Fake Marriage Box Set (A Single Dad Romance)

by Claire Adams

  “I’ll see you tonight,” I said, putting my head down and walking toward the front door.

  As I walked toward the front door, I could feel myself starting to get down about the way Quinn reacted to my proposal, and I didn’t blame her at all. I was desperately clinging to my idea of freedom, and it was written all over the words I’d just spoken. I walked out the door and out to my truck, throwing my bag in the passenger seat and starting the vehicle. I pulled off away from the house, still thinking about Quinn’s expression, or lack thereof. It was obvious that she was internalizing whatever was going on in her head, and now it was totally messing with mine. I wished that she would talk when she was upset, instead of completely ignoring me, sending me into a frenzy of thoughts. I had no idea what was going to happen now, and the last thing I wanted was to have no warning of her bolting from our agreement.

  I had made a complete mess out of this, and now I needed to figure out a way to fix it until I had at least gotten the go-ahead from the judge. All of this was messing with my head because there was no way I could pretend that part of me wanted to keep sleeping with her because I enjoyed being so close to her. Still, I had to make sense out of it all, and I was determined to talk to her about it when I got home that night.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Quinn

  When the front door was shut, I took in a deep breath and put down my cup of coffee, unsure of how I was feeling. I hadn’t been angry with Luke until he made his little speech, as if he was proud of himself for coming up with a plan to be fuck buddies until everything was done. I tried to remind myself that it didn’t seem he had much experience with self-respecting and intelligent women in his life, so talking with me might be an issue. I walked into the bathroom and started the bath water, wanting to soak for a while to think this through.

  I slipped my clothes off and carefully lowered myself into the hot water, closing my eyes and breathing deeply. It was obvious that the first thing I thought when I woke up that morning was the fact that I should not have slept with Luke. I should have had enough self-restraint to keep my panties on and calmly walk away, knowing that wasn’t what was best. My body rejected that thought, and with might every time it came into my mind. The night before had been one of the most incredible things I had ever experienced. The level of pleasure that moved between us was unbelievable, and I couldn’t imagine sex being any better than that with anyone. It was definitely one of those nights that would stay with me for a very long time, especially when I was faced with any kind of sexual decision—like to have it at all, with anyone other than Luke. If I had my way it wouldn’t be a question I would ever face again, but then I realized that I lived in this world, not some magical fairyland.

  Instead of reveling in our glorious night of heated and passionate sex, opening our eyes to the sunlight and making love all over again, I was sitting in the bathtub, alone. Instead of passionately kissing and exchanging poetry or beautiful, meaningful words, I was still thinking about the fact that he had just asked me to be his fuck buddy. All the while, I was fighting the thought that had been sitting in the back of my mind since I woke up alone in his bed: I was definitely falling in love with him. I knew that if I committed to sleeping with him, and took up this silly deal of his, it would only make it worse on me. I had already started falling, and there were not a lot of ways that I could stop that from happening; sleeping with him was definitely a way to speed up the process and make my landing even more grimacing and grizzly. I was asking to have my heart smashed to bits when all of this was over.

  I laid my head back against the bathtub edge, closing my eyes and replaying the scene from the night before. It was not a secret that Luke was sexually attracted to me. It was not a secret that Luke thought of me fondly the rest of the time, and sincerely appreciated my relationship with his son. There had to be a way that I could weasel my way into making this fake family more permanent. Luke has had the fairy tale, with the passionate love affair, big wedding, and absolutely horrible, realistic ending, just like me. Maybe, since he already knew where love really goes, he would be content with something not as intense, at least on his end. As experienced grownups, we had to start looking at the world in a more realistic light, knowing that fairy tales didn’t actually exist and that happily ever afters were often not as happy as they appeared under the hazy eyes of love. I needed a new plan of attack because it was obvious that the typical ‘make him fall in love with me’ was not going to work.

  Sure, we both know that this whole thing is a sham, at least for right now. We had both entered into the agreement like two people agreeing to start a business venture together. We had looked at the pros and cons and found that this arrangement was the best chance for Luke to get his son back. But what if I could make this whole situation a lot less of a scam? What if I could come up with a way to make the mockery we planned to submit to the court, a lot less of a mockery and a lot more of a true beginning?

  It was all hypothetical at this point, but I could feel the tides turning, and I could sense that even though Luke came to me with his grand idea this morning, I knew he could sense the real connection we had. He was clinging to his freedom with all of his might, and I didn’t blame him after being married to the wicked witch. That didn’t take away from the fact that this little fake family was the best thing that ever happened to me, and probably to all of us as a whole. What if I could convince Luke that this dynamic was what was best for Jake?

  This family was what I wanted, whether it was fake at the moment or not. I was at my wit's end trying to figure out a way to make the fake part go away and leave the family behind. Family didn’t always mean passionate love and soul mates, right? Back in the day, they married for convenience, for land, and for what was best for all concerned. Somehow, since then, family has evolved into this romantic idea that was untouched by those that had a simple understanding. What if I could make our fake little family a reality?

