[Anthology] A Clean Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  Madison’s heart pounded against her ribcage. The response to his touch was ridiculous. They weren’t a couple. It was silly to get all ‘school-girl crush’ on him.

  He reached up and brushed the hair from her face, his fingers wrapping around her neck, his thumb caressing her cheek. “We should keep up appearances.”

  “Yes.” Why did she sound so breathless?

  His grey eyes captivated her. He leaned closer. “We wouldn’t want them to find out.”

  She swallowed. “Right.”

  His lips met hers and ignited a fire inside. She tried not to kiss him back since this was a fake kiss, but it didn’t work. She got wrapped up in the moment. Her body tingled and burned at the same time. His lips moved against hers, sending waves of pleasure through her.

  She’d never had anyone kiss her this way before. Her knees grew weak, and she clung to him. When he broke the kiss, she had to catch her breath.

  “Well,” she finally managed. “I guess we showed them.”

  His lip twitched. “Yes.” He motioned toward the garden path. “Let’s take a walk.”

  He took her hand, which surprised her. What was he doing? First the kiss-to-end-all-kisses, now he was holding her hand? She glanced behind her, thinking maybe Patricia was at the window, but no one was watching. Could he be interested in her?

  They walked through the gate and down the path to the gazebo. A waterfall cascaded down large rocks and landed in a pond populated with goldfish. The heat of the day had cooled into a delightful evening. His thumb brushed against the back of her hand and she almost melted. Jared motioned for her to sit on the bench running along the inside of the gazebo.

  “This is lovely.” Gah, why did she say that? She sounded like a stupid teenager with a crush. Dumb. But she felt like a stupid teenager with a crush, so she supposed she was acting appropriately.

  Jared sat next to her, and she noticed a lipstick smudge on his cheek. A burning sensation ignited in her chest, and she turned away. How stupid she was. Here she was thinking he was interested, and he was out kissing Veronica behind her back. She stiffened. “You see Veronica today?”

  His eyes widened. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

  “Lucky guess.”

  Acid burned in her stomach. Jared wasn’t into her. He was into his rich ex-girlfriend. Of course. That made perfect sense. She and he made no sense at all. She stared at the pond and watched the fish glide under the water.

  “I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little box.

  A hole opened up in her chest. The fake engagement ring. Great. She took the box and opened it. A gasp escaped. She couldn’t help it. The ring was gorgeous. The diamond was larger than any she’d ever seen, and it sparkled in the sunlight.

  “Wow. Is this real?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah.”

  “You sure know how to pick a fake engagement ring.” She slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly.

  He slid off the bench and got down on one knee. “Will you pretend-marry me, Madison?” The breeze ruffled his hair, and his lips curled up in a half-grin.

  Why did he have to be so cute? Why couldn’t she pretend-marry someone else? Someone who wouldn’t break her heart. She swallowed a lump forming in her throat. “Yes, I will pretend-marry you.”

  His smile grew, and he stood, pulling her up as well. “Good. I was afraid you’d say no.” He drew her close.

  She squirmed out of his embrace. How could he go see Veronica, then come home and flirt with her? Anger rose. What a two-timing, manipulative, jerk! She slapped a mosquito off her arm. “Let’s go inside. I’m getting eaten alive out here.”

  Chapter 12

  Madison opened the sliding glass door, Jared close on her heels. Patricia eyed her with one eyebrow raised. “What were you two doing out there?”

  Thinking of Jared and Veronica had totally ruined the whole ring-giving thing, but she was an actress, and she needed to play a part. Any girl who had been given a gorgeous ring would be thrilled. She plastered on a big smile, and held up her hand. “I guess it’s official now.”

  Patricia squealed, clasped her hands together, then ran over to Madison and pulled her hand close. “Wow, that’s gorgeous! Jared, you really know how to pick out an engagement ring. Look at the setting. Absolutely stunning!”

  Patricia continued to gush, while Madison acted like the excited bride she was supposed to be. Jared put his arms around her, tucking her head under his chin, which made her blood boil.

