Page 44 of Reluctantly Married

“What? You going to make fun of my cat?”

“Looks more like an amoeba.”

A giggle escaped. “Well, what do you expect?”

He came up behind her, his warm chest pressing against her back. “Let me help.”

“Isn’t that against the rules?”

“Nope.” He put his hands on her hips and moved her over one step. Then he raised her arm. “Draw the number eight.”

She complied, and he moved her hand to another spot on the board.

“Now draw a letter S.” He continued to tell her simple letters and shapes to draw, moving her hand in place for the next one. His close proximity, along with the blindfold, was making it difficult to concentrate. Her knees were all wobbly.

“There.” His breath was warm on her cheek, and it smelled of mint. “All done.”

He lifted her blindfold so she could see her drawing. A smile crept across her face. “Hey, that’s not bad. It actually kind of looks like a cat.”

Adam grinned, his dimples making her pulse race. “You’re a regular Picasso.”

She realized his hands were on her hips, his thumbs lightly stroking her. Why did his touch send her heart into overdrive? She knew he was just acting. Why did she let it get to her?

Doctor Lemon opened the door, a smirk on her face. “This trust exercise is done. You have passed with flying colors. Now it’s time for Megan to have lunch with one of her suitors.” She left.

Megan laughed and turned to Adam. “Suitors? Who says that anymore?”

He grinned. “The fifteenth century called. They want their word back.”

She snorted, then covered her mouth with her hand, hoping the cameras hadn’t picked it up. Adam just laughed at her and squeezed her hand. “Come on, you’d better go. Don’t want to be late for your suitor.”

It felt good to share a joke with him. With all the pretending going on, she enjoyed having something real between them.

Megan took a bite of her sandwich and smoothed the picnic blanket. Luc leaned toward her. “You are so beautiful.”

His French accent was sexy, but it was the fifth time he’d told her that, and she wasn’t even to dessert yet. “Thank you.” Maybe a change of subject would help. “Tell me, how long have you lived in New York?”

“Only four years. Before that, I studied business in Connecticut.”

She stared at his high cheekbones and slightly mussed up hair. Quite sexy. Unfortunately, his talk of business bored her to death, and she had never been to the east coast. They had about as much in common as a walrus and a wiener dog. “Sounds interesting,” she lied.

“Ah, not as interesting as you are beautiful.”

Okay. That was getting uncomfortable. “Yeah, I think you said that before.” She stuffed the rest of her sandwich into her mouth, hoping to hurry the date along. And maybe she’d look a little less beautiful with her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Bonus.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “So many women are afraid to eat. I like that you’re different.”

She chomped on her food and tried to smile with her mouth closed.

“You’re not afraid to be yourself,” he continued. “You intrigue me.” As he spoke, he leaned forward. She didn’t realize his intent until his lips were on hers. His kiss was slobbery, and being as she hadn’t swallowed all of her sandwich yet, she jerked back.

“I am sorry. Your beauty bewitched me.”

Megan held up her hand while she forced the food down. She wanted to sock him one, but knew the producers would have a fit, so she smiled instead. “It’s okay, Luc. I just wasn’t ready.”

His lips curled up in a devilish smile. “Maybe you are ready now, yes?”

She squelched the urge to make up an excuse. This was part of the game. She glanced at the camera. “Yes.”

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