Temporary Wife Temptation

by Jayci Lee

  “Okay.” Natalie willed her lips into a polite smile, making sure no hint of her inner war showed through. “Have a good night.”

  “I was on my way out to see you.” His expression was unreadable but his eyes looked predatory. “I believe we have unfinished business to discuss.”

  Her drumming heart bruised her ribs, and her mouth opened and closed in her best goldfish imitation before she could form her next words.

  “Tell me why.”

  “Why what?”

  “Why do you need a temporary wife?”

  * * *

  She might think he was overreacting or being a coward for taking such drastic steps to escape his grandmother’s control. Some people had a difficult time grasping how sacred family, duty and respect were in his culture. Perhaps Natalie had been raised similarly and would understand. He was accustomed to derision for what others perceived as weakness, but he didn’t want her to see him as some stunted man-child.

  “My grandmother arranged for me to marry a woman I’ve never met based on her family’s wealth and connections.”

  “She did what?” Natalie’s voice rose an octave, her expression a mixture of shock and indignation. “There are so many things wrong with that sentence. Your grandmother chose someone for you to marry? Based on the woman’s family assets, not the woman herself?”

  Garrett smiled at the protective edge that had crept into Natalie’s voice. “Yes to both, but Grandmother insists the woman herself is also satisfactory.”

  Natalie’s eyes flashed. “Satisfactory to her standards. You haven’t even met your betrothed.”

  “She isn’t my anything. Have you forgotten that I’ve asked you to be my wife?”

  “But... I still don’t understand why you want to marry me.”

  “Are you familiar with Korean culture?”

  She sighed with a sheepish shrug. “I’m half-Korean, but all I know about our culture comes from K-drama.”

  He cocked his head and stowed away that information to explore at another time.

  “As the eldest member of our family, my grandmother commands absolute respect and obedience from her children and grandchildren. I couldn’t flat-out refuse to marry the heiress she chose. That would be like spitting in her face. So I told her I was secretly engaged to someone else and I couldn’t go back on my word to my fiancée.”

  “Hmm.” Natalie’s eyebrows drew together as she digested his explanation. “And your grandma’s okay with that?”

  “Of course not. She threatened to stop my CEO appointment if I don’t break off the engagement.”

  “I need to sit down.” She looked dazed. “What are you going to do?”

  “First, we’re moving this conversation away from any prying ears.” With his hand on the small of her back, Garrett led her to the privacy of his office, and settled her onto a sofa. Once the door was shut behind him, he continued, “Then I’m going to get married as soon as possible because my grandmother will meddle with my personal life until I do.”

  “But what about the CEO job?”

  “You could help with that, too. I’m working on a partnership with Vivotex. It’s nearly done but I still need to convince some key executives over there. Presenting myself as a family man could strengthen my credibility, and help me win their trust. Once I get the partnership sealed, the board wouldn’t dream of electing another CEO. They need to do what’s best for Hansol, as does my grandmother.”

  “That all makes sense in an upside-down kind of way.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” he said quietly, relieved she didn’t think less of him.

  “If I marry you...” A burst of triumph spread through his chest, and the caveman possessiveness reared its head again. He opened his mouth to speak but Natalie cut him off. “If I do, I have some conditions.”

  “Conditions?” He wasn’t fond of conditions being placed on him, but he didn’t have a line of contract brides waiting to marry him. “Name them.”

  “I won’t share your bed,” she blurted. “My professional life and my personal life never cross.”

  “Agreed,” he said, but his eyes raked hotly over her body against his will. With effort, he focused his gaze on her face. Consummating the marriage would complicate an already complicated situation. “It’ll simplify the dissolution of our marriage. An annulment is more efficient than a divorce.”

  “Good. And I also want to ask you to not have...relationships while this lasts.” She flushed a bright shade of pink.

  “What kind of relationships?” It both surprised and amused him to watch her squirm and blush.

  “The extramarital kind involving sex with people who aren’t your wife.” She jutted out her chin in a show of defiance that was becoming familiar to him.

  “Ah, that kind.”

  “Yes.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “That kind.”

  “Agreed.” Unable to resist, he teased her with a grin. “I presume you will do me the same courtesy?”

  “Of course. It’s important we convince the world our marriage is real. Not only for you, but for me, as well.” Her expression grew fierce. “I’m fighting to adopt my niece. She was orphaned when my sister and her husband died in a car crash.”

  “Your niece?”

  “In my heart, she’s already my daughter, but her grandparents are contesting the adoption. It’s already difficult for a single woman to adopt, but if the child’s next of kin contests it, it becomes nearly impossible. The Davises aren’t heartless people, but they want Sophie with them in New York.” Natalie gritted her teeth, near tears for a brief, heartbreaking moment before she regained control. “I thought if I became the new VP of HR and transferred to New York in December, I might be able to convince Sophie’s grandparents to withdraw their opposition to the adoption.”

  “That’s why you agreed to do this.” His gut lurched at the realization.

