A Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  While Harrison busied himself in the kitchen, Penny found herself the focus of curious stares from her sister. Finally, she turned to her and blurted, “What?”

  Kimmy shifted in the worn living room chair her parents had ever since she could remember. “I don’t know. You just seem to be happier. I think William’s good for you.”

  Penny studied her sister. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know.” Kimmy shrugged. “I was just watching you while we were eating. He’d touch your arm and you’d blush. You’d say something and he’d smile and look at you like he couldn’t get enough of you. I think you make a good couple.”

  Well, fooling Kimmy had been easier than she’d thought. If she could get over the whole William breaking her heart thing, maybe she could enjoy this Christmas. “Yeah, I think so, too. What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

  A looked crossed Kimmy’s face that told it all. Penny slapped her knee. “You are! Tell me all about him.”

  Kimmy scooted closer and lowered her voice. “If I tell you, you are sworn to secrecy.”

  “Of course.” Guilt surged in Penny for prying secrets out of her sister when she was keeping a whopper herself.

  “Last summer I ran into Rob Curtis at the five and dime. He and I sort of hit it off.”

  Penny’s mouth dropped open. “Rob Curtis? The biker Rob Curtis?”

  Kimmy waved her hand. “Shh! Keep your voice down. If mom found out, I’d be in so much trouble.”

  “What are you doing with him, Kimmy?” Penny whisper-shouted. “I thought you were smarter than that.”

  “He’s actually really nice. You shouldn’t judge until you’ve gotten to know someone.”

  Her mother walked in and Penny jerked back from Kimmy. “I know, I can’t wait to make candy cane cookies either.”

  It was a lame attempt, but her mother didn’t seem to notice. “They’ve always been your favorite.”

  Harrison entered the room and sat beside Penny on the loveseat, putting his arm around her. “What’s your favorite?”

  His smell enveloped Penny and she found it hard to think. What was the name of his cologne, Male Yumminess in a Bottle? She gave in and snuggled up to him. “Candy cane cookies.”

  Kimmy grinned and poked her. “You’re doing it again.”

  “Doing what?”

  “You know, acting like a happily in-love sister.”

  Ha. If only Kimmy could sit beside him and smell this. Then she’d understand. Best to keep up the act, though. “That’s because I am.” She leaned over and gave Harrison a kiss.

  Chapter 19

  Penny should have thought about it more before she kissed Harrison. The idea was to pretend she was happily in love, but as soon as her lips touched his, she melted in his arms and the pretend part flew out the window. His warm lips were soft and inviting, and she felt like she’d taken a bite of a forbidden dessert, only to want a hundred more. She pulled away and forced herself to sit rigidly beside him, avoiding as much contact as possible.

  She couldn’t fall in love with Harrison. He was…dang he was perfect. He always said the right thing. He was a gentleman who treated her with respect. He knew how to make her laugh. And he was out of her reach.

  Harrison deserved a woman raised with poise and grace. Someone who could live in his world, and who Patrice didn’t hate. Penny had been born in Iowa, in a hick town with two stoplights. She was the person who fell over her own feet and made embarrassing messes at parties. She could never fit into Harrison’s world.

  “What do you think, Penny?” Her mother stared at her, waiting for her to respond.

  Her cheeks heated. “Sorry, I wasn’t listening.”

  Harrison leaned toward her. “Your mother thinks we should get some family photos taken.”

  A hole opened up in her chest. Photos. So years from now she could remember what a colossal mistake she’d made in marrying the wrong guy, and how she’d actually fallen for him, and then how he’d left once the money came. Yeah. Great idea. “Sure.” She tried to make her voice sound chipper.

  Her mother smiled. “I’ll call and make arrangements.”

  Penny sank down in the chair. Great.

  The door opened and Clay plopped his backpack on an empty chair. “Hey, Sis.” He gave a polite nod to Harrison then went into the kitchen. “Mmm. What’s that smell, and can I have some?”

