The view of the sea took my breath away. I knew I needed to call Maxwell, so I picked up my phone and dialed the school's number, silently relieved that I had remembered to use an international SIM card.

My heart pounded while I waited for the call to go through. After a moment, someone answered and transferred me to Maxwell's room. Soon enough, that sweet, familiar voice came through the line.

"Thalia..."

"Hi, Maxwell, sweetheart. I've missed you so much."

"Thalia, I'm so happy you called. I know you're traveling, but I really miss you."

My heart ached, knowing how difficult it must be for a ten-year-old boy to be away from the only family he had left. We lost our dad in an accident when Maxwell was just four. Two years ago, we lost our mom to a sudden illness. From that moment on, I took on every responsibility. At first, I managed to keep our home together and stay in school. But the bills kept stacking up, and eventually, desperation pushed me into the shadows of the life I was living now.

I hadn't taken many jobs, but ever since the first one, I always dreamed of leaving this life behind. I told Maxwell I worked as a flight attendant for private companies, and he believed me. After all, I really had worked in aviation before.

At least this contract with Albert would let me leave Scarlet Angels. I'd be able to visit Maxwell more often, and maybe even bring him home, hiring someone to help look after him.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I miss you terribly, too. I promise I'll call more often, and I'll be back soon."

"I'm doing well. My grades are good. I really want to see you, Thalia. Can we do a video call on Skype one of these days?"

"We'll set something up. I'm very proud of you. What we're going through is just temporary—remember that. I love you so much. Don't ever forget it."

"I love you too, Thalia."

We talked for a little longer. A few minutes later, I ended the call and stepped back inside, noticing the door to the suite was already cracked open.

I was sure I had left it like that before heading to the terrace. I walked in quietly; the bedroom door stood open. Albert was lying on the bed in nothing but a towel, scrolling through his phone.

I couldn't help but wonder if he had heard my whole conversation.

He glanced up and spoke without emotion. "You have twenty minutes."

His tone was cool, and he went right back to his phone. I did my best to ignore his perfect physique stretched out on the bed in nothing but a towel. I also tried not to let myself worry over whether he'd overheard my call with Maxwell.

"All right, I'll be ready."

I scrambled to get everything together, snatching my carry-on and pulling out the dress I had set aside, leaving it on the sofa where I planned to sleep. I hurried into the bathroom, took a quick shower, did my makeup, and came out wearing the hotel robe.

As I crossed the room, I caught sight of Albert's bare torso and broad shoulders as he buttoned his dress shirt. He was already in his pants, and his eyes found mine in the mirror, a sly smile curling his lips.

He was so self-assured— so impossibly confident. I nearly rolled my eyes at him as I moved into the other room. I dressed quickly and took a moment to check myself in the mirror. Satisfied, I returned to the bedroom just as he finished a glass of wine.

He looked me over with calm, measured eyes and spoke.

"Come over here."

His commanding tone grated on my nerves, but I remembered the contract and did as he asked.

I walked toward him, my steps slow and my heart pounding, all while his steady eyes followed me. He looked me up and down, saying nothing. Then he walked over to his suitcase and came back with something in his hand. Before I could see what it was, he distracted me by speaking again.

"Turn around."

I wanted to protest, maybe even snap back at him, but holding his gaze felt impossible. Instead, I turned and realized I was facing the same mirror where our eyes had met before.

He stepped close behind me, his fingers gently sweeping my hair over my shoulder. Only then did I notice the delicate necklace in his hands as he slipped it around my neck. He gently brushed my hair aside and fastened the clasp, his fingers gliding over my skin and sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. There was no way I could hide the way he made me feel now.

His gaze lingered on the place where his hands had been. He let his fingers follow the line of my neckline, and judging by the satisfied smile on his lips, he could tell exactly what he was doing to me.

"We should go. We're running late," he whispered.

"I thought you just wanted to have a drink and talk. I didn't know we were on a schedule."

"We'll save this for after dinner. One of my important clients is joining us. He called just a few minutes ago."

A flutter of nerves danced in my stomach. Pretending to be engaged to a man like him wouldn't be easy.

He walked to the door while I grabbed my purse. As we stepped into the corridor, he rested his hand gently on my back, guiding me closer.