  “I know Jared proposed already, but seeing the ring, it’s almost like it just happened. Zachary proposed while we were hiking. We had reached a lookout, over the trees and a tiny stream. The sun was setting, and it was breathtaking. We sat on a log, and he brought out the ring. It was amazing.” Patricia gazed at Madison. “How did Jared propose?”

  The urge to get back at Jared for being with Veronica was too great. “It was really sweet. You see, he knew my favorite ballet was Swan Lake. So he put on a pair of tights and—”

  “I did no such thing.” Jared released her and took a step back.

  Madison touched his arm. “Don’t be embarrassed, love. It was adorable.” Patricia giggled, and Madison had to swallow a laugh. “He blasted the music on his iPod and played the part of Siegfried, dancing around my apartment, doing jumps and pirouettes, in a leotard and ballet shoes. Then he gave me a single red rose, knelt on the carpet, and recited a poem he wrote.”

  Patricia gasped, and shoved his shoulder. “Jared! A poem? I didn’t know you could write poetry.”

  Jared’s face drained of color, and he appeared to be having trouble breathing.

  “Yes. It was really good, too. One of those complicated haiku things.”

  A look crossed Patricia’s face and her eyes widened. “Omygosh! You must write a poem for your vows.”

  Jared opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

  Madison hid a smirk. “What a fantastic idea. Share your great haiku writing talent with everyone at the wedding.” She whacked him on the back. “You have such a way with words. You left me speechless.”

  He shut his mouth, opened it again, and then closed it. Shaking his head, he left the room.

  “Awe, he’s overwhelmed with emotion. He probably didn’t think the poem meant that much to me.”

  “I can’t believe the transformation in him. Before he met you, it’s like he was a totally different person.”

  Yeah, an uptight, inconsiderate, oaf. Madison bit those words back. “He’s something else, that’s for sure.”

  “Well, when he looks at you, I can see it in his eyes. He loves you. I wasn’t sure that would ever happen. He’s had a rough time with women.”

  Ignoring the comment about Jared loving her, she tilted her head. “How so?”

  Patricia bit her lip. “He was so young when his mother died. I’m sure that affected him. And I think he fell hard for Veronica, when he was a teen. She really pulled a number on him. Cheating behind his back. Using him. Manipulating him into buying her whatever she wanted.”

  Madison’s mouth went dry. She knew Veronica was bad, but hadn’t thought too much about what she’d done to Jared.

  Patricia glanced into the other room and lowered her voice. “She ruined his prom night. She sent Jared off to fetch something from the car, and when he got back inside, she’d disappeared. He found her in the chemistry lab—in a compromising position with his best friend.”

  Madison sucked in a breath. “How terrible. Why would he even want to be around her now?”

  “I don’t know. She’s horrible. Back in high school, when I tried to warn him about her, she found out, and I became her target.”

  “What did she do?”

  “She poured a milkshake over my head in the lunchroom, then said it was an accident. She spread lies about me. Made my life a living hell. But somehow she explained it all away. Made it seem like I was the crazy one. Jared never saw her for what she really was.”

&nbs
p; Madison thought about what it must have been like for Patricia. She knew what being bullied felt like. She’d had enough of that at school when all her grandmother could afford was clothes from the second-hand store. “I can’t believe Jared is still into her.”

  Patricia stiffened. “You think he’s still in love with Veronica?”

  Madison realized her mistake, and tried to backpedal. “Oh, well, you know. He still talks to her and stuff. That’s all I meant.”

  “You watch out for her. If she had her way, I’m sure you’d be out the door and she’d be back to sucking the life out of him. You gotta let her know you’re not going anywhere. You and Jared are in love, and she can’t worm her way in between.”

  Madison frowned. Veronica was already working her way in. Unfortunately, Madison had no claim on Jared. He was a free man, in reality. He could go back to Veronica if he wanted. Although the thought of Jared being taken advantage of by that conniving she-devil made her skin crawl. Maybe she could find a way to make Jared see what Veronica was truly like.

