Forbidden Fake Fiance (Forbidden Small Town Bad Boys #1)

by Holly Jaymes

“You were attracted to her. And you’re probably better with people than me since you’re a deputy.”

  “But, she’s not attracted to me.”

  I shrugged. “She said she didn’t want you getting the wrong idea.”

  He winced. “Ouch.”

  “Sorry.”

  “So, does she know you’re attracted to her? She’s not worried you’ll get the wrong idea?”

  “She thinks like you do; that all I want is sex from her. She thinks that I’m not interested in relationships. She probably thinks I’m incapable of it.”

  Wyatt took another bite of burger and chewed, but I could see the wheels in his head turning. When he swallowed, he said, “Are you going to tell her otherwise?”

  I glared at him. “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “I like hanging out with her. If she thought I liked her, she’d dump me like an old sack of potatoes.”

  “Why? You might have built a reputation with the ladies, but you’re a good person, Josh. Smart. Considerate. Fun as hell. She’d be an idiot to push you away.”

  I think that was the nicest thing he’d ever said to me.

  The next day we were loaded up in Allie’s Audi and headed west for the nearly three-hour drive to the California coast. We were in her car because my SUV wasn’t expensive enough. I had to admit, if I survived this trip with my ego intact, I’d be surprised. At every turn, what I had wasn’t up to snuff for posh people.

  We reached Santa Monica and then headed north toward Malibu, where her family had a second home and where cousin Liza was getting married. The traffic sucked, but at least on Highway 1, to the left was the pacific ocean and on the right, the Santa Monica Mountains. It wasn’t Eden Lake, but it was nicer than Los Angeles traffic.

  “The last time I was here, that ridge was on fire,” I said to Allie, pointing out the window toward the Santa Monica Mountains. “She ran like a mother fucker toward the coast.”

  “We had friends that lost homes in that.” She looked over at me. “Is it scary fighting fire?”

  “Sometimes. There’s a lot we know so we can stay safe and contain them. But they’re unpredictable. Sometimes it feels like we’re battling Satan himself.”

  “I can’t imagine. You’ve probably saved many people.”

  I shrugged. “Some. Most areas are evacuated during a wildfire, but home fires often require rescues…” I trailed off because I didn’t want to talk about the times that we were too late or couldn’t reach people.

  “Some people tried to stay in Malibu during the last fire,” she said. “I don’t understand that. If someone tells me to leave because I’m in danger, I’m leaving.”

  “There are myths out there like if you water the roof of your house or don’t have debris around it, you can save it. Sometimes it feels like the fire is far away. People don’t realize how fast they can move, especially if the wind is behind them.”

  We drove for a bit in silence.

  “Has Eden Lake ever done a first responder calendar? I think you’d be perfect for that.”

  I laughed. “What month should I be?”

  “All of them.”

  I turned to look at her, surprised by her response. I grinned. “Why Allie Sinclair, I think you’re warming to me.”

  She laughed. “Maybe.”

  I’d take that, for now.

  The Charade Begins

  Allie

  The ride to the coast with Josh was pleasant. Even in the awful traffic of southern California, he remained upbeat. What I’d once equated to as being smarmy I now realized was his temperament. Josh was an affable guy. Not that he never got annoyed, but in general, he was easy going. It could work to our advantage as there was no doubt in my mind that my parents would say or do something that would test his affable nature. I just hope it didn’t make him bitter or make him decide that I wasn’t worth being friends with anymore.

  Over the last week, when I worked to prepare him for this trip, I kept feeling guilty. There was nothing wrong with his clothes or car or anything, but my parents judged people by these things, and so he needed nicer ones. In general, he took the process well, but on a few occasions, I could see it irked him.

  When he gave me the ring, I wasn’t sure what to think. My first thought was gratitude that he’d thought about a ring and arranged to get one. My heart rolled over in my chest as he handed it to me, almost like it wished this was real, which was ridiculous. While I’d grown to like Josh as a friend, I knew he wasn’t a settle-down type. And I knew my family wouldn’t accept him, as him. Fortunately, if he had any ideas about being more than friends, the next four days with my parents would cure him of that.

