Page 4 of Claimed By my Fake Husband

This is a problem. A big fucking problem.

The woman standing in front of me isn't at all what I expected. And that shouldn't be something I'm even thinking about right now.

I should have my mind glued to the job. I have rules, boundaries, expectations. I honor them no matter what.

Being attracted to the woman I'm supposed to play house with does not fall under any of those parameters.

"I have to be your wife?! Are you kidding me?!" She glares at me, shaking her head.

Tess Beaumont is no wilting flower, that's for damn sure. Being on the wrong end of her fury isn't what I'd call comfortable.

Worse, she's stunning. The fire behind her gray eyes lights them up like flames through smoky glass.

She came straight from work. Tailored wide-leg trousers, a sleeveless tank hugging her torso. I can't avoid the truth of herframe either — five-foot-five, curvy, every inch proportioned like some kind of test of my willpower.

"Unfortunately, I'm not kidding. And it wasn't my idea. The FBI believed strongly this would be the best cover, since it's especially out of character."

"Ha." The sound cracks out of her, sharp. "You can say that again. The looks I got when I told the paper I was taking vacation time — that's going to follow me for years. I don't do anything but my job, Mr. Taylor. So me pretending to be your wife? That's going to go just great."

Her voice drips with sarcasm, and I'm hung up on the way she says Mr. Taylor. No one calls me that.

"It's Logan."

"Ugh, whatever." She rolls her eyes and spins on her heel, marching down the hall toward the back of the house.

I follow fast. I haven't secured those rooms yet, and I don't think Tess understands how serious this situation is.

But what do I really know about her?

Twenty-eight. Worked at the paper since college. Currently on the run from Luigi Cilento after publishing an exposé on his entire organization, once she learned Antero had a senator in his pocket.

Oh, and she also happens to be one of the most beautiful women on the planet.

Ugh, no. Absolutely not. You have rules, Logan. No compliance, no camaraderie, no copulation.

"What are you doing?" My voice comes out gruff, and I don't have the patience to soften it. "I haven't secured the entire house."

"Well, secure away." Tess flicks a hand back at me as she disappears into the kitchen. "There better be something to drink in this place."

So that's what she's after. I sigh, knowing she's about to be disappointed. I haven't had time to stock the place either.

Ignoring her — which is harder than it should be, especially while I'm sneaking glances at her — I check the room, testing the locks on the patio door and windows.

"Dammit. Nothing?" Her annoyance is loud and clear. "Well, darling, I'm going to need something if you expect me to survive this."

My jaw clenches at darling. I duck my head, then look back at her.

"I'll have food delivered to this address. Secure account."

She studies me, unimpressed. "Fine. Just make it quick. I only get meaner when I'm hungry."

She brushes past me, and I assume she's heading up to unpack when I spot her grabbing the suitcase.

I hold out a hand. "Let me check it first."

She doesn't answer, just juts her chin toward the stairs. I jog up, going over every inch of the second floor until I'm satisfied.

Tess trails behind me the whole time, arms crossed, watching. I hate the feeling of being observed like this — her stare drilling holes into the back of my head.