The Royal’s Pretend Wife by Sophia Lynn Read Free Book Online Page A

it weren't for the promise of cash that could help her launch her career rather than seeing it die on the vine.
    However, she understood more than most the freedom of being someone else. Even if it was only going to be for the next three weeks, she and Apolo would be allowed to be as passionate as they could be. In a way, that would be completely freeing. Trinity was suddenly and intensely glad that Apolo got to have this experience. She was proud to be the one who gave it to him.
    When she glanced at him again, she could see how intently he was watching the therapist, hanging on his every word.
    Yes, this was something she could give to him, and she would give it to him with everything she had in her.
     
    Dr. Horne drilled them for the rest of the day, and then much to their mutual disgruntlement, woke them up around sunrise to continue.
    “It is very important that you understand each other at every point of the world's cycle,” he said earnestly. “It is easy to smile when you have had plenty of sleep and plenty to eat. What will happen when you are tired, eh? Or still sleepy?”
    “Can we be one of those couples that kill together,” she groaned softly, sipping carefully at her burning hot coffee. Still in her nightgown and robe, with no makeup on and her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she felt like a mess. However, it didn't stop Apolo from grinning at her over his own mug.
    “We certainly can be,” he muttered in return. “I don't think I've had to get up so early for literally years.”
    “I have for auditions and calls, but at least then it wasn't a surprise.”
    Apolo chuckled a little, loosely draping his arm around her waist. There was something casually and sweetly affectionate about the gesture. Her desire for him—because now she was more than willing to call it desire—was still there, but at the moment all she did was revel in how good he felt first thing in the morning.
    Whatever Dr. Horne was being paid, he certainly earned it. He drilled them mercilessly, making sure that they knew the ins and outs of each other’s lives. He kept them honest, and he reminded them over and over again that the best kind of intimacy was thoughtless and perfectly natural.
    While she was actually in scenes with Apolo, it felt effortless, but getting out of the scenes was growing incrementally harder. By the time seven p.m. rolled around and Dr. Horne's car came to pick him up, she was exhausted.
    Despite her weariness, she still bid the doctor a fond goodbye, hugging him as he left.
    “You have a rare gift, my dear,” he said softly, “And I don't mean the acting.”
    She started to ask what he meant, but he only winked.
    “You are the kind who steals hearts, but I am pleased to say that you are kind enough and sweet enough to give them back. The young prince is a very lucky man.”
    She started to tell him that he had misunderstood, that there was nothing between them. She wondered if he had somehow gotten confused over what they were doing, but then he stepped into his car and was gone.
    Suddenly, she was alone with Apolo again, and with that realization came a feeling of pleasure.
    The words “alone at last” echoed through her head, and she followed him into the kitchen.
    “I'm half-starved,” she said, and he nodded.
    “Steaks, then,” Apolo declared. “There are some in the refrigerator, and I know how to cook steak without harming it or us.”
    She sat at the island, playing with her phone and watching him expertly sizzle the steaks on the grill. The instinct to go over and to wrap her arms around his waist as he cooked was strong, but she refused to give in to it. There was such a thing as being too involved in her role.
    The thought gave way to another, however, and she was thoughtful as she ate the delicious meal that Apolo had prepared. She was so quiet that as they set the plates aside, he raised an eyebrow.
    “Are you tired, or is there something on your mind?” he asked. “I'm not used to