Hostile Takeover: Modern Girl's Quickie

by Gina Drayer

  Beth studied the floor and tapped a finger against her ruby lips, as though she were mulling over the idea. "I don't know." She shifted and started chewing on the fingernail. The seconds that ticked by were excruciating, but then she looked directly at him and broke out in a huge smile. "Fine. I'll do it, but we need to get together tonight and nail down a story. For now, I hope you're good at improv."

  Before he could answer, Beth grabbed his shirt, pulled him against her body, and pressed her lips over his. The kiss had caught him off guard, and when he didn't respond she broke the kiss. But instead of pulling away, she ran her hands through his hair and pressed her lips against his ear.

  "Go with it," she whispered in a husky voice that sent an electric bolt down his spine.

  Fuck. Maybe she'd taken him literally. He wanted to kiss her, but Matt didn't want her to think he expected anything physical. They were just supposed to pretend. But those finer distinctions fell away when she slid her tongue along his lower lip. So instead of trying to explain, he followed her instructions and just went with it.

  Her lips were warm, full, and tasted like wine and sugary fruit. When he deepened the kiss, she let out a moan and teased his tongue with hers. At that moment, Matt completely lost himself in the kiss, forgetting that they were pretending and that he still didn't know her last name. All he could think about was getting his hands on her bare skin.

  A throat cleared behind them. "Matt. If you don't let go of that woman, someone is going to call security. Or worse—Mom is going to wonder what's taking us so long and come after you herself."

  Matt broke away, lightheaded and a bit foggy. What the hell was he doing? He took a deep breath and tried to collect his thoughts so he could come up with some explanation, but Beth took charge. She ducked under his arm and snuggled in close, as if the spot was made just for her.

  "This is all my fault. I didn't mean to interrupt your dinner. You must be Jason," she said and held out a hand to his brother.

  Matt started to panic. What was she going to say? They didn't have a story put together yet.

  "Matt didn't have any idea I was going to be here. I was going to surprise him later tonight, but he saw me sneaking through the dining room and the jig was up."

  "And you are?" Jason looked from Beth back to Matt, waiting for answers.

  "I'm Beth Riley."

  "My girlfriend," Matt added, hoping like hell she hadn't changed her mind.

  She leaned back against his chest and looked up adoringly with her big doe eyes. "His girlfriend," she confirmed.

  Damn she was good. He almost believed it himself.

  "Your girlfriend?" Jason asked suspiciously. "Why am I just now hearing about this? You realize Mom is going to have a stroke."

  "Don't tell Mom yet. Beth won't—"

  "I won't be any bother. Like I said, this was a surprise. Matt asked me ages ago to come with him, but I was scheduled to be in Costa Rica. There's been some flooding this summer, and my project has been delayed." Beth pressed a hand against Jason's arm. "I know it's last minute, so please don't include me in any of your activities. I'm just here to enjoy the trip, and keep Matt busy after everyone's gone to bed. After you're done tonight," she said to Matt with a wicked grin, sliding a key into his hand, "I'm in room 5872. See you then, tiger."

  Beth kissed him with a loud smack and walked out of the restaurant, leaving him dazed. He felt like he'd been in an accident, and the only thing he could do was wait for help to arrive. That kiss had caught him off guard and sure felt like more than a bit of playacting. He was going to need a cold shower before he could face his family. Matt was pretty sure it wasn't a good idea to meet her in her stateroom. Maybe he'd call her instead.

  "Girlfriend? Bridget's going to be pissed. You have to know she's hoping you and her sister will hook up. What am I going to tell her about this?" He pointed in the direction Beth had taken. "Girlfriend?" Jason repeated and slapped Matt on the back. "This should be fun to watch. Mom's going to flip her shit when she finds out you've stowed away a woman and haven't invited her to join the rest of the family."

  Jason was right. He would have to think of something to tell her. But he already knew, no matter what he thought would happen, his mother would indeed insist he invite Beth to everything.

  And that brought up a whole new host of problems. If they were together with his family, everyone would expect them to act like a couple. He could still feel the warmth of her body pressed against him, and Matt wasn't sure he'd be able to stay detached.

  The idea had been so simple just a few minutes ago. Or at least he thought it had been, but now he wasn't as sure. This was why Matt always had detailed plans before he made a major decision. When he acted on impulse, he always forgot something. Now what happened the next two weeks was in the hands of the mysterious woman with coffee-colored eyes and lips that tasted like wine.

  "I was serious. Please don't tell Mom until I can explain it to her." Matt wasn't sure what he was going to say, but having time would allow him to plan. Maybe he could come up with some reason why Beth couldn't eat with them, do any of the planned activities. He couldn’t let his mother at her until he came up with something. Yes, given time, he'd be able to come up with a plan and keep his promise to Beth.

  More by Gina Drayer

  I hope you enjoyed Holly and Mike’s story.

  Modern Girl’s Guide Series

  Vacation Flings (Matt and Beth)

  One Night Stands (Simon and Julia)

  Friends with Benefits (Peter and Megan)

  Kink (Kim and Cash)

  Office Romance (Jason and Kira)

  Online Dating ***Coming Soon***

  Modern Girl’s Quickies:

  Hostile Takeover (Holly and Mike)

  Networking (Jesse and Brody) ***Summer 2017***

  Modern Girl’s Guide Spinoff Series

  Martinis After Dark (Lee and Dylon)

  Tequila Sunrise (Mike and Sky) ***Summer 2017***

  For updated, giveaways and notification of sales, sign up for Gina Drayer’s Inner Circle

  Copyright © 2017 Gina Drayer

  There you are. I’ve missed our time together. I’d rather skip all the legal and get straight to the good stuff, but the lawyers make me…

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review (and no, telling your imaginary friend doesn’t count), the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form be it electronic, mechanical, photocopied, transcribed by hand (cursive or manuscript), recorded on audio tape, mp3, or TedTalk, or distributed in any form or means, including but not limited to genetic, chemical, optical, holographic, stereophonic, EVP, and Vulcan mind meld is strictly prohibited unless you are Bill Murray. No live broadcast of this book may be performed, lip-synced, or used in a poetry slam.

  In other words, this work belongs to me and you can’t use it without my written permission.

  If you downloaded this book from a pirate site. Times are hard and Bitches need their books. BUT…you might consider going straight and joining my mailing list to get updated when my books go on sale or even join my ARC list.

  This is a work of fiction*. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any similarities to persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. If the incidents or people in this book resemble your life, I hope the head wound is better? Safe sex always and drink a good craft beer on me.

  *Thanks Rasputin!

  Cover design by Wicked Women Design.

 

 

 
buttons">share