~ LENA ~

I had to be dreaming. Could it really be-?

Nathan's lips didn't allow the thought form fully in my head. They didn't give me the room to think. His mouth devoured mine like a man who'd been starving. Like the past days he'd been away had been torture, and this-me-was his only relief.

His hands slowly guided me backwards as the door closed behind us with a soft click, while his mouth continued to ravage my senses.

Naturally, I should have panicked. Instead, my body betrayed me, shamelessly melting against him.

I had been kissed before-by my ex and a few other men whom I thought knew exactly what they were doing. But none of it had prepared me for this. None of it came close to the way Nathan Blackwood unraveled me with just one kiss.

As his hand slid into my hair, deepening the kiss, the rest of the world faded away. For a moment, I forgot everything. The contract, the lies... The name I was bearing that wasn't mine...

My knees went weak. I clutched the lapels of his jacket for support, my fingers curling into the expensive fabric, breathing in his rich, masculine cologne that seemed to fill the entire living room space in just seconds of him stepping in.

Is this real?

The thought drifted through my mind as every inch of my body responded to him before fear could catch up.

When he finally pulled back, it wasn't abrupt. It was slow, reluctant, his forehead resting against mine as if he needed a second to remind himself how to breathe.

I stood there, frozen. My hands were still curled into his jacket. My heart was racing so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

Then I looked at him. Really looked at him.

Up close, Nathan Blackwood was devastatingly handsome. It was the kind of handsome that felt unreal. Almost like he was one of those screen crushes from the telenovelas I loved to watch, and he'd just stepped into my world.

He was taller than I imagined, his shoulders broader, his presence filling the room until everything else seemed to shrink.

His eyes were darker than they were in pictures. They were sharper, and disturbingly attentive. It felt like he could see straight through me.

This was real, I realized. And then it hit me.

He's not supposed to be here.

Reality crashed down on me so hard my heart jumped.

Julian had promised me two more days before Nathan was due to return. Two days to finish learning, finish memorizing, to visit and get to know Nathan's home where Kim was accustomed to. Two days to fully prepare myself mentally to step into this lie.

But Nathan Blackwood was standing right in front of me now. And I watched the warmth drain from his face, suddenly replaced by anger as he finally let me go.

"What the hell is going on, Kim?"

The sudden sharpness in his voice made me flinch.

"No calls, no messages? And then when I call you, it goes straight to voicemail. What exactly is going on?"

There it was, I thought, bracing myself. The explosion I hadn't prepared enough for.

"All of a sudden, you just decide you don't want to pick my calls." His dark eyes looked even darker with anger flaring in them. "I left you a thousand messages...messages you never replied. Did I miss something? Did I...did I do something wrong? Are you upset with me?"

"I..." I swallowed nervously, trying to remember what to say. "I...I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" He was furious. "Is that all you have to say? Do you have any idea what you put me through?"

I remembered Julian's instructions now. What to say to Nathan when he demanded an explanation since the real Kimberly had gone AWOL on him. The words rang in my head like a script I had to follow perfectly or risk everything unravelling.

"I'm sorry," I repeated clumsily. "I...I wasn't ignoring you because I wanted to. I...I fell sick."

"Sick?" He frowned, like it was the last thing he expected to hear.

I nodded, swallowing nervously as I rushed on to explain. "It was serious. After you travelled, I collapsed. I had to be rushed to the hospital. I was admitted for a while."

"What?"

From his frown, I didn't know if I'd just made things better or worse. He gripped my shoulders, looking both angry and disappointed at me. "And you're just telling me this now?"

"I'm sorry. I-I didn't tell you because you were busy and...and I didn't want you to worry."

"So, you decided to keep it to yourself?" A muscle flexed in his jaw. "You told no one-not even Julian."

"I knew he was going to tell you if I did."

"Oh, really?" He dropped his hands, took a step back, shaking his head.

"I couldn't call you or pick your calls because I knew you'd hear how sick I was from my voice and start to worry."

"And what do you think I've been doing all the while?" he cut in harshly. "You totally ghosted me! You didn't think I would worry?"

"I'm sorry." I murmured, not knowing what else to say to calm his anger down. "I really am."

"You could have said something, Kim. I hate being put in the dark and you know it."

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again, I promise."

