Page 17 of One Pucking Heart

“Sure you can. You’ve lied to her plenty.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand, urging me to wait. “Did you tell her every time you stressed over having enough money for food? Did you let her see your hardships, or did you plaster on a smile so she didn’t worry? Did you tell her every awful story about your father and your cousin or, better yet, her piece of shit father? Lies by omission are still lies, Elena.”

“No, I kept those things from her to protect her. It was for her own good. I didn’t tell her because I loved her and didn’t want to hurt her.”

“Exactly.” He bobs his chin. “Imagine what you can do to help Ari with that money. You can pay off her student loans, rent her a better apartment, and help her buy a house when she’s ready. You can set up college funds for her future children. You can ensure that your legacy doesn’t have to struggle the way you did. You can tell her the truth when it’s all said and done, but revealing it too soon will only put everything at risk.”

Sometimes, I think that Beckett is one of the biggest idiots I’ve ever met, and other times, he says something that makes a lot of sense and has me questioning everything I thought about him.

I stop moving and turn to face Beckett. Wearing a serious expression, I hold up my finger. “But no more kissing. I know you think that we have this spark or something, but I’m telling you, we don’t. I’m not sure if your level of flirting is the same with all women or if you’ve turned it up with me, but there is only one possibility for our future, and that’s an end. There is no us. There will never be an us. We are neither compatible nor in the same season of life. I have a full-grown daughter. I could be a grandmother in a few years. You’re young and wild. We’re not the same. I’m only considering this arrangement with you because you offered, and you’re my only friend.” I internally cringe, but it’s true. I haven’t been the most social person over the years. Friendships were a luxury I didn’t have time for. “The marriage will always be fake as will the feelings. It doesn’t matter if my father lasts two weeks or five months, my feelings will not change.” I pause. “Let me repeat… there is only one way this ends, and that’s with us apart. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” Beckett smirks. “Isn’t that something old people your age say?”

The way he looks at me tauntingly, trying to get a rise out of me after my big speech, is oddly sexy. I can admit that the kiss outside the Crane building was hot. It felt good, and I was definitely into it. Yet the truth is, I haven’t been kissed in over twenty years. It’s not a surprise that my body craves that kind of touch. It wasn’t Beckett who turned me on—it was the kiss. Trade out the man behind the kiss for someone else, and it would’ve felt the same.

“Old people jokes will not be tolerated in our arrangement,” I utter, giving Beckett the stare that Ari has coined “Ma’s ‘you better make better choices’ glare.”

Beckett holds his palms toward me. “You’re right. It was in ill taste, but in my defense, you’re the one who keeps bringing up the age difference. Our ages don’t matter to me in the slightest.”

“Well, they should. I don’t want you thinking we have a future because we don’t. I’m forty, Beckett. There are no more kids in my future. You’re going to want a wife who can give you a family. I’m only doing this if I’m sure that you know it has an expiration date. It’s not real. It will end.”

He sighs. “I know it will end. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m the one who proposed this whole thing. I’m very clear on what it is and what it isn’t. But also, you better believe, if I was engaged or married for real, I’d be kissing my woman in public. I’d be touching her constantly. No one is ever going to believe this if I’m not allowed to touch you, ever.”

He has a point. There has to be some aspect of believability. “Fine, you’re right. We’ll have to act like we’re together when we’re in public. But it has to stay appropriate,” I warn.

“Oh, I’ll be very appropriate. Our kisses will be so deliciously appropriate you won’t want them to stop.”

“Beckett!”

His head falls back against the couch in laughter. “I’m kidding. Chill out. It’s cool.”

This is so far from cool it’s not funny. Nothing about this feels right, yet I’m doing it. “I’m marrying the most gorgeous eligible bachelor in the NHL in the name of money, knowing I’ll leave him in the end—is a sentence I’d never thought I’d say.”

Beckett jumps up from the sofa with a pump of his fist. “So we’re doing it? We’re getting married?”

My cheeks puff out as I release air from my puckered lips. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

He closes the distance between us and wraps me in a hug. “This is going to be great. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I’m glad one of us is confident.”

“It’s a good day.” He squeezes me before releasing me from his embrace. “The best thing to come from today? You admitted you think I’m gorgeous.” He winks.

“Beckett,” I grumble.

“I know. I know. It will end.”

As he says the words, it doesn’t sound like he believes them. But then again, I could be wrong. I’ve only known this guy for a month. I have a lot to learn about my fiancé.

“So we should get started!” Beckett grins.

My stomach flips in utter terror or sheer delight, I’m not sure—no, it’s definitely terror. We have a lot to do to get this fake marriage underway, and I’m not ready. But I guess with these things, one never is.

CHAPTER TEN

BECKETT

“For as poor as you said you were, you sure have a lot of stuff.” I hike the last box up and take a look around the empty apartment, thankful we’re finally done.

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