Rent-A-Fiancé
Chapter 1
DC: If Sailor Moon was cheap, we'd all have one……
Serena sat silent in the car as it pulled into Darien Shields driveway. His house looked so…..dreamy. The kind of house you'd fantasize about. With the pretty blue shutters and white picket fence…..it was a dream. She could picture children running under sprinklers in the front yard, with herself standing in the doorway holding tiles. Then her husband, pulling in the driveway, home from work, walking up to give her a kiss and patting her enlarged stomach. But instead, she saw Darien Shields standing in the doorway, already looking impatient. She parked her Honda Accord behind his BMW convertible, it seemed that just having it parked in his driveway raised the value of the house.
"Howdy" Serena said Jokingly, getting her bag out of the trunk of her car. "So where am I sleeping?"
"Before anything else is said, lets try to keep this pleasant Serena, ok. We want to look convincing."
"Well, how are we going to be looking so lovey dovey and then suddenly break it off?"
"Simple, when you were gone out of town all this time, you were really with some man. I find out and we break it off."
"Why is it that I have to be the bad guy?"
"Serena, you will probably never see these people again, I however and trying to merge with them, and would see them almost everyday."
"So, they can't see you for the scum that you are?"
"Serena, please don't get me angry with you."
"What are you going to do, hit me? Hey, that's not such a bad idea. You hit me and I leave you. Yeah I like that one much better."
"Yeah except I'd be in court for abusing you…be serious Serena. Now c'mon and stop arguing with me. We have dinner with them in a few hours. Its going to be here, so go put on a nice dress."
"You are cooking? Really now….well if you would so kindly show me to my room…."
"Right this way…"
Darien led Serena through the front hall, which consisted of hardwood floors, floral wallpaper, and runners on the floor, into the living room. She saw this glorious red brick fire place, a nice plump sofa and chairs, it looked nothing like she would have expected it to. He led her to a red cedar stair case with a oriental carpet running up the middle.
"Darien, I have a question."
"We are almost there."
"That's not what I was going to ask"
Darien kept walking even when Serena stopped. He nodded towards a door and motioned for Serena to come. He opened the door and Serena was exposed to beautiful, dark wood, poster bed with a white lace comforter. There was even an antique chest at the foot and a dressing table and Chester drawer that matched the set. It was so beautiful.
"Darien, can I ask you something?"
"I don't see why not."
"Everything I have seen in this house….it's so beautiful…..so unlike you."
"I don't know how that was meant to me…are you saying I'm not beautiful, or it just doesn't fit me."
"For both our sakes, I won't answer that one."
"Ok. I was engaged to one Rei Hino for two years. I even bought this house and decorated it according to her likings. What did she give me in return? Showed up drunk at our wedding with a guy named Bubba and waited until I was about to die to tell me I don't. I just haven't felt the need to redecorate….besides I like it….it drives women crazy."
"Ugh" Serena grunted and slammed the door in his smirking face. But still….he was a man suffering from a broken heart. But that still doesn't make up for being an arrogant asshole.
Darien chuckled to himself. "Put something sexy on" Darien yelled as he headed down the stairs.
"Put something sexy on put something sexy on" Serena mocked him. After the moment of annoyance passed, she whirled herself around and fell on the bed. It was like a dream. The house was a dream. Everything was perfect except Darien made it a nightmare. She guessed she really didn't have a choice. A week living in Darien's glorious home, for her restaurant. Lots of plus's. She could just deal with Darien one thought at a time. She walked over to her suitcase, and pulled out several hanging outfits. Lets see. Sunny warm weather outside, beautiful skin ready to be shown off, yep this called for the sleeveless sundress. It was baby blue with pastel yellow roses as a pattern. With white sandals and a sexy hairstyle, she'd have Darien wanting her so bad….but wait why would she want that? Oh no bother she was going to make him suffer nonetheless.
Darien wanted to prepare Serena as much as he could. That's when she came down the stairs, he was going to sweep her in his arms and kiss her. As a couple they would have to kiss and kiss a lot. He didn't want her cringing everytime he went to kiss her cheek. Of course it wasn't like he was getting the bad end of the deal. Serena Tsukino was a eat-you-heart out babe and if she didn't hate him so much….yeah well it wasn't like he wasn't hated for a reason. He turned back to his food. He was preparing rack of lamb with a cherry glaze with potatoes and carrots. It smelled delicious. He was of course interrupted by Serena clearing her throat in the doorway.
