[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  Doctor Lemon peered at him over her glasses. “Now you’re parroting Megan’s words. Is it because you are afraid to admit you feel more for her than she does for you?”

  “No. I mean...” He ran his hand through his hair. Was she right? He thought back to the times when he pulled her close, and caressed her soft lips with his. Was she only kissing him because of the camera? Did it mean more to him? “I do like Megan. A lot.”

  She pursed her lips. “If she were ill, would you stay by her side and nurse her back to health?”

  Adam stared at the woman. Did she know? Was this a trick? He slowly nodded. “Of course.”

  “Would you be willing to put yourself at risk to save her, if she were in danger?”

  He chewed his bottom lip. Of course he would. He couldn’t bear to see any harm come to her. “I would.”

  “How far would you go? Would you risk death to save her?”

  He imagined a situation where Megan was held at gunpoint, a man in a ski mask holding her throat. His gut clenched. What would he do? The answer came as his emotions surged. He’d run to her and pound that son-of-a-gun into the pavement. “Yes.”

  “Would you die to save her?” Doctor Lemon’s voice was barely above a whisper.

  His heart jumped into his throat and his pulse raced. He knew the answer. “Yes.”

  Doctor Lemon drew closer. “You love her.”

  The realization smacked him in the face, and he blinked. She was right. It had to be. Why else would he be willing to risk death for her? He slowly nodded.

  Doctor Lemon turned a smug smile to the cameras. “I think we’re ready to begin our first exercise.”

  MEGAN SAT ON A FLIMSY folding chair, back to back with Adam. Doctor Lemon—the faker—stood against a wall of books, directing some young crewmen to tie their arms together with rope. Two cameras fastened near the ceiling filmed them.

  “Ouch, that’s too tight.” Megan squirmed.

  The crewman winced. “Sorry. Is this better?” He loosened it a little bit, but not much.

  “They need to be tight.” Doctor Lemon folded her arms. “The point of this is to work together to get yourselves out of this situation.”

  After everyone left and the door was closed, Megan looked around. There was a small mahogany desk with a leather office chair, one lamp, and a wall filled with books. A large, expensive-looking rug took up most of the floor. “That’s it? We’re somehow supposed to work together to get untied? How are we to do that?”

  One of Adam’s low, sexy chuckles came. “I’m not sure.”

  “I can’t hardly even wiggle my arms. Why’d they tie them so tight?”

  “Probably so we don’t cheat.”

  Megan blew out a breath. “Okay. Fine. But now what do we do?”

  “Maybe there’s a knife or a letter opener in that desk.”

  “Good thought. Do you think we can stand?”

  Adam entwined her fingers with his. “If we push against each other.”

  “Okay.” She tried to ignore the tingles his touch sent up her arms. “On the count of three.” She counted, and they both pushed up. They managed to stand, but they were uncomfortably straddling their seats. “Let’s go left. Ready?”

  She took a step, only to realize Adam hadn’t moved and it jerked him off balance. They teetered for a second, then toppled to the floor, Megan landing on top of him. A grunt came from underneath her.

  “Oops! Sorry,” she said, trying to peer over her shoulder at him. “You okay?”

  “Fine,” he choked.

  She squirmed for a minute, trying to roll them over, but only succeeding in wiggling her backside up against his. Heat seared her face. “Um, I can’t seem to get off you.”

  “No worries. I’m rather enjoying myself.”

  “Adam!” she squeaked. “You pig. Move!”

  He sighed and rolled them into a sitting position. “You’re no fun.”

  She held back a giggle. “We’ll stand, then walk to the desk. Ready?” She waited this time, until he gave his assent. They pressed against each other, successfully standing. Moving toward the desk took a little more cooperation, but they were able to do so without falling.

  They maneuvered around to the drawers and slid open the top one. “Empty.” He didn’t sound too disappointed, and Megan hid a smile. She had to admit this wasn’t so bad after all.

  They checked each drawer with the same results. “Now what?” She tried to blow a piece of hair out of her face.

