by Cathryn Fox
The steps creaked under his weight, and he braced himself, waiting for Gracie to bark and come barreling out the door at him. When he reached the landing, he noticed another set of stairs that led to the roof. He hadn’t noticed them before.
He glanced through the glass window and found Gracie asleep on her bed. He lifted his hand to knock, but when he saw Gemma sitting at her table, so focused on her work she hadn’t even heard him approach, he dropped his arm. Dark eyes, intense and serious, sorted through jewels, and tools he’d never even seen before were set up on her table. Dressed in yoga pants and a T-shirt she looked relaxed, sexy…and well-sated. Fascinated by this quiet, thoughtful side of Gemma, he watched for a long time, but then, as if sensing him there, her gaze lifted, and her eyes met his. He waved, and she stood.
The door opened, and Gracie stirred. “Carson, what are you doing here?”
He gestured with a nod, and put his hands over his balls as the dog rushed over. “I left my bag here last night.”
Gemma laughed as he protected himself. “I’ll get it.” She turned, and he stepped inside to pet Gracie.
“Hey girl.” He dropped to one knee and rubbed her ears. “This a much better way to be greeted.”
Gemma came back with the bag. “Here you go.”
Carson climbed to his feet. “That’s not the only reason I’m here.”
“No?”
“No. I wanted to see you.” When she didn’t respond, he looked past her shoulder. “What were you doing?”
“Just sorting through some gems.”
He walked around her and stepped up to her table. “How did you learn all this?”
“Fine arts in college.”
“I’m impressed.”
“You should be.”
He grinned. She returned his smile, and he looked over her jewels again. “This is what you’re working extra hours for?”
She nodded. “I purchase only the best stones, and it’s difficult to build an inventory, and get that inventory into stores, without the finances.”
“I guess two thousand dollars would go a long way in helping.”
“Two thousand, huh? That’s what you’re offering?”
“Yeah.”
She put one hand on her hip. “You just paid four thousand to go on a date with me, and now you’re only offering two for me to pretend to be your fiancée. With the level of commitment you’re asking for, that doesn’t quite seem right, now does it?”
He laughed. “Like I said, tough.”
She pursed her lips and rocked on her feet. “Try again, Sailor Boy.”
“Fine, five thousand.”
She tried to hide her surprise, but he caught the startled little glint in her eyes. What, did she think he was going to give up and walk away so easily? Hell no. Maybe that’s what she’d been hoping for—if she held out for too much, he’d forget this whole thing and disappear. Sure, he wanted her to help him get his mother off his back, but there was more to it than that. He wanted to be around her, needed her in his bed so he could finally get her out of his system and get on with his life.
“Five thousand dollars. Payment due at the end of the job.” She held her hand out for a shake, and he captured it. “Just so you know, I would have done it for free,” she added.
Okay, that surprised him. “Yeah, why?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Because I have sucker written on my forehead, and you needed help, and I can’t seem to say no to you.” She folded her arms, her smile gone. “Plus, I’ve given it some thought, and I kind of owe you.” She looked down. “You saved me that night, Carson. I hate to think what could have happened if you hadn’t knocked that cup out of my hand.”
“The only thing you owed me that night was your name.”
“Now you have it.”
He tugged her hand, dragging her closer. Her body meshed with his, and his cock instantly hardened. “And just so you know, I would have gone higher.” Her nipples pressed against his chest, and he moved his hips, letting her know what her closeness was doing to him. “There is one more thing we have to negotiate.”
“What’s that?”
“You sleeping with me.”
“Carson—”
“I want you, Gemma. I want the perks that go with you being my fiancée, fake or not.”
“It doesn’t seem right.”
“Does this?” He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. One hand slipped around her head and held her to him. A lusty moan sounded, and he couldn’t tell if it was hers or his. He broke the kiss, and with his lips still hovering close he said, “If you tell me that didn’t seem right, then I won’t ask again.”
Chapter Six
Gemma rifled through dresses at a local boutique as her friend Andy talked a million miles an hour about the situation Gemma had gotten herself into. She tried to focus on what her friend was saying, but she was still preoccupied with the kiss Carson had given her. It felt too good, too right, which was why she could never sleep with him again. Everything about him threw her off her game and had her forgetting she didn’t do “close.” So why she’d told him she’d think about sleeping with him during this pretend engagement was beyond her.
I am such an idiot.
She needed to figure out how to say no to him. But when he looked at her, all boyish and adorable, it stole every ounce of her willpower. She was powerless against his charm, and now she’d agreed to think about sleeping with him for the rest of the summer while pretending to be his fiancée. Talk about making one bad decision after another. She was beginning to believe she had a PhD in stupid.
“You know this is crazy, right.” Andy pulled a cute black dress off the rack and held it against herself. “Even for you.”
“It’s a business arrangement,” Gemma explained for the hundredth time.
“Who are you trying to convince of that, me or you?”
“You. Look, it’s basically like this—I’m working for him, and he’s investing in my business. There is nothing more to it than that. And just think about all the gems I’ll be able to purchase. I might even have enough left over to get some new soldering equipment. Mine is a million years old and takes forever to heat up. The other day I saw some on eBay that I’d love to get my hands on. He could really help me get my business off the ground.”
