Page 13 of A Montana Fake Marriage

But just like that, the flicker faded. He smirked. “I hope you don’t snore,” was all he said before he changed out of his tux and turned out the light.

CHAPTER FIVE

Caleb staredat the ceiling from his place on the floor. His hands were behind his head as he contemplated the slew of emotions he’d been hit with today. He could hear Sammie rustling in her sheets, unable to get comfortable.

If this had been real, they’d be in that bed together. He’d be kissing her, nipping at her neck.

Caleb shut his eyes tight until he saw stars.

No. He wasn’t going to allow himself to lose focus. They werefriends. She didn’t need a husband for any other reason than to get her inheritance.

So why had his mind run away with him?

As if in response to his tumultuous questions, the vision of Sammie walking down the aisle in that dress flooded his vision. Seeing her like that, watching her walk toward him to promise herself to him—it had done something. It was like someone had decided to flip a light switch to illuminate everything he’d been missing out on.

He could admit that he was attracted to her. They’d been close for the last couple of years. He’d been there for her when her mother had died. He’d sat with her when she’d been dumped or when she’d had to do the dumping. He knew more about her than he knew about his brothers in some aspects.

So the simple action of saying ‘I do’ shouldn’t have changed a dang thing.

She shifted in her bed once more and let out a sigh. He opened his eyes and turned his head, tempted to ask her if she was okay, but he thought better of it. He knew better. She’d just tell him she was fine.

And perhaps she was. Perhaps her restlessness had more to do with the fact they were now sharing a room—and would be doing so for the next twelve months.

Caleb shifted on the hard floor, the thick comforter he’d used for padding doing nothing for his back. He’d definitely have to get something else for his sleeping arrangements.

He heaved a sigh and moved again, but it was no use.

“Do… do you want to come up here?”

Caleb froze at her quiet question. It almost sounded timid. He considered. The bed would be far more comfortable than the floor. But again, his logical side pushed through. Until he put aside these strange, new feelings, it wouldn’t be wise to share a bed. Even knowing he’d be able to control himself, he didn’t want to make the situation any more confusing than it already was. “I’m good,” he finally said. “Get some sleep.”

When Caleb woke the next morning, the sunlight was barely making an appearance. No one expected him to work today—hewas a newlywed. Their wedding had been on a budget, one that he’d set. Though they could have afforded something bigger, he’d noticed how anxious Sammie had become about what she had left in her account. They’d agreed that she shouldn’t attempt to use her father’s credit card, not because he couldn’t afford it, but because it would set off some pretty big red flags.

So, Caleb paid for everything. The biggest expense was the food. Between the cake and the catered refreshments, it had taken a bite out of his savings. It was fine. He’d been happy to do it for Sammie. Even though their wedding wasn’t real, he wanted it to be special.

He turned his head and found Sammie peering over the edge of the bed at him. Her eyes were bright, and he could tell she was smiling, though the bed blocked it. “Good morning, wife,” he teased.

She snickered. “That’s so weird.”

Caleb sat up with a groan and stretched. “Yeah, it is.”

“We’re really doing this,” she murmured, her voice turning quiet.

He glanced at her once more. “It’s the right thing.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest before wrapping her arms around them. “Do you think it’s going to work?”

“Yes.” He said it without question, without concern. “No one knows that this marriage isn’t—” Caleb cut himself off, not knowing whether anyone might be listening through the walls.Then he whispered. “You’re going to be fine. We’ll just have to make sure everyone believes we’re in love. And that shouldn’t be hard because my parents already had their assumptions about you.”

Sammie grinned. “Really?”

Caleb got to his feet with another groan. Man, his back hurt. “Yeah,” he muttered. “You don’t know how many times my mom asked me if there was something going on.”

That answer seemed to brighten Sammie’s day. She practically glowed, her worries slipping away. “What do we do today?”

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