The Merger: A Billionaire Fake Marriage Romance (Playboys of New York Book 3)

by JA Low

  “Okay. Sounds great.” She lets out a sigh, and a frown forms on my face.

  Was it really that easy?

  “You sure?” Just double-checking because I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.

  “Of course. I love your parents, you know that. Plus, Elise’s already messaged me saying she’s in town on the weekend, and we’re catching up.”

  Slight tension laces my body. Of course, my sister. I keep forgetting Emma seems to have a relationship with everyone in my family.

  “You okay about that?” Emma must feel the shift in my body as if she’s attuned to me. Tilting her head, she looks up at me.

  “Of course, she’s your friend.”

  “How about I give you a blow job before she comes over? How does that sound?”

  “You already know my weakness.” I place a kiss on her forehead.

  “Thanks for everything tonight,” Emma changes the subject. “I never, ever…” she lets out a sigh, “… thought I’d make it to this point. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  Thump. Thump. Thump.

  My ice-cold heart defrosts in my chest as if the Winter frost has melted away, and Spring warmth has filled its valves instead.

  “I didn’t do anything.”

  She stills then straddles me, her naked body on full display, grabbing my attention. “Andy. You leased me the most amazing office space. You sent contractors in to fit it out the way I wanted. You helped redesign my entire brand. And I know you’ve sent clients to me, too.” She runs a hand down over my cheek.

  “It’s what a husband would do for his wife.” The words are out before I realize what they mean.

  Shit.

  Emma stills against me for a couple of beats while panic fills my body.

  What the hell is going on with me?

  Then Emma leans forward and places a light kiss against my lips. “You’ve turned out to be the biggest surprise, Anderson.” Her voice is soothing and calm as her hands stroke my hair. “I didn’t think being married would be so…” she frowns for a moment, trying to find the right words, “… right.” Leaning forward, she kisses my cheek.

  Does she feel it too, this pull between us?

  “I’m glad I was the one Elise decided to prank marry you to.”

  My hands move to Emma’s hips, and I answer, “Me, too,” before gripping her ass. “Never thought being a one-woman man could be so fun.” I am being honest with her. I mean, if you can’t be honest with the woman you’re married to, then when can you be?

  “Hardly one woman.” She raises a brow at me.

  “Hardly one man,” I question her.

  “True.” She gives me a smirk.

  “I will say…” biting my bottom lip nervously because I feel like what I am about to confess might change things between us, “… it was different because it wasn’t you.”

  A small frown falls across her face. “What do you mean?” she asks to clarify. “Was it not enjoyable?”

  Shaking my head, a small gasp falls from her mouth in surprise.

  “Really?”

  Nodding my head in confirmation, I’m unable to speak. I’m feeling vulnerable right now, exposing myself to another like this.

  “It was… enjoyable. Great even, but—”

  “But it’s not this.” She waves her hand between us.

  “Yeah. It’s just sex.”

  Emma nods in understanding.

  “I think when you know someone intimately, sex can be better.” I look up into her jade-green eyes, her raven hair falling around her gorgeous face like a dark fan. “You know what buttons to press.” Her finger twists my nipple ever so slightly, which is like an electric shock to my dick.

  “I see your point.”

  “I think we’re still adjusting to all this.” She moves her hand between us again. “You and I don’t do intimate relationships.” This is true. “And we are in the biggest one of our life at the moment… marriage.” She raises a brow at me. This is also true. “We have both never lived with a partner before.” Again true. “We both love sex.” This is very true. I smile. “And we’re both independent.”

  That’s what I like about Emma—she does her thing.

  “I say we go with the flow with each other. If you feel something toward the other, don’t hide it. At the beginning of this, we agreed to have open communication no matter what, and I think this…” she waves her hand again between us, “… is what we are doing.”

  “Even if it’s naked?” My eyes fall to her breasts.

  “We seem to do the best communicating when we’re naked.”

  “So, if I get jealous of those male models that wouldn’t leave you alone tonight, I should tell you?”

