From Fake to Forever (Newlywed Games 2)

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking about. The elven OSHA union  ,” he shot back before he could stop himself.

She giggled and the sound washed over him. He loved her laugh. The condo had been hushed and quiet before she moved in. He’d assumed that was best. Now he wasn’t so sure.

Before he could move, she flowed into the living room and climbed into his lap, straddling him like she’d done in the car and his pulse scattered. This was his favorite position, his favorite way to watch her, his favorite way to lose himself in her.

“You should probably punish me, then,” she murmured and her hands slipped under his shirt to drive him insane with her touch.

“Meredith.” Somehow he had the presence of mind to grab her hands and drag them away from his skin. And then he forgot why he’d been so certain he needed her to stop.

“Yeah, baby?” Then she twisted and crossed her arms behind her back, taking his with them. Her breasts were flush against his chest, exciting them both if the hardness of her nipples was any indication, and his arms were holding her captive. With her mouth inches apart from his, her energy and vibrancy spilled down his throat, and all he could think about was kissing her.

“So is this how it’s going to be from now on?” he muttered and sucked in a breath as she shifted deeper into his lap. “I try to have a serious conversation and you distract me with sex?”

“Only if you’re saying the shoes are serious.” She fluttered her lashes. “Otherwise, I’m just angling for sex. No distraction involved.”

Something about her cavalier attitude or the shoes or the swirling mass of uncertainty in the pit of his stomach over the state of their marriage triggered his temper. “Maybe we should have a conversation once in a while.”

She hummed happily in her throat. “Mmm. That’s my favorite. Talking and sex at the same time.”

Her hands slipped from his grip and snaked back under his shirt.

He groaned. “That’s not what I meant. The merger is at a critical stage. You’ve got Avery’s job offer to consider. We’re both at the cusp of our plans coming to fruition and we can’t afford to make any missteps.”

Saucily, she cocked her head and smiled. “Sounds like a reason to celebrate naked to me.”

Then she wiggled expertly against his groin, and nuzzled his neck, working her way up to his lips, where she sucked him into a hot kiss.

He almost lost his train of thought as her tongue found his and deepened the kiss. This couldn’t go on. He wrenched away, while his body screamed to dive back in.

“Is sex all you think about?” Frustrated, he pulled her hands out of his clothes again. He couldn’t think when he got wrapped up in her seductive web.

Clueing in finally, she drew back to scowl at him. “No, sugar. Sometimes I do quadratic equations in my head when you’re inside me. What would you like me to be thinking about when you’re kissing me?”

“I’m sorry.” He blew out a breath and tilted his head to touch his forehead to hers. “I’m on edge.”

“It’s okay.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, but instead of turning him volcanic instantly, she caressed him with unveiled tenderness and it split something open inside him. “I’m here for whatever you’ve got in mind. It doesn’t have to be sex.”

He shrugged and spit out the first thing he could think of to divert attention from the affectionate moment. “Seems to be the only thing we’re good at. Which I guess is appropriate for a relationship based on sex.”

Her fingers found his chin and lifted his gaze to hers. Her expression blazed with denial and anger and something else he couldn’t begin to understand.

“That’s a crock and you know it. We’re not just screwing each other. We have an amazing connection and don’t you dare devalue what’s going on here.”

Taken aback at her forcefulness, he stared at her for a moment. “What’s going on here?”

She thumped him lightly on the head. “I’m in love with you, you big dolt. Why else would I put up with your horrible sister and your bad attitude and obvious lack of reverence for Jimmy Choos?”

“You’re in love with me?” His pulse kicked up, rushing blood from his head. “You can’t be.”

Shaking her head, she frowned. “Don’t tell me how to feel. And I guess that answers my question about whether you feel the same.”

No, it didn’t. Not at all. Because she hadn’t asked that and thank God she hadn’t because then he’d have to tell her the truth, which was that he didn’t know, didn’t want to think about it. “Our marriage is advantageous. Period.”