Damn you, intrusive thoughts and impulsive behavior. I shouldnothave kissed Miles Burlington.
Not now he’s looking at me likethat, teeth strumming his lower lip, smug and satisfied like he’s won a bet with himself.
Worse still are the tingles zinging over my body—across my chest, tightening my nipples, down my stomach, and hitting between my legs. Little pulses because of how hot this fake husband of mine is, who’s still holding on to my hand, his fingers spinning my wedding ring around and around on my finger, reminding me we’re tied together.
Leaning in, he whispers, “We’re about to find out if she bought it.”
I’m so unfocused that I don’t know what he’s talking about. “What?”
His eyes dart up. “Claudia’s coming over.”
My stomach drops. How do I keep forgetting it’s all for show?
“You two look about ready to leave,” she announces, eyebrows raised and giving no doubt as to what she means. I cringe internally, determined to ignore the hum still working through my body.
Miles takes the check she’s holding and signs the bottom. “Thanks, Claudia.”
He’s so pleased with himself it’s infuriating, especially when he stands, holds his hand out, and says, “C’mon, Trouble, let’s go back to bed,” and Claudia practically swoons.
“Oh, that’s too precious.” She clasps her hands together and leans closer to me, stage-whispering, “I hope you are giving him trouble. He needs a strong woman like you to keep him in check?—”
“Okay,” I splutter, “thanks for breakfast, Claudia, we’ll see you soon.”
“I hope so, lovebirds.”
Miles’s hand rests on the small of my back as we walk out. “I’d say we gave her something to gossip about, don’t you?”
“Why did you tell her we were going back to bed?” I’m annoyed that he said it, but more annoyed that I wish it were true.
Miles shrugs. “It’s what she wanted to hear.”
I can feel the vibration of his laughter while he guides me back into the sunshine, and he’s so amused at something I did that the embarrassment wanes slightly. Enough that when he loops his arm around my neck and says, “Okay, next stop, Eddie,” I don’t shrink away.
We walk slowly past a couple of shops with bright storefronts, the reflection of us slotted together staring back at me. We look like we’ve been together for years instead of faking it for barely a week. And it’s only because I’m so relaxed against him that I realize Miles has tensed.
Craning my neck, I look up at him to see his eyes darting all over the place, as though he’s looking for an escape route. “Shit. We can’t avoid her.”
“Are you okay?”
Ignoring me, he pulls us into the nearest shop front, but the customers leaving block our way in. We practically dance around them as we try to find a route in and away from the street.
“Miles, what’s the matter with you?” I grumble as my elbow grazes the wall, hitting the bone just so that my body wobbles.
He spins, peeking behind me, groans again, and we give up on trying to get into the store. He grabs my hand and tugs me away again. “Ruby, a woman is approaching, and whatever you do, don’t say a word?—”
“What?”
“Act normal?—”
“I think you need to take your own advice, buddy.” I roll my eyes. “I can handle another one of yourfree agents.”
Miles’s brows drop because he’s not really listening to me. “What are you talking about, Ruby? I’m serious. She’s awitch.”
“Who’s a witch?”
“No, she’s not really a witch. She’ll try to convince you she is, that she has powers to?—”
I stop dead and spin around. Several people have to walk around us while I look for anything that proves this is a joke, maybe an English hazing of some kind. It’s weird as fuck, though. I don’t really get the English sense of humor.
