ut, he plucked the clip from the back of her head, causing her hair to fall past her shoulders in a riotous mess.
“It looks terrible,” she said, smoothing her hand over it.
“It’s sexy. Looks like you just tumbled out of bed.” His eyes roved down the length of her. “You also have a sweet body.” His voice had gone deep, as if he remembered exactly what her body looked like.
Her cheeks heated. Did the man have sex permanently on the brain or what? They were venturing into dangerous territory and she needed it to stop.
“Thanks.” She paused. “I think.”
He smiled. “I sound like an ass. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s fine. Glad to know you at least find me somewhat attractive.” She wanted to roll her eyes but held it back. This game they were playing was dangerous. She would lose—and would probably enjoy every minute of it.
“Oh, you’re more than somewhat attractive.” Reaching out, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his finger brushing the top of her ear. She wanted to melt at his simple touch. She was in so much trouble. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
His scent reached her, clean and masculine, and she breathed deep, inhaling him. Oh, she could get drunk on his intoxicating smell alone. “The usual. Working.”
He smiled. “Wanna get married?”
…
Asking Sheridan so casually had been worth the shocked expression on her face alone. She recovered quickly, Jared could give her that. And he liked that she’d changed clothes, appearing much more natural in her workspace with the paint-covered jeans that fit her like a second skin, and the oversized sweater that threatened to slide off one shoulder at any given moment.
He’d like to be there when that happened, more than ready to catch a glimpse of silken skin.
That’s about all he’d catch a glimpse of, considering the clause that both lawyers had agreed would be added to the contract, declaring no sexual contact or their marriage was considered void.
He hated that fucking clause. Yet he’d signed the agreement anyway.
“Tomorrow?” she finally asked, her voice a little squeaky.
He tossed the hairclip he’d been clutching in his hand high into the air, catching it with ease. “It’s the only day my schedule allows.”
“Um, what about my schedule? I work too, you know.”
“Don’t you have someone who works for you? Can cover for a few hours?” He threw the clip into the air again, smiled when he watched her track it with her gaze. Catching it, he handed it to her and she took it, setting it on the counter nearby.
“No.” She shook her head, all that gorgeous golden brown hair sliding against her shoulders. If he had his way, she’d never wear it up again. “I could never afford it.”
“You certainly can now.”
She rested her hands on her hips, her irritation clear. He felt like an ass. “Not like I could hire someone and have them cover for me part time tomorrow. There’s not enough time.”
“Yeah, and you’ll be gone all day anyway.”
“All day?” She frowned. “How long does it take to get married?”
“We have to disappear. Act like we’re on a quick honeymoon.”
“Oh.” She looked confused. “Where are we going?”
“I have it all planned out.” He let his gaze wander over her form, taking her in, hoping like hell he got her size right. The dress he and his agent picked out would be delivered to the studio later this afternoon. But what if she didn’t like it?
Now that everything was official, he’d found himself somewhat on board for the bogus marriage. He liked her. But what made it worse? He couldn’t touch her, not like he wanted to. And he really freaking wanted to.
So he’d have to keep his hands to himself. But going celibate for a year sounded like a special kind of hell, and he wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to get around it.
“What should I pack?”