"Is this 'sexy' enough for you" Serena asked with a devilish glint in her eyes.
"Geeze Serena, I said be sexy, not appetizing. We don't want to take attention away from my savory dish."
"Oh, I thought I was the guest of honor."
"No Mrs. Williams is the guest of honor, you are their hostess. Its just the first time they get to meet you."
"You know, I hate deceiving people….well ok what have you got here?" Asked Serena as she leaned over the stove.
Darien leaned against the counter. "Its lamb in a cherry glaze."
She turned and faced him. "That's one of our main courses at my rest--" Serena didn't get the chance to finish as Darien covered her mouth with his. This was his chance, now or never. Serena struggled in his hold for a moment but then gave in and kissed him back.
Serena at first was in shock. She didn't know what had happened. One minute she was admiring his cooking and the next he was devouring her mouth with his. And she was quite surprised at her actions. She found herself with her arms wound around his neck and his hands dangerously close to her bottom. She gasped against his mouth as he slightly elevated her against the counter and she began to feel dizzy.
Darien wasn't expecting this kind of reaction…from himself. At first Serena was perfectly still against him and her mouth didn't even move. Then she gave in and wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body close to his. Then she put her tongue in his mouth before he tried to do it to her. He felt her start going limp so he gave her support by lift her up on the counter. Darien could feel the heat taking over and his arousal beginning. He had to stop this before it got out of hand. He pulled away from her and stepped away from her after lifting her down. "Serena…." Darien started but didn't know what else to say.
Serena was surprised that it was he that drew away, not herself. She felt used in a way. She was always the first to reject…not to be rejected. She tried to ignore the quickening beat of her heart and regain her composure. "As I was saying, this is one of the main courses served at my restaurant. A lot of the old folks order it for anniversaries and such."
"I don't believe you Serena."
"What would I be lying about?"
"No I mean you act as if that just didn't happen."
"Darien….let's say I'm not that innocent and I am the heartbreaker, not the heartbreakee. Very rarely will you see me anything but cool and composed."
Darien mumbled something under his breath and stormed out of the kitchen.
"What was that Darien darling?"
"Nothing Serena dear" Darien said through clenched teeth as he went upstairs.
When he was out of sight Serena let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She tried to breath and slow down her heart. She wouldn't be able to keep her composure long after many more kisses like that one. She wondered why he did it. "Just what kind of game are you playing Darien Shields" Serena said to herself. "Whatever it is….I will beat you. If seduction is your game, you will find yourself being the one seduced….and then turned away leaving you all alone to cool yourself off." She ignored her brain saying what if she couldn't turn away. The reaction she had to that kiss had her worried even though she wouldn't admit it to herself.
Serena, lost in her own thoughts, was oblivious to the fact that Darien was watching her. He admitted to himself how beautiful she looked, and after that kiss, he wouldn't be able to stop the quickening of his pulse at the sight of her. It kind of hurt him a little that she brushed it off like it never happened. It had to affect her in someway…she just wasn't showing it. Finally he stepped out of the shadows and announced his presence. "The Williams should be here in about 10 minutes. Will you help me set the table?"
"Sure. Just tell me what to do and I will get right on it."
"Just put the dishes, napkins, and silverware like it should be, maybe like how you do it in your restaurant, and light those candles."
"Ok."
Serena for some reason, felt very nervous about meeting these peoples. It felt like…like she was meeting her boyfriends parents and wanted to make the best impression. She found herself looking in the mirror, checking to make sure every hair was in place. Darien suddenly appeared behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. Serena didn't stiffen at all…she just stared back at his reflection with no expression on her face.
Darien didn't know why he did it. The urge to possess her over took his senses and he wrapped his arm around her without a second thought. He frowned at her reaction. "Serena you've got to get used to little gestures such as this if we are to be believable."
