A Fake Marriage Romance Collection

by Victorine E. Lieske

  Have you ever fallen for someone who works for you?

  There. That would get people talking and start some speculation. The photos of him and Tara in her work uniform were already out there. It wouldn’t take long for people to put two and two together.

  His feed began lighting up with responses. Some were humorous:

  Yes, but my wife didn’t like it too much.

  Some were more along the lines of what he was hoping for:

  Who has your heart, Rick?

  I’ll work for you any day.

  Is it serious, Rick?

  He answered the last one.

  It might be.

  He smiled as more responses came in, some lamenting that he might not be single anymore. Some offering to take her place. Some making fun of those groveling for attention.

  His phone chimed and he pulled it out. It was a text from Phil.

  You and Tara have dinner reservations tonight. Dress nice. I’ve made sure the paparazzi will be there.

  He held in a groan. So much for avoiding Tara. Now he had to go tell her about the reservations, and by the way she acted earlier, he wasn’t sure she would like it. He stood and turned off his monitor. Maybe she’d gotten over it by now. Either that, or she’d insist they stay home and make sandwiches.

  He found her in the guest bedroom, playing with her daughter. A foam puzzle of some cartoon character lay spread out on the floor. Tara didn’t see him come in. He watched her as she patiently let her daughter try different pieces until one fit. “Good job,” she said, smiling.

  He hadn’t seen a genuine smile on her face before now, and it fascinated him. It changed her whole countenance. She looked sincerely happy, and he wondered what he could do to produce the same effect.

  She turned and saw him and the smile faded. “What do you want?”

  Nope. Still hadn’t gotten over earlier. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Phil has secured reservations for us. We are to go out and be seen. Sorry. I didn’t know about it until now.”

  She drew in a breath, letting it out slowly. “It’s what I signed up for, I guess. Who will watch Kylee tonight?”

  “I’ve already hired a girl. You’ll like her. Her name is Amanda. She’ll be here soon.”

  The little girl frowned. “I want you, mommy.”

  “I know, darling, but I have to work tonight.” Tara smiled at her daughter. “You’ll have fun with Amanda. You can teach her how to put your puzzle together.”

  Kylee stared at the floor, and then big tears rolled down her cheeks. Rick was stunned. He’d never seen a kid silently cry. He’d seen plenty of temper tantrums, especially in public. The kind that grated on your nerves and made you want to toss the kid out the window. But this was different. She just stood there, fat tears streaming down her face, and it was breaking his heart. He knelt beside her. “Hey, it’s okay. Why don’t you show me how your puzzle works?”

  She turned away from him and put her hands up to her face. He picked up two pieces that obviously didn’t fit, and shoved them together. “Is this how it goes?”

  She peeked through her hands, then laughed. “No!”

  Her infectious laugh was the sweetest thing he’d ever heard. He smiled and chose two other mismatched pieces. “How about this?” He shoved them together.

  Her giggle filled the room. “No!”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tara hide a smile. It wasn’t like the one she’d given her daughter, but he still felt a bit of satisfaction from being able to bring one out at all. He continued to match the wrong pieces until Kylee picked two of them up and showed him how they fit together.

  “Do it like this.” She patted him on the shoulder.

  He grinned at her. “Oh, I see. Like this.”

  He put one sideways into another piece, and she giggled. “You’re so silly.”

  “Why? This isn’t how it goes?”

  She laughed. “No!”

  He scratched his head. “I swear that’s how I learned it in puzzle school.” He thought he heard a snort come from Tara’s direction, but when he looked, her face was serious. It didn’t matter. He was getting the little girl to laugh, and he was quite enjoying it.

  Kylee plopped down on his lap and put her hands on his face. “You’re funny.”

  Good. At least he’d won one of them over. “So is Amanda.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Is she as funny as you?”

  “Oh, yes. And she wants to play with you tonight.”

  She stood and picked up several puzzle pieces. “Okay. I will play with Manda tonight.”

  That was easier than he’d thought. He got up from the floor and patted Kylee on the head. “You’ll have fun.” He turned to Tara. “Phil said to wear something nice. I guess I should go put on a suit.”

  She nodded, then mouthed, “Thank you.”

  He left, feeling like he’d won something, although he couldn’t figure out what.

  Chapter 4

  Tara slipped into her evening gown and twisted in front of the mirror. Getting dressed up to be seen in public was all a little too reminiscent of her days with Bobby, and it turned her stomach. Would the paparazzi recognize her? Still, she’d agreed to it. She had to.

  She pulled her hair back in a French knot, pinning it in place, and allowed a few strands to fall. After she finished applying her makeup, she spritzed perfume and slipped into heels. Grabbing her clutch, she took one last glance in the mirror. Showtime.

  She exited the master bathroom. Kylee and Amanda were sitting on the floor playing with Barbie dolls. When Amanda had arrived, Tara had spent some time talking with her. As a young college student, Amanda had taken the nanny job so she could help pay for school. She was bright and loved kids. Tara felt confident Kylee would get along great with her. She kissed her daughter on the top of her head and smiled at Amanda. “I don’t think we’ll be late.”