  “Of course.” She grins. “Just like how I wanted to rip that model’s hands off you, who wouldn’t stop touching your arm.” I had no idea, and I’m surprised that she thought that.

  “I mean, if you wanted to jelly wrestle over me, who am I to stop that.”

  Emma rolls her eyes, but smiles. “We good?” Emma asks as I run my hands up and down her naked back.

  “Yeah, we’re good.”

  28

  Emma

  I’m exhausted. This first week of the new office has been jam-packed. I’m looking forward to kicking off my heels and having a long bath before catching up with Elise tonight for drinks. I know her, she will want to party until the wee small hours of the morning, and as much as I want to, the bed is also calling me at this moment.

  Walking into the penthouse’s foyer, I kick off my heels and throw my bag to the side. I’ll grab them later. I need Anderson to give me a cuddle to help me build the strength to keep going for tonight.

  “Hey, babe.” Seeing him moving around the kitchen looking so fucking hot, he’s dressed casually in a white tee stretched across his muscular torso with dark denim jeans. My bare feet pad across the carpet, my movements quickening as I close in on him.

  Jumping into his arms off-guard—thankfully, he catches me—his strong hands grip my ass as my lips meet his. He’s hesitant at first, which is unusual, but then as I wrap my arms around his neck and push myself against him, he greedily takes my kiss.

  A throat clears, and I still, pulling my lips away from his.

  Anderson gives me an apologetic smile.

  “What an interesting greeting,” Elise muses from behind us.

  Slowly, I slide down Anderson, feeling utterly mortified that my friend just busted me dry humping her brother. Turning around, I can feel my cheeks are burning with embarrassment.

  “You’re here, and early?” my voice rises in surprise as I speak.

  Elise smirks. “Surprise!” She gives me jazz hands in the process.

  Anderson’s hand touches my back, propelling me forward as I greet my friend with a hug.

  “It’s so good to see you.”

  “Really?” She raises a brow. “Looked like you were way happier seeing my brother.”

  “Well, he does have a big dick, so…”

  Anderson chokes on his drink.

  Elise groans at my answer as she slumps onto the couch, and I follow, sitting next to her.

  “I thought we were going out?”

  Elise shakes her head. “I’m not in the mood,” she states as she reaches for her glass of wine.

  Not in the mood? Elise Parker—Parker being her mother’s maiden name, which she uses for her stage name—is always in the mood.

  Reaching over, I touch her forehead to see if she’s sick.

  “What are you doing?” She swats my hand away.

  “Just checking to see if you’re sick. It’s the only explanation for you not wanting to go out.”

  Elise falls back against the sofa and closes her eyes for a moment and then lets out a heavy sigh. “I don’t want anyone to worry, okay?” Opening her eyes, she looks between Anderson and me.

  “What do you mean, not worry?” Anderson’s protective brother’s voice echoes through the apartment. He grabs a bo
ttle of wine and a plate of something and walks from the kitchen to the living room before placing the plate down with the wine bottle.

  Oh, it’s a charcuterie board.

  Did Anderson make that?

  Who knew he had this kind of skill.

  He sits across from us with a scowl across his face.

  “Anderson, I mean it… I’m handling it.”

  “Handling what exactly?” Those turquoise eyes narrow in on his sister while the room fills with tension.

  “Just an enthusiastic fan. That’s all.” I sometimes forget that Elise is a big deal in Hollywood because I’ve known her for so long.

  “Enthusiastic, how exactly?” Anderson pushes.

  “The studio is handling it,” she reiterates, her voice rising a little.

  “No, I’m handling it. Like I said, I would in Vegas, but you somehow talked me out of it.” Anderson stands, pulls his cell from his back pocket, and honestly, the way he goes all protective alpha on Elise is all kinds of hot. He turns his back in a huff, and I watch his muscular form disappear from the room.

  “You’re drooling, Ems.” Elise giggles. I subconsciously wipe at my face even though I know nothing’s there. “It’s nice.” She shrugs, taking a sip of her wine.

