Love was a strong word and not one he planned on ever using in reference to a woman. Especially that woman.
Of course, he would have said that very same thing about the word “fiancée” a week ago.
What the hell happened to his life? No wonder his friends were acting suspicious. He barely recognized himself.
“I didn’t tell you guys, because I didn’t want to hear how I’m making a huge mistake by dating a girl seriously.” He hoped it sounded true. “And it seems sudden because it was. Now can you ladies knock off the chatter about my upcoming nuptials already, or do I have to ask the waitress to bring over some tampons for when you all get your periods at the same time? I came for a drink, not a therapy session.”
“We’re just looking out for you, dude. Look at you. You’re already talking about PMSing, and you haven’t even married her yet. Next time we see you, you’ll be sharing your favorite cookie recipe.” Austin laughed and slapped him on the shoulder.
Parker shrugged. “Now if any of you want to look out for me, you’ll be a good wingman and help me out with Miss Sexy Short Skirt over at the bar.”
Cole stood and followed Parker, thankful to be done with the uncomfortable conversation. He’d been friends with Austin and Parker for years, and Troy was family, but that didn’t mean he could trust any of them with the truth in this situation. If one of them got too drunk and ended up with loose lips, it could ruin everything.
No matter what, Cole had to keep this quiet, even if that meant lying to his friends. He’d made his peace with the whole Daisy situation, and now he had to live with it…her.
For better or for worse.
…
Daisy strode into the Javits Convention Center, determined to play Cole’s fiancée as part of their first public appearance as a couple at Mason’s bridal show, but she would not—repeat, not!—let Cole get under her skin again like he had at their engagement party. Seemed they’d done a bang-up job of convincing their friends and family that they were in love. The kiss had definitely helped their cause. She couldn’t remember the last time her cheeks had burned as hot as they had after she came back up for air and found she was still in a room full of people and not alone somewhere with Cole. During his kiss, she’d gotten swept away, forgotten anything else around them existed.
Their engagement might be fake, but that kiss had been real.
Or at least it had felt pretty darn real to her. Cole, on the other hand, had looked calm and at ease after their kiss, as if it had been nothing more than part of the act to him. Had Cole called her Dee as part of the act, too? When she’d heard his old nickname for her, her heart had ceased beating. She’d simply frozen, unable to think. She didn’t want to be Dee to Cole again.
Last time had hurt way too much.
She chided herself for being so stupid and getting swept away by Cole from the very first kiss. She should have focused on something else other than the feel of his warm mouth on hers—his fingers as they tangled in her hair. Instead, she’d mistakenly let her mind drift to the other places his fingers could touch her. Other areas of her body she wanted his tongue to explore, his lips to kiss.
How on earth was she going to survive kissing him like that at every public event without losing her mind, her heart, and her panties?
She pulled her shoulders back and held her chin high, smiling at other vendors as she walked the aisle to the booth that would be hers for the day. It was spacious, easily three times the size of the others, in a prime location with the most traffic and even views of the stage. A huge banner on one side of the booth showed a cover for Exclusively Yours, while the other side had a large picture of her boutique and a woman posing in one of her gowns.
Mason had come through with his end of the deal. She never could have afforded this space on her own.
A quick glance showed no signs of Cole. Daisy let out the breath she’d been holding, thankful that she might actually get a few minutes of peace before she had to work in the small space with him all day. She needed to get herself settled so that when he showed up, she’d have her nerves in check.
She rounded the corner of the booth and then froze.
“Daisy.” Cole looked up at her from his place on the floor where he knelt, on one knee, not two. His smile seemed to reach all the way to his eyes, as if he was genuinely happy to see her.
Her gaze fell to his hands. They held a little black velvet box. Again. A spike of longing and regret shot through her.
He glanced down to the box in his hands, too. After flipping the lid open, he turned it in his hands, revealing a diamond ring nestled on top of a pillow of satin.
She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. How many times had she imagined this moment with Cole when they’d dated? Too many. She’d dreamed of a moment set up like this, him on one knee, her with tears of happiness in her eyes, their future waiting for them to take hold and never let go.
The tacky, monstrous ring he’d given her at the engagement party felt ten pounds heavier on her finger as she twisted it. “What…?” She coughed, hoping to strengthen her voice made weak with unshed tears of longing for something she’d never have. “What are you doing?” She attempted to look indifferent. By the look of his smile turning into an amused grin, she’d failed miserably.
“I’m organizing props for my table. You know, a cheesy plastic ring, some roses, maybe even a little confetti to make the place feel festive.” He grinned, as if challenging her to say it looked like he was doing something more. Well, she wasn’t going to fall into that trap again. Challenging Cole had always ended up with arguments…and subsequent make-out sessions. Easier to concede this one silently as her mistake and move on without him knowing.
“I should really get started setting up my things too…over there.” Away from you.
As she busied herself opening boxes and setting up dress mannequins, she thought she felt Cole’s eyes on her. It was something she’d been intimately familiar with after their year together. In fact, there had been a time or two—or three—when a look from Cole had her shedding her clothes in the hallway as if they were on fire. Damn. The man could send her pulse racing without a single touch. And if she weren’t careful, he might have the power over her still to do it again.
