Chapter 30

Vivian's mind went blank as her body tensed. Though she'd shared a bed with the man before, this was their first actual kiss.

Just as she'd imagined, his lips were cool, yet they set her entire being aflame.

Her clenched fists gradually relaxed as she surrendered to the moment, eyelids fluttering shut in his unexpected embrace.

"Cut! That's a wrap!" a male voice called from the shadows moments later.

The restaurant's lights flickered back on.

Reality came crashing down as Vivian shoved Ethan away with visible revulsion.

'What just happened?'

'Was I really so lost in the moment that I kissed my soon-to-be ex-husband?'

She scrubbed at her lips with the back of her hand, which only darkened Ethan's expression.

"Enjoyed it that much, did you?" he taunted.

Vivian's hands balled into fists again. "What the hell was that, Blackwood? Explain yourself."

Ethan slid his hands into his pockets with that infuriating smirk. "Just taking notes from the master."

His gaze dropped to her swollen pink lips - petals after rain - stirring something primal within him.

A round-faced cameraman approached, beaming. "Mr. Blackwood, that was pure magic! More passionate than any romance film!"

"The viewers who called you heartless are now shipping you two like crazy!"

"Best damage control ever! Though you might've oversold it - some viewers think it looked too real. We ran over schedule because you wouldn't stop."

Ethan shrugged. "Just doing my job."

The pieces clicked for Vivian. She'd been used as a prop in Ethan's PR stunt.

'So this is how he fixes his reputation?'

'Pathetic. And I fell for it.'

She found Ethan's actions despicable, but her own reaction unforgivable.

'My heart actually raced. How embarrassingly naive.'

"Mr. Blackwood, this livestream solved our crisis overnight-"

"Way more effective than deleting comments, and cheaper too," the cameraman added, mopping his brow. As Blackwood Group's PR lead, he could finally sleep soundly.

"So I've done Blackwood Group a huge favor?" Vivian asked sweetly.

"Absolutely! You were flawless! The chemistry was electric!"

"Mrs. Blackwood, your shy reactions were perfect! I was shaking from excitement!"

Vivian's smile turned glacial as she faced Ethan. "Then where's my compensation, Mr. Blackwood?"

"What do you want?" he snapped, never able to predict her.

"This," she purred, stepping closer. Before he could react, her palm connected sharply with his cheek.

The restaurant froze.

'Did Mrs. Blackwood just slap the feared Blackwood heir?'

The crimson handprint left no doubt. Everyone braced for his legendary temper to erupt.

Instead, Ethan calmly licked blood from his lip. "Care to explain?"

Vivian shrugged. "Consider it my consulting fee. I considered asking for millions, but this was far more satisfying."

'Using me like some cheap actress and toying with my emotions? He's lucky I stopped at one slap.'

She turned to leave, but Ethan seized her wrist. "You think you can just walk away after that?"