Page 25 of Temporary Wife Temptation

Garrett barely budged but lifted his head an inch away from hers. His eyes were molten onyx, filled with undisguised longing, and her blood pumped in triumph. But she couldn’t fall back into his arms if she wanted to retain her pride.

“Okay,” she said, her voice husky but functioning. “I’ll see you in an hour.”

After a featherlight kiss on his cheek, his wife sashayed away, her perfect round ass taunting him. He was able to swallow after three attempts, but it was only when she was out of sight that his lungs expanded to capacity. Her warm, vanilla fragrance had clouded his mind the moment she stepped into his car earlier. But standing with his arm around her had given him a whiff of the warm musk that could only be called pure, delicious Natalie. Combined with her dress and red, pouty lips, the woman was lethal to his sanity.

Garrett had been avoiding Natalie since their wedding, unwilling to gamble on his self-control holding out if he got too close. But there was an unexpected side effect to depriving himself of his wife’s company. The suppressed desire slammed into him ten times stronger the moment he laid eyes on her.

He scowled with frustration at the ridiculous predicament that he couldn’t make love to his own wife. A server passing by gasped and hurried past him, mistaking herself as the target of his displeasure. He released a deep breath and rearranged his expression to one more suitable for the event, then strode in the opposite direction from Natalie. He had a partnership deal to secure.

Clark’s formidable intellect and shrewd instincts were unmatched in the industry. He also happened to be a decent human being by all accounts. Both of them being in the fashion industry, they’d exchanged pleasantries in the past. Even without an official partnership between their companies, Nobu would be a valuable ally.

Garrett found him leaning against the bar nursing a drink. “Just the man I was looking for.”

“Song.” Clark assessed him with a shadow of a smile. “Eager to claim that drink I owe you?”

“We’re on the same wavelength.” He saw no point in playing games when the other man would see right through them. “The partnership already looks promising.”

“It’s always looked promising. The problem is the timing and the execution.”

“The shared vision is the crucial factor.” Garrett grinned. “The rest is technicalities.”

“I would like a preview of your plans for the technicalities. People say your genius is in the details.”

“That’s quite a reputation to live up to, but I appreciate your vote of confidence.” He raised his glass in salute.

His conversation with Clark flowed easily and soon they were on their second glass of Scotch. Garrett scanned the throng of partygoers, hoping to catch a glimpse of his wife, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“I know you’re new at this so I’m going to give you some unsolicited advice,” Clark said. “Does your wife know anyone at this party?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“And you left your brand-new bride to fend for herself amid all this massive hoopla? I hope you’re looking forward to sleeping in the guest room tonight.”

Garrett chuckled at the irony, pushing aside his prickling unease. He recalled her brief panic over the size of Mike’s party, but she’d single-handedly won over that crowd. He had no doubt she was charming her way through this ballroom full of guests. Even so, anxiety tugged at him.

“Natalie is far too independent to need me hanging around her all night.”

“You poor, clueless bastard.”

They went in search of Natalie and found her a few steps outside the ballroom with Sebastian Diaz and his wife. From the booming sound of Mr. Diaz’s belly laugh, she was having a successful night.

“Maybe I misspoke,” Clark whispered, and walked ahead to greet the Diazes.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sweetheart.” Garrett slipped his arm around Natalie’s waist and dropped a chaste kiss on her red lips, unwilling to torture himself with anything more.

“I missed you, darling, but your lovely friends have kept me from wilting away.” She smiled sweetly at him and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Even though her affectionate greeting was for the benefit of their audience, he couldn’t help pulling her tighter against him, drawn by her warmth. “Sebastian. Camilia. It’s good to see you.”

“Good to see you as well,” Sebastian said. “I’m glad I got to meet your beautiful bride.”

“I hope you were behaving yourself,” Garrett replied, and the older man burst into another guffaw. “Natalie, I want you to meet Clark Nobu. Clark, this is my better half.”

Clark smiled and lifted her hand to his lips. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” Natalie blushed, lowering her lashes.

Garrett frowned and tightened his fingers around her waist. Widower or not, Clark had a reputation with women.

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