  Leaning forward, I pop a slice of prosciutto into my mouth so as not to answer that loaded statement.

  “You look happy.” Her intense blue eyes zone in on me. “I mean… what I walked into, that doesn’t seem like a fake relationship to me.”

  Grabbing my wine, I lean back against the sofa, turning my attention to my friend. “What do you want to hear? That I like sleeping with your brother?” She crinkles up her nose and makes gagging sounds at my comment. “We’re friends.”

  Elise doesn’t look convinced as she raises one brow. “I don’t jump my friends and suck their face off.” Taking a sip of my wine to try and steady myself under my friend’s watchful eyes, she questions, “Do you like my brother?”

  “Of course, I do.” I wouldn’t be married to him if I didn’t.

  “No. I mean… do you like, like him?” Elise pushes.

  “Yeah, I do.” Being honest with her is the best way. “He’s not at all what I expected.”

  “You thought he was just a giant jerk of a womanizer, right?” Elise gives me a smirk over the rim of her glass.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “He’s a good guy underneath it all. He’s loyal. Protective…” She gives me an eye roll over that last word.

  “Why does he have that rule of no double-dipping? Did something happen to him?” All the times we have spoken, Anderson’s never said why.

  Elise shrugs. “I don’t actually know. I know he’s had girlfriends in the past, and they have all cheated. But I don’t ever remember a definitive reason. The richer he became, the more he pulled away from relationships.” Interesting. “He seems happy, too, you know?” Elise adds.

  Does he?

  “Stop playing matchmaker, Elise,” I warn her because I can see the stars in her eyes.

  Once the year is up, Anderson and I will be going our separate ways as a married couple. I think we will remain friends because, if I’m honest, I like having him around.

  She holds up her hands. “I just call it like I see it.” She grins.

  Urgh. She’s so infuriating.

  “Everything okay with this enthusiastic fan of yours?” I attempt to change the subject, and I immediately notice the change in her mood as she nervously turns the wine glass in her hand.

  “Just your typical overzealous fan who sends you flowers and shit.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but I’m not convinced at all.

  “You know if you need anything, I’m here. No matter the time or day,” I remind her.

  “I know, babe.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand.

  “That’s sorted.” Anderson looks happy with himself as he strides back into the living room. “You now have a new bodyguard.”

  “Andy,” Elise crises. “I don’t need a bodyguard. You’re being ridiculous.”

  “I don’t care.” He crosses his massive arms across his chest. “I have a friend who lives in LA. Jackson Connolly owns an elite security company. He’s also ex-marine. He looks after Dirty Texas’ security, so he’s well versed with celebrities, and he’s someone I trust.”

  “Like I said, it’s no big deal, and the studio said they have it covered,” Elise reminds him.

  “If it’s no big deal, then you won’t mind Jackson accompanying you, will you?” I don’t think Elise is going to win this one. “I’m going to leave you to it.” Anderson walks over and kisses my forehead and does the same to his sister then walks out the door as if he didn’t just drop a bombshell in her lap.

  “Urgh, he’s a dick,” Elise moans, then finishes off the rest of her wine.

  I grab my cell and type in the name ‘Jackson Connolly’ to see who the hell this guy is. Maybe if Elise sees he’s the best, and Anderson is right, she might be a little more open to the idea. Except, the images come up, and I sigh.

  “Well, damn.” I scroll through the images of Jackson Connolly and look at each one closely.

  “What?” Elise asks, wondering what I’m looking at. Turning it around, I show her exactly what her new bodyguard looks like. “Well, damn! Maybe my brother is right. Maybe I do need a bodyguard to keep me safe.” Elise grins.

  “I bet he’ll guard that vagina of yours… all night long.”

  We fall back against the sofa in a fit of giggles.

  29

  Emma

  It’s been a couple of months since Anderson, and I said the ‘I dos’ in Vegas, and we haven’t gotten sick of each other yet. He’s been away a couple of times these past months, and I have checked out The Paradise Club again. Still loads of fun, I mean I get off, I have great, crazy, kinky sex, but it’s not quite as satisfying as it is with Anderson. I’m going to pin that thought and delve into it another day.