Andy shoved the dress back onto the rack and stared at her. Gemma tried not to fidget under her scrutiny. “This is me, Gemma. I’ve known you since we were five.”
“And…”
“And you’re rambling. You only ramble when you’re nervous about something.”
She glanced around the store, happy to find it empty, the sales lady at the front unable to overhear their conversation. “Of course I’m nervous,” she hissed. “I’m meeting his parents for dinner, and I have nothing to wear.” She glanced at her yoga pants. “If I don’t find something soon, I’ll have to wear these. I can’t imagine that will go over well. These people are rich, and have expectations.”
“You sure that’s all you’re nervous about?”
She shrugged, wanting this conversation to end. “What else would I be nervous about?”
“Oh, geez, I don’t know. Just that you agreed to a summer fling with a guy you gave your virginity to and haven’t been able to stop thinking about for ten years.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “I barely thought of him, and I didn’t agree to have a summer fling. I agreed to pretend to be his fiancée.”
Andy went quiet, too quiet. She reached for Gemma’s arm and gave a little squeeze. “I just don’t want to see you hurt, Gemma, and I think he’s the one guy who could do it.”
“I’m not going to get hurt. I’m a big girl, and I know what I’m doing.”
She didn’t. Not really.
“Okay,” Andy said, letting it go, even though she still looked unconvinced. Not that Gemma could blame her. She still wasn’t quite certain she could come out the other end of this unscathed. But he needed her help, and she fe
lt she owed him. Plus the money was too good to pass up. She could really get her business off the ground with that kind of investment. And as far as having sex with him again? She was going to say no. She had to. The guy was a prescription for trouble.
“Here, try this.”
She glanced at the light blue dress Andy was holding up. With short sleeves and buttons to the waist, it was casual enough that she’d be comfortable, but dressy enough for dinner at Carson’s. She checked the tag. It was expensive, but if she was going to step into his world, that was the price she’d have to pay. She took the dress, walked into the changing room, and pulled the curtain shut.
“Here goes nothing.”
“Do you have a story for how you two met?” Andy asked from the other side of the makeshift door.
Panic raced through her. “Shoot, I never thought of that.”
“Um, I’m not sure how to say this delicately, so I’m just going to say it.”
Gemma snorted. “When have you ever been delicate?”
“Yeah, you’re right. Okay, so how are they going to feel about you, Gemma? You don’t really have the right pedigree to fit into his world.”
She pulled the curtain open and stepped from the dressing room. “I know.” She smoothed her hand over the dress and gave herself a once-over in the mirror. “I’m guessing they’ll hate me.”
“But if they love their son, they’ll accept you for who you are, right? And who you are is pretty damn awesome, if you ask me. I just don’t want to see you changing for them, okay?”
“I won’t.” She held out her arms. “What do you think?”
“I think you’re going to give every pampered socialite in the Hampton’s a run for their money.” Gemma turned and checked out the back in the mirror. “One more thing,” Andy said. “Then I’ll shut up.”
Gemma spun and met her friend’s eyes. “What?”
“You need to be careful with the lies. You can get buried in them and find yourself not being able to tell what is real and what isn’t.”
Gemma smiled, but a nervous sensation took up residence in her stomach. Maybe agreeing to this wasn’t such a great idea. Maybe she should just end it right now, before she found herself in over her head. Going home to meet the folks was a situation she’d spent her whole life avoiding. Perhaps she could just keep working at the bar this summer, and build her inventory slowly, like she’d been doing. She could always take on another job over the winter to help pay the rent, then she wouldn’t have to move in with her mother, or find a cheaper place.
But when would she ever find the time to make her jewelry, build her business? She’d dreamt of owning her own shop her whole life, and the last thing she wanted to do was to wake up at forty, caught in the same dead-end job and relying on a man—or many of them—unable to make it on her own. I do not want to end up like my mother. She prided herself on being a strong, independent woman and had learned early on not to count on anyone. They always vanished in the end. One way or another.
The bell above the boutique door jingled, and she glanced past Andy’s shoulders to see Crystal. Their eyes connected from across the room, and a smile lit up the girl’s pretty face. Gemma relaxed slightly, though still embarrassed from their encounter that morning.
“Gemma,” she said, her heels clicking on the polished tile floor as she made her way over to them. “I saw you from the window and thought I’d come in and say hi.” Eyes that mirrored her brothers moved over Gemma’s dress, and her chestnut hair fell over her shoulders as she nodded. “Look at you. That dress is gorgeous.”
“Thank you, Crystal. This is my best friend Andy. Andy, this is Carson’s sister, Crystal.”
The two exchanged pleasantries, and Crystal crinkled her nose. “Just a heads up, you’re all Mom has been able to talk about today.”
“Is that good or bad?” Gemma asked.
Crystal laughed, her smile bright and warm, much like Carson’s, and Gemma instantly liked her. “It’s good.” She rolled her eyes skyward. “Believe me, it’s good. For all of us.”
