“Then maybe you should get a restraining order and we can knock all this crap off.”
“Put your hand a little lower,” the photographer directs, interrupting our conversation. Wilder’s left-hand floats down my back coming to rest on my ass. Heat shoots up my spine. The musky scent of his cologne washes over me. Dear Lord, why does he smell so dang good? “Perfect.” The camera clicks. “Maisy, stroke his jaw. Slower.” My fingers tremble as I glide them along his stubble.
“Am I making you nervous?”
I suck in a breath. “What? No. Why?” I yank my hand away before I do something stupid like grab his nice ass. It really looks good in those slacks he’s got on. Ugh. Why does my fake boyfriend slash boss have to be so attractive it physically hurts?
“Your pulse. I can practically hear your heart thumping out of your chest.”
“I’m ready to get this over with. This whole thing is dumb and not cool at all. I don’t remember this being in our terms.”
“Hmm,” he muses, staring at me with such intensity in his green eyes I’m finding it hard to breathe or focus on what I was saying.
“Perfect. Hold that expression.” Click. Click. The photographer shifts positions. “Now lean in. Closer. You can’t live without her. You want to kiss her.”
Wilder parts his lips, his fresh minty breath fans over mine. Brushing a thumb along my lip, he holds my gaze. I swallow hard. A gust of wind swirls leaves all around us. Shades of red, yellow, orange, and brown. If his actions weren’t all for show the scene would be epically romantic.
“What are you waiting for?” The woman snaps more shots.
“Don’t you dare,” I hiss in warning.
“It’s not a big deal. Just my lips on yours. I promise I won’t stick my tongue in your mouth if that’s what you worried about,” he murmurs, coming closer. So close in fact that his lips graze mine and I whimper, praying he didn’t hear the sound but of course he did his face is attached to mine in a lip lock.
I mean he has a point but I’m not going to tell him that. It’s not like we haven’t kissed before or slept together, but we both swore to never mention it again.
Palms sweating, knees quaking, I wait for him to close the deal while praying I don’t throw up. Light and soft as a feather he presses his mouth to mine. I freeze. My pulse races, but I stay in place hating my body’s reaction. This is Finnick Wilder. My jerk boss. Our relationship is supposed to be fake, so why is my blood humming in anticipation for more?
“Come on, guys. Show me the passion. I want to see electricity. The sparks. Kiss her like you mean it.”
“This is stupid.” I go to pull away when Wilder shifts his hand from my ass to my midback and dips me out of nowhere. A grin spreads across his handsome features. In slow motion his mouth descends to mine, claiming my lips. Stars burst behind my eyelids. My body is a traitor. Warmth flows through my veins settling low in my belly. I can feel the curve of his smile as he tugs my bottom lip between his teeth.
“You promised,” I remind him.
His tongue slides between my lips, taking full control. My fake fiancé kisses me hard and deep, like he did the night we slept together.
Stunned, I pull back.
“So maybe I lied.” He flashes me his signature smirk then turns to the photographer. “We good?”
“Yes. I think I have everything.” She snaps one more shot. “I’ll send the edits over soon.” Her cheeks bloom pink, and I don’t think it’s due to the chill in the air. He has that effect on every woman he comes in contact with it seems.
“Put a rush on it. I’ll pay the extra fees.”
“I’ll add it to your tab, or we could do dinner.” I don’t miss the hope in her sickly-sweet tone.
Ugh, rude. We’re supposed to be getting married. I mean, not really but she doesn’t know that, or does she? Did he tell her? She must be another of his special friends like Amanda. In the weeks I’ve been playing his fiancée he’s made it clear he doesn’t do relationships. He has what he calls casual acquaintances. Women he can call any night of the week to tickle his pickle. Though I confess other than Amanda and his ex-wife he hasn’t dated anyone else that I’m aware of unless this photographer bitch is his latest conquest. Maybe they slept together when he went to Bud’s with his brother. He did pick me up there. What is wrong with me? It’s none of my business who he sleeps with and yet I don’t want people to think he’s cheating on me.
