Cocky M.D.: Single Dad Fake Fiancee Romance (Steel Series Book 5)

by Victoria Pinder

  In some ways, Olivia was like a woman straight out of a fairy tale. I’d never met someone who was so honest. I had so many questions, but I needed a cold shower. I swallowed and headed toward my room. “Tomorrow, then.”

  Hopefully the cold water would cool me off and stop me from pushing Olivia too far too fast. She seemed different from every other woman I’d ever met, but I wasn’t sure if maybe she and her sisters had mastered the art of trapping rich men, as many pretty girls hoped to do.

  But even if that was true, Bradley liked her, so it was enough for me to see it through and marry her.

  Chapter Seven

  Olivia

  Birds chirped, and the previous night’s storm was a distant memory. I hadn’t slept well, but watching the sun rise over a garden in a place that might really be my home both terrified me and soothed me.

  I’d heard Johnny the previous night jacking off to my name in his room. He had no idea I’d sat on my bed and ached for his touch. My own fingers hadn’t been pressed against me with strong grips sexy enough to mimic what he might be doing.

  Sure, I’d been tempted to throw open the door between us and find out what being his truly felt like.

  It was the ring on my hand that meant suddenly our commitment was forever. I’d stayed where I was because I needed to be sure.

  I’d gone from short-term nanny to engaged in a few hours. And jealousy had rushed in my veins so powerfully that I’d seen red, though no one would ever know that. That was the cold truth. I needed to wrap my head around facts and stop fantasizing that I would live happily ever after like my older sisters, who all loved their husbands. I had never been that lucky.

  As I stood, a knock came at the door. I grabbed the guest bathrobe and open the door a bit. Flo, the maid, bobbed a curtsey and handed me a bag.

  I said, “Thank you,” but she disappeared before I even finished the words.

  Later, we would work on being pleasant to the staff so that they wouldn’t be afraid, at least with Bradley.

  I closed the door. The bag felt like it had clothes in it. I peeked inside and saw jeans and a small assortment of shirts, pants, a bra, underwear, and maybe a dress. I dumped them onto the bed and realized there were accessories too.

  I sorted through the choices. Normally I would have grabbed the jeans, but going to the courthouse and shopping for a ring meant I could dress a little nicer. So I settled on a white shirt and a pink skirt and picked up a gold leaf-themed necklace-and-earring set.

  Soon I stared at a sleek and glamourous version of me and nodded at myself in the mirror.

  A second later, someone knocked at the door, and my heart raced. I wanted to see Johnny again and bounced to open the door, but it was Bradley.

  A smile grew on my face. “Good morning.”

  “You look pretty today, Miss… Olivia.”

  “Thanks.” I headed out with him and said, “I’m glad you’re here, Bradley.”

  I reached for my necklace, and the leaf felt strange. I’d expected my usual one.

  As I headed down the stairs with him, I said, “Soon you’ll get used to me. And for now, I could use your help. You and your dad’s world is different from mine, and I’m a little nervous.”

  “Because you were poor?”

  Children had no filter. I knew it, but still, tension racked my body. I swallowed and said, “I got by on my own, but you shouldn’t judge people based on how much money they have.”

  We headed toward the dining room. My new pink flats matched my skirt and fit like a glove, and they didn’t make sounds like my sneakers had.

  “My grandfather says that’s the only way to tell if a man is worth any time in his day.”

  “I see.”

  We picked up plates to choose our food, and I asked, “How often do you see them?”

  Johnny came in through another door and answered in a deep voice, “Twice a year.” My heart melted. His gray pants were clearly designed for him. My body ached for his touch as he came toward us like a bullet aimed at my heart. “And I plan to keep it that way.”

  He stopped in front of Bradley and hugged him. “Good morning.”

  I pressed my hand to my heart as he came to me next and kissed me. I tingled everywhere.

  As he ended the kiss, he said, “And good morning to you.”