"Everything alright, Thalia?"

"I'm just a little nervous. Honestly, I've never done anything like this before."

"Don't worry. Just stay close, be affectionate, and try not to say too much. Our story is simple: we met during one of my trips, fell for each other quickly, and got engaged on a trip to Greece."

"Alright, I'll keep that in mind. Stay calm."

"I know you'll do a wonderful job as my fiancee." He smiled and winked at me.

As we walked toward the restaurant, I kept wondering what the next week would bring. I would have to play the part of his fiancee, sharing affection with him and accepting it in return. My heart beat faster, certain that everything was about to feel real.

We entered the hotel restaurant together. Albert kept his hand pressed to my back, his grip tightening just a little at my waist. When we reached our table, a well-dressed man stood up and smiled, extending his hand to Albert before turning his attention to me.

"Good evening, Mr. Albert. I hope I'm not intruding on your evening." He greeted Albert while they shook hands.

"Mr. Jon Bentley, let me introduce you to my fiancee, Thalia."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Thalia." He smiled warmly and shook my hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jon."

"You're a lucky man, Albert. Your fiancee is stunning," Jon said as he sat down.

"I know, I was lucky to find her," Albert replied, lowering his voice as he kissed my hair and pulled out my chair for me.

After he took his seat, he placed his hand lightly on my thigh. His touch was gentle, not insistent, but the feel of his skin against mine left me slightly unsettled. The waiter arrived, and while Jon gave his order, Albert leaned toward me and spoke softly.

"Would you like to look at the menu? Do you speak Italian?"

"I know a little, but I'd be more comfortable if you chose for me."

He smiled at me and turned to the waiter, ordering in flawless Italian. He chose risotto with porcini mushrooms and beef tagliata, then selected a bottle of wine. When the waiter left, Albert and Jon dove into business talk. I sat quietly, soaking in the ambiance and the view of the sea. After a few minutes, I glanced around and spotted two couples seated at a table in the back. One of the women kept staring at us, her gaze lingering every time I looked her way.

A blonde woman, dressed to perfection and flawlessly made up, sat at that distant table. Instinct told me she might have a connection to Albert. I leaned in and gently brushed my hand along his cheek. He paused mid-sentence with his client and turned, pressing a kiss to my cheek as I whispered in his ear.

"Is your ex blonde?"

"Yes. How did you figure that out?"

I winked at him, and his expression shifted in understanding. He slid his hand along my back and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. Keeping his arm around me, he faced his client again.

"Forgive me, my fiancee is a bit of a distraction."

"Well, if I were you, I'd be distracted, too. I can see the passion between you."

Albert gave my waist a gentle squeeze. Instinctively, I leaned into him, and he looked down at me with a contented smile.

The waiter brought our food, and throughout the meal, Albert kept finding small ways to touch me. Sometimes he would feed me a bite from his fork or let his fingers linger on my hand. Every gesture was subtle but impossibly intimate, at least to me. He finished his business with the client, and as soon as dinner ended, he took my hand and led me out to the terrace.

We chose a quiet table with a breathtaking view of the sea below. The lights of the coast glittered in the night.

"You really do have a sharp eye. That was my ex, Florence Ward."

His fingers brushed softly over my hand as he spoke.

"She kept staring, obviously bothered by what she saw."

"I figured she'd be upset to see me with someone else, especially since she doesn't know about our engagement yet. I have no doubt she'll be furious and want me back."

"Sorry if this sounds strange, but wouldn't it be easier to just tell her how you feel?"

He grew serious, his eyes settling on me. I realized I might have overstepped my role, but the question hung between us.

"Forgive me, Albert, I shouldn't have said that. You know what's best for you."

"It's alright. The situation is more complicated than it looks. Anyway, let's change the subject. Tell me about yourself, if you don't mind. Unless that breaks your own rules."

A quiet sigh slipped from me, relieved to see the tension dissolve. Still, he was treading into sensitive ground. I decided to trust him, at least a little.

"I can answer a few of your questions. What do you want to know?"

"Anyone special in your life? A boyfriend?"

That question caught me off guard.

The waiter arrived just then with a chilled bottle of prosecco, poured us each a glass, and slipped away. All the while, Albert's eyes stayed locked on mine.

"I don't have anyone."