Just what I need to stir up business, a spontaneous, uncontrollable strip show.
She bent at the hips to lift a piece out of a box. Behind her, a distinct intake of breath came from Cole’s vicinity.
She casually peeked over her shoulder but found him focused on his current task at hand.
Cole isn’t watching. She bent over once more to retrieve the last veil from the bottom of the box. He wasn’t some hormonal teenager who would react to something as simple as her unpacking boxes.
“Thank God,” he mumbled quietly behind her.
“Something wrong?” she asked while pinning the veil onto the mannequin to complete the look. She pulled the ribbon-trimmed edges over its shoulders so the veil draped perfectly.
“Something is wrong.” His voice was suddenly much closer than it should be. His breath tickled her neck while his hands slid around her waist.
“What’s that?” she asked, her voice soft.
“The next time we do one of these shows together, I’m paying someone else to empty those boxes for you.”
“Why?” She laughed. The thought of paying someone else to do a job she was perfectly capable of doing herself was ridiculous. Neither of them had the money for that kind of luxury.
“Because watching you do it is way too distracting.”
Oh… Surely he wasn’t implying that her bending over had actually turned him on. The idea that she might still have that kind of power over Cole was intriguing…and concerning. She liked this little tidbit of power. Too much.
Her pulse raced, her body threatened to melt into him, encouraging the lust for him she didn’t want to admit. Was his distraction similar to her attraction? What the hell would she do if it were? Flirt wit
h him? Didn’t that go against the whole resisting him thing?
“Don’t blame me for your distraction when I’m working. Maybe you need to learn to keep your eyes focused on the goal.” There, go for bitchy instead. Much safer than flirting. Flirty banter with Cole had always been great foreplay—exactly what she didn’t need to complicate her relationship with him further.
“I am,” he said, his voice deep and quiet.
What was his goal exactly? Me? No way.
His gaze darted down her body, then back to meet hers. In his path of destruction, he left behind scorched, aching flesh. He raised one eyebrow and gave her a lopsided grin…his flirting face. His eyes seemed to have a familiar fire burning behind them as if to answer her unspoken question. That look of his which had always brought her defenses down, making her bend to his will, fall into his bed. But as quickly as the heat sparked, it disappeared again, making her question if she’d ever seen it to begin with or if it had been wishful thinking.
Good. She didn’t need that fire. She didn’t want the flirting, either, despite the fact that the heat in her cheeks said otherwise.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Ready for what?” She’d been too caught up in her own thoughts to have any idea what he was referring to.
“To be my bride. The doors opened. Time to play the part of a happy couple. Gotta get those other brides-to-be interested enough in us to make this stunt worthwhile, right?” He stepped away, letting his hand trail along her lower back as he did, his fingers nearly grazing her rear. His touch sent a tingle through her legs, making them feel shaky and unsteady. Then his words sank in.
Play the part. His distraction was nothing more than him appreciating the female form. Once again she’d mistakenly read too much into his feelings for her. If he could play the part, she’d find a way to play it, too.
Chapter Six
Cole rolled his head to one side and then the other, stretching out his neck. He pulled his shoulders back and straightened his spine, feeling older than he should. It had been a long time since he’d worked an entire day on his feet. Usually his day consisted of going from one boardroom meeting to another with plenty of sitting involved. But not today. Today was all standing.
Daisy didn’t seem bothered by the work at all. But then she was probably used to being on her feet. When they’d dated, she often told him about how she hadn’t sat down all day because she’d been running back and forth between her design workroom and the boutique showroom. Seemed that experience served her well for the bridal show. As did her passion for her work. Almost every bride who had come to speak to Daisy left with an appointment card in hand.
In the year they’d dated, he hadn’t ever really seen her work. He hated to admit it, but he’d always thought designing gowns sounded a bit like playing dress-up. But now he saw how good at it she really was. It wasn’t some game she played. Each design, each bride, was important, and Daisy gave them all a part of herself in every gown she made.
Every time they spoke, he got the sense she was proving she didn’t need him in her life anymore. And every time she made him feel that way, he wanted to prove her wrong.
They hadn’t spoken much since the day began. Their booth was usually hopping with clients interested in their services. But when the crowds would thin for a moment or two, he didn’t know what to say. Small talk about the weather didn’t seem appropriate conversation for a girl he’d kissed a few days ago and who he’d slept with previously, yet any other conversation they had seemed to lead them quickly down a path of annoyance or arousal. He didn’t really want to deal with either of those things today. So instead of chatting, he’d remained quiet most of the time. It was safer that way. He didn’t want to say something and accidentally piss off his new fiancée. Nor did he want to say something and then end up having to deal with his attraction to her. Best to pretend she wasn’t there.
Her laughter rang out again as she chatted with a bride about the importance of bringing the proper undergarments to a dress fitting. So much for pretending she didn’t exist. An image of Daisy standing in the bra and panties she was describing flashed through Cole’s mind, and he couldn’t stop his gaze from roving over her body to the areas highlighted in his daydream.
