Page 47 of Petty's Crime

“Clark,” he provides quickly and helpfully.

“Clark.” I try it on for size.

“Just think of Superman.” His lips quirk again.

My eyes widen.Has Petty just made a joke?“Superman, eh? Well you’ve got a lot to live up to then.”

Now he actually grins at me, then snaps. “Favourite colour?”

“Red. You?”

“Blue. Food?”

“Tacos.”

“Steak.”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

RoseLyn

We continue back and forth, learning each other’s likes and dislikes. But by the end of it, while I think I know the basics about him, I need to know more than I do, like how he’s supposed to demonstrate he’s my boyfriend rather than a stranger I picked up off the street. Is he into holding hands, or will he flinch away if I try to hold his?

My parents know I’m an affectionate person, and it would be hard to keep my hands to myself. Of course things wouldn’t go far in front of them, but a chaste kiss to the cheek or even the lips would likely be expected. Would Petty be receptive of that?

“What are you worrying about?” Turning, I see Petty staring at my hands twisting in my lap. “Are you worried about the landing?”

Well, there is that, but also, “My parents will expect to see some kind of affection between us.”

His brow furrows. “Of course. We’ll be able to manage that.”

Biting my lip, I state my objection. “But you’re married,” I hiss. “You might be able to forget you have a wife, but I can’t. Does she know you’re here and what you’re doing? If she doesn’t, what would she say if she found out?”

His personable tone is absent as he snarls, “You just leave me to worry about my… wife.”

A growl actually sounds from my throat. “How the hell can I pretend you mean something to me when there’s another woman waiting for you at home?” I glare at him. “I’m not that woman.”

“You’re right. It’s pretend.”

“Damn it, Petty.” I swallow and make an effort to lower my voice. “I can’t touch you, kiss you, or anything that I’d do to an unattached man. I won’t come between you and your wife.”

“So come clean. Admit I’m your bodyguard—”

“I can’t do that! Dad’s got a weak heart and the worry might kill him.”

Petty turns his head and stares at the back of the seat in front. I have no idea what’s going through his mind, but he seems to have decided this conversation is over. A few minutes pass during which I feel a change in the plane’s motion which suggests we’re preparing to lower altitude and come into land. When I’ve about given up on any further discussion, and worrying myself sick about how quickly my parents are going to see through our charade, Petty, at last, opens his mouth.

“I don’t consider myself as having a wife.” After this statement, he glances at me out of the side of his eye, then shakes his head. “You know she reappeared after seven years away?”

“I didn’t know it was that long. Did she leave you?”Or did you leave her?

He snorts. “She had no choice. She was in a penitentiary.”

I swallow my gasp. That was unexpected and I certainly didn’t know that. “But you stuck by her?”

“Hell no.” He snorts. “I filed for divorce. She didn’t sign the fuckin’ papers, but I thought we’d separated for good.” He pauses, and his head hangs low. “Surprised the fuck out of me when she turned up. I truly never expected to hear from her or see her again.” Once more his head moves side to side. “Last thing I expected was that she’d want to play fuckin’ happy families.”

“But she wants to start back up with you?”

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