Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

by Ajme Williams

  I needed to get baby monitors, I thought. I couldn’t risk him wandering around the house and getting hurt. I scanned my brain to remember if I locked the pool room.

  When we finished tucking him in, I led Erica to my bedroom. Her eyes took in the grandeur. The large four poster bed. The window overlooking the Nebraska prairie lit by the moon.

  “We can change this too…if you’ll be staying.”

  She turned to me. “Tell me you want me, Simon.”

  “I want you.” I pulled her to me. “But you have a job and a life—”

  She pressed her fingers over my lips. “I can work anywhere.”

  “I thought your job at—”

  “I want to freelance write. I missed so much with Mason over the last few months doing my investigation. What if I hadn’t been home when he got sick? I’m filled with guilt about that.”

  “It’s my fault.” All of it. His having my condition. Her running around rural Nebraska digging up dirt on me. Actually, she didn’t have to dig. I’d left it all out in the open for her to find.

  “Simon, about his condition. That’s just nature. Genetics. I’m so thankful that he’ll have you to help him through it. Even just helping him through childhood. Then again, I don’t think anyone is going to hassle the son of Simon Stark. Not around here anyway.”

  I laughed, loving how she could turn my horrendous behavior into a joke. I nodded in agreement. “They thought I was bad before. If they hurt you or Mason, or your mother, they’ll have a problem.”

  I kissed her, loving that I could so freely. I pulled back. “What about your story about me?”

  “Well,” she said, unbuttoning my shirt. “I still have more investigating to do.”

  “Oh?” I arched a brow as she ran her hands over my chest.

  “Of course, what I discover probably won’t be fit to print.” Her smile was sensuous.

  “Is it because I’m bad?”

  Her eyes flashed with heat. “There are some types of bad I really like.”

  That was enough of that, I thought as I lifted her and tossed her on my bed. I realized I’d never had her here. The house was big, and although there was now a child and a mother-in-law around, I’d find a way to have her in every room.

  She laughed as she bounced. The mood shifted, and all of a sudden, crazy need boiled over and we were all tangles of limbs as we undressed until finally, we lay flesh to flesh. Only when I was over her, ready to become one with her, looking down into her lovely blue eyes did the tempest wane.

  “I’ve never loved anyone but you,” I said.

  Her breath hitched. “I love you. And I love that you can love me.”

  “What about more kids?” I asked. “You must want more.”

  “Can’t your procedure be undone?”

  “I guess, but the chances are high that I’ll pass my condition on. For many it’s not a big deal, but for others, it can be a hardship. For some, it can cause early death. I can’t do that, Erica. I’m sorry.”

  She cradled my face in her hands. “So, we’ll have Mason. What more do we need? And if we feel we need more, there are plenty of kids needing good homes in the world. All I need right now is you and Mason.”

  “Are you sure, because once I enter you, it’s a done deal.”

  She wrapped her legs around me pulling my hips so that my tip slipped inside her sweet pussy. I groaned.

  “A deal is a deal, Simon.”

  After that, there were no words. Only me touching her, kissing her, thrusting inside her. I listened to her moans and gasps, working to make them come harder, faster, and more intense until she cried out my name and her body shuddered under mine. Only then did I let go. I gave her every bit of me, until I too cried out and emptied inside her.

  As our breaths returned to normal, she looked up at me and gave me the sweetest smile. “I see you, Simon.”

  Epilogue

  Erica - Five months Later

  The last harvest festival I was at, Trina stood on stage and confessed her love for Ryder. I remembered feeling envy at not having that sort of love in my life. Or more accurately, having lost that love.

  “Daddy I want to win a bear,” Mason said from atop Simon’s shoulders.

  “You know those things are a rip off,” he said of the carnival games.

  “Oh, come on Simon. Give him a few bucks to waste,” my mother said to him. “I’ll take him.”

  He put Mason down and handed him a twenty-dollar bill. “Don’t spend it all in one place.”

  “Carnivals and fairs like this, it’s hard not to,” my mother said.

  “Now you two, be nice. You know that much of the money here goes to help town projects. And since you paid for this party, all the proceeds will go to help the town.” I gave him a kiss.

  He took my hand and we walked toward the river. Several people said hello to us. No one murmured something rude under their breath.

  We reached the river and he pulled my hand to his lips in a sweet gesture that always made my heart loopty-loop. Who knew he could be so romantic?

  “Are you happy, Erica?”

  That was an odd question. “Yes. Perfectly.”

  Not that we hadn’t had a few ups and downs over the last five months since the mayoral debate. Simon had the most adjustment dealing with a rambunctious four-year-old. But We were still learning to trust and not doubt each other. Fortunately, we both agreed to always listen as well as talk.

  “I have something for you,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “I know we’re legally married, but it wasn’t right. It wasn’t how it should have been. I want to do it right.”

  He held out the outrageously expensive ring I’d eyed the day we’d gotten married. “Marry me again, Erica. I want every part of our lives to be real.”

  “We are real.”

  “It didn’t start real. Let me give you the biggest, best wedding in all of Nebraska.”

  I laughed, letting him slip the ring on my finger. “How about we have a small intimate wedding at home with all our friends and family to celebrate our love with us?”