  Her desperation to get the promotion and her agreeing to consider this marriage—it was all for her niece. It would complicate everything. He couldn’t let Natalie get under his skin, especially with a little girl in the picture. But he couldn’t turn his back on her. It went against his very core to abandon a mother fighting for her child. Also, on a logical level, his time to search for a contract bride was up, and he wouldn’t find anyone more invested in pulling off their fake marriage than Natalie.

  “Yes, so if we do this, I’m going all in. Marrying you will boost my chances of becoming Sophie’s mom, but if anyone finds out our marriage isn’t real, then I could lose her.”

  “I understand.” He understood only too well how important a mother was to a child. He couldn’t let Natalie bet her future on the promotion and the goodwill of Sophie’s grandparents. His name, wealth and influence could help her adopt her niece. “I’ll do everything in my power to help you get custody of Sophie.”

  “Thank you.” A tremulous smile lit her face.

  She was so beautiful. Dangerously so. Heat unfurled low in his stomach, and resisting the need to touch her made him dizzy.

  “Anything else?”

  “Just one thing. Is it absolutely necessary for us to be seen in public together?” Her words picked up speed, tripping over each other. “I was hoping to avoid situations where I’d have to come up with spur-of-the-moment lies. I’m the worst at lying.”

  “I need you to attend functions with me. There’s no way around that.”

  “Couldn’t you tell them I have a headache or something?”

  “For months on end?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Fine.” Her shoulders drooped and she narrowed her eyes. “I could smile and play along, but you’re in charge of making stuff up on the spot.”

  “Deal.”

  “Okay.” Her sigh was tremulous but her beautiful features hardened with determination. “I’ll marry you.”

  Th
e silence stretched and Natalie shifted on her feet. Damn. He couldn’t tear his eyes off her, and awareness shrouded them like moist, tropical heat. What is it about this woman that drives me crazy with desire? Whatever it was, he couldn’t have her. Maintaining distance was crucial to avoiding complications when they annulled the marriage.

  Even so, his gaze dropped to her lips and his breath hitched to find them wet and softly parted. Garrett swayed toward her without conscious thought, and Natalie tilted her head, leaning in. The evidence that she wasn’t immune to the dizzying attraction chipped away at his willpower. He couldn’t have sex with her, but there was no harm in kissing her.

  Like hell there wasn’t. She was a good woman and he wasn’t a complete bastard. She’d agreed to the contract marriage, but her decision was an emotional one, a sacrifice for her niece. She was probably more vulnerable than she let on. Their lips were only a breath apart when he pulled back and shoved his hands into his pockets.

  As he drew in a steadying breath, Natalie closed the distance between them and pressed her lips against his. Surprise held him immobile but she was warm and intoxicating. When a sound that was somewhere between a moan and a whimper escaped her, he lost the fight for control. He deepened the kiss with a low growl, and Natalie pushed her body against him. Burying his fingers roughly in her hair, he tilted back her head to better taste her.

  Something cold and alarming seeped through his mind even as he leaned back on the wall and nestled her between his legs. Her skin smelled like vanilla and sweet musk, and felt like silk beneath his hands as they slid down her bare arms before settling on her hips. Her cool fingers skimmed his stomach just under his shirt and he hissed at the intense pleasure.

  His reaction to the simple touch shocked him out of the moment. Garrett broke off their kiss. Natalie stumbled back from him with her fingers pressed against her lips. Their gazes crashed and held, their panting breaths filling the silence.

  Natalie didn’t seem aware that her fingertips were brushing back and forth across her lips, pink and swollen from their kiss. The movement was hypnotic—a seductive lure that could capsize his meticulously planned life. He couldn’t give his body the chance to win the battle.

  “I’ll make some arrangements and contact you soon.”

  “Okay,” she said in a husky whisper, her hand finally dropping to her side. She gave her head a vigorous shake and inhaled deeply. “Um... That was good practice. Some public displays of affection will be necessary. I’m glad we got the initial awkwardness over with.”

  “Initial awkwardness?”

  In all fairness, he had brushed aside their kiss, but to hear her call it “awkward” pricked his pride.

  “Yeah, well...” she said. “Our first kiss shouldn’t be in front of an audience, so I’m glad we got that over with.”

  “I approve of your strategy. Good night.” With a curt nod, he spun around.

  When he reached the parking structure, he made for his car with long, impatient strides, intent on leaving the building as soon as possible.

  He slid into his Aston Martin and sped through downtown LA with the windows down, putting much-needed distance between himself and whatever the hell had happened back there.

  When he was certain he could speak in a normal voice, he called Michael Reynolds, his oldest and closest friend, as well as Hansol’s PR specialist. Garrett needed to think things through, and Mike was his most trustworthy sounding board.

  His friend picked up on the second ring, sounding winded. “This better be important, Song. You interrupted my dinner with two of your senior executives. I’m missing the good parts of their prostate exam stories.”

  “So you ditched them?” Garrett smirked.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You owe me one, Reynolds.”

  “I know. Thanks.”

  “By the way, this is important.” He pulled up to the Ritz-Carlton. “I’m getting married.”

