Fake Marriage (Contemporary Romance Box Set)

“Listen, I’m really sorry if I hurt you or took advantage…I really thought you were sober.”

Her head jerked back, and her eyes narrowed like she wasn’t sure what I was saying.

“You’re hungover which suggests you drank too much which means you might not have been of sound mind like I thought you were. Really, Holly, I’m not a man to take advanta—”

She waved her hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I was completely clear and coherent.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“But it shouldn’t have happened. And that’s on me, Tucker. Not you. It can’t happen again.”

Fuck. Why the hell not? We both leaned back as April brought our coffees.

When she left, I leaned forward again. “Why not?”

She poured creamer into her coffee and then instead of drinking, twisted the cup on the table. “You’re a great guy, Tucker. Really you are. But I’m not interested in a relationship and even if I was, you and I…we wouldn’t work.”

“Bullshit.”

She looked at me the way I suspected she looked at a student who might swear at her.

Letting out a breath I worked to be calm. “I disagree. Our summer chats prove we’re emotionally stable and are compatible in our interest and values.”

“Are you using your psych degree on me?”

“Are you saying that mutual interests and values are bullshit?”

“No but—”

“Alright let’s get baser. Last night, we fit. We fit perfectly. I’ve never come so hard in my life.”

She blushed and looked down.

“Tell me that it wasn’t spectacular.” I dared her to lie to me about how great we were last night, with a fear that she just might. Afterall, she’d told me it was just sex.

“It was lovely.”

Jesus. Lovely? It wasn’t a stroll through the park. It was a mind-blowing fuck. I had to turn away to keep from calling her out. April approached with our breakfast. I used the time she took to serve us to get calm.

“You’d be better off asking April out,” Holly said once April left.

I looked at the waitress. She was young and pretty. Sure, she had assets. But I wasn’t interested.

“Why?” I asked.

“She doesn’t work with you for one.”

“Don’t use that. We know that’s not an exc

use. Tell me the truth Holly. I’ve been totally upfront with you on what I’m thinking. I at least deserve to know the truth about why you don’t think I’m good enough for you.”

Her eyes widened. “It’s not that you’re not good enough. If anything, you’re too good.”

I simply stared at her.

“As Becky blurted out to you, I was recently dumped at the altar. I’m not ready to jump into a relationship again.”

I sat back in the booth, not sure I believed her and at the same time, I understood that it was scary to jump back into the love ring after suffering a knockout.