  “William made us homemade eggnog.” Her mother trailed after him. “It’s chilling in the fridge, but don’t you touch it. It’s for tonight.”

  Harrison nudged her. “You okay?”

  She plastered on a smile. “Yeah. Just tired I guess.”

  He must have bought it, because he nodded. “The flight was early. I think I’ll sleep well tonight.”

  Kimmy giggled. “Sure you will.” She winked, and heat assaulted Penny’s cheeks once more.

  “Stop it.” Penny whacked her sister with the back of her hand.

  “Mom should have gotten you a bigger bed.” Kimmy wiggled her eyebrows. “But maybe you two don’t mind, being newlyweds and all.”

  “Kimmy!” Penny could tell her whole body was blushing.

  Harrison chuckled beside her and snuggled up close, his arm around her. “You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.” His warm breath caressed her cheek, and even that smelled good. She needed to get away from him, and fast.

  Penny stood. “Let’s start moving furniture around to make room for the tree.”

  After they got the living room ready, Penny showed Harrison where the Christmas decorations were, and they brought up several boxes from the basement. It was a good distraction. By the time her father came home, the tree was almost put together, and Kimmy had the lights strung out on the floor.

  Her father gave her a big hug, and clapped Harrison on the back. “William, nice to see you again.”

  “Same to you, Arthur.” Harrison looked a little uncomfortable, and Penny wasn’t sure if he was intimidated by her father, or if he was feeling guilty about the deception.

  “How was work today, Daddy?” Penny couldn’t stop calling him Daddy. Her father always made her feel like a little girl.

  “It was fine, sweetheart. So good to have you back home.” He eyed Harrison as he loosened his tie. “He been treating you well?”

  “Of course, Dad.” Man, not another blush. She might as well paint herself red and go sit with the candy canes.

  Harrison stepped forward. “Penny tells me you’re a manager at a meat packing plant. That sounds like an interesting job.”

  Her dad shook his head. “It’s not.” He laughed. “But it pays the bills. By the way, Penny was evasive when I asked her what you did for a living.”

  A deer-in-the-headlights look came onto Harrison’s face and he hesitated for a second, glancing at Penny. She hadn’t told them anything, since William had never answered her questions about work, so she shrugged.

  “I work for an investment company.”

  “Which one?” Her dad raised an eyebrow.

  “Harrison Williams Investment Group.”

  Seemingly impressed, her dad nodded. “That’s a large firm. What do you do there?”

  Aw, crud. Of course he’d ask. And Harrison couldn’t tell the truth, that he was the CEO. Penny took her dad’s arm and tugged him toward the kitchen. “Enough boring stuff. Come see what William made for us tonight.”

  Penny successfully dodged her father’s questions about Harrison all evening as they trimmed the tree and stuffed themselves on Chinese take-out. Then they all piled in the minivan and took to the streets to look at the amazing displays that some of the townsfolk put up this time of year.

  It was quite nostalgic driving past old Henry McDermott’s house, decked out with the moving Santa display he put up every Christmas. And Mrs. Schmidt’s front yard, where she created a candy cane lane you could walk through. The best one was always the Hatchett farm, out by the railroad tracks. They bought a new item each year and kept expanding. They’d won
the Best of State award for their display.

  Harrison grabbed her hand when they turned around to go back home, and Penny wished she could take it back without it looking weird to her sister. She’d have to talk to Harrison later. This pretending was fine, but the physical contact was killing her. She’d make a new rule. No kissing, handholding, or anything else that made her stomach turn inside out.

  When they got back home, her mother brought out the special glasses with the holly leaves on them, and they poured Harrison’s eggnog.

  Kimmy raised her glass. “To William. For making my sister so happy.”

  Everyone toasted, and Harrison’s ears grew pink. Penny turned away and ignored how cute he looked. In fact, she tried to ignore him all night, but it was impossible when he was constantly beside her, rubbing her back, or whispering in her ear.