"Interesting. I heard you're studying business administration for your degree, right?"

"Yes."

He raised his glass, and we toasted. He took a slow sip, then caught me off guard with his next question.

"Why did you become a high-class escort?"

A rush of heat flooded my cheeks, and I knew I must have turned red. I never advertised what I did, and even with clients, I had never felt as exposed as I did with Albert.

"I didn't have better options, I..." My voice wavered, and tears prickled at the corners of my eyes.

He noticed right away and reached for my hand, his other hand softly brushing my arm.

"I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me. I shouldn't have asked."

Before I could answer, a voice cut through the evening.

"Good evening, Albert. I'm surprised to see you here."

The woman stepped closer, stopping right at my side. I glanced at Albert, searching his face for any sign of what to do. He smiled reassuringly at me. It was the same blonde woman who had been watching us during dinner.

"Well, here I am. Does Florence want to sit down?"

She let her gaze travel over me, taking her time.

"No, thank you. I need to go— my fiance is waiting for me. I only wanted to say good evening. I was expecting your brother to handle these meetings. Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?"

"Of course. This is Thalia, my fiancee. Thalia, this is Florence, an old friend."

The anger and disappointment in Florence's eyes were impossible to miss, but I kept up my act.

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet a friend of my Albert," I remarked, my tone steady as I shook her hand.

I noticed a faint smile touch his lips as he slipped an arm around me, pulling me close right after Florence released my hand.

"Fiancee?"

"Yes. I proposed to her in Greece."

"It was wonderful, darling. You were so thoughtful—just thinking about it still gives me goosebumps." I smiled sweetly and stroked his forearm, playing my part to perfection.

Florence's eyes burned with anger, though she kept a cold smile plastered on her face.

"Albert, romantic? Well, I wish you both all the best. I should go, but I hope you two enjoy your evening."

"Thank you. We'll see you tomorrow at the lunch meeting. Good night to you and Eaton Harper."

I returned her smile, wishing her a good night as she turned and walked away. After she left, Albert reached out and gently cupped my face, making me look at him.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry for earlier— I'll find a way to make it up to you."

"It's alright."

"Shall we head to bed?"

Something about the way he had asked the question made me pause. I could not find the words to respond, so I only managed a silent nod.

We went back to the room without saying anything. Still, his hand resting on my back set my heart racing. When we stepped inside, he headed straight for the bed.

"Do you mind if I take a shower and get some sleep?"

"Not at all, Thalia. Go ahead."

I went to the next room to grab my things for a shower and a change of clothes. My stomach was in knots. Albert pulled off his shirt and shoes, then sprawled out on the bed. He turned on the TV and started messing with his phone.

After I washed off my makeup, I took a quick shower and rubbed lotion onto my skin. I stared down at the lingerie in my hands, feeling uneasy. It was a barely-there lace nightgown, the kind that left nothing to the imagination. I pulled it on, knowing Liza had picked it out for me. I still could not figure out why she would choose something like this, especially when I had made it clear I was not interested in sex.

I stepped out and grabbed a comforter from the closet next door. When I moved to take the pillow beside him, he looked up from his phone, and his eyes swept slowly over me.

I had gotten used to being naked around men, but ever since he came into my life, I found myself blushing every time he looked at me.

"Where are you going, Thalia?"

"I'm going to sleep on the sofa in the other room."

"But why? I promised I wouldn't touch you. There's plenty of space on the bed. If you sleep on that sofa, you'll wake up sore."

"I'll be alright. Thank you, Albert. I think I'll use the time to get some studying done on my laptop."

"If you're studying, I get it, but you don't have to leave. You could study here and join me later. Still, I don't want you to feel pressured."

"Thank you."

As I started to head out, he called after me.

"Thalia, the bathroom has a connecting door to the room you're going to. It used to be set up with another bed."

"Thank you."

I left with that thought lingering in my mind. He could have just left the other bed there. If we were supposed to keep up this act, I could have slept in the extra bed and made it up again before room service came by. That way, nobody would suspect anything.

Besides, what would it matter? People might assume we had fooled around and then slept in separate beds. The suite was enormous. We were engaged. There was nothing strange about that, at least not in their eyes. But why did he let me take a shower and wander around in just a towel, knowing there was a door that connected our rooms? Did he want to catch a glimpse of me like that?

