The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

feel a slight quiver in her stomach. Were they making a huge mistake? Would this false engagement blow up in their faces? She had experienced the shame around being abandoned on her wedding day. She had no desire to repeat the experience.
    The afternoon passed by in a rush of activity. They made several stops at local businesses in Greenwich and a campaign aide was on hand to take photographs. During a rather visible lunch, Anderson reminded her to smile and remember she was in love. She managed a few bites of her salad before the apprehension in her stomach prevented her for eating more.
    When they arrived back at the hotel, she chose a gown for the fundraiser that evening and a stylist arrived to do her hair and makeup. The campaign team had assembled and began working on the various angles of the story.
    Later that evening, they left the hotel by limousine. Climbing out of the car, Anderson held her upper arm firmly and said in a low voice, “Just follow my lead tonight. Remember we are very much in love. And I adore you.”
    Lucia turned and looked into his eyes, “I’m not sure that we are doing the right thing. This could backfire on us.” She became conscious of people watching them. They were dressed in formal attire and standing close to one another on the sidewalk, bystanders were slowing down and looking at them.
    “You look beautiful, bella.” he murmured. “And I worship the ground that you walk on.” He put his hand behind her head and claimed her mouth in a show of passion. Anger flashed through her body and she bit down on his lower lip. He let go of her and stepped back. She could see a flash of indignation in his sharp gaze.
    “I’m not your puppet. And I’ll not be ordered around.” Lucia contradicted him.
    She could see a few reporters hanging around the entrance to the hotel, less than fifty feet from them.
    Anderson planted his feet wide and stood before her. “I didn’t suggest you were. But we are in this together and you have reasons of your own not to allow our association to dissolve into tabloid fodder. Don’t push me too far or I’ll walk away without a backward glance.”
    Her eyes clashed with his until he broke the standoff and escorted her into the hotel.
    Anderson pulled her aside and whispered in an undisguised threat, “Watch your actions tonight. This might feel like a bad dream or play-acting but this is our future. If we are not successful in convincing the media that this is a fairytale romance –boy meets girl, falls madly in love then marries her and lives happily ever after- then I can assure that you will not enjoy the results.”
    Lucia’s breathe constricted in her lungs. He was trying to bully her so she would do what he wanted. Lucia considered opposing him but knew that if the wrong implications were put on the photograph then it would be mortifying to say the least. Her extended family was highly respected in Connecticut and she herself was just getting away from the embarrassment of a failed engagement.
    Anderson wouldn’t give an inch. Almost as if he was made out of steel instead of plastic as she first suspected. He was definitely strong and not adverse to risk. What assurance did he have that she would not betray him and go to the media herself? Or just pack up and go back to California?
    “Are you ready?”  
    “Yes.” Lucia whispered, meeting his stare. She thought she saw a slight softening of his features but it was so fleeting that she couldn’t be sure.
    Anderson took her hand and they walked to the circular door. There was a rush of people to greet them. Lucia tried to step aside to allow the media to showcase Anderson but he firmly held her hand and wouldn’t let her escape into the background.
    A feeling of unease gripped her. There were hundreds of flashes at the same time and a string of questions were being shouted at them. She held her chin up and smiled. Lucia tightened her grip on Anderson’s hand and could feel his hand return