Page 58 of Carnal Games

“I’m not going there to get laid, crazy Iris,” he says, chuckling. “Besides, the people I’ll be working with are well aware of my engagement. The last impression I’m going to give them is me sleeping around on my fiancée.”

“You’re quite loyal for a secret fake fiancé.”

His smile grows, but before he can reply, Rosalie shouts from behind us.

“Jeez. How long does it take to say goodbye?” She snickers. “Stop hogging our best friend. You have the rest of your life for that.”

We turn around to see her striding our way. She stops with her hands on her hips. Her red hair is like a halo around her face, while her slim figure fills the off-the-shoulder black T-shirt with a knot above her belly button and matching leggings.

“Bee and I had to literally pry you out of Nova’s arms and mouth earlier, Ro.”

“He bought me a signed limited-edition book.Signed, Iris. I had to show him some extra love for that,” she reasons, like it should be obvious. “I also finally accepted his deal.”

“Please don’t let it be a sexual favor,” whispers Nathan under his breath.

Rosalie glares as though she heard it.

“What is it?” I ask curiously.

“I give him a kiss for every book.”

“Wow. That’s sweet.”

“Bribes are sweet now?” quips Nathan.

I elbow him in the ribs in response. “This one is.”

“I thought so too,” says Rosalie. “The same day, he went and bought the entire romance section ofallthe bookstores in the city.” Totally ignoring Nathan, and my slack jaw, she continues, “So now, I owe him kisses even on the days I’m mad and giving him the silent treatment. Devious man.”

I knew Nova was crazy about his wife. But this is unhinged.

“We have enough needy men in our group. Don’t need to be adding Nathan to the list. Now bid him farewell.” Wagging her finger in my face, she orders, “Pronto.”

With a twirl, she’s gone.

“You’ll have a bedlam on your hands if your besties ever found out the truth about us,” teases Nathan.

“Tell me again why I can’t tell them?” I sigh.

He turns me around and tilts my chin. “Because it’s not the right time, and we have enough complications in our lives.”

“Okay,” I whisper, after giving it some careful thought.

“I have to go now,” he utters, pulling me into a friendly hug. “Don’t get too crazy while I’m away. Under no circumstances should Bianca or Rosalie be in the kitchen. I’ve heard stories.”

“Shut up! They’re not burning it down under my watch.”

Leaning against the doorway, I watch him until he disappears in the elevator. Before walking back inside, my eyes drift across the hall to Kian’s door.

I don’t think he’s home yet. Nathan and I came here around twelve in the afternoon. While moving the boxes, we didn’t catch sight of Kian. He doesn’t seem like a man who takes half a day off anyway. It’s five in the evening now.

Forcing myself to step into my new home for the foreseeable future, I shut and lock the front door.

“Let me spruce this place up,” Bianca says excitedly as soon as I round the corner. A bottle of red wine sits on the coffee table. “Make it more you.”

“Aren’t you busy with other clients?” I close the gap and wedge myself between her and Rosalie on the couch. “I can’t afford you anyway. Oww!”

My head snaps toward Rosalie and I glare, caressing the spot where she punched.

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