  I sat there in the tub, rubbing my toe against the stopper in the bottom and continued to think about my plight. Maybe I had been looking at everything in the wrong way, and what it took was for me to rewire my brain so that I could be a little less emotional about the whole thing. Every situation had an answer; you just had to stop and think about it to find the best possible solution, the one that would benefit everyone, most importantly, Jake. I knew what I wanted, and most importantly I knew what I needed, and it was Luke and Jake. Luke might not see it now because he is too blinded by the residual fear leftover from his divorce, but his instinctual habits already showed me that he wanted to be near me, to have me close, and to feel comforted by my touch.

  I pulled myself from the bathtub, grabbed a towel, and dried myself off. That was it; I made the decision right then and there, I was going to throw myself headlong into this relationship, fake or not. I truly did feel that Luke was way out of my league with his good looks, sweet intentions, and high-profile job, but I couldn’t let that deter me. I also knew that he didn’t intend for my time at his home to become permanent. In fact, I was under the impression that until last night he hadn’t even given it two seconds of thought. The simplicity of it though was that he would do anything for Jake, anything that will make his life rich and full. Jake was the center of Luke’s world, something I didn’t see fully until Jake had arrived over the weekend. Luke came alive when he was with his son, and it was the same way for Jake. They loved each other so very much, and it was amazing to get to see that dynamic unfold in front of me.

  I didn’t think there was any way that I could make Luke love me, and not because I was unlovable, but because of the mindset he already had about the subject. I might be able, however, to prove my skills as a companion and a caretaker, making it difficult for him to let me go. He needed someone like me in his life, they both did. Someone who cared deeply for them, someone who went out of their way to make sure they were comfortable and cared for, and someone who could show them love when they needed it the most. Everyone needed
that in their lives, and it wasn’t just Luke. I could be okay with being on the giving end of unrequited love if it meant that I could be close to Luke, and care for Jake like my own. I knew that it sounded crazy, and crazy unfair on my end of things, but I was at a place in my life where this family, however fake it was, was exactly what I wanted.

  I stared at myself in the mirror for several moments before deciding that it was exactly what I wanted. Now, the only thing left to do was to make it happen, which meant that I had to put the effort in to seriously impress Luke. I had to make him see me as indispensable beyond the court case so that when things were over, he wouldn’t be able to bear to see me go. I needed to make him need me as much as he wanted me. Lust and passion fade when there is no love, and even when there is, but need and comfort usually stay, especially when the conditions were right. I walked into the bedroom and went straight to work, throwing on some clothes and heading to the grocery store where I picked out the perfect fancy dinner. I would cook him steak, shrimp, potatoes, and the special slow-roasted Brussel sprouts that had been a hit wherever I went. When I got home, I unloaded all the groceries and went into my room, tossing my clothes around trying to find something sexy to wear for the occasion. I ended up pulling out a low-cut black dress that was a bit more revealing than I was used to wearing, but perfect for this circumstance. I would wow him with food, dazzle him with my body, and pull him in closer, one moment at a time.

  I wasn’t the girl who used her body to get anywhere with anyone, but in this circumstance, I had to use what I had, and what was already proven to work. He was extremely attracted to me, and I was to him, and I would use that to my advantage. When he was alone with me, I could see his eyes darken, his voice lower, and his body immediately move in smooth, fluid motions. It was an automatic response to me, and that was how I knew his attraction ran deeper than just the outside. He wanted me, even this morning when he was describing his ‘offer,’ I could see him moving his eyes over my body, but then moving back to my face, where his expression immediately softened.

  I knew that I had to do this, for me, but also for Jake and Luke. I had spent enough time with them to know what they needed, and one of those things was me. I didn’t think that I would ever make him fall in love with me, but I needed to find some way to win him over. I wanted to please him enough that he wouldn’t be able to let me go at the end of the court waiting period. I knew this was nuts, unlike anything that I had done before, but my feelings were so strong, and I didn’t want to let go of the family I had made here at Luke’s. Hopefully, between the steak, the sex, and my relationship with Jake, he would see me for who I truly was: the person he wanted most.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Luke

  It had been a really long Monday at work, especially after Quinn had shoved me off without a word. It really had affected me, so much so in fact that I had a really hard time concentrating on anything else. I had even thought about coming home on my lunch break to talk to her but didn’t want it to turn into something I couldn’t finish before having to get back. Now, my workday over, and I was more than happy to get in my truck and drive back to the house, hoping that some time apart had helped both of us see things with more clarity. When I opened the front door, I took in a deep breath. Whatever Quinn was cooking in the kitchen smelled amazing.

  I shook my head and smiled, surprised at how she took care of me even when Jake wasn’t there. I put my bag down by the door and slipped off my shoes, feeling extra dirty since I practiced with the guys again, getting a really good response from them with that tactic. I rounded the corner and stopped in my tracks, my eyes running up Quinn’s sexy long legs, rolling over the tight black dress that cut off right below her firm ass, and opening up to expose her sexy back. My fake fiancée looked absolutely amazing.

  “Hey there,” I said, staring at her as I walked by.

  “Oh, hey,” she said, turning her head and smiling big. “Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

  “All right then,” I said, chuckling. “I’m just going to go take a shower, then.”