  My lips puckered like they’d tasted the only nectar I needed but couldn’t have any more. My heart thumped as I tried to think of what to say next, but my phone rang in the back pocket of my skirt, and I pulled it out. “My sister in London is calling. I’ll be right back, as this won’t take long.”

  Johnny picked up a plate and spoke with Bradley.

  I glanced at both of them and dashed out to the balcony. It was on the third ring when I answered, almost out of breath, “Stephanie!”

  “Off to work?” she asked.

  My heart pounded as I said, “No. I’m…”

  “Spit it out.” She could tell I was stalling.

  I closed my eyes and ignored the singing birds, the green trees, and the colorful flowers that bloomed in the garden. No one was there. I put Stephanie on speakerphone and said, “I’m engaged.”

  A chuckle escaped her throat, and she said, “The way you talked about the doctor as you were heading to his house, I figured you were in love.”

  I paced as I opened my eyes and asked, “What?”

  “I’ve never heard you mooning over any guy. It was nice, actually. You sounded sweet, and at least someone knocked your socks off once.”

  I sat down on the railing. “How’s everything with you?”

  “I have to drive to Scotland for the night, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  “Not really. It’s for work.”

  If I focused on my sister and not on Johnny for a few minutes, maybe I would be okay. I swallowed and asked, “Are you nervous about your job?”

  “No,” she said, then it sounded like she’d closed a door. “It’s literally the only thing I do here that makes sense. The rest of my life was a mess for a while. Work is where I make money and pay for my Jane Austen events. Who cares what big shot sits in the corner office. I’m here to earn the life I want.”

  That was a good point, and at least she knew the world she wanted to live in. Fangirling might be fun if I had that sort of passion over anything, but my own life was a mess. And while my answer wasn’t as simple as focusing on work, I did get to take care of Bradley, and maybe Johnny was right. I needed to just enjoy myself and let go of dreams that might never happen. Stephanie had probably even said that to me in the past.

  I sighed and stared at the doors that led inside. “I should go.”

  “And you should send a photo of that ring of yours to the group chat and let Georgie, Indigo, Ridley, and Nicole know before I tell them.”

  Fair point. I always hated to be last to know family news. “Please don’t. I don’t want to involve the others. Not yet.”

  “Why?”

  Unlike me, they were all happy and in love. I glanced up at the bright sky. I wished I had confidence and surety with all I did. “Because I need my heart to be settled.”

  “Always stalling. It’s fine. I’ll keep it to myself for a bit, and besides, I’ll be unable to talk to anyone for the next twenty-four hours, anyhow.”

  Perfect. I thanked her and hung up.

  Then I remembered my parents and swayed on my feet. I would never find love like they had, but with Johnny, I had the chance for passion. Johnny wasn’t anyone I would deny again.

  Once I could breathe easier, I headed back inside and took the seat between Johnny and Bradley.

  Johnny pressed his hand on my shoulder, sending a spark through me, and asked, “How was your sister?”

  “She’s good.”

  His hand wasn’t all I wanted. I noticed the bagel on my plate. I ignored it and popped a grape into my mouth and sipped my coffee. The sweetness mixed with earthy flavors woke me up.

  Johnny
asked, “What does she do? Is she married?”

  I shook my head and said, “We’re the unmarried ones and have been checking on each other, though she said the second I mentioned your name, she thought I was in love.”

  He stilled and stared at me with those brown eyes that made my panties melt. “You intrigue me.”

  “Have a good morning,” Bradley said and slid his chair back.

  My forehead tightened, but I hugged him. He then hugged his dad and left quickly.

  I was achy with need, and we were alone. Clutching my pendant, I asked, “Where’s Bradley going?”

  He took my hand in his and said, “He’s spending the morning with Flo and Mary so that we can settle things between us.”

  Damn. Maybe if I’d gone to his bed, the desire coursing through me would be tamed. I’d denied myself because I wanted to be smart. I picked up my coffee and said, “I suppose we should.”

  His plate was empty. “Finish your breakfast so we can go.”

