“I saw your mystery man,” Sheridan murmured as they re-entered the crowded, noisy restaurant.
Willow waved a hand. “He’s no one.”
“He’s handsome.” Sheridan wondered if it could be that Nick Hamilton Willow had mentioned before. “So was it Nick?”
Willow’s cheeks turned pink. As in, she was blushing and that never, ever happened. “Maybe.”
Sheridan let it drop. She wasn’t one to probe. After all, she had a bazillion secrets she needed to keep. And she had to hold every single one of them close to her chest.
…
Jared kept his gaze fixed on the open doorway that led to the back of the restaurant where their table was located, waiting for Sheridan to return. He wanted her back, wanted her close. Wanted to see if he could cause that same hazy look in her eyes he’d noticed earlier when he’d slipped his hand beneath her skirt.
He knew he was being a jerk. But there was something about her that drew him. Her sassy attitude, how she treated him like a real guy versus a superstar, he liked it. She didn’t put up with his crap and he could appreciate that.
And she was damn sexy. The way she pretended his touch, his words meant nothing. She was completely full of shit. He’d heard the hitch in her breath when he touched her thigh. Felt the tremble move through her when he said he could have her coming. Could only imagine slipping his fingers between her legs, encountering damp, creamy heat, stroking her just right so she had to bite that sexy lower lip of hers to hold back the moan…
“You let someone have my chair?” Sheridan’s incredulous voice reached straight into his brain and snatched him out of his dirty thoughts. She smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “How could you?” There was humor lacing her voice, thank God.
“Uh…” He glanced at the chair, which was now occupied by none other than Flynn Foley. How had he let that happen? “I could give him the boot.”
“Hey, I stole your wife’s chair?” Flynn turned and smiled at Sheridan, causing her to beam in return. He laid on the charm with such effortless ease, Jared wanted to punch Flynn in that pretty face of his. “I’m sorry. I’ll get up.” Flynn started to stand but Jared snagged Sheridan’s hand, pulling her down onto his lap.
“Wha—”
“Shh.” Jared curled his arms around Sheridan’s waist, keeping her in place. “Thanks for taking her chair, Foley. Perfect excuse for me to get her close.”
She sent Jared a withering stare before she held out her hand toward Flynn. “I’m Sheridan Ha—Quinn.”
“Flynn Foley.” He took her hand, gave it a brief shake. As affable as ever. Jared wondered if the guy was ever in a bad mood. “Great to meet the woman who finally tamed Jared.”
She blushed, and Jared hauled her in as close as he could, his arms tight around her tiny waist, her bottom nestled close to the V of his thighs. Causing his cock to instantly react, the horn dog that it was. “I don’t know if I’d say she tamed me.”
“Please.” She turned, pressed her hand against his stubble-covered cheek. “I’ve completely domesticated you.” She slapped him, lightly but enough to make a smacking noise.
Flynn laughed, the jackass. “Looks like she’s got your number.”
“I’d say,” Jared drawled, letting his hand slide down to cup her ass. She jumped when he touched her, that death glare of hers coming at him tenfold. “What? You don’t like blatant displays of affection?”
“Well, well, aren’t you two cozy?”
Jared groaned inwardly, his whole body going tense. Charlie and Jim stood before their table, the very last two people he wanted to piss off. And here he was playing grab ass with his fake wife when he was supposed to be calm. Respectful.
Tamed.
Instead all he could think about was coming up with inventive ways to get under Sheridan’s dress with no one noticing.
As if sensing his unease, Sheridan started to stand, and he loosened his hold on her. “Don’t break it up on our account,” Charlie said jovially. A giant smile curving his lips, he looked pleased as can be. “It’s sort of sweet, seeing you two.”
Sweet? If Jared didn’t watch it, he could turn the cuddling into a soft porn show. The woman had this way of pushing at the very limits of his control. “Yeah, uh, she’s irresistible.”
Sheridan snuggled back in, looping her arms around his neck. Her fingers played with the hair at his nape, making his skin tingle and he tried his best not to react.
But damn, her touch felt good.
“He’s irresistible to me too.” Leaning in, she pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. He felt the touch of her lips on his skin all the way to his toes. “I guess we can’t help it if we’re in the honeymoon stage.”
“Too bad you two kids couldn’t go on one, what with the season starting and all,” Jim said in his slow, southern drawl. “Your timing for the wedding sure stunk.”