  “I’ll keep an eye on things.” Madison shifted her weight.

  “Yes. And I’ll try to talk some reason into him. Why he invited her to the wedding is beyond me.” She glanced out at the dark backyard. “I’d better go. Zachary is waiting for me.” She patted Madison’s arm before leaving the room.

  It was late, and the long day had worn on her. She would appreciate slipping under the covers. Madison sprinted up the stairs. When she entered the guest bedroom, Jared rounded on her. “What was that all about?”

  “What?”

  He glowered at her and folded his arms across his chest. “Tights? Really? What did I do to deserve that?”

  She dug her fingernails into her palm to keep from laughing. “Oh, that.” She bit her lip. If Veronica was really as bad as Patricia made out, maybe it wasn’t his fault. Maybe she was coming on to him. She suddenly felt bad for him. “Sorry.”

  “You’re sorry?” Frustration rolled off him, and he began to pace the room like a caged panther. “Now I have to write a poem for my wedding vows. Oh, but not just any poem. A friggen haiku, for heaven’s sake.”

  A giggle escaped and she clamped her hand over her mouth.

  “Yeah, real funny. You know, I can’t figure you out. Just when I think we’re getting along, you pull something like this.”

  “I’m sorry. I got a little upset at you.”

  “Saying I sing you to sleep would be a little upset. Putting me in tights and writing poetry? That’s serious.” Jared’s hooded gaze traveled over her. “Spill it. What did I do?”

  “I, uh...guess I felt bad you were sneaking off to see Veronica.” She paused to gauge his expression. Surprise flitted across his face. She rushed on. “I mean, I know we’re not really getting married. But we should keep up appearances, right? What if someone saw you and her together?”

  Jared stepped forward and wrapped his large hand around her arm. “I’m going to say this once, and only once.”

  The way he was so serious took her aback, and she simply nodded.

  “There is nothing between Veronica and me. Nothing.”

  His intense gaze and close proximity played havoc with her heart, causing it to beat erratically. “But I thought—”

  He put his finger on her lips. “You don’t have to worry about Veronica. I know how she is. And it’s not her I’m fake-marrying.” He brushed her hair behind her shoulder, and tilted her chin up with his knuckle. “It’s you.”

  Before she had the chance to think, his lips were on hers. It was a hungry kiss full of passion and urgency. Her hands entwined in his hair, and he pulled her close. His lips roamed to her jaw, then her earlobe. A fire burned in her, and she closed her eyes. The world began to spin.

  His kiss came back to her lips, more demanding and more passionate. Her concerns about Veronica melted away, and all that was left was Jared. His kiss created a whirlwind of emotion in her, and she couldn’t get enough of him.

  He pressed closer until she had to take several steps back. Her legs hit the bed. He began to lower her down, and the realization of what he was doing crashed through her. She jerked away from him. “Wait.”

  “What?” Desire filled his eyes.

  “What are you doing?”

  His mouth quirked in a half-smile. “I’m kissing my soon-to-be wife.”

  “Fake-wife. This isn’t real, Jared.”

  His thumb caressed her back. “What I’m feeling right now is real.”

  She was backed up against the bed and couldn’t step away from him, so she pushed against his chest, which was kind of like pushing against the Great Wall of China. He didn’t budge. “What you’re feeling right now won’t last. You’re not in love with me. If we do this, where will we be tomorrow?”

  A wicked look crossed his face. “Tomorrow we’ll wake up right here. In this bed.”

  She hopped up on the mattress and backed away from him. “I have news for you. I will be in the bed. You will be on the floor.” She jumped down then fled to the bathroom, her heart pounding.

  It took a few minutes for her hands to stop shaking and her breathing to become normal. She leaned over the sink and splashed water on her face. Sleeping with him was out of the question. She was already becoming too emotionally attached for her own good. If she allowed it, she’d fall in love, and he’d walk away and never look back.

