Game for Marriage

by Karen Erickson

  Jared Quinn is my husband. She wanted to pinch herself extra hard at the realization.

  Stepping back, she studied her reflection in the guest bathroom mirror. Her bathroom for the duration of their marriage, considering they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. That night would be their first public appearance as a married couple. They’d gone to the county courthouse two days prior and gotten married in a very simple ten-minute ceremony. Jared was clad in a gorgeous silvery gray suit, Sheridan in a white dress he’d had delivered to her studio the afternoon after they signed the contract agreement.

  It touched her somehow, that he’d picked out her wedding gown. Funny how the dress had fit her perfectly. Funnier still the fluttery feeling she had in her belly when he first saw her in that dress, just before the quickie ceremony. Her unease had vanished when she saw him in his suit, sexier than ever. She’d repeated in her head the entire time that it was a sham.

  The memory of his warm blue gaze, how he’d leaned in close and whispered near her ear, “You look beautiful,” had sent a million bazillion butterflies flying within her body.

  They’d hid out overnight at an exclusive resort in Big Sur, staying in a suite with three bedrooms and a view that stole her breath. They’d been extra careful with each other. Extra polite, they’d made small talk and she’d sat outside as the sun set, sketching the scenery because it was too beautiful not to capture. They’d ordered room service and then she’d spent her wedding night alone in her own, separate bed.

  Weird.

  Since the ceremony, they’d hardly seen each other. She was either supervising the moving of her personal items into his ridiculous house or working at the studio. Harvey had hired a team to revamp her website and look into a promotional campaign for her. Jared had been at practice every single day, and most evenings she conducted classes at her studio.

  If this was how their marriage was going to be, she could handle it.

  But there was a different sort of fluttering in her belly that night. Charlie Monroe was opening a new restaurant in Carmel and all Hawks players were expected to make an appearance, especially Jared. Rumors were flying around town that he’d found himself a steady woman.

  Wait until they heard he’d found a freaking wife.

  Her cell phone suddenly rang from its spot on her bedside table. She ran across her gigantic bedroom, and noticed it was Willow calling. Dread filled her. “Hello.”

  “How dare you. Marrying Jared Quinn and not even telling us?”

  That dread fell like a lead weight and settled in the bottom of her heart. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Sheridan. There’ve been stories about Jared finding some secret woman. Then I see the little mention on that horrendous gossip site that they dug up a marriage license. And your freaking name is on it!”

  Oh. Shit. “Um, well…”

  “Don’t hem and haw to me, sister. So did you really marry him? Is TMZ lying?”

  “We, uh…” Sheridan swallowed hard. “We got married two days ago.”

  A moment of scary silence fell just before her friend exploded. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me! I’ve been beside myself. I’m your best friend and you couldn’t even tell me?”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just—it’s been a complete whirlwind since I met Jared.” That wasn’t a lie. She felt like she’d been on a roller coaster ride from the moment she first saw him.

  “I’ll say.” Willow snorted. “I’m assuming the two of you will be at the restaurant opening tonight?”

  “We will. It’s our first public appearance.” She smoothed a hand down the gold-sequined dress she bought just for the occasion. Did she look stupid? Was it too flashy? And should she wear her hair down or up?

  “Perfect. We’ll talk then.” Willow paused, inhaled sharply. “Are you in love with him, Sheridan? You’ve known him, what? A couple of weeks?”

  Approximately. But who was counting? “It was love at first sight.” Funny how that lie fell so easily from her lips.

  “Huh. Well, he fucks up in any way, he’ll answer to me.”

  “You sound like a mob boss,” Sheridan accused with a nervous laugh. God, she sounded lame. Willow’s reaction made her more nervous than even her mother’s. Willow was sharp, savvy. Willow’s father, who negotiated the damn deal for the love of God—had taught her to trust no one. Valid, though jaded advice.

  “Hmm, well I don’t want to see you get hurt, especially by that womanizing jackass. Oh, hey, by the way. So is it as big as a twenty-two ouncer?”