“I already have plans. Bill me whatever you consider fair.” He grabs my hand. “Shall we, ladybug?” The nickname he coined me with makes my belly do this stupid dip.
“Umm.” I stumble forward catching my heel on a rock.
“So damn clumsy. Try not to sprain something. I promised my mother we’d do Thanksgiving dinner.”
Oh no. Louise. If we miss another one of her dinners, she may kill us both. I don’t know if I can get out of it this time.
15
—Finnick—
It’s barely six in the morning when my doorbell starts chiming. Ding dong. Ding dong. Jesus. Someone better be dead. I roll out of bed and scrub a palm down my face. I’m surprised Auden didn’t wake up. I shuffle down the hallway to the front door. Maisy is standing on my porch with wet hair, her body wrapped in nothing but a towel. She must be out of her mind. It’s freezing. I throw the door open, and she charges in, teeth chattering. I close it back behind her, wanting away from the bite of the chilly air filtering in from outside.
“My hot water isn’t working, and I have shampoo caked in my hair. I’m supposed to be at your mother’s house in a few hours to help her with Thanksgiving.” Her gaze drops to my bare chest then drifts to my charcoal boxer briefs.
“You forget your clothes and shoes?” I suck in a breath, observing how little that towel she’s clinging to covers.
“No.” she scowls. “I just need you to do whatever it is you do to get the hot water working again.”
“I will but first you need to go wash that shit out of your hair, and I’ll make us some coffee. My shower’s down the hall. Master bath is in my bedroom. You can borrow my robe and my slippers.”
“Fine.”
“And Maisy?”
“What?” she jerks, turning back to face me, nearly losing her towel giving me a peek at her nipples. Fuck me. Fuck her. I want to throw her over my shoulder, carry her to my bed, and fuck her brains out, but I stop myself.
I cough. “You prefer bacon or sausage with your pancakes?”
“Bacon. I like it crispy but kind of chewy.” She stomps down the hall.
A man could get used to seeing a woman walking around his house like that. What I really want is to go crawl back in bed and get another hour of sleep or jerk off because I’m getting hard at the thought of her naked, soapy body in my shower all slick and wet. With a sigh I trudge on to the kitchen and flick the start button on the coffee maker. Letting out a yawn, I continue with my morning routine, grabbing two mugs instead of one and placing them side by side on the counter. I should get dressed and head over to the garage to see if the breaker slipped but first caffeine. I need to put on a shirt and pants wouldn’t hurt either. While waiting on the coffee I go to my room to slip in and grab some clothes. I wouldn’t want Auden getting the wrong idea if she wakes up while Maisy is still here and finds us both barely clothed.
She likes Maisy but is still getting used to the idea of us being engaged.
I’ll just get in and out. Maisy won’t even know I’m here. The minute I open the door I realize my mistake. The bathroom door is wide open, and I have a full view of Maisy’s naked backside in my shower. I know it’s wrong to stare, but I can’t look away. My cock twitches as I watch her run her hands along her sides and through her hair. I’m entranced at the sight. Completely taken in by her beauty.
“Oh, my God. Perv!” She shrieks moving her hands over her breasts and pussy, failing miserably to cover either.
“Nothing I haven’t already seen.” I smirk and grab my flannel pajama pants off
the end of the bed. I turn my back to her to slide them on and leave her to it. Perhaps I should be sorry I gawked at her but I’m not. The only thing I’m apologizing for is not acting on the desire to fuck her again.
I start banging around in the kitchen taking my sexual frustration out on the pans and the pancake batter.
“You beat that batter any harder and it’s going to file charges.” Maisy stands on the opposite side of the counter wearing my robe, hair wrapped up on her head in one of my towels.
“Someone woke me up too damn early and put me in a bad mood. What can I say? I’m cranky before I’ve had my coffee.”
