by Mora Early
He didn’t know why she sounded so pissed all of the sudden, but anger was starting to bubble in his gut, too. “It’s a start. Are you about to tell me you think it was a mistake?”
“No!” Her immediate response briefly mollified him, until she set down her mug and wrung her hands. “I mean, yes. I mean...” She took a deep breath and forced her hands to her sides. “I don’t think it should happen again.”
Josh felt another surge of frustration at her sudden contrariness. He gritted his teeth. “Why? We’re both consenting adults. We enjoyed ourselves. Don’t tell me you didn’t. I felt you squeeze me like a silk fist, Emma.”
A tide of red stained her cheeks, but she didn’t deny it. “Pretending we’re a couple is confusing enough as it is without adding sex into the equation. I just think that, aside from when we need to appear to be together in public, for others, we should maintain a strictly professional relationship. It’ll be... easier.”
He could see that she’d been rehearsing that little speech. She let out a short rush of air when she was finished. The image of her practicing this brush-off in the mirror of the guest room while he slept made fire flare at the base of his brain.
A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Are you worried I’ll fall in love with you, Emma? Because I assure you, that’s not a concern. I couldn’t love someone I don’t trust, and you’ve already proven I can’t trust you.”
“I –”
“Or are you worried that you’ll fall in love with me? Just like Lolly.” It was a low blow and Josh knew it. The petite brunette was nothing like the volatile starlet. Or was she? Therein lied the rub. Josh couldn’t be entirely sure what Emma was like when she wasn’t playing a part, because that’s all he’d ever seen her to do.
Her eyes narrowed. “Trust me, arrogant entitled jackasses with more money than sense aren’t my type.”
“That’s just the thing, Emma. I don’t trust you.” Josh saw the flare of hurt in her eyes before she blinked it away and he paused. This was not how he’d hoped his morning would go. Especially after a night like last night. He sighed, shoving a hand through his hair. “Look, I need you, Emma. For just a few months. And then you never have to see me again, I promise.”
If they were going to pull this off, he had to do something to diffuse the tension between them. Josh still needed this to work. Emma’s fingers were white-knuckled on her mug as she studied his face.
“No more sex. I...” She swallowed. “It’s just not a good idea. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Fine.” Josh bit the word off. He hadn’t been lying. He did need her. And if that was her stipulation for staying, he had to agree. Ransler hadn’t yet signed his contract. And even after he did, the star could walk if he discovered their deception. Josh could tie Ransler up in court for breach of contract, true, but in the meantime his beloved movie project would die a slow, painful death.
“Fine.” The tension in Emma’s shoulders didn’t relax. She set down her mug and crossed to the huge dual-door refrigerator. “I’m going to make some pancakes and eggs. Do you want some?” she asked, without looking at him.
It was a small but obvious olive branch. Josh shoved down the frustration and tension twisting up his spine. “Please.”
“If you want to go take a shower, it should be ready by the time you are.” She plucked eggs, butter, and milk from the fridge’s shelves and arranged them beside the sleek black stove. She already looked at home in the room, as if she’d made it hers simply by dint of making some mocha. Josh gritted his teeth, trying not to stare at the curve of her ass in the worn jeans as she bent to pull a bag of oranges from the bottom drawer.
“Okay.” Simple, single word responses seemed best if he wanted to keep the peace. Getting out of the kitchen seemed like a good idea too. The slight sway of her breasts in that loose T-shirt wasn’t conducive to Josh leaving her alone.
He straightened in the doorway and took a step back into the dining room. Emma didn’t turn around. He stopped.
“Emma?”
“Hmm?” She kept her eyes trained on the drawer in front of her, where she was fishing for some utensil. Her shoulders were so tight they nearly touched her earlobes.
“Thanks for the mocha.” Josh raised the mug, though she still didn’t look back.
He saw the stiff line of her body relax. “You’re welcome.”
Josh turned and headed for the stairs, mug in hand. He was wide awake now, heart still pumping with repressed irritation and arousal. This film was worth it, he reminded himself. It was going to be one of those movies that people remembered for generations. He’d do whatever it took to see that it got made right.
Even if it meant spending the next four months not touching Emma, if that’s what she wanted.
When Josh got to the bathroom he set aside his empty mug and cranked up the cold water. He pushed down his boxers and kicked them away, glaring down at the semi-erect flesh of his cock as he stepped beneath the showerhead. As the chilly spray washed over him, making goosebumps ripple over his skin and banking the flames of his arousal somewhat, Josh pressed his forehead hard against the cool tile. Ahh, wedded bliss. He snorted.
It was going to be a long four months.
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From the Author
Thanks ever so much for reading the continuing story of Josh & Emma! I hope you’re having as much fun as I am.
Now I know that Vol 3 was meant to be the last one in the series but I’ve had to extend it to a fourth…(Please read this post for my full explanation: http://moraearly.blogspot.com/2013/07/its-so-big.html)
So, Twisted Arrangement Vol 4 will be released in early August 2013. If you’d like to be updated on the official release date then please add your name to my private list here: http://launchii.com/mora-earlys-private-email-list/. I’ll also be doing something very special for everyone, so add your name for further details…I promise you’ll love what I got in store for you ;)
Also, If you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to say ‘hey’, you can…
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Thank you again, from the bottom of my naughty little heart!
~xxx Mora
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 ~ The Arrangement
Chapter 2 ~ Owens’ Leading Lady
Chapter 3 ~ A Really Important Question
Chapter 4 ~ The Family Circus
Chapter 5 ~ Seeing the Future
Chapter 6 ~ This is Not Tupperware
Chapter 7 ~ Definitely Going to Hell
Chapter 8 ~ Something Old, Something New
Chapter 9 ~ Take Two, With Champagne
~ Epilogue: 5:27 A.M. ~
From the Author