Page 20 of The Christmas Cover Rule
“Is it because no one knows your real name?” she asks, ignoring me.
“Yes.”
“I’m serious.” She playfully swats at my shoulder, and I drop my head back as a deep laugh bubbles from me.
“Yeah, no, of course. Youseriouslythink I’m hot.”
“Alright, enough, squirrel boy.” She levels her gaze, but there’s no way of telling someone you’re the rebound guy.
Once was a funny story, twice was a coincidence, but after the fifth time… It was no longer a weird stroke of luck. I only attract women who are looking for a distraction. I’m the guy who can provide a good time without a long-term commitment. In the beginning, I thought I was lucking out. It wasn’t until later that I realized that even if I wanted more, that might not be in the cards for me.
“Okay, if you’re not going to tell me your name or your dating history, at least tell me why you’re here.”
“You know why I’m here,” I say before taking a sip of my drink. “I’ve got business to take care of.”
“What kind of business requires lying about being married?”
“This resort, and others, are owned by the Grosso family. The son, Diego, has recently taken over, and my firm believes that he’s going to be letting go of their current lawyers.”
“So you’re here to have a meeting with him?”
“No. I’m here to happen to run into him, and pick up the pieces, offering Smith, Mitchell, and Cameron after I’ve charmed my way into his heart.”
I watch her teeth strum on her bottom lip as she tries to make sense of it all.
“I lied to get the honeymoon suite, and after they told me they were fully booked for a wedding, I had to go along with it. At the time, I wasn’t expecting it to turn into what it has now.”
“Do you regret it?”
“If you’re asking if I regret lying to keep the suite? No.”
Her lips form a straight line, and she tips her head slightly. I set my drink down, scoop her body up, and wrap her legs around my waist. “If you’re asking if I regret getting into thissituation with you…” I dip my mouth to the shell of her ear and kiss the delicate spot on her neck. “Also no.”
Her breath stutters, and I press my lips to her skin again. “Do you?”
“I—” Her words die on her tongue when I lift her hips just enough to move her over to where I’m straining against my swim trunks.
“You were saying?”
“It’s hard to think when you’re doing…that,” she moans, and I smile against her.
“Doing what?” I tease, palming her ass and rubbing her over my full erection again.
I pull back just enough that our noses are touching. Her lips hover so close, yet somehow, even an inch between us feels too far. I could play off wanting to kiss her as keeping up appearances or just part of the act, but something tells me neither of us would believe that lie anymore.
“Are you doing this because my sister is watching?” she whispers.
My brows pinch together as I drag a hand over my chin, concerned with how long that’s been a thought for her. Gently, I reach up and tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “I gotta be honest, Stell, I didn’t even know she was here.”
A quiet smile curves at her mouth and her arm tightens around my neck. I hold her as she pulls herself closer, gliding her hips side to side. The heat from her pussy rubbing over my cock makes me want to slide the thin piece of fabric covering her to the side and bury myself so deep inside her that she not only knows for absolute certainty that I want this, but completely forgets that anything about this has been fake.
My gaze drops to her mouth. I cup the side of her face, tracing the curve beneath her lip. My fingers splayed around the back of her neck tighten as I guide her face to mine. Thehum of electricity roars between us as every millimeter closes between our lips.
“Stella!”
She doesn’t startle, but her face pinches, and her eyes shut in disappointment before she looks up to where Lily is standing at the edge of the pool.
“We’re going to head back. We’ll meet you at the restaurant at seven.”
