by Virna DePaul
All her fears came back at once. Was she pretty enough? Was she good enough? Could she even hope to hold onto a man like Gio?
But as she studied his face, those gorgeous eyes staring at her with such love and longing and hope, she finally saw what had been there all along.
Gio thought she was everything he needed. Everything he wanted and more.
And that was enough for her.
“All, Gio. Every last bit of it,” she said, leaning into him. She rained kisses on his face as he cradled her in his arms.
It took some time for her tears to dry and to even process how quickly her life had gone from an empty, gaping maw of sadness and hurt to a life she’d only dreamt about. When Gio finally pulled away to meet her gaze, her heart was so full, it felt like it might burst.
“Now I have a confession, though,” he said gently.
“Okay. That’s okay. I’m here for you, whatever it is,” she said nodding, ready to be as open and forgiving as he’d been.
“You know how when you came to me for Michael’s Way you told me how a donor would match your fundraising efforts?”
She frowned, confused by the abrupt change in topic. “Yes, of course. They’re going to match the—”
Gio’s sheepish smile had her stopping short on a gasp.
“It was you all along?” She’d thought she was all cried out, but the waterworks started again instantly as his gesture and everything surrounding it hit her all at once.
“I kept an eye on what you were up to after high school and when Michael passed away I was so happy you started the foundation for him. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor him and wanted to be a part of it without intruding on your life.”
“I already knew you were a great man,” she said, rolling up on her toes to kiss him. “But this is more than I could ever imagine. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me another chance.”
“Thank you for giving me another chance, as well.”
Rose frowned. “For what?”
“For this.” Gio reached into his pocket even as he lowered himself to one knee. He opened a small box and held it out to Rose. Inside was a sparkling antique ring, a large center cushion cut diamond surrounded by smaller stones.
“Nana Ginger gave it to me after the wedding, Rose. It’s the ring my grandfather used to propose to her. But if you’d like something else—”
“I don’t want anything else,” she said quickly. “It’s gorgeous. It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” She sobbed even as she smiled.
“I love you, Rose. Will you marry me?”
“Yes! I’d be honored to marry you, Gio.”
He slipped the ring on her finger then stood and pulled her back into his arms.
When his mouth captured hers, she let it all go. The guilt. The pain. The regret. She focused only on the here and now, and the future they’d build together.
And here, now, and forever more? Gio Esposito was hers, and she was never letting go.
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**Thank you for reading Bedding the Fake Boyfriend!!! If you enjoyed spending time with these characters, please check out Bedding the Friend with Benefits, Marina and Dylan’s story (first introduced in Bedding the Boss).
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Love sexy romantic comedies? Be sure to check out my KISS TALENT AGENCY SERIES. Starting with Lip Service:
Dani
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I just wanted to tell Hunter Kiss where he could shove the fancy phone he gave my little brother as an obvious bribe. I’m sorry/not sorry I hit him in the nose with it, but sports agents who come sniffing around with dollar signs in their eyes have to get through me.
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But now I’m pinned between the wall and Hunter’s naked body, and I’m the one sniffing his unbelievably hot, freshly showered skin…and trying to remember I’m a strong woman who stands on her own two feet, not one of his peanut-butter-legged conquests.
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Hunter
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I make college football players into stars without having to bribe them, and I’m pissed Dani Cross thinks otherwise. But anger isn’t all she makes me feel. The pink-haired, pierced tattoo artist is so hot she makes me want to forget my own rule: one night per woman, no exceptions.
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Only she doesn’t trust me as far as she can throw me. (And trust me, that woman has an arm.) She’s been hurt, and it’ll take more than smooth talking to make her forget the pain. But for the first time in my life, I’m ready to lay it all on the table—even if closing the deal means offering my heart.
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KISS TALENT AGENCY SERIES
Books by Virna
BARGAIN BOXED SETS
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His Royal Hotness (A Royally Hot Romance)
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SEAL of a Lifetime
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Nailing Studs
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Sext Addict
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THE BEDDING THE BACHELORS SERIES
Book 1: Bedding The Wrong Brother (Rhys)
Book 2: Bedding The Bad Boy (Max)
Book 2.5: Wedding The Bad Boy (Max)
Book 3: Bedding The Billionaire (Jamie)
Book 4: Bedding The Best Friend (Ryan)
Book 5: Bedding The Biker Next Door (Cole)
Book 6: Bedding The Bodyguard (Luke)
Book 7: Bedding The Best Man (Gabe)
Book 8: Bedding The Boss (Eric)
Book 9: Bedding The Baby Daddy (Dante)
Book 10: Bedding the Fake Boyfriend (Gio)
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HARD AS NAILS
Book 1: Hard Time (Street)
Book 2: Hard Case (Slate)
Book 3: Hard Core (Axel)
Book 4: Hard Place (Jericho)
Book 5: Hard Act (Davis)
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BAD BOY DOCTORS
Book 1: Bad Boy, MD (Ryan)
Book 2: Dr. Hottie (Noah)
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KISS TALENT AGENCY
Book 1: Lip Action (Simon)
Book 2: Locking Lips (Caleb)
Book 3: Lip Service (Hunter)
Book 4: Pucker Up (Lee)
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HOME TO GREEN VALLEY SERIES
Book 1: What Love Can Do (Quinn)
Book 2: The Way Love Goes (Conor)
Book 3: I’m Gonna Love You (Brady)
Book 4: Best Of My Love (Riley)
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GOING DEEP SERIES
Book 1: Down Deep (Heath)
Book 2: Royally Deep (Kyle)
Book 3: Deep Inside (Alec)
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ROCK CANDY SERIES
Book 1: Rock Sexy
Book 2: Rock Strong
Book 3: Rock Dirty
Book 4: Rock Sweet
Book 5: Rock Wild
Book 6: Rock Free
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PARA-OPS PARANORMAL ROMANTIC SUSPENSE SERIES
Book 1: Knox: Chosen by Blood
Book 2: Wraith: Chosen by Fate
Book 3: Dex: Chosen by Sin
About the Author
Virna DePaul is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of steamy, suspenseful fiction. Whether it’s vampires, a Para-Ops team, hot cops or swoon-worthy identical twin brothers, her stories center around complex individuals willing to overcome incredible odds for love. Bedding The Wrong Brother, which begins the Bedding The Bachelors Series, is a #1 Bestselling Contemporary Romance and a USA Today Bestseller.
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Virna loves to hear from readers at www.virnadepaul.com.
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CONTACT VIRNA HERE
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Website: www.virnadepaul.com
Twitter: @virnadepaul
Email: [email protected]
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/booksthatrock
Copyright
Bedding the Fake Boyfriend
Copyright © 2019 by Virna DePaul
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All
rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
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License Notes
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.