  I wanted him to throw me on the table and take me there. I was a confused hot mess. I finished my coffee in one gulp then pivoted my chair to get up. “I just need another coffee.”

  “Sure.” He stood with me and brushed against my arm. “There is more.”

  Goose bumps grew on my arms as I thought about how he would fulfill the image of him and me on that dining table. Then he moved the bagel in front of me and handed me a cup.

  I shrugged and explained, “I don’t eat carbs often, though when I do indulge, I eat way too many. I have no middle ground.” As I spoke, I kept wishing he would stop me and kiss me thoroughly. The thought made me blush. “Let’s go.”

  He pressed a hand against the small of my back as he walked beside me. “Once the contract negotiations end, I’d like for us to go pick out a ring you’d like.”

  And I wanted him between my thighs. As he brushed his hand on me, I felt protected in a way no one else had ever made me feel. I swallowed and said, “You don’t have to.”

  He opened the door for me, and a Mercedes sat out front. “I heard you for a bit with your sister on the phone.”

  My eyes widened. “You did?”

  “Yeah. There is a window open.”

  I would have to learn the layout of his house better. I sucked in my bottom lip as he led me to the passenger seat. I stood next to him, stalling. “What did you hear?”

  His chest was close to mine, and he leaned down. My lips tingled, but instead of kissing me, he said, “Mostly that you told your sister about me when you only knew I was a doctor.”

  Damn. Ignoring my sensations was just as bad as being sex addled. Every cell in my body felt as if it had come alive. “Until I showed up at your door, I had no idea you had a house that was anything like this. I just assume most of my students are middle class.”

  He stepped back and said, “Bradley isn’t who I need to talk about with you.”

  I slipped into my seat, and he got in the driver’s side. He took up extra room with those large muscles of his. I shook my head, like that might make my sexy thoughts dissipate. When he pressed the ignition button and his car purred on without a fight, I ignored thoughts of wishing mine worked so easily.

  “Yeah?” I asked.

  He drove, and his body seemed racked with tension. “Last night, I was confused on what you and I might do when you refused to come to bed with me.”

  Maybe I should have. I almost said it out loud but kept it to myself. My face became hot, and I knew I was probably blushing, but I reached out and squeezed his biceps. “I didn’t refuse. I just wanted to wait.”

  He tilted his head like he understood and said, “Because you want to be in love. But are you willing to marry and possibly shatter that illusion?”

  I felt the tension in his hard muscle and let go as I settled in my seat. “We’re going to the courthouse.”

  One of his eyebrows rose. “So?”

  Talk. Don’t stall, Olivia, Stephanie’s voice whispered in my head. “I hesitate on most things in my life because once I give my word, I follow through. I said I’d marry you and help with Bradley and…”

  “And?”

  I moved closer to him and curled my legs toward him. Then I squared my shoulders. I was ready. “Have sex with you. You were clear that’s what you wanted from me.”

  His body seemed to relax. “So you don’t need more time?”

  I shook my head. Part of me was nervous and on edge. I ignored that and said, “Tonight, we’ll finish the list we made, then I’ll be ready.”

  He took my hand in his. “What if you don’t like something in the contract?”

  I didn’t want anything else. I would live with whatever was there. I could live with very little. “Okay, I guess if there is more, we’ll talk about it. I look forward to later,” I said and settled in my seat.

  I’d given my word. Even if his heart was never on the line for me, I would have to accept. We were to marry, and I would have to settle with being the best stepmother for Bradley and accepting whatever happened between Johnny and me. Passion needed to be enough.

  Chapter Eight

  Johnny

  My body was hard and raring to go the second we came home. At the courthouse to apply for the license, I’d held Olivia for a few minutes but kept my hands mostly to myself. I refused to kiss her again until she started it, and so far, she’d only held my hand. I needed her to want me as much as I wanted to fuck her.