He studied my face for a long moment, then finally exhaled-a long, heavy breath that seemed to drain all the anger from him at once.

"Are you okay now?" he asked quietly, stepping closer again. His hands came up to my face, gently caressing my cheeks. "Are you really okay?"

The worry in his eye was endearing. At the same time, it broke my heart because I was lying to him. He thought I was his fiancée. It was obvious he was so in love with her. But he didn't know Kimberly had already walked away.

"Yes. I'm fine now," I whispered, dropping my gaze for fear that he would see the truth in my eyes-that I wasn't her.

"Thank God." He let out another long breath, resting his forehead against mine again. "You got me so scared. I couldn't think, I couldn't function properly. I thought maybe...maybe you didn't want to go through with the wedding anymore."

"What?" Panic rose in my chest at how closely the lie had just been brushed by the truth. I pulled back slightly to look at his face, shaking my head in instant denial. "No. No. Why would you think that?"

He shrugged faintly, a faint smile curving his lips. "I don't know. You disappearing like that-it scared me."

As Kim, I had to convince him everything was fine. I laced my fingers behind his neck and rose on my tiptoes, pressing a brief, reassuring kiss to his mouth.

As I meant to pull away, he stopped me, sliding an arm around my waist and holding me there as he kissed me again. Slower this time, deeper, until the air between us grew thin and we were both breathless once more.

"Kim, you have to slow down," he said in a soft tone, stroking my cheek with his finger. "You've been pushing yourself too hard, stressing over the planning of this wedding. I get that you want everything to be perfect. But look what it did to you."

"I'm fine." I shifted uneasily under the weight of his concerned eyes. The more he looked at me with those worried eyes, the more guilty I felt. "Can we please stop talking about it?"

"Only if you promise me that you'll take things easy as from now on. No more stress, okay?"

I nodded. "Okay. I promise."

A satisfied smile touched his lips. "Good. I doubt you have anything to stress about anymore though. The wedding is just a week away."

A week. The thought made my stomach twist.

"I can't wait to make you mine forever."

He was beaming at me like a happy man in love, totally oblivious to the sudden, sharp panic that had gripped me.

It was making me sick. I needed to change the subject-now.

"How was your trip?" I asked quickly, helping him get out of his jacket. "You must be exhausted."

"Yes," he admitted. "But being with you makes me feel better. I've missed you terribly, my love."

He looked like he was going to kiss me again. Quickly, I tried to change the topic once more, afraid what another one of those his kisses would do to me.

"You must be hungry. I'll make you something to eat."

It was the safest option. I knew he was going to be with me for a while, and being in the kitchen meant some distance, a chance to keep my hands busy and gather myself together.

But it was a wrong move.

I saw it instantly-the change in his expression. His smile faded, as if it had never been there at all. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by something unreadable. Serious. Almost wary.

"What?" My heart stuttered.

Had I said something wrong? Did I sound...off? Was that not something the real Kimberly would say?

He didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on my face, searching, assessing, as if he was seeing me for the first time. His brows drew together in a firm line.

Oh my God.

I knew what was going on behind those dark eyes without being told.

Heart pounding in my ears, I braced myself for what was coming as he spoke in a low, quiet voice devoid of any warmth. Nothing like the man who had kissed me just moments ago.

"Who are you?"

~ LENA ~

The world came to a standstill.

For a second, I was no longer Kimberly Hayes. No longer wrapped in silk and lies. I was just Lena Martinez again-stripped bare by those eyes, exposed, and confronted by danger.

"What?" I whispered, barely hearing the sound of my own voice.

Nathan didn't respond. He didn't move. He just stood in front of me, towering above me like a man carved from stone. His eyes had an intensity in them that made my skin pickle.

It wasn't anger on his face, I realized. It was scrutiny. He looked like a man re-examining something he thought he knew by heart but suddenly didn't.

"Who are you?" he asked again, tilting his head slightly. His gaze didn't leave my face.

"I-" My throat grew tight. I forced myself to swallow, to remain calm. "W-what do you mean, Nate?"

Suddenly, and to my surprise, the tension eased. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as his shoulders relaxed. That seriousness fading away from his eyes, replaced by something lighter. Amusement.

