Between Desire and Denial A Fake Dating Romance, Hardy Billionaires By Shain Rose

Dimitri Hardy and I were never meant to be friends. He’s a flamboyant, risk-taking investor, while I’ve always avoided the flashy lifestyle my parents pushed. He’s carefree and composed, whereas I’m tightly wound and dramatic. So, having him witness my breakup was a particularly low moment. My ex, a professor who cheated on me, not only ended our relationship but also demanded I redo my master’s thesis as punishment.

Dimitri, seeing an opportunity, offers a solution: he’ll help with my thesis if I help him ingratiate himself with my upscale hometown, where he’s recently invested heavily. His proposal? Move back home for the summer and fake a relationship with him. We’ll present ourselves as a perfect couple to gain the town's trust, while keeping our private desires strictly under wraps.

At first, the plan seems straightforward. But Dimitri doesn’t grasp the true weight of spending months in my hometown, a place that has a way of consuming people. The façade of our fake relationship becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, and the line between pretense and reality blurs. As summer progresses, my resolve weakens against the allure of his stolen touches and smoldering glances.

In a town that has the power to destroy, and with a growing passion that threatens to overwhelm, this summer might change both our lives in ways we never anticipated. 📚❤️