Fake Marriage Box Set

It was just a ploy, a helpful fantasy that would inspire his mother to pursue the aggressive cancer treatments. I was a complete idiot to have felt anything else, even for a second, and I needed to get myself under control.

I swiped the ridiculous tears off my cheeks and fanned away the redness. Then, I smoothed down my hair and opened the door. "Sorry. I was just so shocked. I didn't think I could pull it off for much longer."

Penn pushed his way into the bathroom and took my hands. "I shocked myself, too. But, now that I think about it, this is the perfect plan. My mother will be happily distracted with wedding planning while she starts her treatments. And my father will have to get off my back."

"I aim to please," I muttered.

"Thank you!" Penn scooped me up in a hug and swung me around the large bathroom. "You're perfect. Like my very own get-out-of-jail-free card. How can I thank you?"

I turned away so he wouldn't see my face. "How about you let me swim in this giant tub?" I joked.

"Done." Penn leaned over and started to run the water for a bath.

When he dumped lavender oil into the water, I cleared my throat. "I know we're engaged and all, but seeing as it's a total sham, how about a little privacy?"

Penn stood up and grinned. "Whatever you say, dear."

He shut the door behind him. I waited until I was sure he was gone before I sunk to the bottom of the bath and finally let my tears flow.

Chapter Ten

Corsica

All I could think about was running away. So, I got up early the next morning and tied on my shoes. The dim light of the rising sun had barely touched Penn's Monterey house, but I was dressed and ready to go. I had to get out of there.

After hiding out in the bathtub until I was wrinkled and shivering, I had insisted on going to sleep in the guest room. Penn was worried that I was regretting our little act, but I could also see the golden embers of desire in his eyes. He still thought of me as someone to use and get over. The truth of that thought had kept me up most of the night.

When I stepped out into the hallway, I still couldn't help but glance in his direction. My heart raced every time I thought of Penn.

The memory of his proposal and the feel of his hands clasping mine replayed more often than I wanted to admit. I had said yes because I understood what he was trying to do for his mother, but there was a part of me that had meant what I said.

Penn was awake; the door to his master suite swung wide open. He raised his shaggy head and watched as I turned away and took off down the hallway.

Outside, I couldn't run fast enough to catch the full meaning of any of my thoughts. After a half an hour, I was at least exhausted enough not to have to think. It was all I could do to drag myself back to the mansion and up the front steps. When I did, Penn was there with a glass of water and a worried smile.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Been too long. Needed it," I gasped. I took the water, but I tried to walk past him to the guest room.

Penn caught my arm gently. "I think I called enough of the shots yesterday. How about you get to plan today?"

I shook my head and groaned as my legs ached. "If I call the shots, then I'm going back to bed."

"Sounds good to me," Penn said with a warm glance.

I shoved him, glad to be back on the solid ground of our teasing banter. "How about we finally use that spa day your mother and father set up for your birthday?"

It was Penn's turn to groan. "I thought you didn't like the idea of being cooped up all day."

"It's a resort. I'm sure they've got gardens and pools. That'll have to be enough outside for you. I want the royal treatment."

I didn't understand why that casual comment made him frown until his driver pulled into the driveway of the resort. A team of four people greeted us at the car in a rush of ingratiating welcomes. Xavier Templeton had made the reservation, and any guest of his was getting the full service. It took us ten minutes and eight hundred questions about the smallest preferences before we were able to move through the lobby.

"We have champagne available, if you would like," the manager said with a slight bow.

Penn's lip curled up at the man's sniveling offer. "No, thanks. We just came here to relax."

The manager nodded and then proceeded to introduce Penn and me to every one of the staff. Each staff member was instructed to take extra special care of us.