  “That’s fine. You guys have fun.” Amanda curled her hair behind her ear and grinned. “We’ll play for a while, then have dinner, and I’ll put her to bed.”

  “See you later, pumpkin.”

  “Bye mommy,” Kylee said, not even bothering to look up.

  Tara walked out into the hall just as Rick was coming out of his bedroom. She forced herself not to suck in a breath. He was movie star material in jeans, but he was even more handsome in a suit. If this were a Jane Austen movie, there’d be a lot of swooning going on. But she reminded herself that putting a suit on a pig didn’t make it a man.

  He looked her over and smiled. “Hey.”

  Suddenly self-conscious, she tightened her hold on her purse. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, and tingles ran up her spine. She hurried ahead of him, out of reach. It was best to stay in a business arrangement with Rick Shade.

  They got in the limo. The conversation was all surface as they rode, and soon they pulled up in front of a restaurant. Paparazzi waited along the sidewalk. Rick climbed out first and took her hand. Flashes of light blinded her as she stumbled out of the car.

  Someone shoved a microphone in front of Rick’s face. “Is it true you’re dating your maid?”

  Rick put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I met this lovely young woman in a rather unusual way, yes.”

  “Is this the girl that will tame your wild side?”

  “Is it serious, Rick?”

  “How long have you been dating?”

  Rick put his hand up. “Not long enough. I’d like to continue dating, if that’s okay with you.” He gave them a drop-dead gorgeous smile, and then ushered her into the building.

  They were led to a secluded part of the restaurant and were seated at a table near a large window, where the paparazzi could take photos of them while they ate. Tara felt like an animal at the zoo. This was worse than anything she’d endured while married to Bobby. His fame had been brief. Rick Shade was in a whole different category.

  “Don’t be nervous.” Rick reached
across the table and took her hands in his. “Just keep looking at me. It will make it easier to pretend they aren’t there.”

  He smiled at her, and she realized he was a fantastic actor. Anyone outside on the sidewalk would see a couple being affectionate. She tried to smile back. “Okay.”

  The server brought them water and menus. Tara’s stomach was tied in so many knots, she wasn’t sure how she would choke down a meal, but when he came back she ordered anyway. It was expected of her. When they were alone again, she tried to focus on Rick, just like he’d said.

  She looked into his eyes and butterflies joined the knots in her stomach. Man, he had some amazing eyes. They were cool blue, like a winter sky. They seemed to have no end to their depths. She dropped her gaze before the intensity grew too much for her.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  Busted. She wasn’t going to tell him she was thinking about how beautiful his eyes were. She picked up her water glass and wondered if it would look odd if she doused herself with it. “It’s a bit warm in here.”

  “I’ll have them adjust the temperature.” He started to stand, and she put up her hand.

  “No. Don’t. I’m fine.”

  He sat back down and peered at her curiously. “You are an enigma.”

  She made a face. “What do you mean by that?”

  “They would cool the room if we asked, but you insist on remaining uncomfortable.”

  She didn’t want to admit that his intense gaze was the source of her discomfort. “I don’t want to trouble anyone.”

  “It’s no trouble. People like doing things for me.”

  He seemed sincere. Did he not realize people bent over backwards for him because he was famous? Did he think he was just naturally liked by everyone? “Well aren’t you all that and a bag of chips?” She clamped her lips together. What was she doing?

  “I’m a realist. And the reality is people want to make sure I’m happy.”

  “And why do you think they do that?” Tara couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth. She needed to shut up now, before Rick changed his mind and tossed her out on the street.

  He shot her a cheesy movie grin. “They like me.”

  She wanted to say, ‘They like your money,’ but had the presence of mind to keep that to herself. “You’re right. You’re irresistible.” She couldn’t quite keep the sarcasm from her voice, though, and Rick’s grin slowly faded.

  Deciding it was best to change the subject, Tara asked, “How did you get into acting?”

  “My father’s in theater. Stage acting. I grew up on stage.”

  “He must be very proud of you.”

  A look crossed his face but he didn’t say anything; instead he fiddled with his silverware, unwrapping it and placing his napkin on his lap. Okay, maybe talking about his father wasn’t the best idea. She tried a different approach. “Was it difficult to break into the industry?”

  He shook his head. “Not really. I was in a stage play and someone saw me. Asked me to audition for a movie. Things just exploded from there.”

  “How old were you?”

  “Twenty-one. Old enough to hire full-time and still young enough to pass for a teen on screen.” He looked uncomfortable talking about his early acting career, and she wasn’t sure why. He squirmed on his chair. “And what about you?”

  What about her? What did he mean? “How did I get into housekeeping?” She raised an eyebrow at him.

  He waved a hand in the air, looking around for the server. “Sure, fine, if that’s what you want to talk about.”

  The man rushed over to their table. “What can I get for you, sir?”

  “I’d like a Johnny Walker Black. Neat.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The server left and returned with his drink faster than Tara had ever seen. Rick picked it up and downed half of it. He turned back to her. “So, what led you to your fine career?”

  Why was he asking her about this? “After graduating from medical school, I decided I didn’t want to be a brain surgeon. I realized cleaning toilets was my passion.”