I tried to shake off the jumble of thoughts swirling in my head. I opened my laptop, crawled under the covers, and started studying. At some point, I drifted off with an assignment still open. When I woke up, my laptop had slipped to the floor. I took off my headphones and got up to use the bathroom.

When I opened the door, I saw Albert under the spray of the shower. Even through the foggy glass, I could see exactly what he was doing. The slow, steady rhythm of his hand, the way his muscles tensed and moved, the sound of his breathing. He moaned, low and deep, and just hearing it sent heat rushing through my whole body.

The sight of him drove me wild. I could not look away as his movements grew faster. He pressed his forehead against the tiles. I squeezed my breasts, unable to stop myself, my mouth watering with want. I knew I should not be doing this, but watching him was a temptation I could not resist.

"Albert..." I whispered, so softly that even I could barely hear it.

His pace grew frantic. Another moan escaped him, rough and desperate. His eyes stayed shut the entire time. I watched, completely transfixed by the steady rhythm of his hand and the way his body moved. Every sound he made seemed to ignite something deep inside me.

Still, I forced myself to shut the door. He had not seen me, but if I kept watching, he might realize I was there.

My nipples pushed against the thin lace of my nightgown, painfully hard. I could feel just how wet I was. My whole body shook with need. That scene had set me on fire, and I knew there was only one way to quiet my thoughts of him.

I could not hold back anymore.

I hurried over to the sofa, stripped off my lingerie, and let my fingers trail through my wetness. I started to touch myself, letting my hand roam between my clit and every sensitive inch of skin. It was not enough. I removed the tiny lace shorts and spread my legs wide. My movements grew frantic. I remembered the way his hands had brushed my skin and the gentle press of his lips on mine. He had never kissed me with his tongue, but it had still felt unbelievably intense. I slid two fingers inside myself, circling my clit at the same time. A rush of desire tore through me. I shut my eyes and pictured him, lost in his own pleasure. My orgasm hit hard, making my whole body tremble and soaking the comforter beneath me. When I came, the only word on my lips was:

"Albert..."

I struggled to catch my breath, my body still pulsing with need. I still craved him, even though I knew he would never sleep with me. He had made that clear.

I heard the door squeak and pulled the duvet up to cover myself without thinking. Albert stepped in, a towel slung low around his hips. The outline of his erection was impossible to miss.

"Did you call me?"

My face burned with embarrassment. He grinned at me, making no effort to hide the obvious bulge beneath his towel.

"I... I did call you. I mean, I just wanted to check if I could use the bathroom."

His gaze drifted over me, settling on my breasts spilling out of the thin lace. He had already seen my naked photos on the website, so I should not have felt shy, but with him, it felt different.

"Sorry, Thalia. I took my time in there. Honestly, I still feel like I needed a little longer."

He watched me for a moment, then spoke again.

"I'll get dressed and let you have the bathroom."

I managed a small smile. He stepped back and closed the door, leaving me with my thoughts. I pulled myself together and went to the bathroom for a shower. A few minutes later, I finished and started doing my makeup. That was when I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

"Good morning. I was so out of it earlier that I forgot to greet you."

"Good morning, Albert. So, what do you want from me today?" I asked, drawing out each word as I slowly applied my lipstick. He watched me in silence. It felt like he kept his eyes on me for ages, until finally our gazes met in the mirror.

"Let's have breakfast first, then we can go for a walk. When we get back, it'll be time for lunch. I also have an important meeting later, and I'll need you with me."

"Alright, I'm ready."

When I turned around, I noticed him taking in the details of my dress. I had chosen a chiffon dress with an open back, the hem barely reaching halfway down my thighs. I paired it with delicate flat sandals, thinking ahead for a stroll.

"You might want to change your dress before the meeting."

"As you wish. What should I wear?" I kept my voice steady as I met his gaze.

"Every dress was approved by me. I saw every photo of you from the fitting room. This one is perfect for our walk, but it's not right for the meeting."

I glanced him over—he wore jeans, a V-neck t-shirt, and sneakers. He looked completely relaxed. When he noticed me studying him, he just grinned.

"You look stunning—maybe a little too much. That could end up being a distraction."