  “What’s that on the shelf, over there?” He pointed to the far wall, where something silver glinted in the light.

  They navigated to the other side of the room, where they found a pair of scissors on the shelf near where Doctor Lemon had been standing. “Ha! We did it.” Megan grabbed them and slid her fingers through the handles.

  “Now you can cut the ropes.”

  She angled several different directions, but couldn’t get the scissors in the right position. “I can’t. My hand doesn’t bend that way.”

  Adam laughed. “Great. We did all that for nothing.”

  “And my arms are starting to go numb.”

  “Wait, I have an idea. You hold one handle, and I’ll take the other. We’ll point the scissors up, and see if we can cut through together.”

  His plan worked, and soon they had one arm free. Adam took the scissors and cut through the other rope, his fingers warm on her skin.

  Megan smiled. “We did it!” She hugged him.

  Doctor Lemon opened the door and shuffled into the room. “Well done. You passed your first exercise.”

  Adam cleared his throat. “What’s the next one?”

  Doctor Lemon smiled. “You get to meet your competition.”

  Chapter 15

  Megan smoothed her black dress and nervously shuffled her feet as she walked down the dim hallway. When she entered the foyer, Doctor Lemon rushed over to her. “There you are. We’re about to start. Come along, the men are waiting.”

  Her mouth went dry at the mention of ‘the men.’ When she signed up to do the show, she hadn’t known she’d have to date other guys. And she wasn’t sure what the deal was anyway. She’d signed a contract to marry Adam at the end. Why throw other men into the mix? It all seemed rather stupid to her.

  But the producer was adamant. She was to flirt with these men and pretend she liked all of them. The audience couldn’t know she was going to pick Adam at the end.

  The sun had already set, leaving the backyard dark. The sliding glass door led to a large deck lit up with candles and tons of camera lighting. When she stepped out, all the air left her lungs. Three men who could easily be models stood leaning against the railing. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. They were dressed in expensive suits and ties.

  The first one had jet black hair and stunning blue eyes. He smiled at her and raised his glass of champagne. The second wore a cowboy hat, his broad shoulders and muscular physique displaying the hours he must work outdoors. The third held a rose and had longer hair, mussed up in a perfectly sexy kind of way. And then she noticed Adam. He was standing apart from the others, his eyes almost caressing her with his gaze. He smiled, his dimples causing her stomach to erupt in butterflies.

  Doctor Lemon stepped forward and addressed the cameras. “This morning, Adam confessed his love for Megan.”

  The words sent a jolt of electricity through Megan. He did? She hadn’t been allowed to watch Adam’s interview. What had he said?

  “Let’s watch.” Doctor Lemon motioned to a television mounted on the side of the mansion. Megan turned around and stared as Adam’s face filled the screen. It was obvious the poor guy was nervous, and as the doctor pried him for personal information, he struggled to answer.

  As the tape played, and Adam admitted he would risk his own life to save her, emotion swelled within her. She wanted to believe him. He looked like he was speaking from his heart. But he was also getting paid a hundred thousand dollars. She couldn’t allow herself to b
e fooled. She steeled herself against the warmth surging through her.

  Adam didn’t love her. It was all an act.

  After the clip with Adam, Doctor Lemon spoke. “As you can see, Adam feels deeply for Megan. Let’s see if these feelings are returned.”

  A new tape played. This one was of Megan talking about how they were just friends. And then it skipped to her shouting that she’d never marry Adam, even if she were dying and he were the only cure.

  Heat crept up her cheeks. That wasn’t meant to be filmed. A couple of the guys chuckled, and Adam looked down at his feet.

  She wanted to interrupt...to stop the obvious humiliation to Adam, but she couldn’t. There was nothing she could say that would make it better. So she let it play out.

  Doctor Lemon turned the television off and approached Megan. “Over the next few weeks, we will be doing some exercises to see if Megan is compatible with Adam.” She looked around the deck. “Or if she might be better suited with another man.” The cowboy tipped his hat to her, champagne dude lifted his glass, and the man with the mussed hair winked.