"But Darien I don't understand why we have to be so convincing when the only ones who see us are ourselves…its like we are trying to make ourselves believe we really are together. And while it is a sweet idea to think that way…Darien it just wouldn't work out. Maybe if we'd met under different circumstances—"
"Oh don't flatter yourself Serena" Darien cut in. Taking his arm away and stepping back. "I'll go and see if they are here yet." And he walked away. Serena suddenly felt chilled when he stepped away…he was so warm. She shook these thoughts away and mentally kicked herself for thinking them.
Dinner
Serena sat at her end of the table as Darien chatted with Mr. and Mrs. Williams. She felt that if she said something, their big secret would slip out.
"Why Renee—" Started Mrs. Williams
"Serena" Serena corrected.
"Oh my all this time I've been thinking your name was Renee. I feel so terrible." Said Mrs. Williams
"But Darien told us your name was Renee." Said Mr. Williams
"That's what Darien calls me. It started out with a big misunderstanding." Said Serena
"Oh I do enjoy a good love story. Do tell us how you too met." Said Mrs. Williams
Serena sat there, open-mouth, not sure of what to say. Darien just watched her with a smirk on his face. She wished she was close enough to kick him.
"Well for starters, my father is the prestigious owner of the dating service "Hearts and Soulmates." Serena had a brilliant idea of how to make Darien squirm. "And my father was always getting me to do something for him, appear on dating shows, go on blind dates with people. Well it just so happens that Darien here applied for a membership, he wanted to find love I suppose. And he was suppose to go on a date with this woman Renee, whom he'd never seen a picture of, and when the time came, she backed out. My father, not wanting to disappoint him, sent me to go instead. He kept calling me Renee the whole night, and it was not until the very end of the date that I admitted to who I was."
Darien could not believe she said he placed an ad in a dating agency….he could have any woman that he wanted. Except for her. Why did that bother him? "Well might I add that by the end of the date Serena was madly in love with me. I was a little hurt and angry that I was deceived and almost didn't call her for another date."
"But you are glad you did?" asked Mrs. Williams
Darien was looking straight into her eyes and one day he would admit, there was more meaning in his words then he realized. "Yes I am. I don't know where I would be today if I had never met Serena." And for the first time in their meetings, Serena gave him a genuine smile and her eyes were sparkling.
Serena gave Mrs. Williams one last hug before they walked out the door.
"Remember. Next time, dinner at our house." Said Mrs. Williams
"And don't forget to get us an invitation in the mail to your wedding." Said Mr. Williams
"Oh we wouldn't want to miss it for the world. I've never seen two people as much in love as you two are." Said Mrs. Williams as she got in the car.
Darien raised his hand to wave and with the other, pulled Serena close to him. He was rather surprised when she wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed into his side. Her breath tickled his skin beneath his shirt. They turned around and went back into the house, still holding on to each other. Serena felt so at home in his arms. She didn't want to pull away. When she realized this she immediately let go of him. Darien was taken off guard and looked at her surprisingly.
"well Darien. This has been a wonderful evening but I'm very tired and would like to go to bed."
Darien, on instinct grabbed her arm and whirled her back against him. But he did nothing else. He let go of her and walked past her into the kitchen. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on in his head. A good nights sleep would probably help him significantly. When he turned back to the staircase, Serena was already gone.
Safely inside her room alone in her own presence, she tried to catch her breath and calm down. If he had gone any further in the hallway, inched his mouth closer to hers, she admitted to herself, she could not have stopped herself. And Lord knows what she was capable of. She could not, in any way so ever, let Darien get to her. No. She had to get to him first. That means she had to control the advances, and they couldn't be on impulse like tonight. Those were to dangerous. On impulses, her heart took over instead of her mind and all thoughts left her head. She'd been hurt too badly in the past before. And the last person she needed to fall in love with was Darien Shields.
AN: It took someone's reminding to remind me that I have some duties to fulfill. And I am going to be quite honest that I've had half this chapter written for quite some time now and I just got the impulse to finish the rest of it tonight. I had too many people eager for more to just let it go. I'm sorry for the long wait but it's here finally J I hope I get an even greater response with the second chapter than with number one. Not that the response I got wasn't great for one…it was better than I've ever gotten for the first chapter. Well anywho, review me please. I honestly think that reviews inspire the author. *wink wink nudge nudge* hehe