  “Even better.” He held my face in his hands. “I love you.”

  “You’ve made my dreams come true Simon. Five years ago, I wanted to be your wife. I wanted to heal your soul and love you with all my might. The fact that you trust me and love me, it’s the greatest gift you could give me. Well, Mason was the greatest gift, but you know what I mean.”

  He nodded. “What would you say if we skipped out for a little bit…consummated this second engagement.”

  “Patience, my horny husband.”

  He laughed and kissed me again. We walked back to the main stage area where Ryder’s band was playing.

  “Mommy, daddy look what I won!” Mason held up a stuffed bear that was as big as he was.

  “Goodness, you won that?” I couldn’t believe it. I had the same idea about carnival games as Simon had that no one ever won.

  “The kid has nearly perfect hand eye coordination,” my mother said with a shrug. “He actually won two, but gave one to another kid.”

  Simon looked down at Mason. “You gave one of your winnings away?”

  “I couldn’t carry two daddy and he was crying because he didn’t win.”

  Simon shook his head in wonderment. “He gets that from you,” he whispered as we all finished making our way to the stage area.

  “Why would you say that?”

  “It comes natural to him.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Someday Simon, you’ll see yourself as I see you. Generous. Loving. Sexy.”

  “Now who’s horny?”

  We all stood with the crowd as Ryder finished up his song.

  “How ya doin Mason?” Tucker asked, coming to stand next to us.

  “I won a bear, Mr. Marshall.”

  “Holy cow, you did. Look Hol, he won a bear.”

  “Wow. He’s nearly as big as you,” she said.

  “Do you think our kid will win a bear someday?” Tuck
er asked.

  I arched a brow. “Is there news?”

  They both grinned. “We just found out.”

  “Congratulations. That’s wonderful,” I said, giving them both a hug.

  “Will you need more help with the library project,” Simon, ever the project guy, asked.

  “I think we’ll be okay. I was thinking maybe Mason could help us pick some books to order for when the time came.”

  “I like books about trains,” Mason said. Then he looked up at Simon. “Can I ride on your shoulders again daddy.”

  “Sure thing.”

  I took the bear and Simon lifted him up.

  “You’ve taken to fatherhood,” Holly said to him.

  “I feel very fortunate indeed.”

  “What’s going on here?” Brooke stepped up next to Tucker with her husband, Mo Valentine.

  “It’s a parents meeting,” Tucker said.

  “You’re not a parent,” Brooke frowned. “I’ll be one before you.”

  Simon and I looked at each other and then Brook and Mo. “You too then?”

  “Me too what?” She looked at me.

  “Not me. Them.” I pointed to Tucker and Holly.

  “You?” Brooke asked. Then she frowned. “You knucklehead, why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We just found out,” Tucker said, ducking her light punch.

  Mo shook Tucker’s hand congratulating him. “I just hope I can keep up. I’ll be over forty then.”

  “You definitely should workout,” Simon said. “I can’t keep track of Mason half the time. Actually, where did he go? Mason?”

  “Up here daddy.” Mason gripped Simons cheeks.

  “Where?” Simon looked up but not enough to see Mason. “I hear you, but can’t see you.”

  “Daddy!” Mason laughed like a loon and my heart was so full of love for them.

  Brooke grinned “Hey Tuck, it will be like our kids are cousins.”

  I realized that while some of the people here were related, for the most part, this group were forging their own families, and they were including me and Simon.

  Ryder stopped playing. “Thanks everyone for coming out to another Harvest Fair. Let me introduce the Mayor. My sister. Sinclair Jones.”

  We all clapped as Sinclair, with Wyatt and Alyssa by her side, took the stage. “Like my slacker brother said, thank you so much for coming out to the Harvest Fair. I want to thank all our vendors, but most of all, I want to thank Simon Stark and his family for footing the bill. It means we’ll be able to donate all proceeds to Salvation projects, including a new cultural center, funding options to support farmers and other small business, vocational grants to help our young people who don’t go to college to get training and skills so they can work. I encourage you to stop by the Stark booth and try some of that new brew Simon has been testing. He says he’s dabbling, but don’t you all think he should reopen the brewery on the property of his?”

  A large “yeah” rose from the crowd.

  “Me too,” Sinclair said.

  “She’s a lush,” Ryder said, coming to stand near us holding his five-month-old baby boy, Nate.

  “It must be a twin thing,” Trina quipped.

  Ryder grinned. “I’ve got to taste the goods before I can serve them. Which reminds me, Si, I was thinking maybe we could have some special local brews at Salvation Station. What do you think?”

  I looked up at Simon, who even five months into being accepted into Salvation, still seemed a little surprised when people were nice to him.

  “I think it’s a very interesting idea.”

  Ryder rolled his eyes. “Is he ever spontaneous about anything? Just jumping in with both feet and seeing how it goes?” he said to me.

  “Yes. But that’s private.”

  Simon blushed while Ryder laughed. He handed the baby back to Trina. “Maybe when we get home, we can be spontaneous.”

  “Let me pencil that in,” she said, with a wink. He kissed her and then headed back to the stage to finish his set.