  Megan gazed up into the night sky, hoping a stray boulder would fall on her. Or maybe the tail off an airplane.

  With her hand on her hip, Doctor Lemon motioned for Megan to follow her off the deck. A stone bench sat between two large trees in the beautifully landscaped yard. “Here. Sit. It’s time to meet the bachelors.”

  The first to be ushered over was champagne dude. “Heeeey,” he said, stretching it out into two syllables. He ran his fingers through his perfectly styled hair. “I’m Anthony.”

  She felt like she should shake his hand or something, but he didn’t offer it, so she just smiled and stuck her hands in her lap. “Hey.”

  He glanced around to find the camera. “So, I guess I’m, like, supposed to tell you about myself.” He grinned, and his clear blue eyes made her stomach a little fluttery. “I’m a singer. Trying to make it, ya know. Be discovered. I tried out for The Voice, but that didn’t work out, so I thought I’d get my foot in the door with something like this.” He flashed her a smile, then she realized he was looking just over her left shoulder...at the camera.

  She rolled her eyes and pushed down the urge to say, “I’m over here, moron.” Instead, she said, “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

  “Play my guitar. Heeeey, maybe I can serenade you or something, huh? Show off my talent. Maybe woo you a little.” He grinned like it was a brilliant idea.

  Megan forced a polite smile. “Uh, huh.”

  The guy with the rose walked up. “Excuse me,” he said in a thick French accent. “I think it is time to switch, no?”

  Anthony frowned. “Already?”

  “Oui.”

  With a groan, Anthony stood. “Okay, then. Have at her.” He sauntered away.

  The man sat on the bench and handed her the rose. “For you.” His gaze traveled over her, and she suddenly felt shy.

  “Thank you.”

  He took her hand and placed his other on top, enveloping it in warmth. “I’m Luc. And you are more beautiful than I imagined.”

  She cringed, wondering what he’d imagined. An image of an ogre with one eye popped into her head and she stifled a giggle. “Thanks.”

  “I am honored to meet you. Tell me about yourself.”

  She thought the men were supposed to do the talking, but she went with it. “I’m Megan. I co-host a morning show with Adam. I enjoy biking and running.” She tried to come up with something else, but couldn’t.

  “Ah, you are athletic. I, too, do some running.” He grinned and squeezed her hand. “Maybe we can go together sometime, no?”

  His touch was sending little sparks through her, and she had trouble thinking. “Sure.”

  “And now a little about me. I was born in France, but came to America as a young man. I own a clothing store in upstate New York.”

  “Well, that’s interesting.” What else could she say about a clothing store? She searched her brain, but nothing came up, so she plastered on a weak smile.

  “My days are full, but my nights are lonely.” He picked up her hand again and kissed it, and the sweet moment turned uncomfortable.

  “Well, Luc, that’s very forward of you. We just met.” She wiggled her hand from his grasp. “Probably not a good time to start talking about your lonely nights.”

  “Forgive me, madam.” He was about to speak when someone cleared their throat behind him. The cowboy shoved his hands in his suit pockets.

  Luc smiled. “It is time for us to part.” He took her hand, kissed it once more, and then stood. “I shall see you later.”

  The cowboy watched as Luc walked off into the yard. “Well, isn’t he smoother than a boar’s behind?” He sat on the bench and stuck out his hand. “The name’s Kyle.”

  Megan held back a laugh. “Nice to meet you.”

  He adjusted his hat. “I don’t like to mess with pretenses, so here it is. I’d like to settle down and start a family. I’ve got a ranch out in Texas, worth a pretty penny. I’m just looking for someone to build a home with.” He turned his dark chocolate eyes on her.

  “I appreciate your honesty, Kyle.” It was refreshing to find someone who said what they wanted, without any games.

  “I’d like to get to know you, to find out if you’re that someone.”

  She could already tell him the answer, but she kept that to herself and smiled instead. “Sounds like a plan.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “You ever been on a ranch, Miss Megan?”