  Rick threw his head back and laughed. “Okay, so that was a dumb question.” His gaze rolled over her, a slight smile on his lips. “Did you go to school?”

  “Bobby and I married right out of high school. He went to college and I worked so we could pay the bills.” She swallowed back the sting that always came when she thought about missing out on college.

  “And then the kid came along.”

  She bristled. Her daughter had a name. Why wouldn’t he use it? “Yes. Kylee was born and I struggled to take care of her and pay the bills while Bobby finished with school. But then he graduated and landed an agent right away. I thought things would get better. He got the part in a big movie . . . and well, things went downhill from there.”

  “But the money helped, right?”

  She held in a snort. “The money ruined my marriage.”

  Rick raised an eyebrow and picked up his glass, the amber liquid swirling. “I have a suspicion that Bobby had a little something to do with that.” He took another drink.

  “The instant fame changed him. I married a sweet man from the Midwest. I divorced a jerk who no longer cared about family values.”

  “He was what, nineteen when you got married? How’s a nineteen-year-old kid supposed to know what he wants out of life?”

  Tara didn’t want to admit they were eighteen when they got married. “You’re right. We were too young. I shouldn’t have married him.”

  “And now you’re stuck with the kid.” He finished his drink and raised his hand to signal for another one.

  Fury swept through her and she fought to control her face so no one got a photo of her in an outrage. “Listen. Kylee is the one bright light in all of this. I am not ‘stuck with her.’ She is my whole world, and if you don’t stop calling her ‘the kid’ I’m going to cram that fork so far down your throat you won’t see it until next year.”

  Rick’s eyes grew wide. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. You’re just young, and now you’re saddled with—”

  “Don’t even say it.” Tara held up her hand to silence him, then sat back in her chair and tried not to scowl. The server brought them their meals, which was a good interruption because she didn’t want to listen to Rick anymore.

  He took a bite of whatever it was he ordered and smiled for the cameras outside. “Let’s call a truce. I won’t mention your daughter again and you won’t sock me when we get back in the limo.”

  Sounded good to her. “Fine.” She picked up her fork and pushed the food around her plate. Her stomach now burned and there was no way she’d be able to eat anything.

  After a few minutes, Rick pointed to her plate. “You don’t like it?”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “Then we’ll take it home. I’m sure you’ll want to eat it later.” He went to raise his hand but she stopped him.

  “I’m fine. Let’s just sit here and eat. It’s what we came to do.” She forced herself to smile.

  He shrugged. “Okay.” He ate his dinner in silence. When he swallowed the last of his drink he signaled the server. “I’ll take another. Make it a double.”

  Tara frowned. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to be carrying you home.”

  His laughter rang out, loud and boisterous. “You’re funny.” He ignored her warning and downed his third drink.

  A slow panic started to build in her. What if he got drunk and embarrassed himself? Was she supposed to stop him?

  He looked at her with interest. “What are you thinking?”

  She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say to that. “I’m worried about you.”

  His face screwed up in puzzlement. “Me?”

  “You’re drinking too much.”

  He waved his hand. “You’re too uptight. Relax a little.” He sat back in his chair and draped his arm over the back.

  “I think you’re a little too relaxed.”
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  “Life isn’t meant to be taken so seriously.”

  She sighed. Nothing she said was going to change his mind. He was a grown man. He could do what he wanted.

  A teenage girl timidly approached them, a pen and a paper napkin in hand. She couldn’t have been older than thirteen. “Mr. Shade? I’m sorry to bother you. Could you sign my napkin?”

  Rick turned to her, his movie star smile in place. “Of course. What’s your name?”

  “Jenny.”

  He scribbled something on the napkin and handed it back to her.

  She read it, blushed, and said, “Thank you.” She turned and ran back to her table.

  “What did you write?”

  “I wrote that she has a beautiful smile, and signed my name.”

  Tara heard the young girl squeal from across the room. “That was very kind of you.”

  Rick pushed his empty plate away and laid his napkin on the table. “My dad was hard on me as a kid. I was never good enough. But an actress once told me I had a nice smile. I can still remember her face and where I was standing when she said it. When I was feeling bad about myself, I’d think, ‘at least I have a nice smile.’ I figure, if I can give a memory like that to a kid, I’ve helped them in some small way.”

  Tears pricked at her eyes and she had to blink them away. Rick had a soft side to him. Maybe she’d judged him prematurely. He’d probably done just what he said, made a memory for the girl that would last her lifetime. She looked down at the table, unable to say anything.

  Rick raised his hand and asked for the check. After he paid, they stood. Rick wrapped his arm around her as they walked, and her heart started doing a funny dance in her chest. Why did being close to him make her feel this way? Cameras flashed in their face outside. Rick ignored the reporters asking more questions about their relationship, and just gave them another stellar smile.

  The limo pulled around the corner and Tara ducked as Rick waved at the cameras. Tara waited until he climbed in the vehicle, then she slid in beside him.

  Rick leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes.

  As the limousine pulled out into traffic, relief poured over her. They were no longer in the public eye. Rick hadn’t done anything that would end up splashed all over the tabloids. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her shoulders starting to relax.