When her arms folded across her chest, he realized she was staring at him, a not very amused expression on her face. The bride she’d been speaking to had moved on while he’d been otherwise distracted.
He smirked, knowing he’d been caught. “You never minded before.”
“Before we were dating, and it was okay for my boyfriend to check me out.”
“So it’s okay for a boyfriend to check you out but not your future husband? Wow. I’m in for a fun marriage, aren’t I?” He laughed.
She didn’t look like she thought it was funny.
“You’re the one who agreed to marry a boob man. You knew what you were signing up for.” He chuckled at her annoyance. Honestly, if he could help looking at her rack, he would. It would make his life a hell of a lot easier. But the truth of it was, the more time he spent around Daisy, the more he remembered about how good they were together. Especially in the bedroom.
“Silly me, I didn’t realize our business arrangement involved ogling.”
He stepped closer, the smile falling from his lips. He pulled Daisy into his arms and held her tight. She might talk a big talk, but he felt her shake against him when his hand pressed against her lower back. He bent his head to whisper in her ear.
“You need to remember what you’re doing and lower your voice. I haven’t forgotten how we got into this situation, but it appears you’ve forgotten that you’re supposed to be enjoying this little arrangement. If anyone overheard you, we’d both be screwed. And I don’t know about you, but I can think of better ways to screw myself than blabbing about our deal in public.”
The corners of Daisy’s mouth twitched as if she was trying not to laugh. He didn’t see anything even remotely funny about her almost spilling their secret.
“Have a lot of ways to screw yourself, do you? And here I thought you were the playboy who had a new woman every week to do that for him.” A grin spread across her lips.
He instantly wanted to kiss the smirk right off them. He’d always loved Daisy’s spitfire personality and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to go head-to-head with him, unlike so many of the girls he’d dated before and after her who just said what they thought he wanted to hear. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“I know,” she said. “I just…” She trailed off and swatted him playfully before her hands settled on his pecs. Her fingers traced the ridges of his chest as if she were outlining the ink he had hidden under his shirt. He flashed back to all the times she’d drawn over his tattoo with her fingertips while straddling his naked hips. She’d always kissed him there first before flickering her tongue across his nipple and then moving elsewhere.
She licked her lips as if remembering the same moment. Her body vibrated in his arms as she took in a shaky breath.
He smirked. She couldn’t help her reaction to touching him any more than he could resist ogling her, as she so lovingly termed it. Seemed a pretty even case of tit for tat. She was just as bothered by him as he was by her. “Something wrong, Daisy?”
“No. I’m fine.” She cleared her throat and tried to take a step back, but he held her tight, not letting go. “I’ll be more careful, okay?”
He nodded absentmindedly, still reliving that moment in the past. He dropped his head to her ear again. “And I did have a new woman whenever I wanted one, but for the next six months, the only woman I’m going to have is you, so get used to being the object of my appreciation. After all, what kind of fiancé would I be if I didn’t enjoy eyeing up my future wife?”
He kissed below her ear, the very spot he knew would make her knees go weak. Her head tipped to the side, granting him better access as a soft sigh escaped her mouth. He kissed her again, his tongue stealing a tiny tast
e of her before he moved away.
“I’m glad to see you two getting along so well,” Mason said, walking up to the booth.
“Hello, Mason,” Cole said, hoping he couldn’t hear the edge in his voice. Cole didn’t enjoy being under Mason’s command, but there was no way around it if he wanted the money. And Cole didn’t just want the money; he needed it. “I figured we would see you at some point today.”
“I’m going to assume, then, that the rumors I heard floating around here about the featured bride and groom not appearing to be in love was the product of gossiping, jealous women. I do hope that you two will be able to keep up this kind of good work long enough to put those rumors to rest.”
Cole instinctively looped his arm around Daisy’s waist while she snuggled against his side.
“Of course, Mason,” she said. “We’re doing the best we can while also trying to promote our businesses.”
“This is the first quiet moment we’ve had at the booth all day.” Cole wasn’t used to having to defend his work ethic. It left a sour taste in his mouth.
“I thought this might be a problem.” Mason waved over two people with bridal-show ID tags. “This is Jules and Cynthia. They are two of my best employees and experts at this expo stuff. They’re going to relieve you of your duties for a while so you two can go mingle with the crowd. Go look at the other vendors. Check out the rings. Show some interest in honeymoon destinations. If a regular couple is doing something, I expect to see you two doing it, too.”
Cole’s grip on Daisy’s side relaxed. That didn’t sound too difficult. Surely they could wander around and pretend to shop for an hour. Besides, it would be a nice break from the booth. Maybe they could even stop and grab a bite of lunch from the café before coming back to work again. “Sounds good.”
Daisy nodded. “Sure. I’d love to walk around a bit.”
“If we’re going to make this work, so we all get maximum benefit, then really give it all you’ve got as a couple,” Mason encouraged.
The Wedding Hoax Page 5