Single Dad's Hostage: A Fake Marriage Romance
Page 37
“What?” I demand. “What’s so funny?”
“Yes,” says Julianne. “Please, tell us what’s so funny.”
He smirks at me, composing himself. “It’s just refreshing to see a woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and no,” he says, pointing to Julianne. “Sharing your thoughts in snide comments and talking about people behind their backs doesn’t count.”
She purses her lips and shakes her head. “How’s this for direct?” she asks. “My lawyer says he just needs one slip up from you to seal the case. One teensy, tiny slip up and I’ll easily win custody. I guess judges realize a child’s true place is with her mother, so it doesn’t take much.”
Liam’s jaw flexes. It looks like he’s about to say something and then thinks better of it, turning instead to kiss me full on the mouth. His lips crash against mine. It’s not a tender kiss. There’s no time to adjust. In a single, all-consuming moment, the world ceases to exist around us. There’s only the sensation of his velvety lips brushing against mine, his tongue exploring my mouth, and his hands moving across my body. When he pulls away, it’s like being splashed with cold water. Reality surges back to meet me with unpleasant force, and for a few moments, it’s all I can do not to hungrily and desperately go back for more of his taste.
Julianne is gone, but heads are turned toward us. “That was a good way to make a statement,” I say breathlessly.
He grins and bites his lip, “Damn. I think I’m going to enjoy convincing people this is real.”
I blush, and the heat from my cheeks spreads straight down to my chest and between my legs, where a pulsing, throbbing need for Liam explodes without warning.
This is bad. I’m letting him get to me. I’m letting this become more than a rouse, and if it keeps up, I’ll be risking my job and my relationship with Roxanne and Sophie.
“So that was your ex-wife?”
“Julianne,” he says, nodding. “And no, if you’re wondering whether she looked like that when we were together. She didn’t. All the… work she had done was after the divorce.”
I give a quick smile, not wanting to admit I was wondering exactly that. “I was going to say, if she’s your type I don’t think anyone will believe we’re together.”
He chuckles. “Somehow I think I could get used to you.”
“That’s real sweet,” I say sarcastically.
“Well, you know. It might take some more pretend kisses. Maybe some more pretend touching. Oh, and you could let me see you in your bra and panties again. That could help.”
I glare. “You mean when you walked into my room without knocking and stared at me while I was undressed?”
Liam shrugs. “Call it what you want, but you can’t take the image from my mind.” He laughs. “And you better not even think about trying to.”
“I wish I could. After seeing all these women, I must look like a cow compared to what you’re used to.”
He gives me a very serious, very intense look. “Aubrey. There’s one thing I won’t tolerate from you. Don’t you dare talk bad about my fiancée, because she’s the most real and gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Oh she is?” I ask, smirking. “I’d like to meet this goddess sometime. She sounds incredible.”
“You have no idea,” he says, leaning to kiss me again.
I press my fingertips to his chin, holding him back slightly. It’s all happening so fast and feeling so real. As much as I want his lips on mine again, a cold fear grips my stomach and forces me back. “Better not convince them too quickly,” I say nervously. No matter how much my mind screams to remind my body he’s just pretending, it’s not working. If this keeps up, it’s going to be real for me, and that can only lead to heartbreak.
“Right,” he agrees, but I can tell from the way he’s eyeing me that he knows I’m not being entirely truthful.
Also By Penelope Bloom
Thanks for reading Single Dad’s Hostage!
xoxo,
Penelope
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