  It’s Chloe’s thirtieth birthday, and I’m in charge of tonight’s entertainment, and boy did I bring it tonight. We started the night with drinks, while we got dresses brought to us by half-naked men. Who’s going to say no to that kind of awesomeness.

  But, oh no, I did not stop there. This is me we are talking about.

  I organized for Chloe to be brought into her party like a modern-day Cleopatra with four gorgeous, glistening men holding her atop her throne, which was a lounger I was able to find in the outdoor area. Chloe giggled the entire way. Of course, I embarrassed the shit out of her, but she rolled with it.

  But, the entertainment did not stop there.

  When it was time to cut the cake, she was serenaded by the classic stripper anthem “Pony,” where strippers did their thing all over her.

  Noah did not look impressed with the sweaty men having their way with Chloe, and neither did Logan, but my girls were enjoying it, and that’s all that matters.

  “You seem to be enjoying those strippers a little too much, wifey,” Anderson whispers into my ear.

  “And you’ve been enjoying the flirtatious attentions of the waitresses, too, husband.” I use the same tone as him.

  “One offered to give me a blow job in the bathroom,” he adds with a chuckle.

  Turning my head, I look up at him, with my eyes narrow. Did he accept? My stomach sinks and twists a little at that thought.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart…” he leans forward, his warm breath caresses my cheek, “… I said no.”

  Relief flows through my body, which is a weird feeling.

  “I would rather see you on your knees servicing me instead.” Looking back up at him, quirking a brow high upon my forehead. “For some reason, my dick only twitches when you’re around,” Anderson confesses.

  “Really?” My voice raises a little, surprised by his admission.

  “Yep.” His lips make the letters pop as his turquoise-blue eyes look down at me hungrily. “You’re a hard woman to get out of one’s brain, Emma.”


  My heart thumps against my chest at his words. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Grabbing his hand and making our way through the party, I quickly scan the room to make sure everyone’s having a good time before leaving. We rush up the first level of stairs, which lead to the living area and the front door. Forget the fact, I don’t have time to take him home yet, so we round the banister and head up to the next level, where the bedrooms are located.

  Chloe arranged for me to crash tonight in one of the guestrooms.

  We make it to the bedroom level, a little out of breath. I need to increase my cardio, I think. Spotting the first door, which is my room, I press the door open before slamming it shut behind us. I push Anderson up against the wall before sinking to my knees. My hands make quick work of the buttons on his tuxedo pants.

  “Fuck, Ems.” His voice is gravelly with need as he looks down at me on my knees. His turquoise-blue eyes swirl with hunger, and something else I’m not willing to look at, at this moment.

  Pulling his cock out of his briefs, I wrap my greedily little mouth around his thickness.

  “Fuck.” Anderson tilts his head back hard against the wall with a thud, making me smile. His strong fingers dig into my hair, messing up my blow out as he pulls on the strands. Closing my eyes, I continue taking him as deep as I can, my lips sliding along his velvety skin as saltiness coats my tongue.

  “Fuck, you feel so…” Anderson groans. “That’s it, baby. Take me all the way.”

  As his hips begin to move, he roars, pushing himself further and further down my throat until tears start to well in my eyes as I choke on him. Anderson’s now looking down at me, a slight curl to his lip, his brow is crinkled as he concentrates on face-fucking me into oblivion.

  “Get ready for me,” he warns.

  Looking up at him, I signal with my eyes that I’m ready for whatever he wants to give me. Moments later, his harsh groans fill the bedroom as I swallow his release, every last drop like the good girl that I am.

  “You are fucking unbelievable.” He places a couple of fingers under my chin, lifting my face to him, making me grin. Anderson moves his head from side to side as if he’s unable to believe I’m before him on my knees. “How did I get so lucky?” his voice is soft as he asks the question.