  The next thing I thought about the pretty ring was that my family wouldn’t appreciate it. Liza’s diamond and platinum ring had to be close to twenty-grand. I knew that Josh’s ring was worth more just in the sentimental value of being an heirloom, but it hadn’t been outrageously expensive. I hated myself for thinking that.

  Finally, it felt wrong to use a lovely family heirloom in a fake engagement. I didn’t want to taint the ring with my deception. Clearly, I offended Josh, and so I wore the ring. I liked the ring a lot. It had a simple elegance from the filigree and clear-cut diamond that sparkled in the sunlight as we drove. If this were real, I’d have been overwhelmed with emotion to accept it. But it wasn’t real.

  As we entered the Malibu city limits, the butterflies that had been twitching on the ride, morphed into full-fledged jitters.

  “I don’t know if I can do this,” I said, sucking in a breath to calm my nerves.

  “You don’t think I can do this, you mean.” He glanced at me.

  “It’s not you, Josh. It’s important to me that you don’t think that I look down on you or anything. I think you’re brave and smart, and you’re sweet.”

  “Your parents don’t like brave, smart or sweet.”

  “Not as much as they like money and connections.” God, I felt sick.

  “Do they like you? Do I get any points for being with you?”

  “They love me in their way, but they don’t understand me.”

  He reached over and took my hand and squeezed it. “You should just be you.”

  I laughed. “This weekend is going to be tough enough. No, I need to fit in.” I used my yoga breathing to calm myself. “Turn left up here.” We got off Highway 1 and made our way to Broad Beach Road.

  “It always surprises me how close the homes are here. I always thought rich people liked their space.”

  “Once you’re in the home, you don’t notice the others. Plus, the beach is out back. The Pacific Ocean, as the backyard feels spacious.” I directed him the final way to the house. He parked and turned off the car.

  He looked over at me. “Ready?”

  “No.”

  “Come on. What’s the worst that could happen? They don’t buy that I’m a rich dude.”

  “Then shame, embarrassment—” I shook my head, wondering how I let this crazy idea get this far.

  “Isn’t their attention going to be focused on your cousin Liza?”

  “Yes, but…” We were sitting in the driveway of my parents’ beach home, so it was already too late to change our minds.

  He got out of the car and came over to my side to help me out. “It’ll be fine.”

  It didn’t feel like it would be fine, but at this point, I couldn’t do anything but follow through. We walked to the door. I knocked and then opened the door.

  “Hello?” We stepped inside. “They’re probably in the back.” I led Josh through the entryway and up the long glass corridor, where outside to the left was a pool.

  “You live on the beach and have a pool?” he asked.

  “It’s for laps.”

  “You have an ocean out back?”

  I shrugged. “You swim in the pool when there’s a lake?”

  “If the lake was in my backyard, I’d swim there.”

  When we made it through the kitchen, we enter
ed the living area where floor to ceiling windows framed in the ocean.

  “Wow,” Josh said.

  “Don’t gape. It will give you away.”

  He snapped his mouth shut. “Right.”

  “There you are.”

  I turned to see my older sister Victoria. She was rounder in all the right areas than I was. Those areas were highlighted in her white bikini under a filmy swim cover. God, I hoped Josh didn’t gawk at her.

  “And this must be your man.” Her eyes flashed with appreciation as she took Josh in. “Yum, Allie.”

  I felt Josh’s hand on my lower back as he extended the other one out. “Josh Dalton.”

  My sister smiled as she took his hand. “Victoria Sinclair.”

  I wanted to slap that seductive look off her face.

  “Are mother and father here?” I asked.

  “They’ll be down in a minute. I was heading outside for a little sun soak.” She eyed Josh again. “You look like you spend some time in the sun.”

  “A little,” he said.

  “You’re welcome to join me.”

  “Stop hitting on Josh,” I snapped.

