Page 27 of The Bad Boy's Fake Wife

He moans my name. Pressed against my mouth, it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. I don’t let go, not even for a second.

He tastes sweeter than anything I’ve ever imagined. Kissing him reminds me of nostalgia mixed with another sensation I haven’t figured out yet, but I know it’s why he makes my heart beat faster than it should.

Jonathan pulls away, his forehead pressed against mine, his warm breath lingering over my lips. A shiver runs down my spine, and I smile.

“I’m so glad I’ve finally kissed my wife,” Jonathan says, making me blush. It’s hard to remember this is all fake, especially now that we’ve kissed.

“I’m glad to finally have kissed you, too, husband,” I say, causing him to grin widely. My mind is still a mess, and I can’t begin to wonder how we got into this position. My hand is no longer covering my chest, so he can see me in all my glory, but it doesn’t matter. I want him to see me.

And when he kisses me again, it’s even sweeter than before. He’s tender and kind, intentionally refusing to push me to do anything more. My heart beats wildly. Jonathan kisses me like his life depends on it, as tenderly as if he doesn’t want to break me, so slowly that I can pull away if I change my mind.

Warmth spreads through me at the kiss, at the way he cradles my face like I’m something precious, something he doesn’t want to let go of. When he pulls away, his eyes are filled with such deep emotions that I start to feel something I’ve never felt before.

“You look like you’re in love with me,” I whisper, smiling, still giddy from our kiss.

Jonathan is about to say something when his phone rings. He ignores it at first, instead moving to kiss me again. But it rings over and over again, until he angrily takes it out of his back pocket.

“I told them not to call me unless it’s an emergency, so this better be worth it,” Jonathan grumbles before picking up the phone and walking out of the room, leaving me feeling cold.

Upset at the interruption, I shrug it off and put on a dress and matching flip-flops for the day. If we plan on visiting the beach again, flip-flops will be the best choice.

Jonathan returns, his expression grim and his jaw tight. My stomach knots. “What happened?”

“Something came up at work. I’m sorry, but I have to go find somewhere with better reception so I can get through to them,” he says.

“When will you be back?” I ask, hating that we’re being separated after the kiss we just shared. It awakened something in me that I’ve never felt before.

Jonathan leans in. “Hopefully just an hour, maybe two.”

After he leaves, I immediately feel the coldness of his absence, already missing his warmth and him. I’m not sure I’ll be able to enjoy anything until he returns.

Chapter 12

Jonathan

Ittakesmeallday to tackle the situation at work, and even then, I can’t do much to help from here. I know I have to fly back to town tomorrow, but I feel bad for having to cut Emma’s vacation short. Despite the circumstances, she’s enjoying the little island we’ve found ourselves on.

It’s the morning of the next day when I finally return to our hotel room, where I find Emma sleeping on the couch. Her head is balanced against a small pillow, and it seems like she nodded off while waiting for me. My heart clenches at the sight of her curled up on the couch, her face peaceful yet exhausted. Guilt creeps in—I should have been here earlier.

I quickly find a blanket and cover her with it before hitting the shower. My head throbs, my eyes burn, and every muscle in my body feels like it’s been through a marathon. I stayed up all night tackling a problem that’s come up in my absence, and I haven’t gotten any closer to a solution. I feel my shoulders sagging like I have the weight of the world on me, and it’s a horrible feeling.

I finish showering and step outside to find Emma yawning and getting up from the couch.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I say, smiling.

Emma frowns at me, rubbing her eyes as she shifts upright. “When did you get back?”

“Just a few minutes ago. I see you’ve been keeping my couch warm for me,” I joke, chuckling a little.

Emma doesn’t find it funny. “You’ve been awake all night? Jonathan, that’s not healthy.”

I shrug. This isn’t the first time I’ve pulled an all-nighter for work. “I’m afraid this is what I have to deal with, and it’s not even the worst of it.”

I sigh, my eyelids growing a bit heavy, which Emma notices immediately.

“You need some coffee, and then some sleep,” Emma declares.

“Sleep after coffee?” I muse, and she nods.

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