Fake Marriage Box Set

Not that we really were, but we were still sporting rings like we were. I hadn't been in front of a girl's parents that I was dating since high school.

Dating? Is that what I thought we were doing? It was laughable.

"I just want you to like them." She got out of the car and walked to the front, waiting for me.

"I already like them, silly woman. We grew up together. Your cousin is my best friend in the whole world." I reached her and pulled her into a hug, needing her warmth.

"Kiss me. Please?" The need in her eyes left me with no choice, not that I would have denied her anyway.

I wanted her kisses every day. All the damn time. As many as I could store up.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Maddie

His lips were soft against mine, but a hunger showed in his eyes that had me wishing we were back at his place and not standing three feet from my parent's front door.

"Maddie? Gavin?" My mom's voice caused me to pull back from the kiss. "Come on in and stop making out on the porch. Jeez. Silly kids."

Gavin's cheeks bled pink, and I couldn't help but laugh as I walked toward my mom for a quick hug.

"Don't embarrass him or me." I hugged her tightly.

"Now, that's no fun." My dad walked out the front door and gave me a hug before putting his arm around my shoulders and extending his hand to Gavin. "Hey there. I sure wish you would have come to see us before you proposed to my little girl here."

"I know. I'm sorry. It was—" he started, but my father cut him off.

"We know." He smiled. "And we're proud of you for honoring your mother. I'd just always imagined the day when Maddie's boyfriend came limping up the front lawn and—"

"Why does he have to be limping?" I glanced up at my father and smacked him in the chest.

"Cause love hurts." He smiled and turned back to Gavin. "And I'd be in the living room, cleaning my guns. We'd talk for a few minutes, and I'd scare the hell outta the guy because, well, that's what dad's do, right honey?" He glanced over at my mom.

"Oh, brother." She walked past all of us toward the house. "Gavin ignore him and get in here. He's definitely where Maddie gets her great acting abilities. They're both so darn dramatic."

My dad released me and followed my mom in, talking about his dreams of one day being on Broadway.

I groaned and rolled my eyes as Gavin walked toward me. "Make a run for it. I'll divert them and you drive like your ass is on fire. Go! Let me save you."

He cupped my face and leaned down, kissing me softly, like we were together, like he truly loved me. "Not a chance in hell. I gotta see how this plays out." He kissed me again, and I pressed up into it.

"Can I stay with you tonight? I'll sleep on the couch." I moved back and ran my hand down his strong chest. "I just don't want to be alone in the apartment."

"Of course you can." He took my hand as we walked toward the house. "But you have to promise me one thing."

"What that?" I moved in behind him and clasped my hands behind me to keep from reaching out and touching him. I didn't want to get too familiar with him. He was paying me, and I was his fake wife for a few more weeks at most. He was being nice, but it might be short-lived if I weren't careful.

He waited until we walked into the living room where my parents were standing close together. "You let your mom and dad tell me all of the stories from your childhood that they want to."

"Yes!" My father yelled and pumped his fist in the air.

"No way." I shook my head and turned to go back into the kitchen. "Mom, come on, and I'll help finish dinner."

"Behave." My mom walked into the kitchen and stopped beside me with a huge grin on her face. "Oh my God... he's beautiful."

I snorted. "I told you he was good looking."

"He's way beyond good looking."