  Sheridan’s cheeks flamed with embarrassment. “Ha! Like I’d ever tell.”

  “Can’t even give me that, huh?” Willow laughed. “Hopefully he knows how to use it. He must if he got you to get married within two weeks of meeting him.”

  God. He so knew how to use it. Very, very well. Not that she’d ever get the chance to experience him using it on her again.

  “I don’t kiss and tell,” Sheridan said primly.

  “Since when?” Willow sounded incredulous.

  “Since I fell madly in love with Jared Quinn.”

  There was a too-long moment of silence, so long Sheridan started to squirm. She could practically feel Willow’s brain churning with questions. “Is this for real, Sher? You can be honest with me. I won’t tell a soul, I swear.”

  Sheridan collapsed on the bed, closing her eyes the moment her head hit the fluffy-as-a-cloud pillows. That Jared Quinn knew how to live. The man owned the very best in everything. “It’s real, I promise.”

  She hated lying to her friend. And man, how she wished she could tell Willow the truth. But she couldn’t. She’d signed an agreement and she had to stick to it. It didn’t matter if it was her best friend. She owed it to Jared, and she owed it to herself to stick to the contract.

  “You love him.”

  Her eyes popping open, she stared at the ceiling. “Tremendously.”

  “And he loves you.”

  “So much, it’s sickening.” Sheridan rolled her eyes at herself.

  “He’d better look at you like you’re the most beautiful woman in the world tonight. I see one crack in the illusion and I’m calling you out.”

  Sheridan sat up quickly. “Please don’t make a scene at the restaurant, Will. This night is really important to Jared and I don’t want anything to mess it up.”

  “Chill. I wouldn’t call you out in public. I’m sure this night is very important to the both of you, being your first appearance as a married couple and all.” Willow sighed. “I wish you would’ve at least had a reception. Let me throw a party for you. Oh, I know, let’s do a belated wedding shower. We can all buy you trashy lingerie and get you drunk. Then you can tell us how fantastic Jared is in bed.”

  Okay, that last sentence made her nervous. The last thing she wanted to talk about was how great Jared was in bed. “I don’t want you to have to go to all that trouble.” And all the trashy lingerie would go to waste.

  “I want to. Sounds fun. I’ll see you later at the restaurant, okay? You’d better be wearing something amazing.”

  “I’m nervous about it. Can I send you a picture of the dress so you can tell me if it’s awful or not?”

  “I’m sure it’s gorgeous but yes, send me a pic. Toodles.”

  Sheridan went back to the bathroom, new iPhone in hand an unexpected gift from Jared. She snapped a pic, texted the photo to Willow, and waited anxiously for her answer.

  Freaking amazing, I’m sure Jared loves it was Willow’s reply.

  Crap. She really, really hoped Jared would love it. She wanted his approval. Didn’t want to look like a world-class screw-up on their first night out together, especially at Charlie Monroe’s restaurant. The owner of the Hawks was volatile, especially when it came to his team. One wrong move and Jared might feel the wrath.

  The night had to be perfect. She had to be on her game.

  She didn’t have a choice.

  …

  Jared paced t
he living room, glancing at his watch yet again. Women. What the hell was taking Sheridan so long? They needed to leave. Soon. If they were late, Charlie would have his ass. And Coach Walsh would be standing right behind him, ready to finish off whatever Charlie left over.

  His coach had ridden him hard the last few days. His shoulder was killing him, not that he’d tell a soul. And that damn Flynn Foley was launching balls like they were nothing, throwing them farther with a neat little spin. It was fucking killing Jared, watching that go down.

  And Jim Walsh freaking knew it.

  He was tired of their concern. Tired of seeing it in their faces, hearing it in their voices. They already prepped him that he wasn’t going to play much on Sunday. It was a preseason game, so that was the tactic they usually took, but he wanted to play. Fuck, he needed to play. He needed a win that weekend. Not just on the field but off as well.

  “How do I look?”

  Sheridan’s sweet voice pushed him out of his thoughts and he turned, going completely still as he drank her in.

