Page 36 of Her Fantasy Husband

“Things not going well with your…husband?” Daniel asked

Had she heard a slight question when he used that word? Did they suspect all wasn’t rosy between her and Josh? Sometimes it amazed her that she’d kept the pretense up for so long. Though, it did help that there was usually an ocean between them.

She wasn’t quite sure what would happen if they discovered the truth. Her father had made vast amounts of money before he died. His own family had wanted him to follow inhisfather’s footsteps and become a lawyer, which hadn’t interested him in the least. So he’d gone into business with Uncle Jamie, who had provided the start-up money. He’d been a brilliant entrepreneur at a time when fortunes could be made in the emerging internet markets.

After he’d died, the money had been put into trust for her, with her grandmother in control until Lexi was twenty-four, or until she married. If they found that her marriage had been a sham, her grandmother would likely try and get back that control. While Lexi didn’t think she would succeed, she guessed it would tie the money up, and she had a number of ongoing projects. Sheneededthat money.

So they couldn’t find out the marriage was a sham.

The door opened and there he was. He stood for a moment, taking in the occupants, one eyebrow raised.

Earlier, he’d threatened to go talk with her grandmother. He wouldn’t, would he?

She bit her lip and shot him a pleading glance.

He gave a small nod, and a smile curled his sensual lips. “Sweetheart,” he murmured. Then he strode into the room, straight toward her, wrapped his arms around her, lifted her up on tiptoes, and lowered his head. Time seemed to slow and her surroundings vanish as his lips parted on hers, and he kissed her like he would never get enough.

He was such a good actor.

Then his tongue pushed into her mouth, filling her with the taste of spice and coffee and something unique. She twined her tongue around his to taste him better, her hands coming up to sink into the silky hair at the back of his skull and hold him closer. She became acutely aware of her breasts pressed against his rock hard chest, her nipples tightening, and a steady throb starting between her thighs.

Oh my.

She had to resist the urge to rub up against him like a cat in need of stroking, and she had a flashback to his hands on her body last night, his long, clever fingers inside her.

The kiss slid from her lips, along her cheek, and he nibbled at her ear, his breath feathering against the sensitive skin. “If you don’t want to seriously embarrass me in front of your visitors, you might want to stop kissing me now.”

She didn’t want to stop. His hands slid down her back and pulled her tight against his hard body, and she could feel the growing length of him against her stomach. If that was supposed to persuade her to back away, it wasn’t working. God, he felt good.

She closed her eyes for a second, gathered her willpower, and stepped away.

Josh gave her a rueful smile and then moved and propped himself on the edge of her desk. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face the other two people in the room. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten they were here.

Daniel had a vaguely lascivious expression on his face, which made her a little queasy. Her grandmother had a pinched look, which she knew from experience did not bode well.

Wiping her hands down the sides of her jeans, she plastered a smile on her face. “Sorry,” she murmured, “but…” But what? She gave up and went around her desk, sat down, and rested her hands in her lap. “You said you needed to talk to me.”

Daniel cleared his throat as though about to speak, but her grandmother got in first. “This is family business, Alexia,” she said with a pointed glance at Josh.

“You can speak in front of me, Grandma,” Josh said, and Lexi almost choked. “After all, we are family. How is it Lexi and I can help you?”

He sat on the edge of her desk, one leg swinging, an almost amused expression on his face. She didn’t think anyone had ever found her grandmother funny before.

She waited for one of them to speak, though she was pretty sure what they were going to say.

“Daniel’s gallery has met with a few issues recently. We need a little cash injection and thought you would like to help.”

She opened her mouth to ask how much, because, really, what else was there to say, but Josh spoke first.

“What issues?”

Daniel looked startled at the question. “A couple of deals that didn’t work out. I need a little outside investment to see me through a difficult patch. I’m sure Lexi can spare the money.”

“What are the usual loan terms? I’m taking it this isn’t the first time you’ve borrowed money from my wife.”

Her grandmother pursed her lips. “Alexia is family. I’m sure you understand that, Joshua. We don’t speak of terms with family.”

“I don’t believe Daniel is a relative.”

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