From Fake to Forever (Newlywed Games 2)

“It’s a problem,” Avery conceded. “We’ll have to brainstorm on how to solve it.”

Inspiration hit, brought on solely by the combination of Meredith calling him up to Hurst’s office and the night of passion following. “When you’re hinting around about the merger, mention to Paul that he might want to take a backseat role in order to spend more time with Caozinha.”

It was the first time he’d ever called his father’s wife by her name. Since he didn’t immediately feel like rinsing out his mouth with Jack Daniel’s, he’d call that a victory.

“That’ll work.” Faint praise, but from Avery, it was practically the same thing as a gold medal.

They talked a few more minutes about some of the merger’s legal details and when Jason hung up, he had to chalk it up to one of the more pleasant conversations he’d had with his sister in quite some time.

Either knowing about her secret plans had mellowed him or Meredith had. Maybe each had had an effect. And his wife was responsible for both. Who would have thought he’d gain such a valuable asset when he’d come to Meredith with the idea of not signing the divorce papers right away?

Mood vastly improved, Jason put the hammer down on his to-do list and, by eleven, managed to accomplish more than he’d have expected. Which was fortunate because two minutes later, Meredith texted him: Meet me at the hotel for lunch. I have an idea.

Instantly, his mind filled in that blank. He had an idea, too. Several, in fact. Already happily anticipating another skipped meal, he texted her back: I’m walking out the door.

He canceled his one o’clock meeting and caught himself humming by the time he hit the elevator. Looked as if he wasn’t against wild and crazy in the middle of the day, either.

Meredith was already in the room when he pushed the door open. God, she was exquisite, with silky hair halfway down her back. Her beautiful face—he could stare at it for hours.

“That was fast,” she commented over her shoulder as she bent over the desk scribbling something on the phone pad. “Give me a minute.”

“You take all the time you need.” Because she was precisely where he wanted her.

He came up behind her and put both hands at her waist, fitting that shapely rear against his already-aching groin. The filmy sundress she wore scarcely provided a barrier and he could feel the folds of her sex. Hard as steel, he rubbed her intimately, pleasuring them both.

She stilled and then shifted, deliberately sliding against his erection.

“Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be?” she asked, her voice hitching.

“Uh-huh,” he murmured and gathered her hair in one hand, holding it away from her neck. He nibbled at the creamy flesh revealed, grinding into her deeper.

Oh, yeah. So sweet.

She reached back and yanked the hem of her dress up to her waist, then guided his free hand to one breast. “If you’re going to do it, do it right, honey.” She arched backward, thrusting her hips in powerful bursts.

He nearly came then, still fully clothed, but he fought it long enough to thumb down the neckline of her dress, spilling her breast into his palm. Groaning, he took the nipple between his fingertips and the hot flesh pebbled instantly.

“I want to be inside you,” he mouthed against her neck as he kissed it from behind.

“Condoms are in the bathroom. I’m not going anywhere.”

He peeled away from her with no small effort and dashed to grab the string of foil packets lying on the vanity.

When he returned to the main area, Meredith stood palms-down at the desk, skirt still flipped up over her back. But she’d kicked off her panties and spread her legs in invitation. She turned her head a fraction and peered up at him through a curtain of hair. Her expression said he better hurry because she was impatient.

It was the single most erotic thing he’d ever seen. Dark, wicked lust zigzagged through his midsection.

His fingers shook as he tore off his pants and rolled on a condom over the fiercest erection he’d ever experienced. In seconds, he was back in place against her, gripping her hips and sliding into her heat.

She closed around him and the exquisite pressure heightened the urgency. He needed her. He reached for her nub, cradling her against his torso as he fingered her, driving them together again and again until she cried out. Her release squeezed him so perfectly that he followed her instantly. Eyes closed and lips against her neck, he let the orgasm blast through him.

Chest heaving with the exertion, he slapped a hand next to hers on the desk, bracing himself so he didn’t collapse on her. “That was...”

Amazing. Unbelievable. But those words were so cliché for what she made him feel.