  “It’s just Megan. And no, I haven’t. What kind of ranch is it?”

  “A horse ranch, ma’am.”

  “Oh.” She knew about as much about horses as she did about rock climbing. Well, maybe even less since her date with Adam.

  “Maybe we can go visit during one of our dates.”

  Was that possible? Would they fly her to Texas for a date? Even as she thought it, she knew they wouldn’t bat an eye at spending the money to do something like that. She contemplated what it would be like to run off to Texas with Kyle.

  The thought made her uncomfortable. What was she doing? She didn’t even know these guys.

  Movement behind him caught her eye, and Adam stepped out of the shadows. “I believe I get a turn now.”

  Relief flooded through her—and she had to admit, a little excitement. Kyle stood and shook Adam’s hand, then departed with a wave. Adam slid onto the stone bench.

  He glanced over his shoulder at the guys now milling about the yard. “They seem nice.”

  She remembered what the producer had said. “Sure,” she said, trying to insert an air of noncommittal.

  He grinned, his smile turning her insides into mush. “That good, huh?”

  Megan hid a smile. Adam knew. “They’re handsome.” She raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

  “Yeah, but can they do this?” He pulled her close, his lips probing hers with a kiss. Tingles shot over her skin, and her heart sped up. She closed her eyes and reveled in the feeling of Adam’s kiss. It was stupid. She knew he was just playing it up for the camera. But she allowed herself to enjoy it anyway. When he pulled back, his gaze held something she couldn’t quite decipher.

  She smirked and lifted her chin. “We shall see.”

  Doctor Lemon emerged. “We’re done for the night. We have a full day tomorrow, so get lots of sleep.”

  Chapter 16

  Doctor Lemon tied a scratchy wool blindfold on Megan’s head. “Can you see?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Come with me.” The woman tugged on her arm and led her through the house until Megan was turned around and had no idea where they were. The doctor suddenly stopped and placed her hands on Megan’s arms. “Stay here. I’ll send Adam in. He has the instructions. Your job is to trust him and do what he says.” Her heels clomped on the hardwood floor, the sound fading as she walked away.

  Megan stood listening to the distant churning of the air conditioner. Nothing
happened for several minutes. She grew uneasy. “Hello?”

  The door clicked and locked. Footsteps crossed the room. Megan smelled Adam’s cologne right before he took her hands in his. Her sensations seemed heightened with the blindfold, and butterflies danced in her middle.

  “Hey,” he whispered.

  She could barely breathe. “Hi.”

  His lips grazed hers, gently. Just a whisper of a kiss. Then he stepped back and let go of her hands. “You ready to get started?”

  The kiss wasn’t part of his instructions? Confused, she simply nodded.

  “Walk forward three steps. You’ll find a whiteboard. There are markers on the tray. Pick one up.”

  She did as she was told, holding out her hands until her fingertips touched the smooth surface of the board. She found a marker and uncapped it. “Okay.”

  “Draw a cat.”

  “Blindfolded? I can’t even do that when I can see.”

  He chuckled. “Hey, I didn’t make up the rules.”

  She blew out a frustrated breath of air. “Fine.” She pressed the marker on the board and moved it around in what she hoped was the shape of a cat.

  “Hmm.”

  “What? You going to make fun of my cat?”

  “Looks more like an amoeba.”

  A giggle escaped. “Well, what do you expect?”

  He came up behind her, his warm chest pressing against her back. “Let me help.”

  “Isn’t that against the rules?”

  “Nope.” He put his hands on her hips and moved her over one step. Then he raised her arm. “Draw the number eight.”

  She complied, and he moved her hand to another spot on the board.

  “Now draw a letter S.” He continued to tell her simple letters and shapes to draw, moving her hand in place for the next one. His close proximity, along with the blindfold, was making it difficult to concentrate. Her knees were all wobbly.

  “There.” His breath was warm on her cheek, and it smelled of mint. “All done.”

  He lifted her blindfold so she could see her drawing. A smile crept across her face. “Hey, that’s not bad. It actually kind of looks like a cat.”