After Betrayal - I Married a Handsome Tycoon-Chapter 6: Pretend Boyfriend

A lot can change in four months.

For instance, four months ago, they were the picture-perfect couple of their social circle. In the blink of an eye, he and someone else were the new "match made in heaven."

A single road, like an impassable galaxy, separated them, leaving them to gaze at each other from afar, rooted to the spot.

Before Shane Jennings could walk toward her, Moira Sloan pivoted on her heel and changed direction, ducking into the tattoo shop next door.

When she first rented her shop here, she had no idea Connor Quinn’s was right next door.

She’d only just found out today, and the location had already proven useful twice.

Moira pushed the door open and stepped inside. Several men sitting around all turned to look at her, including Blondie—the one who had just shouted for Connor to answer the phone.

"Looking for Connor?"

Moira smiled back. "Yeah."

"He’s on the second floor," Blondie said.

"Can I just go straight up? Is that okay?" Moira asked.

A wide grin spread across Blondie’s face, splitting from ear to ear. "Of course."

Hearing him say that, Moira didn’t think twice.

The moment she left, the first floor erupted.

"Who was that woman? Connor’s girlfriend?"

"She doesn’t look like a local."

"Her skin is so damn pale. And that tiny waist... she looks like a wild ride."

When men start gossiping, even women have to take a backseat.

Seeing the conversation get more and more out of hand, Blondie went over and smacked each of them on the head. "You guys got a death wish?"

The second-floor layout was simple. At the top of the stairs, there were three partitioned rooms to the left.

The first two doors were open, revealing people getting tattooed inside.

The third was Connor Quinn’s studio. A small wooden sign hung on it, bearing the words: Do Not Disturb.

’Do Not Disturb?’

Moira raised her hand and knocked.

’Too bad. She was about to disturb him.’

"Come in."

Moira hadn’t expected to walk in on a scene like this.

The man was shirtless, in the middle of changing. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, firm and defined muscles... he was pure, raw masculinity.

Connor Quinn hadn’t expected the person at the door to be Moira Sloan.

When he saw the unabashed way she was sizing up his body, his expression flickered. His thick brows knitted together, and his voice carried a distinct chill.

"Do you need something?"

Moira’s red lips curled. "Nice body," she offered as an objective assessment.

Connor Quinn was silent.

Noticing the change in Connor’s expression, Moira scoffed inwardly. ’He’s probably wild enough to have no limits in private. Why pretend to be so proper now?’

Of course, while Moira thought this, she didn’t say it aloud. Instead, adopting the proper attitude of someone asking for a favor, she stated her business honestly. "I need you to do me a favor."

"What kind of favor?" Connor asked, his voice low.

"Pretend to be my boyfriend," Moira said.

The air was suddenly, terribly quiet.

Moira’s blunt confession earned her a look from Connor, who scrutinized her as if she were a criminal suspect.

After a moment, Connor turned his back to her and said, "I won’t."

Moira was stunned.

She hadn’t expected him to refuse at all.

Staring at his back, Moira considered for only a few seconds before taking a breath and saying, "Then be my boyfriend for real."

’We can just break up tomorrow anyway,’ she thought.

The words had barely left her mouth when Connor replied, without turning his head, "I don’t like being used."

"It’s not using you," Moira said, lying through her teeth. "It’s for real."

Connor turned around. Tall, he leaned back to sit on the edge of the drafting table behind him, looking down at her.

Their eyes met. Moira put on a charming smile, though inwardly she was wavering.

The next second, Connor pulled a pack from his pocket, stuck a cigarette between his lips, and lit it with a sharp CLICK. He took a drag, his gaze piercing. His voice was cold as he asked, "That guy in the suit across the street—is he your ex-boyfriend?"

Moira bit her lip.

’Damn, his eyes are sharp.’