  By the time they went upstairs for bed, Penny was about ready to scream at him. They entered her childhood room and she shut the door and then turned to face him. “Okay, that’s enough.”

  Harrison blinked. “What did I do?”

  “I can’t take any more of this.” She ran her hands through her hair and had to restrain herself from tugging chunks of it out. “We need to set some rules.”

  His eyebrows knit together. “What’s wrong?”

  She ignored him and kept going. “One: No kissing.”

  “Hey, wait a minute, you kissed me.” He put his hands up in a surrender position.

  She glared at him, but continued. “Two: No handholding.”

  “What—”

  “Just let me finish!” Frustration welled in her. It wasn’t his fault, really. She knew she was acting like a crazy person, but she couldn’t stop herself. “Three: No rubbing my back.”

  Harrison closed his mouth that had been hanging open after she’d interrupted him. He put his hands behind his back and cocked his head at her.

  “Four: No more cologne.” She looked at him to see if he would object, but he just stood there, staring at her. “Five: No more whispering in my ear.” She folded her arms across her chest, trying to think of anything else that was bugging her. Nothing else came to mind, so she raised her chin. “Think you can handle that?”

  Harrison frowned. “So, basically you want me to stop acting like we’re a married couple.”

  Glad that he understood, Penny nodded. “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been bothering you, but is that wise?”

  She didn’t care if it was wise or not. She couldn’t take any more of Harrison’s touch. “No one suspects a thing. It’ll be fine.”

  His shoulders drooped and he looked tired. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”

  “Yes, that’s what I want.”

  A moment of silence filled the room before he spoke again. “Can I ask you one thing?”

  “Yes.”

  “What does my cologne have to do with it?”

  She didn’t want to tell him the truth, so she lied. “I just don’t like it.”

  “All right.”

  He looked dejected, like she’d told him to quit annoying her or something, but she couldn’t explain to him what she was feeling. She couldn’t even explain it to herself. She just knew that if he kept touching her she’d go insane. “Good. Glad that’s settled. I’ll get my pajamas on in the bathroom, and you can change in here.”

  By the time she got back, Harrison was curled up on the floor, asleep. She climbed into bed and turned out the lamp. Exhaustion seeped from her bones, but no matter how she would lie, she couldn’t get to sleep.

  “Penny?”

  His deep voice startled her and she peered down at him. “What?”

  “I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable. That was not my intention.”

  And there was Mr. Gentleman again, making her feel even worse for blowing up at him. “I know.” When he didn’t say anything else, she added, “Thanks, Harrison.”

  Chapter 20

  Harrison awoke with sore muscles from sleeping on the floor and a sour taste in his mouth. Penny wasn’t anywhere in sight, so he grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom. If he didn’t get rid of his grumpy demeanor, he’d end up snapping at everyone. After he showered and dressed, he wandered downstairs to the kitchen. Penny and her mother were deep in discussion when he entered.

  Penny turned to him and offered a little smile. She looked amazing. His heart sank in his chest. She was the best thing that ever happened to him, and last night she’d made it clear she didn’t want him even touching her.

  He swallowed and his throat felt like sandpaper. How was he going to get through the next few days? He needed to call his attorney and see how things were going with the trust fund. The sooner he could get out of this situation and away from Penny, the better. He plastered on a smile to mask his true feelings. “What’s up?”

  “I was just telling Mom how good your omelets are. And I was wondering…” Penny let the sentence hang.

  “Sure, I’ll make breakfast.”

  “Thanks.” Penny opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of eggs. “I’ll help. What do you need?”

  He listed off his favorite ingredients and went in search of a pan. “Why don’t you sit and rest for a minute, Marci? We’ve got this.”

  An appreciative smile took over her face. “Thank you, William. How nice of you two.”

  Harrison was glad for the distraction. He found cooking so enjoyable that he was able to zone out and ignore the hole that had opened up in his chest. When he and Penny had finished, they sat down at the small table in the dining room and invited Kimmy and Marci to join them.