  Victoria laughed. “Sorry. I forgot you’re engaged.” She shook her head. “Engaged. I can’t believe it.”

  Victoria and I had always been close growing up, but she operated more like my parents did, putting too much importance on money and appearances. But what bothered me at the moment was the predatory gleam in her eye toward Josh.

  “I’m a lucky man,” Josh said, pulling me a little closer.

  “Allison, you’re here.” My mother strode down the stairs with my father in tow. “In good time too.” Her sharp eyes raked over Josh, assessing him. He must have felt the scrutiny as he shifted slightly next to me.

  “Hi, I’m Josh Dalton,” he said, extending his hand to my mother and then father for introductions.

  They exchanged cool pleasantries.

  “Let me see your ring,” Victoria said, grabbing my hand. “Oh.” Her tone wasn’t impressed.

  My mother frowned and looked at Josh.

  “It’s an heirloom,” I said. “Josh’s grandmother.”

  “I thought his family was—”

  “Mother!” I didn’t need her scrutinizing Josh’s family’s financial status first thing.

  “My grandparents didn’t have much when they married. My grandfather spent his last penny to get that ring,” Josh started. “When my grandfather found success, he bought my grandmother another ring, but she refused to wear it, saying this ring was the true symbol of their love since he’d spent all that he had on it.”

  “How romantic,” Victoria said.

  “Yes, very sweet,” my mother said, although her tone didn’t match her words. “I’m sorry we won’t be able to chat now. I told Camille that I’d help her with the rehearsal dinner. We’re all invited.”

  “That’s fine,” I said. It was more than fine. The less time Josh spent with my parents, the better.

  “I’m heading to the office. I’ll be back for dinner.” My father kissed my mother on her temple.

  “You’re in your room, Allison, and we’ve put Dalton in the first guest room. You can show him, can’t you?”

  “Yes, mother. You go do what you need to do.” The sooner, the better.

  Victoria headed outside as Josh and I watched my parents leave the house.

  “So far, so good, right?” Josh whispered next to me.

  “So far.” But I was filled with dread. “Come on. Let me show you your room.”

  “I’m a little disappointed that we don’t get to share.” He gave me his signature sexy smile.

  I shook my head at him but smiled. Josh had a way to help lighten the situation. I hoped he’d be able to hold on to that ability these next few days.

  We got our bags, and then I showed him up to the rooms.

  “This is a great view,” he said, looking out the window.

  I joined him, noticing Victoria lying on her back on the chaise just below.

  “Hmm, of course, you’d notice.”

  He frowned, and then looked to where my attention was directed. “I meant the ocean, Allie. Jesus, I’m not a complete horndog.”

  I shrugged and moved away. “I couldn’t really blame you. She’s got more of all the right parts.”

  Josh laughed, and it made me feel silly. “Allie. Your parts are just fine. More than fine, as far as I can tell.” I waited for him to make some remark about his willingness to investigate my parts further, but he didn’t. Was it because he was behaving or because he wasn’t interested in my parts? I chastised myself for my insecurity.

  We had lunch and kept mostly to ourselves until the evening when we went to Liza’s rehearsal dinner. I tried to get out of it since we weren’t in the wedding, but my mother insisted we all go.

  The dinner was casual attire, so I wore a light blue dress with a beaded crew neckline. Josh wore light beige slacks with a light blue button shirt and a sport coat. I’d never seen Josh in anything but his swim trunks, running clothes, or jeans. This was a lovely change.

  “I clean up well, don’t I?” He grinned.

  I smiled. “You do alright.”

  His gaze scanned over me. “You look fantastic.”

  I wondered if he’d still think so when he saw Victoria, who I was sure was wearing something that showed off her assets better.

  At the dinner, we’d been able to avoid my parents as my dad hung out with Liza’s father, and my mother hovered around Liza’s mother.

  I purposefully navigated Josh and me to a far table with Liza’s fiancé’s family. If my mother balked, I could say I was just making sure they felt welcome.

