Sheridan turned to him. “You’ll marry someone to improve your image, no questions asked?”
He shrugged. “I’m not a big believer in the institution of marriage.” That wasn’t a lie. His mother had bailed when he was a toddler and never looked back. His poor father had been left to shoulder the responsibility of a young and overly active boy who alternately filled him with pride and drove him crazy.
“Clearly,” she retorted, anger written all over her face.
“Don’t get mad. Listen to what Harvey has to say,” Jared said.
“What, already telling me what to do? I’m not even your wife yet,” she supplied, a sassy smile curling her lush lips. “Let me save you from having to explain yourself further.” She leveled them both with a stare that meant business. “I’m not interested. Nothing you can say will convince me.”
“Really?” Harvey’s brows rose. He seemed to love a challenge.
“Really.” She glanced at Jared. “Find some other sucker. Now if you could both go.” Sheridan crossed her arms in front of her chest, plumping up her breasts.
“I wish you’d consider it,” he said, keeping his voice calm. Even.
She glared, a sigh escaping her when she realized her plan wasn’t going to work. “Fine, you won’t leave? I will.” Before they could say a word she was gone, escaping the studio with a quickness that Jared couldn’t help but be impressed with.
Damn, the woman lit a spark within him he couldn’t begin to explain.
“Go after her. Work some of that Mighty Quinn charm you supposedly have with the ladies.” Harvey’s dark eyes looked ready to shoot daggers. “You want her, you convince her.”
Without a word, Jared stood and went after her, increasing his pace when he realized Sheridan had already left the gallery, the bell still ringing above her door. By the time he caught up with her, she was already a few blocks away, striding down the sidewalk with determined steps, her long ponytail flying behind her and her jeans clinging to her shapely ass.
Yeah. It might not be so bad, being married to Sheridan Harper. He’d have her in his bed again in no time and they could have the perfect temporary affair…
He reached out, hooked her arm with his fingers, and she whirled on him, her expression a mixture of fear and fury. But the moment her gaze met his, she looked ready to punch him.
“Whatever you’re trying to sell, I’m not buying,” she said. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to agree to a fake marriage with you.” She stepped closer to him, pressed her hand against his chest, and gave a little shove. The physical contact was a sharp reminder of what they’d shared the previous night and his cock reacted.
He slipped his hand around her upper arm and pulled her in closer, her body colliding fully with his. She came willingly, all those pretty, lush curves nestled close, making him sweat. He wound his arm around her slender waist, unable to resist, ignoring the voice in his head, which was asking what the hell he was doing.
“What the hell are you doing?” Sheridan whispered, glancing around as if afraid someone might see them.
He wondered if she could hear that same voice. “I’m trying to talk to you.”
“I already told you, I’m not interested. And I’m not one of your teammates, Jared. You can’t tackle me and hold me down.”
She certainly acted interested, all snug against him. “You want me to let you go, I’ll let you go.” Though the idea of tackling and pinning her beneath him held infinite appeal. “Besides, I don’t tackle players. I’m the freaking quarterback.”
She rolled her eyes, full of sass. Sexy as hell. Pressing her free hand to his chest, she started to shove him away, but then her fingers curled in the front of his shirt instead. As if she wanted to keep him. “Harvey Price is an asshole.”
His entire body went on high alert, completely attuned to that one spot where she touched him. “I totally agree.”
“I wish you’d let me go,” she murmured, her grip on his shirt loosening, though her hand never moved. She slid those soft fingers down his chest in the lightest of touches, and he felt that gentle caress as if she’d stroked the tip of his dick.
“There is no way in hell I’m going to let you go. Not until…” He dipped his head, the urge to kiss her damn near overwhelming. If he felt nothing, not even a spark, then he’d let her leave. Forget this potential wife business.
A whimper escaped her when he brushed her mouth with his. The spark lit, crackled between them, and he smiled, kissed her again, igniting the fire. And then again, persuading her mouth open, her lips parted on a sigh, her tongue tentatively touching his. Memories flashed and his body reacted, remembering hers.
Oh yeah, he could drown in her taste, sweet and spicy and with a hint of mint. He held her in place, breathing her in, enjoying the slow burn that swept over his skin, simmered in his veins.
Jared broke the kiss, staring down at her, her big, golden eyes blinking open, watching him with a mixture of shock and wariness. Yeah, he felt exactly the same.
“At least listen to what I have to say,” he murmured.
She closed her eyes, pressed her lips together. As if she were battling an epic war within herself. “You’ll only try to convince me to do it when I know I shouldn’t.”
“Why shouldn’t you?” He touched the delicate line of her jaw, stroking her soft skin. They were in the middle of the sidewalk in downtown Carmel and he was kissing her, touching her for all the world to see. He was taking a huge risk.