  Marci took a bite. “This is delicious. How do you get your eggs so fluffy?”

  “You beat the egg whites first, and then fold in the beaten yolks,” Harrison said.

  “Brilliant. You’ll have to teach me all of your kitchen tricks.” Marci gave Harrison a warm smile.

  “I keep telling him he needs to quit his miserable job and open up a restaurant,” Penny mumbled as she picked up her glass of water.

  Harrison gave Penny a ‘what-are-you-doing’ look, and she blushed and looked away.

  Marci’s smile turned stale. “You don’t like your job?”

  Great. How was he supposed to dance around that subject? “It’s fine. I don’t hate it.”

  Penny snorted. “Yes you do. You’d be much happier if you could cook for a living.” She tossed a pointed look at Harrison, which he ignored.

  Marci fiddled with her fork. “Owning your own business is risky, especially something as unstable as a restaurant. It won’t bring in steady income.”

  “He didn’t say he was going to quit his job.” Kimmy scoffed and took another bite of her breakfast.

  Unable to think of anything else to say, Harrison decided to change the subject. “What’s on the schedule for today?”

  “The gingerbread house contest is tonight at the community hall,” Marci said. “I thought you three might like to enter something.”

  “Penny told me about that. I guess some people get really into it.” He remembered Penny’s face as she talked about the different houses and how big and intricate they got. “I’d love to take a stab at it.”

  “Awesome,” Kimmy said. “Maybe this year we’ll win.”

  Harrison smiled but Penny avoided his gaze.

  Marci studied them. “Everything okay between you guys?”

  Penny’s cheeks turned pink. “We’re fine, Mom.”

  Sure, fine. If Marci could see the strain between them now, he couldn’t imagine how they’d get through the next few days.

  Marci’s eyes narrowed. “You know you can’t lie to me.”

  Kimmy set her fork down with a clank. “Ma, let them be.”

  Penny stared at her plate and Marci leaned back in her chair. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I shouldn’t stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. It just feels like you guys had a fight or something.”

  Penny reached out and covered Harrison’s hand with her ow
n. “Nothing’s going on. We’re fine.” She removed her hand quickly and tucked it into her lap.

  “Have you two seen Fireproof?”

  “Ma!” Kimmy stood and picked up her plate. “Give it a rest.”

  Harrison stood as well and helped Kimmy clear the table. It was best to get out of that conversation. His phone chimed in his pocket, and he set down the plates on the kitchen counter. The display told him it was his attorney.

  Finally. He swiped the screen and held it to his ear. “Michael. What’s up?”

  The line crackled. “Harrison. I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

  He glanced at Kimmy, who was doing a bad job of pretending not to listen. He walked down the hallway to the bathroom and closed the door. “Tell me everything.”

  “The good news is your stepmother has relinquished control of your trust fund.”

  Harrison’s heart hammered in his chest. That was good news, right? He could pay Penny and get out of this situation. This was what he’d been hoping for, so why did his stomach feel like a cold ball of lead? “That’s great. What’s the bad?”

  “The bad news is there’s only twenty five thousand dollars in there.”

  Penny sighed. There was no way they would win the contest. The walls to their gingerbread mansion were sagging, the columns she’d tried to stabilize leaned to the right, and the roof looked like it would slide off at any minute. At least they’d had fun putting it together. Well, she and Kimmy. Harrison had been distracted. When she pulled him aside and tried to talk about it, he brushed her off.

  Harrison held the door open and Kimmy entered the community hall carrying their creation. Clay had stayed home, being the typical teen who was too embarrassed to be seen in public with the family. Penny followed Kimmy. Her mom and dad were already inside looking at the entries.

  After they got their number and set up their display, they started down one side of the hall. Harrison had taken her at her word. He hadn’t held her hand or done any of the other things that drove her nuts. The problem was she missed it.