Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“We will need to practice, so be prepared for me to treat you as I would if you were truly mine.”
“What does that mean, Merrick?” There is a slight tremble in her voice.
Does she think I would hurt her? “It means I’ll be holding your hand. I might even need to kiss you.”
She inhales sharply. “But they know.”
“And we need to practice to convince your family.”
“But—I don’t want them to think less of me.” Her confession is quiet.
“Never. I’m not going to exploit you, Courtney. I’m going to play the part you’ve asked me to play. I don’t half-ass anything, even if that means we pretend in front of my family.”
“Maybe we should just... not. I can call my mom and confess my sins.”
“Does the thought of my hand on yours or kissing me repulse you so much you’d confess to her?”
“No, it’s not that. Not at all,” she’s quick to assure me. “But—you have to kiss me.”
My mouth hangs open in shock as anger courses through me. “And you think that’s going to be a hardship for me? Do you actually think that me getting to have a gorgeous woman on my arm, calling her mine, touching her as if she’s my world, and tasting her lips is a hardship? Think again, Courtney. I thought I said no more?” My voice is stern, because fuck me, I hate that she thinks any time with her would be a chore for me. She’s gorgeous, and her personality is sweet as fucking apple pie. I’m sure she tastes just as sweet. I lick my lips with the thought of being able to find out for myself without the usual strings of a relationship.
It's not that I’m against them, but they are a lot of work and if I don’t see forever with the woman, I don’t waste my time. My efforts will be for my wife, and well, Courtney, apparently.
“Lunch tomorrow?” she asks softly.
“I’ll be at your place at noon.” She doesn’t ask me how I know where she lives. Willow River is a small town.
“I’ll be ready. Thank you, Merrick.”
“You’re welcome. Goodnight, sweet Courtney.”
“Goodnight.”
I wait for her to end the call before I drop my cell phone on my lap. I’ve never in my life waited for someone to hang up before me. I refuse to think about that. This is just a weird situation we’ve found ourselves in. It’s only natural I treat her as I would someone who was special to me, all things considered.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Courtney
I’ve changed my outfit four times. I’ve reached for my phone just as many times to call my sister to ask her thoughts. It’s a stark reminder that I can’t call her. She can’t know Merrick and I are pretending. I could call Jordyn, but although I think of her as a friend, she’s my boss and Merrick’s sister-in-law. I’m on my own to make this decision, and unfortunately, I’m out of time. Merrick will be here any minute.
Glancing in the mirror, I take in my final outfit. A pair of dark skinny jeans and a fitted long-sleeve T-shirt. I plan to wear my tennis shoes. I don’t want it to look as though I’m trying too hard, but I don’t want to look like a slob either.
A loud knock sounds, and I know my time is up. Turning off the bedroom light, I rush toward the front door. My ponytail swings with the fast effort of my walk. I pause to take a deep, soothing breath, and exhale before pulling open the door.
My breath hitches. Merrick is standing there in a pair of well-worn jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt as well. It clings to his muscles as if it were a second skin. I swallow down my reaction to him and offer him a kind smile.
“Come on in. I just need to put on my shoes.” I lean over and grab them from where they’re sitting by the door when a sound that can only be described as a growl falls from Merrick’s lips. Standing to my full height, I face him. He’s biting down on his bottom lip.
“That’s fine,” he finally says, releasing his lip from the torture of his teeth.
I don’t comment on the growl, because after seeing his face, I’m certain that’s what I heard, but it doesn’t make sense. Is he mad that I’m not ready? He doesn’t look mad. He looks... turned on. Could that be it? Surely not.
Shaking out of my thoughts, I sit on the couch and get to work putting on my shoes. Once I’m finished, I grab my phone and purse and allow my eyes to meet Merrick’s. He’s smiling at me. “What?”
His answer is to smile wider. “You ready?”
“Let’s do it.” I move to walk past him, but he stops me, holding his hand out for me to take. “It’s just us,” I remind him. There’s a quiver in my voice that causes my face to heat. I cannot let this—attraction—my attraction to him get in the way of this little plan we have set in motion.