  “Sounds good,” she said with a smile.

  As I walked toward the bedroom I couldn’t help but notice that she was wearing makeup, her lips painted the perfect shade of red, making them look plump and juicy. I went into the bathroom and stripped down, climbing into the hot shower and thinking more about how amazing Quinn looked standing in the kitchen. I looked down and groaned slightly, realizing that I hadn’t even been home for five minutes and I already had a half chub, waiting for the opportunity. I climbed out of the shower and changed my clothes, trying to look nice just like Quinn did. When I got back out to the dining table, it was all set, and she had laid out a delicious-looking dinner with steak, shrimp, potatoes, and some sort of green vegetable that I promised myself I would at least try.

  The dinner itself was amazing, but the company was even better. Quinn looked more relaxed and open then I had ever seen her before. We spent our time sipping wine, laughing about me actually liking her Brussel sprouts, which I nicknamed ‘little tricky cabbages,’ and talking about our day. It was fascinating to see her this way, and I could feel myself drawn to her. When we were done eating, I helped her clear the plates, which she left to finish later, which surprised but didn’t disappoint. She poured us both another glass of wine and looked up at me, her eyes glistening and dark.

  “Would you like to join me on the deck for this glass of wine?”

  “How could I say no? You’re stunning, by the way,” I said, taking the glass and watching her blush.

  “Thank you,” she replied, with a slight skip in her breath.

  I held the patio door open for her, and she smiled shyly as she walked out onto the deck. I watched her walk past, trying not to stare too hard at her ass as she walked. We sat down in chairs directly next to each other and leaned back, watching the sun begin to set. It was a gorgeous night, and I looked over at Quinn who had pulled her legs up beside her, her hair cascading over her shoulders and her thigh highly exposed. I smiled to myself and looked back up, watching the vibrant colors of a sunset cascade across the Kansas skyline. It was most definitely a gorgeous night. As the sun dipped, so did the temperature, and I looked over at Quinn who started to shiver almost immediately. She was barely wearing any clothes at all, and I considered getting up and going to get her the throw off the couch.

  Before I could, though, Quinn pushed her chair right up next to mine and hooked her arm through mine, leaning her body closer. Her skin pressed against my bare arm and I felt goosebumps go up my neck. She laid her head on my shoulder and sighed.

  “You are so warm,” she said, trying to make an excuse for touching me.

  I smiled and leaned into her, trying to hold back a slight chuckle. It appeared that this usually shy and demure woman was trying to seduce me, and I wasn’t going to lie: it seemed to be working perfectly for her. The fact that she was breaking through that boundary was adorable, but extremely arousing at the same time. Just the feeling of her arms wrapped around mine, and her warm breath cascading down my neck, made my cock begin to harden. I could already imagine getting her out of that dress and taking full advantage of her sexual desire. It was really nice to feel wanted, and that was exactly what she was doing.

  I didn’t want to waste a moment of this, not a single moment that I could be exploring her body and bringing us both amazing amounts of pleasure. I turned my head toward hers and lifted her chin with my free hand, pressing my lips hard and fast against hers. She let out a slight whimper, her body immediately falling into mine as our mouths moved carefully over the others. Immediately I stood up, stepped in front of her, and scooped her gingerly into my arms. She wrapped her hands around me and began to run her lips down my neck, hardening my dick even more.

  I walked through the doorway, closing it behind us with my foot, and headed up to the bedroom. When I entered, I shut the door behind me and set her gently on the ground. Immediately I moved toward her,
running my hands up to the edge of her dress, then inching it up to her waist. She was wearing little black lace panties, and I ran my fingers over the soft material, feeling the warmth and wetness of her throbbing pussy inside. She moaned softly as my fingers pressed down firmly on her pussy, and I watched as she tossed her head back, licking her lips and closing her eyes.

  I reached behind her and unzipped her dress, pulling the straps over her shoulders and down her body. Her breasts were bare and nipples erect and as I pulled it over hips and down her thighs, I took her hard nipple into my mouth and sucked hard. Turning her toward the bed, I pushed her back, watching her as she pulled herself up further. I tore at my clothes, tossing them in a pile next to the bed before dropping to my knees on the soft mattress and crawling toward her. When I reached her thighs, I pushed them open, hooking my fingers in the band of her panties and pulling them off to reveal her beautiful pink pussy. I growled slightly, lying down on my stomach and pulling her lips apart with my fingers. She laid her body back on the bed and moaned as I dipped my head down and ran my tongue through her juices.

  I smiled, knowing I wanted to tease her, draw it out, and make her beg me for it. She was so erotic, sprawled out on my bed completely naked, her wet pussy glimmering in the moonlight. Everything in me wanted to fuck the hell out of her right at that moment, to feel the softness of her pussy around my cock, but she wasn’t ready. She was going to feel the pleasure I had stored up all day, the pleasure I had imagined giving to her in several different places throughout the house. I imagined her in the kitchen, laid across the counter, in the living room, bent over the sofa, and on the deck riding me wildly with the sunset in the background. All of these had one thing in common: her coming hard and long as I worked my magic over her body.