  “Maybe we should go try the brew?” my mother said.

  “I agree.” We all walked over to the Stark booth. Simon stayed back, as he often did to observe, but again, I worried that he still felt like an outsider.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “I’m thinking it’s chilly which means winter is around the corner.”

  I looked at him in confusion.

  “I think we should go to the island. It’s spontaneous.” He smiled. We hadn’t gone to his Caribbean island, on our honeymoon, but we had gone for Mason’s birthday.

  “I want to go to the island. Can we build sandcastles again daddy?” Mason leaned forward trying to look at Simon.

  Simon tilted his head up. “Absolutely. Hey, how long have you been up there?”

  Mason laughed. “Daddy, you’re funny.”

  I looped my arm through Simon’s and took in the scene. Last year at this time, I was hell bent on ruining his reputation. Today, I loved him beyond anything I could have ever imagined. And being here with him was like a dream come true. This town really was our Salvation, and I was going to be forever grateful that we found it.

  Enjoyed this series?

  Grab my Heart of Hope Box Set NOW!

  Over 11,500 combined individual book copies sold!

  400 plus reviews on individual books.

  Four standalone romance novels that will melt your heart.

  Books included:

  One Last Chance : A Second Chance Romance

  An Irish Affair: A Second Chance Secret Baby Romance

  So Wrong: A Second Chance Fake Marriage Romance

  Imperfect Love: A Second Chance in Marriage Romance

  Get the Heart of Hope Box Set Now!

  Our Last Chance (Sneak Peek)

  Description

  I made a mistake.

  A huge mistake.

  I knew I shouldn’t have left.

  The town.

  My life.

  Him…

  Nick, my brother’s best friend, had me at first touch.

  It’s hard to resist a hot doctor like him.

  Even for an innocent girl like me.

  He’s a perfect blend of muscle and brains.

  And the way he trails his fingers across my curves melts me.

  I’ve spent years in the big city, longing for him.

  Now, I’m back in my hometown.

  Back in the same place as Nick.

  Working for the same damn hospital.

  What are the odds?

  The universe has pushed us back into a forbidden relationship.

  Right in the middle of a crisis.

  A lawsuit.

  Well, it’s a good thing I’m an attorney.

  I can make it go away in a second.

  But what about the crisis that I have no control over?

  Nick got me pregnant.

  The last thing I wanted was an accidental pregnancy.

  But could it be the only thing we both need?

  Prologue

  Mia

  The last time I had sex with Nick Foster was four years ago. It was slow, sweet … perfect. I’d been hopelessly in love with him. So much so, I’d been seriously considering abandoning my dream of taking a job at a prestigious law firm in big city to live Nick’s dream of returning to our small hometown together. No one at home knew we were in a relationship beyond friendship, but Nick was sure our families would be supportive of it. Just after I had a delicious orgasm, we learned he was wrong when my brother, Nick’s best friend showed up by surprise. He wasn’t supportive, he was pissed, feeling betrayed by Nick. That altercation caused the initial crack in our relationship. It didn’t take long for it to grow and tear us apart. The love that I thought would last forever was gone within forty-eight hours. Well, maybe not the love, but the relationship was over.

  Now here I was, letting him touch me again. We weren’t in love now. Sure, the attraction was still strong, but that wasn’t l
ove. He was in pain and wanted to get lost in someone. Would any woman have done? If that was true, I should have stopped. While I knew this wasn’t the beginning of a relationship, I didn’t want to be just a convenient fuck. And yet as he pulled my blouse off and dragged his tongue over the swells of my breasts, I knew I wouldn’t stop him. The truth was, I wanted this too.

  Four years ago, Nick was vocal during sex, but tonight he was quiet. His hands kneaded my breasts, his tongue taking turns lapping at one nipple and then the other. Soon we were both naked on his couch. The room was dark, but I could see him clearly. I could see the guilt and pain on his face even though that was what this encounter was supposed to help him escape.

  I wondered again at the wisdom of this encounter. Nick’s heart and mind needed soothing, but sex probably wasn’t the right balm.

  “Fuck me, Mia.” His words came out soft, almost like it was a thought, and not something he meant to say out loud. Once again, I found myself powerless to stop. I’d tried to move on from Nick when we broke up four years ago. I was sure I was over him. But I couldn’t deny that I’d never met anyone who made me yearn for them the way he did. It was like my entire body remembered him and had come alive in anticipation of his touch.

  I straddled his thighs, rubbing my pussy over his sheathed dick. I looked at him, but his head was down, resting against my breasts. His hands were on my hips, as I lowered down over him.

  He was thick and hot, and I realized my memory of him was lacking. He filled every bit inside me and it was spectacular. I gripped his shoulders, and began to move, up and down, in a slow long ride.

  He groaned, his fingers kneading my hips. It seemed impossible but he thickened inside me, the friction increasing with each delicious slide until I was bouncing on him, driving towards my orgasm. I teetered on the edge, release just a thrust away. I was sure he was close too.

  Then his hands squeezed, and held me as I dropped over him, his dick filling me. He kept me from moving, his breathing was harsh as he dropped his head between my breasts again.