“Noted. Is there anything I can do?” the corners of her mouth lift into a wicked smirk. She’s an infuriating sexy little devil. Maisy knows exactly what she’s doing. Taunting me to do something about my reaction to that scene moments ago—her in my shower all tempting and gorgeous.
I want to tell her what she can do is get on them knees and blow me but I don’t think she’d take to well to me speaking to her like that so instead, I say, “Pour us some coffee.”
Maisy comes around the bar and squeezes past me smelling of my soap. This scenario I’ve found myself in is one of pure torture. Somehow, I manage to make it through preparing breakfast without bending her over the counter and fucking her till we’re both on the verge of death.
Like clockwork, Auden comes bouncing into the kitchen the second the food is ready. She stops abruptly seeing Maisy seated at the table. Her eyes go big as she glances back and forth between us. “Did you guys have a sleepover? That’s not fair. I never get to have sleepovers.”
Maisy chokes mid-drink. “No.” Cough. “My shower is messed up and your dad let me borrow his.”
“And his robe?”
“Hush and eat, rotten tail,” I bark and pour her orange juice. The three of us eat breakfast quietly without the need to fill the silence with small talk. It’s natural and easy, her being here. As though we do this often and I find myself wondering if maybe we should start.
Auden excuses herself to get dressed leaving me with Maisy. “Once I drop Auden with Kenya, I’ll check out your hot water situation.”
“Thank you. I’ll um…give this back later.” She tugs at the robe.
“May want to call my mother and let her know you’ll be late though.”
“Oh and why is that?”
I step into her space, debating whether or not I should make a move and kiss her for the hell of it. Not because anyone is watching but because I want to. I want to tell her she’s spending her morning in bed with me instead of helping cook.
“Hey, Dad.” Auden stomps back down the stairs. “Have you seen my purple shirt with the white cat on it?”
“Yeah. Laundry room,” I answer, stepping away from Maisy trying to gauge if that’s disappointment on her face or relief I see.
“I’m going to get ready. See ya at dinner.” Maisy gives me a quick wave and rushes out of the house as though it’s on fire.
Auden returns from the laundry room now changed into her purple shirt. “When are you and Maisy getting married?”
“Huh?”
“Yeah. You guys haven’t said when you’re getting married. I heard Gramma telling Uncle Bran that she’s throwing you guys a surprise engagement party soon.”
Shit. I need to do some damage control, but once my mom sets her mind to something there is no stopping her, and I don’t know if I really want to.
16
—Maisy—
“Are you sure there’s nothing else you want me to do?”
“Heavens no. Honestly I only wanted the company and well if you’re going to be in my family, you’ll need to know how my guys like their food.” She smiles. “Have you and my son set a date yet?”
“For?”
“The wedding. You’ve not mentioned anything. And well we need to get a start on planning. Now, if you ask me, a winter wedding would be gorgeous. Silver and blue perhaps for the colors. Brina makes lovely cakes, and I’ll make an appointment with Ginger to look at dresses. She makes the most beautiful gowns.”
I’m going to kill Wilder.
He strolls through the back door and shoots me a wink. I glare at him but he ignores my annoyance to pull me into his arms for a quick kiss.
“Just look at that,” I hear Louise. “Aren’t they the most beautiful couple, Harold? I saw some edits from the engagement shoot. This town isn’t ready. It’ll be the wedding of the century.”
Wilder chuckles against my lips but I’m not laughing. This isn’t funny. He knows how serious his mother takes her parties.
“Where’s my granddaughter?”
“With Kenya at her in-laws.”
“I don’t know why she wouldn’t accept my invitation to eat with us. Auden belongs here with her family.”
“You don’t even like Kenya,” Wilder grumbles.
“That’s not the point.” She shakes her head. “Never you mind. Tell your brother that dinner will be ready soon. He stayed out all night. Didn’t drag in till early this morning. I think he has a new lady friend.” She smiles big then lets out her silly laugh. “Ha. Ha. Ha.”
