Page 35 of Weddings, Revenge & Fake Dating

I blame Jeanie. She’s altogether too tempting.

With her hand tightly gripped in mine, I weave her past the group in a rush to get her alone. We hurry into an elevator. I press a button, and Jeanie presses her own. When the door slides open on my floor, I step out, tugging her with me, eager to give her a good-bye she won’t easily forget.

“Boo-bear, that’s not our floor,” she says, reeling me back inside.

I give her a curious look. When her eyes shift quickly to one side, I glance around the packed cab. Roman and Sophia stand in the back.

“Not sure what I was thinking.” I pretend to laugh at my mistake.

I twist Jeanie’s tank-top strap around my finger, my edginess to get her alone building. In the reflection of the wall, I watch Roman’s jaw clench.

Because I can, I drop my hand to her ass. The door opens, and Jeanie steps out before I have time to see his response.

Is wishing for his head to explode too much?

Roman and Sophia step out too, which is odd, but I don’t think much of it because I’m on a mission. I scoop up Jeanie and carry her down the hallway because I know it will make her giggle.

That’s the thing, I want Roman to know I’m responsible for that smile. I want him to see her eyes sparkle for me. That she’s more confident and outgoing with me. That she’s completely different with me. Because with me, I’ll give her everything she needs and more.

“That’s one way to hurt your back,” Roman grunts out.

“Is that an old-people thing?” I pass him before he can respond.

Jeanie slips out of my grip to unlock the door. I tickle her side, and she curls into a laugh like it’s torture. She dodges my grip, but I chase, catch, and hoist her over my shoulder like a caveman. Then I carry her into the room and kick the door closed.

For Roman, who’s still lingering in the hallway like a stalker, I make it clear a fuck-fest is about to commence. He may have won the volleyball game, but I will win when my face is settled between her thighs, and she’s screaming my name loud enough for all of South Florida to hear.

Inside the room, when Jeanie’s feet hit the floor, I march her back until her shoulder blades press into the wall. I place one hand above her and lean in, trapping her, eager to pick up where our beach challenge left off.

My free hand slips behind her neck, testing the waters, and she inhales deeply. Her hand settles on my chest, but she doesn’t push me away. Instead, her body bends with need.

I brush a strand of hair from her face and glide a knuckle over her cheek. She looks up at me, fluttering her lashes, all doe-eyed and mouth parted, and so goddamn beautiful.

She’s breathtaking.

But I slow my roll when her gaze darts around the room like she’s nervous. I think of what she’s revealed. She’s been in a loveless marriage for a long time. Perhaps she’s never been with another man. If memory serves, she’s been with Roman since high school.

Because of the nature of my job, I’ve learned to read the signs of desire and sometimes loneliness. Even with a crowded audience, I go out of my way to make each woman feel special. It’s how I grew my fan base. It’s no stretch for me to be in tune with Jeanie’s feelings.

A niggling thought says she deserves more than what I’m offering. Somehow in the last day, my priorities seem unsteady. Where they will land, I’m not sure. Being with Jeanie shifts the ground beneath me. If I’m not careful, she could become quicksand.

The only thing I’m sure of in this moment? I will do anything to be with her, even if it’s for one glorious night. Now I only have to convince her of the same.

“We’ve got a problem,” she says unexpectedly, and when she does, my sure-fire grin slides off my face.

17/

jeanie

Vaginas Know Best

“We’ve got a problem,” I say, sounding a little breathy.

Even behind closed doors, Nathan touches me like he wants to kiss me. And let’s not forget how wet I am from straddling him on the beach a few minutes ago. It started out by teasing him but quickly went too far.

Four clit swipes and I became a waterpark in central Florida during summer break, and now my vajajay is screaming for an all-access pass. It’s a seductive preview of what he could do to me. Despite the flashing warning signs, I’m still about to enter the Nathan Theme Park where “benefits” is the most popular ride.

“Should I connect you with Customer Service?” Nathan jokes but still looks worried.