Gemma shifted in her heels. “What do you mean?”
“She wants Carson to settle down, and she wants grandkids. I’m just glad he’s found someone he loves so Mom will stop trying to pair him up with Audra, or some other family friend. I was not looking forward to another summer of Audra.”
“Yeah, Carson told me about her.”
Crystal leaned in and lowered her voice. “Between us, she clings to him like dryer lint.” They all laughed. “It’s important to marry for love.” Her smile faltered. “Mom and Dad, of all people, should know that.” She shook her head, her eyes bright again. “Anyway, I need Carson to pave that path for me, because once he’s married, she’ll be on me next.”
Gemma shot Andy a quick look, the lie settling in her stomach like a lump of cold oatmeal.
“He’s a really good guy, Gemma,” Crystal continued. “The best guy I know, and I just want to see him happy. I only saw you two together for a few minutes, but I could tell he thinks the world of you.” Crystal leaned in and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She left the store, and Andy turned to Gemma, a worried look on her face. “She seems nice.”
“What?”
“I think she really likes you.”
She injected her voice with humor. “Like you said, what’s not to like?”
“Just don’t let yourself get too close, Gemma. When you fake a breakup, you’ll be breaking up with them all.”
Forcing her wobbly knees to move, she stepped back into the changing room and drew the curtain. “I won’t. In, out, all over before I know it.”
“Are you talking about this pretend engagement gig or my date with Jesse, last week?”
Gemma laughed, a bit of the tension easing from her shoulders as she slipped out of the dress. “You are so bad.”
“Yeah, I’m the bad one,” Andy said. “So does this arrangement come with certain rights? If you know what I mean.”
Oh, she knew what she meant. Gemma tugged on her yoga pants and T-shirt. “No.” She walked out of the dressing room and found Andy staring at her.
“Why not?”
“He asked, but I am not having sex with him again.”
“Oh, he asked, did he?”
“Yeah, of course. He’s a guy.” She walked to the front of the store and put her dress on the counter.
Andy checked her watch. “Listen, I have to run. Work beckons. If I see lover boy there—”
“Andy,” she warned.
“Good luck, tonight,” Andy said, and took off out the door.
Gemma paid for her dress and hurried home. With just enough time to take Gracie for a run and then get ready for dinner, she rushed up her steps and opened her door to find her dog waiting for her.
“Hey girl. You ready for a run?”
Gracie’s tail wagged as Gemma changed into her running gear. They took off to the park, and she was looking forward to a good hard run to clear her head and hopefully ease some of her anxiety. They ran their usual path, bypassing people with small kids and strollers, couples walking hand in hand, and others seated on the many tree-shaded benches. From down by the ponds, she could hear kids giggling as they fed the ducks. The warm, sweet scent of summer drifted past her nose as her legs ate up the pavement.
Gracie started barking and tugging on her leash. “Hey, Gracie, what’s up?” Gemma normally had great control of her very powerful dog, but today something had caught her attention and was pulling her in another direction. Gemma scanned the trees for squirrels. Gracie hated squirrels. But that wasn’t what had her in an uproar this afternoon. She let go of the leash when she saw what, or rather who, her dog was after.
She spotted Carson walking along the path, backpack on one shoulder, still dressed in his scrubs. He had his back to her, but she’d know that body anywhere, anytime. Her flesh warmed at the sight, and she had no idea how she was going to pretend anything with him—or stay out of his b
ed.
Gracie’s barks drew his attention, and he spun around. When he moved, she got a glimpse of the person he was talking to. Her steps slowed at the sight of the pretty blonde, with perfectly styled hair and clothes, and the cutest shoes she’d ever seen. The woman backed up an inch, moving away from Gracie. Gemma felt an unwise pang of jealousy and reminded her stuttering heart that she had no dibs on Carson. They were only pretending.
“Gracie!” Carson said, dropping to one knee. His head lifted, and the smile that crossed his face when he saw her jump-started her heart. No wonder he worked in the ER. They didn’t even need life-saving equipment when he was around. “Gemma,” he said, like he was thrilled to see her. Jesus, that really shouldn’t make me so happy.
In a feeble attempt to make herself look presentable, she finger combed her damp hair and pushed it from her face. But there was no way in hell she could come close to looking as put together as the gorgeous woman staring down her nose at her.
“Hi,” she said for lack of anything else.
Without missing a beat, Carson stood, leaned in, and kissed her right on the mouth. His lips lingered for a second, his fingers touching her face in a tender way that had her gulping for air. The other hand slid around her back, and rested just above her tailbone. She melted into his touch, momentarily forgetting everything but how good it felt to be held by him.
“You…” he whispered, holding her to him like they kissed and touched on a regular basis, “look beautiful.”
His words snapped her back. Beautiful? Hardly. A sweaty mess was more like it. That’s when she realized what was really going on. This was for show. She needed to tell her body that, because as heat fanned out from everywhere he touched, her damn heart raced, responding like this thing between them was more than just lust. But it wasn’t. It was hot, carnal desire and nothing more. Which was good. Because she didn’t want more.
“Gemma,” he said. “This is Audra James. A family friend.”