The Convenient Wife

“You don’t believe me?” he asks, his tone almost offended.

“Bolt, I’m pretending to be your wife, we’re going to have a fake marriage, a fake relationship, a fake everything. Nothing about this—or us—is real. So, you tell me, how the hell can I believe anything, when we’re both currently living a lie?”

Thinning his lips, Bolt nods his head. “That’s what actions are for.” Lifting my hand, he kisses the ring on my knuckle as he tangles our fingers together. “How about we go get a real breakfast now?”

The issue of past or present, of who we are and who we aren’t, it doesn’t mean a damn thing.

I’m not his to keep.

And he isn’t mine.

I can only wish the feelings flowing through me will vanish soon, otherwise, this whole arrangement is going to suck.

9

Bolt

“Lunch date today?” I ask, leaning over the bar and touching her cheek.

There is something about this woman that drives me crazy. Maybe it’s the fact that what we’re doing is completely wrong. Maybe it’s the feeling of being bad that’s making this feel so good. We’re lying to everyone, and we’re doing a damn good job of it too.

But there’s something I can’t ignore or deny, being with her makes me—happy. That’s the best word I can use to explain this feeling clawing its way through my gut.

We’ve spent every moment together since our weekend away. Starla has basically moved into my condo, she’s there every night, and it doesn’t even bother me. Before her, every woman was a one night stand, shit, sometimes it only lasted a few hours before I was walking her to the door and telling her we’d talk soon. When we were done, we were done. That was it.

With Starla it’s different. We eat breakfast together, lunch together, dinner together. We spend the weekends watching movies and getting take-out or delivery because we don’t want to leave the bed.

And the sex. . . Fuck, the sex has been incredible. I’m starting to forget what my life was like before her. I almost don’t even want to remember.

Almost.

“I’d love to,” she says, her voice sweet and soft. “But I’m not sure I’ll have time. I have to restock these shelves and make sure next week’s orders are set to go out. Then there’s the aging barrels, I need to check the dates against the records.” Standing with her hands on her hips, she tilts her head as she looks down at the case filled with fresh liquor. “Plus, I’m supposed to go see Jim in the blend room, he said I could watch him in action.”

She has this look of excitement on her face, and the way her eyes twinkle makes my cock jerk and my balls draw up tight. Damn, she’s so fucking beautiful.

I could stare at her all damn day and never get bored. A few days, I actually have. She doesn’t know, but I spend most of my day watching her as she pokes around the distillery and focuses on her job.

“Jim, shit, that guy’s been here since my dad was a kid. Be careful with him, he might bore you to death with his snail like pace.” Moving my hand as slow as molasses, I attempt to reach a cocktail napkin on the bar.

Starla giggles and swats my arm away. “Stop, he’s a genius, slow pace and all.”

“I’m way more exciting. Why don’t we blend something together, maybe your body meets my body?” Smirking, I bounce my brows.

“Is that supposed to turn me on?” Her lips are pursed as she tries not to smile. But she wants to smile, I can see the corner of her lip twitch. “You expect me to drop my panties right here with your smooth words?”

“That wouldn’t be a bad thing.” Flashing an even bigger grin, I bite my bottom lip.

“Not happening,” she says with a chuckle.

Tipping my head, I pout. “Fine. I guess I’ll just make you have lunch with me. I am your boss after all.”

“Is that right?” Angling her head, she pushes herself up on the edge of the bar, bringing her nose to mine. “You’re going to make me?”

Her eyes spark seductively as she uses her forearms to push up her tits. I’m ready to fuck her right here. Tear off her clothes, splay her body on the bar like the goddess she is, and fuck her until she screams my name.

Running her finger up my arm, the ring twinkles under the lights and I smile. “I love seeing that on you, you wear it beautifully.”

Her lips curl softly as she dips her head and looks down at her hand. Holding out her hand, she keeps her eyes on the ring. “I do like the way it feels on me, I can’t lie about that.”

Walking around the bar, Starla turns to face me, and I pin her where she stands. “You look so damn sexy with it on. I want to see you in this ring and nothing else.” Cupping her cheek, I hold her face, running my thumb across her bottom lip.