"The Kim I know hates cooking. You'd rather go hungry than step your foot into the kitchen. We both know that."

I laughed, a small shaky sound, while my mind searched for a lie to melt away his suspicion.

Kimberly hated cooking. On the contrary, I loved it. Physically we were identical, but beyond that there was very little we had in common.

"Well...people changed," I said quietly.

"Really?" He didn't look convinced. As though he didn't believe a woman like Kimberly could ever change.

"Yes. I..." I was shocked at how easily the lie came to me. "I've been doing something lowkey for a while now. It's...kind of a secret."

That immediately got his interest.

"I've been taking cooking classes," I continued, watching his surprised face. "With the wedding coming up... I just thought..." I shrugged lightly. "I want to be the perfect wife for you."

Silence followed.

Nathan stared at me. A glint of something I couldn't read crossed his face. His expression softened completely. Before I could say anything else, he pulled me into his arms.

The kiss was different this time. It was slow and full of something frighteningly sincere.

"I love you," he whispered.

I paused, speechless. I knew I was supposed to say the words back. Kimberly would have said them back without hesitation. But guilt and fear wrapped around my throat, making it hard to breathe.

"I love you too."

I managed to say the words, and he smiled at me, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Come," I said quickly, pulling him towards the couch where I'd dropped his jacket. I needed to put some distance between us before my composure cracked. "Sit down. Rest while I quickly put something together."

He didn't argue. He looked tired as he slumped into the chair, stretching his long legs out.

Leaning back, he watched me hurry towards the kitchen with that same puzzled and amused look on his face.

The kitchen had always been my refuge, my safe space. And right now it was the only part of the house I could conveniently hide away from Nathan without raising any more suspicions in his mind.

How was I going to do it? I wondered, sagging against the counter the minute I was alone. How was I going to survive six months of this? Six months of being close to Nathan all the time. Having his arms around my body, his lips on mine, his touch...

After the wedding, there would be no more hiding. No more distance to retreat into when things felt too real.

The kiss replayed in my mind without permission. I remembered the passion, the urgency. The way my body had responded, melting into him. I had forgotten everything in that moment, including who I really was. That terrified me.

How was I supposed to remain sane?

I pressed my palms into the cool marble of the counter, closing my eyes briefly as I fought the panic rising inside me.

Then Sofia's face came to me.

Earlier on, I'd spoken to my mother. She'd happily told me of how Sofia was getting better day by day. The doctors were pleased at her rate of recovery.

Sofia had sounded much better on the phone. Her voice was stronger than it had been in weeks. My little sister was finally going to be okay.

The thought brought tears to my eyes, and gratitude. It eased the panic a bit. While this wasn't going to be easy, it was definitely worth the sacrifice.

Six months wasn't a lifetime. I consoled myself with that thought. Six months could pass like six days if I focused, if I held on tightly to the reason why I was here.

You can do this, Lena.

I drew in a deep breath, reached for the apron hanging on a hook and tied it around my waist. Then I crossed to the refrigerator and opened it.

Julian's voice echoed in my head, listing facts the way he'd done earlier. Nathan's likes, his favorite meals...

Steak.

The refrigerator was fully stocked. I brought out a cut of ribeye, fresh herbs, butter, garlic... Carefully, I washed, chopped and seasoned. I enjoyed cooking. I always had. It came as naturally to me as breathing.

The rhythmic sound of the knife against the chopping board calmed me. For a while, everything was normal and peaceful until I felt that unmistakable prickle at the back of my neck. You know that feeling that made you aware you were being watched?

I froze, then whipped around.

Nathan was standing by the doorway, staring at me.

~ NATHAN ~

I stood in the kitchen doorway for longer than I meant to. Kim hadn't noticed me. She was completely absorbed in what she was doing. So focused that she hadn't heard my footsteps at all.

I'd only come to check on her because curiosity wouldn't let me sit still. I told myself it was only going to be for a minute.

But the moment I saw her, I was rooted to the spot.

The sight of Kim wearing an apron was...unexpected, pleasant. Shocking.

She stood by the counter, seasoning meat with an ease that caught me off guard. She chopped the herbs with practiced precision, looking so relaxed, so at peace, like she belonged there.

She was actually cooking.