  I settled into a game of touching to tease. As we entered my office, I closed the door and realized quickly that we were in private quarters. The Persian rug would keep her warm as I rammed into her, if that was what she chose. And as a bonus, the room was soundproof in case I actually needed to negotiate something secret, though at the moment, that meant Bradley wouldn’t hear anything even if he stood right outside.

  Olivia slipped into a chair, completely comfortable, and picked up the contract, seeming calm. She held it up and said, “I need a few minutes to read this over.”

  “Of course.” I nodded and headed to the kitchen to grab us some water.

  Maybe I would toss it over my head and body to tease her. I knew I needed to shock the good girl. I liked the flirty woman of the past year. At the last second, I went to my bedroom and stripped down to my underwear. My dick needed to fill her. On the way down, I grabbed the water too.

  I couldn’t remember the last woman who’d ever said no to me, or if that woman had ever existed.

  Once I was in my underwear, I was ready to face her, so I strode back to the office and knocked. “Are you ready?”

  She laughed, and her face was bright red. I held my head up and strode in to sit behind the desk as she asked, “What are you wearing?”

  “Underwear.” I picked up a pen to hand her and said, “I figured you’d want me to be modest.”

  She looked me up and down and hugged her waist. “So we sign and head straight to the bedroom?”

  Fucking yes. I put my bare feet up on the desk and folded my hands behind my head as I said, “Well, I did promise we’d pick a ring first.”

  She slumped in her seat and crossed her legs. “So you’re going to do this… without clothes on?”

  My lips curled higher. She blushed all over her body, matching the skirt she was wearing.

  “Does my being naked make you uncomfortable?”

  She shook her head and sucked in her lips. “It’s causing my head to spin. Put a shirt on.”

  My cock stiffened like I wanted to stuff Little Johnny inside her, despite her protests. The gleam in her eye made me guess that she wanted me too. I raised my eyebrow. “Tell you what… grab a shirt I have in here and put it on me, if you can.”

  She covered her lips, and a chuckle escaped her. “Is that a dare?”

  I stood and opened the small closet with extra clothes that I kept in the office in case I worked from home and had a virtual meeting. “A little.”

  Then I sat and watched her. Olivia shimmied her butt around me and grabbed
a blue button-down. She unfolded the shirt then stroked my body while she slid the shirt over my arms. She brushed against my muscles, and my cock grew harder.

  Then she squeezed my ass and said, “You like this. I can tell.”

  I wiggled so that she would notice Little Johnny then winked at her. “I knew you had a naughty side.”

  She tugged at the elastic of my underwear and said, “Everyone does. I never denied that. All last night I wanted to jump your bones.”

  “No more stalling then.” I grabbed her arm, which was close to my dick, and held her there for a moment. “You’ll be my wife, Olivia.”

  Her fingers brushed the head of my dick. She let out a sigh then slipped out of my grasp. “There… you’re dressed.” The shirt wasn’t buttoned, but she sashayed away, making me want to watch her. “Let me go sit.”

  As she returned to her chair, I saw a glimpse of silky underwear as she crossed her legs, and for a moment, my shoulders slumped. I’d half wanted to see her cotton ones. She flipped the paper and pulled her chair to the desk. “This will be fast, as most of this is generous, and I’m not out to cheat you, but this allowance thing feels medieval.”

  Teachers might work for peanuts, but that wasn’t our life. She would be in charge of ensuring all teachers worked with Bradley. But she hadn’t argued that point and instead mentioned money.

  “You’re expected to do a lot, and money isn’t a problem for a Dawes.”

  “I want you more than you know.” She clutched her necklace and said, “It’s just… I never took a job working for one of my sisters because I didn’t want a handout.”

  Ahh. I leaned closer. The air smelled like her sugar lotion again. I was hard, but I ignored it. “Think of it this way instead. If you want to take Bradley to Hawaii and have me meet you there in a few days, then you have the money to do whatever you want as my wife.”

  She bit her lower lip, and I wished she would free it. She sighed but then pointed at another line and asked, “What does ‘provisions’ entail?”