  “What?” Mike’s voice rang across the lines. “To who? And why haven’t I met her?”

  “You know my grandmother. We kept our relationship under the radar so she wouldn’t worry.” Garrett left his explanation vague to avoid lying to his friend. “I’m marrying Natalie Sobol.”

  “The Natalie Sobol?” Mike said after a lengthy pause.

  “I didn’t realize she was famous.” As the valet drove away with his car, Garrett walked into the hotel lobby. “You know her well?”

  “I’ve met her a few times at Hansol’s functions, but her reputation precedes her.”

  “And what reputation is that?” He stepped into the elevator and pressed the button to his penthouse.

  “How do you think a twenty-eight-year-old became a regional HR director? Actually, she was twenty-six when she was promoted.”

  “Well, she’s exceptionally bright and competent.”

  “She certainly is, but that’s not all.” Mike’s voice held a note of awe. “That woman’s got nerves of steel.”

  “I believe that.” Garrett chuckled under his breath.

  “She’s known as the Ball Buster.”

  “The what?” He tugged his tie loose. “What the hell did she do to earn that title?”

  “About a year ago, someone in middle management wasn’t playing by the rules.” By the sound of it, his friend was cupping his hand over his cell to whisper. “Natalie investigated the allegations and found evidence he’d been giving preferential treatment to male employees. She fired his ass and convinced him to sign a release stating he won’t sue the company. She laid down the law.”

  “That’s my woman.” Garrett grinned as he got off the elevator. The city lights greeted him through the panoramic windows of his penthouse.

  “So how should we handle this from the PR side of things?”

  “We need to release a statement announcing your engagement.”

  “That’s a given.” Garrett dropped onto his leather lounger and kicked off his shoes.

  “But first, you should ‘sneak around’ with your fiancée and make sure to get caught. Invite the public into your ‘clandestine’ romance.”

  “The public might dig that, but Hansol employees will be out for blood. We need to announce the engagement as soon as possible. The venom will leach out and everything will become rosy and romantic as soon as marriage enters the picture. How long do we have to sneak around?”

  “Two weeks.”

  “Fine, but she’s moving in with me within the week.” Two weeks would give his grandmother time to wreak havoc on his plans. He had to make the first move.

  “Impatient, are you?” Mike chuckled. “Luckily, that’s a good PR move. A fast-paced, secret romance is even more popular.”

  “Perfect. Let me know what else you need from my end.” Garrett pinched the bridge of his nose, running through the list of things to get done the next day. “You can go back to your little party now.”

  “What?” Mike sounded panicked. “Don’t you want to have a long conversation about your bachelor party?”

  “Not happening.”

  “I was worried Samantha ruined you for love and happiness. Now that you have Natalie, I’m sure you’re thankful for the narrow escape,” Mike said without a hint of levity. “I’m happy for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Garrett ended the call and leaned back on his seat. Love and whatever happiness it might bring weren’t worth the risk of heartbreak. The last time he’d let his guard down—worn thin by buried grief and loneliness—Samantha had happened.

  Trust and sentimentality inevitably led to pain and loss. Logic and reason, however, had never let him down. He could almost understand why his grandmother devoted her every waking moment to Hansol after his grandfather died.

  His engagement to Natalie had nothing to do with love and happiness, or out-of-control attracti
on. She was his partner in a project to change their lives. He would get his CEO position and a personal life that belonged to him, and she would adopt her niece and start a new life in New York. They would both get what they wanted and walk away content.

  This might actually work.

  Four

  Natalie smacked her palm against her forehead. She was so dazed from their kiss she’d returned home without her laptop. Color flooded her cheeks and her heartbeat kicked up a notch. Would kissing him always make her want to rip off his clothes?

  Miserable and mortified, she shuffled down the hall and knocked on her neighbor’s door. Mrs. Kim was her friend and confidante. Natalie wouldn’t have made it through her sister’s death without the older woman’s kindness and wisdom. If anyone could help sort out this mess, it was her.

  Mrs. Kim cracked open the door then swung it wide with a welcoming smile, but Natalie’s smile wobbled at the corners. Her neighbor’s only reaction was the slightest tilt of an immaculately shaped eyebrow. Then she nodded her head as though she’d reached a decision.

  “Soju.”

  Natalie had been accepted as part of Mrs. Kim’s exclusive “in” crowd by fearlessly tilting back the potent liquor, matching the older woman shot for shot.

  She didn’t know a whole lot about her neighbor except that she lived a quiet and solitary life. When Natalie had first met her, she’d guessed her to be in her midthirties, with her trim figure and smooth skin, but she soon learned that Mrs. Kim was well into her fifties. Natalie was beginning to think that soju was the secret to her youth.

  The two women settled in at the kitchen table and Mrs. Kim poured them each a drink. She hissed in appreciation of the soju’s kick, and lifted her shot glass for Natalie to refill. Once her glass was filled to the brim, she took the bottle from Natalie and refilled hers. “You know Forrest Gump?”