The realization hit me in a way that left me utterly stunned. Because the truth was, Kimberly Hayes hated kitchens. She avoided them the way some people avoided bad memories.

She'd once told me that cooking felt like a waste of time and energy when there were chefs and restaurants available for that. I'd simply laughed it off, accepting it as just another part of who she was.

But this... This was something else.

This Kim looked relaxed soiling her hands in the kitchen. She looked confident. At home. Almost...happy.

I leaned against the doorframe now, folding my arms as I studied her more closely. She was still oblivious to my presence, and I found myself strangely grateful for those stolen minutes.

She'd mentioned she was taking cooking classes. A faint smile curved my mouth at the thought. Whoever had inspired this transformation deserved a medal. Because I loved what I was seeing. Not because I expected it of her-I never had-but because it showed real effort on her part. A willingness to meet me halfway in ways I hadn't known I needed.

I'd always loved a homely woman. But I'd fallen in love with Kim knowing she was far from that. Rather, she was ambitious, career-driven, fiercely independent-qualities I admired deeply.

Her career as a beauty and lifestyle influencer meant everything to her, and I respected that. Respected her independent nature, the reason why she hadn't immediately jumped at the idea of moving into this house-one of Blackwood properties. She'd been perfectly content with remaining in her old place, which was smaller-but in my opinion not good enough for the woman I love.

Now here she was, in the kitchen, cooking for me.

Something about that made my heart swell with pride, with love and desire as my gaze drifted over her, tracing the familiar curves of her body. The gentle sway of her hips as she shifted her weight to one leg. The soft roundness of her backside. The fullness of her breasts beneath the fabric of her dress.

Every inch of her stirred something deep and primal in me. Heat curled low in my stomach. I inhaled slowly, reminding myself to behave.

That was when she sensed me.

She turned sharply, knife still in hand, eyes wide with surprise.

I smiled, pushed away from the doorframe and walked over to her. Gently, I took the knife from her fingers and set it aside.

"H-how long have you been standing there?" She looked uncomfortable.

"Long enough to..." I murmured, sliding a hand around her waist and pulling her up against my chest, "realize just how much I've been missing this view."

My gaze dipped deliberately, and she knew exactly what I meant. Her body pressed into mine, soft and warm, and I hardened instantly.

"As much as what you're cooking already looks delicious..." I whispered, kissing her lips, "I think I'd rather...have you for lunch."

I felt her body stiffen instantly.

"Nate-"

I didn't let her finish. I kissed her, slowly, deeply, letting her taste the heat I'd been holding back for a long time now.

"I've missed you," I said quietly.

"I've missed you too, but-" She gasped as she felt my arousal. Her hands came up instinctively as she tried to pull away from my wandering hands and demanding mouth. "I-I don't think the food would...forgive us if I...abandon it at this point."

It took all the effort in me to let her go when all I wanted to do was to peel her out of that dress.

"Relax, love," I said lightly, masking my disappointment. "I'm just teasing. I haven't forgotten our agreement-no sex until the wedding night."

Sometimes it still surprised me that a woman like Kimberly was still a virgin at twenty-five. She didn't strike me as old-fashioned. If she hadn't told me herself, I would never have believed it.

But it explained her boundaries, explained why she was so firm about waiting. Why she never gave in, no matter how heated things got between us. And it only made me respect her more.

Relief washed over her face now. Her shoulders eased, tension draining from her body as though she'd been holding her breath.

For a split second, her reaction made me pause as I wondered. Was it just me, or was she unusually tense today?

Before I could examine the thought, she leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

"Thank you for understanding, Nathie-bear."

Nathie-bear.

That little nickname she reserved just for me had a way of unravelling me. Or maybe it was the way she said it now, in that husky voice very close to my mouth.

I caught her shoulders as she tried to move away, holding her there a moment longer.

Leaning in, my lips brushed her ear as my voice dropped to a murmur.

"For now...I'll behave. But on our wedding night, every inch of you will be mine to explore. And I won't hold back."

She blushed, her body tensing again beneath my hands. I felt it, the instinctive reaction she tried to hide. And instead of questioning it, I found myself enjoying it.

The nervousness, the way she trembled and shied away from meeting my gaze. It only made me more eager.

Seven days. I smiled to myself, counting. Just seven days to the wedding.

The wait would be worth it.