already agreed"
"To thea Hollywood production, a show for media attention"
"A shoe need if we’re going to fool the Iued "And trust ated"
Julia walked over to theand studied the street several floors below In a moment of weakness, when her fears had been ra Ruth, Julia had gone to Alek and agreed to his terms Even now she didn’t understand what had pro it, furious with herself for being so weak This , once her head had cleared, she’d realized it had all been a mistake But by then Alek had contacted Jerry, who’d put everything inback
Her intercoinia’s efficient voice reached out to her "Mr Berinski is here to see you"
Julia looked at her brother in sheer panic She wasn’t prepared to deal with Alek just yet They hadn’t spoken since she’d consented to the e
"Julia," Jerry prompted when she didn’t respond
"Send hi herself for the confrontation
No sooner had the words left herto her office opened Alek walked in and his dark eyes shone brightly as he gazed over at her A slow, seductive smile appeared on his lips
"Good afternoon" Alek spoke to her brother first, then returned his attention to her "Julia"
"Alek," she said briskly, surprised by how defensive she sounded
He didn’t seereed to beco the stipulations he’d set She’d been overwrought with anxiety, frightened and lost Yet no e her mind…unless Alek wanted out She was a woman of honor, a woman of her word She kneas the saements with Julia," Jerry explained
Alek’s eyes refused to leave her She felt her face heat and wished with everything in her that she could escape
"I’d like some time alone with lance, not wanting hinored the unspoken request,under his breath and walked out of the room
"You want to talk?" she asked abruptly She rubbed her palms and walked away fros heavy
"You’re nervous"
Nervous Terrified Afraid None of those words adequately described what Julia was experiencing The situation had an eerie, unreal quality that she couldn’t shake Only a few years earlier she’d looked forward to being a happy bride She’d dreaer and gaze down at her with love
She felt a flash of unexpected pain, then forced herself to shake the ie from her head
"All brides are nervous," she said quietly in response to his question
"How is your grand her this afternoon… Better, I believe" According to the nurse Julia had spoken with that ht But that had been after Jerry had spoken to her and said Julia would be randmother had only met Alek once, and that had been recently He’d obviously made quite an i frequency ever since
"Do you wish to cancel the wedding?" Alek probed
Here was her chance, handed to her on the proverbial silver platter All she needed to do was tell him that she hadn’t been herself, that she hadn’t been fully aware of what she was doing She opened her mouth to explain it all away and found she couldn’t The words refused to co for a reply, he stepped behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders He leaned forward, gently kissing the side of her neck
Julia froze It was the first tier She couldn’this arainst hi her spine and a curious warmth crept into her blood