  After we ate, Josh leaned over. “How about a walk?”

  I wasn’t sure my mother would like us leaving, so I hedged.

  “There’s a terrace out there.” Josh nodded to the back of the restaurant as if he knew my reluctance. “It will give you a chance to take a break from hypervigilance.”

  He was right. I was wound up tight. “Yes, that would be nice.”

  He stood and helped me up. He took my hand, bringing it to his lips and brushing a kiss over it. A sweet warmth fluttered in my belly at the gesture.

  When we were outside, he slipped my arm through his, and we strolled along the terrace. I inhaled the ocean scent and warm night air.

  “I’ve heard weddings are stressful, and it never made sense to me,” he said.

  “Oh?”

  “When two people are in love and want to join their lives, a wedding should be a joyous celebration of that.”

  “It is, isn’t it?”

  He pulled me to the corner of the terrace railing out of the view of restaurant patrons. “The tension with your family is so thick. I could cut it with a butter knife.”

  “A lot of that is probably just my family. Appearances are of utmost importance.” I leaned back in the corner of the railing, turning my head to look toward the moon. I closed my eyes, feeling the breeze on my face.

  When I opened my eyes, Josh was staring at me. His eyes were an intense icy blue.

  “What?” I squeaked out as my mouth had gone dry at the way he was looking at me.

  “You’re so beautiful.” His hand gently caressed the side of my face.

  I swallowed as my belly fluttered again.

  Our gazes held, suspended in a moment of time that I wanted to remember forever.

  He bit his lower lip and gave his head a light shake. Then he leaned forward and pressed his mouth over mine. My hands went to his chest, gripping his shirt as the world spun again with the taste of him. His lips were soft and gently coaxing. I parted my lips, inviting him in. I moaned when his tongue met mine, laving gently and softly in my mouth.

  “I thought I saw you two escape out here.” Victoria’s voice broke the magic.

  Josh pulled away, slipping his arm around me. “Just wanting a moment alone.”

  I realized his kiss was probably a part of his fake fi
ancé routine. He’d never tried to kiss me before, so he had to be doing it to make us seem like a real couple. Just as his kissing my hand had to be. I felt silly and disappointed for letting myself get caught up in it.

  “I can see that,” Victoria said. “Mother is looking for you, Allison.”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “I’ll be happy to entertain Josh while you do.”

  I’ll bet. I looked up at him.

  “Actually, I think I’ll go use the men’s room.”

  I wondered if he was avoiding being alone with Victoria. Was it because he didn’t want to be pursued by her or because he didn’t trust himself not to be tempted by her?

  “Suit yourself,” Victoria said, slipping her arm through mine and walking with me back into the restaurant. “Not everyone is completely buying this engagement of yours.”

  “Oh?” Panic flared in my belly.

  “It seems sudden, and you didn’t tell anyone.”

  “It’s new.”

  “You’re worried he won’t be accepted.”

  I shrugged.

  “Give it time, Allison. He’s not from a family they know, so they’re going to be distant at first. Personally, I’m wondering if he has a brother, because…yum.”

  “Stop ogling my fiancé.”

  She laughed. “Sorry. The point is, give them time. And you’ll probably need to let mom plan your wedding. That would appease her.”

  “I appreciate your support.”

  “Relax and smile, Allison. You look like you’re walking to the guillotine.” She gave me a slight push toward my mother.

  Easier said than done, I thought. “Mother.”

  “Oh, Allison.” She looked around me. “Where’s Mr. Dalton?”

  “He needed to use the restroom.”

  “I was talking to Casper Trenton, who has a place out there in Eden Lake, and he says he doesn’t know of a Dalton family.”

  Oh crap. “His family isn’t from there.”

  “And what do they do again?”

  I ran through the lie Josh and I pulled together. “They’re involved in resorts. Tahoe, Park City, and places like that. But like me, Josh has other interests outside of the family.”

  “Hmm.”

  She wasn’t not buying it, but she wasn’t convinced either.