  The dress was short. Strapless. And appeared to be completely covered in gold sequins. They matched the color of her hair, hell, even the color of her eyes, making her look as if she glowed. Her hair was down, which he preferred, cascading in effortless waves down her back and his ring flashed on her finger as she waved a hand at him. “It’s bad, huh?”

  He slowly shook his head. “Definitely not bad.”

  “Is it too tight? Too short?”

  Yes and yes but he loved it. Though he wasn’t sure if he wanted anyone else to see her in that dress. “You look…” He was at a loss for words.

  “Stupid? Too much gold? Hookerish?”

  Okay, she was stressing out for absolutely no reason. “Hot,” he finished with a slight smile.

  “Oh.” Her cheeks turned pink, which he thought was cute as hell. “Thank you.”

  “How do I look?” He held out his arms. He wore black trousers and a white dress shirt, open at the collar. He’d thought about wearing a suit but knew he’d be uncomfortable. Contemplated throwing on a tie but thought, the hell with it.

  “Good.” She cleared her throat, her gaze gobbling him up. “Great.”

  The heat in her eyes was answer enough. Despite the fake marriage deal, they had chemistry brewing between them. There was no denying it. “Are you ready to go?”

  She nodded, all that pretty, golden hair sliding across her bare shoulders. As she approached him, he caught a shiny glint on her skin and realized she must’ve sprayed herself with some of that shimmery stuff women liked to use. He’d noticed it before on other women, had never really cared one way or the other about it.

  For whatever reason, he was filled with the sudden urge to see all that glittery shine up close and personal.

  They left the house, slipping inside the limo that waited for them. Her nervousness was noticeable and he wished he could reassure her. They hadn’t seen each other much since the wedding ceremony and oddly enough, he felt more uncomfortable with her now than he had a few days ago when they talked at her studio.

  It was…weird. Knowing she was his wife. That she wore his ring and bore his name and lived in his house. Despite it being fake, he had someone else to consider now. A beautiful, sexy woman who tempted him the more he looked at her. Probably because he knew how good it was between them, yet he couldn’t have her.

  Crazy.

  The limo pulled out of the circular drive and onto the road, headed south toward downtown Carmel, where Charlie’s new restaurant was located, not far from Sheridan’s gallery. Hundreds of people were expected that night. He hoped like hell there wasn’t going to be a bunch of paparazzi there, but he knew that was wishful thinking.

  Glancing in Sheridan’s direction, he noticed she stared out the window, a forlorn expression on her face. She looked like she was being dragged to her death.

  Scrubbing a hand over his face, he asked, “Are you all right?”

  Sheridan flashed him a shaky smile. “I’m fine.”

  Hell. Even her voice trembled. Reaching across the bench seat of the limo, he grabbed her hand, earning him a startled glance. “Are you nervous?”

  “Of course, I am.” She rolled her eyes, her slender, cold fingers clutching around his. “This is our first appearance as a married couple. We have to look like we’re…in love.”

  He studied her. She looked damn pretty in the short, strapless, sparkly dress. Though it also made him want to grab a blanket and cover her completely. She had a great body, there was no denying it. Tiny waist, perfect breasts that weren’t overblown, a look he really didn’t like anyway. And then there was her ass…

  Well. He was an ass man, always had been. And hers was pretty spectacular.

  Those golden brown eyes were wide, fathomless, and the expression on her face was clear as day.

  She was scared out of her ever-lovin’ mind.

  “I have an idea.” He drew his thumb across the top of her hand and she gasped. “First, you’re going to have to stop reacting like that every single time I touch you.”

  “I—I’m not used to it. You touching me.”

  “Well, you need to get used to it. I’m your husband.” He touched the giant diamond that glittered on her ring finger, smoothing the pad of his thumb over the top of the cool stone. She inhaled sharply, her obvious reaction pissing him off. “How do you expect everyone to believe we’re together if you’re going to keep acting like this?”

  Sheridan pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry. I can’t help myself.”