  Becoming involved would only lead to her heart breaking. The bitter pain of feeling used and thrown away. She couldn’t allow it. She’d had enough of that her whole life.

  Her mother was quite practiced in sucking her dry then tossing her out. The only thing her mother knew how to do was take. Take interest, take advantage, then take the nearest exit. Too bad she never learned to take responsibility.

  Saying no to Jared was the right thing to do. Not that she wanted to. His touch sent her over the edge. She could have easily given herself fully to him. But that was the problem. She’d be giving all of herself, and he wouldn’t.

  Her feelings for him were growing. How had she let that happen? And how was she going to pretend this much longer, without getting hurt?

  She pulled on Irene’s pajamas and leaned against the door, unsure of what she should do next.

  A STRING OF CURSES ran through Jared’s mind as he paced the floor. What had he done? Of all the stupid things, he had to go and ruin everything. Now Madison was locked in the bathroom and probably afraid to come out.

  No wonder. He was such a selfish jerk.

  Obviously he didn’t love her. He’d only known her for three days. You can’t fall in love with someone that fast. Right?

  But her kiss had awakened feelings in him he thought were long dead. Passion and longing that he was having trouble fighting. He hoped she’d felt it too.

  She hadn’t. Or maybe she had, but was being more sensible.

  Madison was right. They couldn’t take their relationship to the next level. They didn’t love each other. And sleeping together would only complicate things.

  He sighed and pulled out the pillow and blanket from the closet. He tossed them on the floor, changed, then turned out the light. The floor seemed harder than the previous night, and he struggled to find a comfortable position.

  The seconds ticked by, with Madison still in the bathroom. No reason to pressure her. He’d wait.

  Finally, the door opened and she snuck over to the bed. She might have thought he was asleep. There were some rustling noises of her settling under the covers, and then silence.

  He felt like such a cad for the way he’d treated her, but unsure of how to broach the subject. “I’m sorry.” It seemed lame, but it was all that came out.

  “I’m sorry, too.” Her voice was quiet.

  Surprise hit him. “What are you sorry for?”

  “For getting us into this mess. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have.”

  Her voice held so much remorse, he felt it, like a wet blanket pressing down on him. And yet, it wasn’t all he
r fault. He had brought some of it on himself. And she...he hated to admit it, but she had brought a life back into his existence that he had not had in a long time. Because of her, he got out of bed a little earlier. His steps fell a little lighter. His heart beat a little faster.

  She made the world a better place. And he couldn’t stand to see her down.

  “But not sorry for the haiku crap?”

  She laughed, and the mood lightened.

  “You know, you’re forcing me to become a plagiarist. I don’t know the difference between a haiku and a cumquat. I’m going to have to steal one from some poor schmuck on the Internet. I just hope the police don’t find out and arrest me at my wedding.”

  Her laughter came louder now, and he reveled in the sound. “I suppose you could write a limerick instead,” she said between giggles.

  The thought of him reciting a limerick at his wedding made him snort, which sent them both into hysterics. His sides began to hurt, and by the time they’d settled down, he had to wipe moisture from his eyes. “I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard, ever.”

  “I didn’t think it was possible. You’re always so serious.”

  He thought about the time he and Patricia put on clown noses and rode the city bus the entire route. He’d been fourteen, she twelve, and both had been bored out of their minds. “Not always.”

  A silence settled in. After a few minutes, he heard, “Good night, Jared.”

  He smiled into the darkness. “Good night, Madison.”

  Chapter 13

  Veronica tapped her long nails on the marble countertop, waiting for Rosa to finish making her latte. She tugged on her silk robe, becoming impatient. It was Monday morning, and she wanted to start digging around. Jared was hiding something; she knew it.

  “Rosa, if you’d wake up earlier, you’d have time to get my morning coffee ready.” She hoped her frown and disapproving tone were enough to whip Rosa into shape. She didn’t want to fire her. It was always such a pain to interview.