The doorbell chimes. “Be a dear and answer that will you, Maisy?”
“Sure.” I’m glad to get away. I adore Louise but this wedding talk is making me feel like the worst person on the planet.
“Hey.” Wilder grabs my hand and tugs me backwards once we are out of the kitchen.
“What?” I snap a bit too harshly.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine but she was talking about dress shopping. She’s so sweet. I never had that with my mom and when she finds out this is all a lie…”
“I promise you no one will know. It’ll work out.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Trust me.” He brings me in close, resting his forehead on mine. His breath washes over my lips. Part of me wants to bridge the gap between us and kiss him. The other part of me knows I need to hold back before his mother isn’t the only one getting hurt by our deceit.
His dad walks past us.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll get the door.”
“You better go wake your brother.”
The front door opens and Louise’s sister, Linda Lou and Bodie walk in.
Wilder goes tense then plants his lips on mine.
“Ignore the lovebirds. They can’t keep their hands to themselves,” Harold announces, and I blush.
“How long do we intend to keep this up?” I arch a brow at Wilder. He has me pressed against the side of his SUV because Amanda just walked out of the diner. I don’t think she even cares anymore. I’ve noticed her talking to his cousin Bodie a lot lately. Since our engagement announcement ran in last Sunday’s paper.
He shrugs. “Why? Have you met someone?”
“No. Please. There is no one in Shamrock that I’m interested in.”
“Give it time. You’ve only been here what a month or so?”
I sigh. “That’s not the point. Don’t you want to I don’t know date someone who actually wants to be your girlfriend?”
“You say that like it’s such a hardship for you.”
“That photographer was into you.”
“I’m not interested in her.” The way he looks at me I wonder if that means he’s interested in me for real and not only pretend.
I’ve done great resisting Wilder and his stupid good looks, but since walked in on me in the shower, I find myself thinking about it and having to finish myself off. I want…no I need sex. Sure he’d be up for it but things have already gotten muddled enough between us. “I mean we survived faking it through Thanksgiving and our lovely engagement party, but Christmas is coming, and your mom has been quite vocal about us spending the holiday with them.” Enough is enough already.
“You don’t like my family?”
“Your family is great, better than great, but I think your mom has these ideas about where our relationship is heading. She was asking me abou
t monogrammed towels.”
Wilder chuckles and nuzzles against my neck.
“It’s not funny, asshole. She probably thinks I’m pregnant or something. I don’t know how much longer I can put her off dress shopping and cake tasting.”
“No one thinks you’re pregnant.”
“You didn’t see that little twinkle in her eyes. I think she’s buying us the towels for Christmas.”
“Fine. I’ll tell her no towels.”
“I’m glad you find it so amusing.”
“If you don’t want nice towels with my initials on them then who am I to stand in your way.” He taps the tip of my nose then kisses me. Lately we’ve both grown a little too accustomed to trading kisses whenever we see his mother or Amanda around town. I’d never tell Wilder this but it’s easy to lose myself in the land of make believe with him.
Then there’s his family…and his daughter. I’m growing attached and the longer we keep this charade going the harder it’s going to be to let them go. I’m afraid I’m falling in love with the idea of this relationship. I know he doesn’t see me that way. He’s made it clear that he only sees me as his friend who he happens to not mind kissing in public. Why else didn’t he make a move when I was naked in his shower?
“What are you doing tonight?”
“I have a bottle of wine and there’s some new Christmas movies on Netflix I added to my list. Why?” I don’t tell him I plan on having a date with BOB while thinking about him that’s for sure. He’s probably doing what he does every Friday night and going to Bud’s for wings and beer with Branson and Bodie.
“Kenya has Auden tonight, so I thought I’d head to Santa Claus to get our Christmas tree. You want to go?”
“Get out of Shamrock for the evening? Uh yeah. You can help me find something for your mother. I have no idea what to get her.”
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