  “You need to relax.” He paused. “I think I know how to help with that.”

  “By all means, please show me,” she said, the tiniest bit of sarcasm edging her voice.

  That meager display of defiance sort of turned him on, sick bastard that he was.

  Yanking on her hand, he hauled her in close, so close she sprawled across his chest, her free hand braced against his shoulder, her face in his. “What are you doing?” she squeaked.

  He cupped the back of her head. “This,” he murmured just before he settled his mouth on hers.

  …

  Oh, God. The moment Jared kissed her she wanted to melt. Just melt into him until she completely disappeared, and then their plan would go up in smoke.

  Where’s your new wife? the reporters would ask.

  I melted her with my lips! Jared would cheerily reply.

  Yes, she was that much of a goner. But the man could kiss, his warm, smooth mouth moving over hers, sucking her lower lip between his. One big hand tangled in her hair, his grip possessive as he held her to him.

  He didn’t give her a chance to talk, let alone breathe for more than two seconds. Breaking the kiss, he changed the angle of his head, catching her mid-shuddering exhale, her lips still parted. His tongue sneaking in…

  And, oh God help her, that made her melt even more. His tongue searched her mouth, his muscular arm coming around her, holding her in place. He was hard everywhere. Big muscles, wide chest, he was built like a…

  Football player.

  If that didn’t make her belly quiver with arousal, then she was made of stone. Which she so wasn’t. Because yes, indeed, her belly was quivering, her pulse was pounding, and her breasts ached for him to touch them.

  All because of a single wild, hot, delicious kiss.

  Good lord, if they carried on much longer…

  The car came to a stop and he released her, his arms going wide, his breathing uneven. She backed away from him, her butt landing on the leather seat with a thump. Her gaze meeting his, she realized she couldn’t speak, her heart pounded so heavily in her throat. She swallowed past it, rubbed her lips together and discovered they tingled.

  Her entire body tingled.

  “There ya go,” he murmured, his gorgeous blue eyes glowing with unmistakable approval. “That’s the look you need.”

  “What look?” Composing herself as best she could, she grabbed her tiny purse and snapped it open, pulling
her compact from within. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, shock and horror coursing through her. She looked crazed. All those hours of preparation ruined by one hot kiss. “Oh my God, my hair’s a mess.”

  “Hmm, like your man just ran his fingers through it?”

  She ignored him, that deep, satisfied tone sending a fresh wave of arousal washing over her as she dug into her tiny purse for her lip gloss. “You kissed all the lip gloss off.”

  “Yeah, I think I’m still wearing some.”

  Glancing up, she saw the telltale signs of pinkish-gold glittery gloss lingering on his full bottom lip. Now that she studied him, she realized he had a bit of a frazzled look to him, too. His hair was sticking up in odd places and his eyes were a little glazed. As if he enjoyed that kiss just as much as she did…

  Pleasure rippled through her, that she could affect him as much as he affected her. The turbulence in his gaze countered his outward calm. That she’d done that to him made her smile.

  The driver put the limo in park and she yanked out the lip gloss, glancing toward the door she knew would open in mere moments. “Let me touch up my lips first.”

  “No.” He slipped his fingers around her wrist, stopping her from doing anything his grip was so strong. Yet gentle. His tone firm, his gaze like ice when it lit upon her, she slowly dropped the lip gloss back into her bag. “You need to look just like that.”

  “Just like what?” she whispered.

  He smiled grimly. “Like I tried to fuck you in the back of a limo.”

  Her jaw dropped open. Did he have to be so crude?

  And since when did she find crude so…arousing?

  The door opened, a man’s friendly face suddenly appearing. “Are you ready Mr. Quinn? Mrs. Quinn?”

  Oh, God. Her stomach dropped to her toes at hearing her referenced as his wife. She could hardly believe this was happening to her. Like she’d fallen into some sort of alternate universe where a regular woman like her somehow snagged a sexy, gorgeous man like Jared.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Leaning in, he laced his fingers with hers and kissed her. Again. Slipped her some tongue. Again.