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Richard jumps up. “I’d be happy to help with the barbecue. I’m sort of known for my barbecue skills back home.”
I scoff silently. I’m sure he’s known for a lot of things back home.
“I’ll help you in the kitchen,” Paula announces, and stands.
“No, please sit and enjoy your drink,” Sofia says, a little too quickly.
Refusing to take no for an answer, Paula smooths her hand over her skirt and follows Sofia inside.
The women disappear inside, and as Richard brags about his skills, I lean into Peyton. “What the hell?”
“Wow...just wow.”
“You don’t like them either, huh?”
She frowns. “Do you think she’s right? Do you think my values are going to stand in the way of me getting this job?”
“Your values are just fine, and your heart is in the right place, but we’re going to have to be very careful. If we’re not...”
I let my words fall off. Shit, maybe I wasn’t the right guy for this job. I thought I could blend in when in fact, I could be the one to ruin her dream job. But the thought of any other guy pretending with her, touching her, kissing her, exercising marital rights with her...well, that just doesn’t sit well with me. Not anymore, anyway.
I am so screwed.
CHAPTER NINE
Peyton
“YOU DON’T HAVE to walk me to work every morning, you know,” I say, secretly liking his strong, solid presence beside me, not to mention the way he holds my hand, swinging it a little as we stroll. For the last week, he’s insisted on walking me to work, and I always put up a fight, simply because I like pressing his buttons.
He groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Haven’t we been over this?”
“Yes, but—”
“Jesus, girl, are you forgetting what happens when you argue with me?”
“Maybe I want you to kiss me.” I lift my chin an inch. “Right here in the street.”
“Fine.” He grabs me by the waist and tugs me to him. His warm lips find mine, and I sink into the sensations as he ravishes my mouth. His growls reverberate through me, and I wrap my arms around him, loving how I can rattle him like this. He breaks free, leaving me breathless. “Just for the record, you don’t have to give me a hard time every time you want a kiss.”
“A hard time, huh?” I tease, and press against him.
“Cut it out. I do not need the mother of all boners right now. Not when you have to get to school, and I can’t push you to your knees and enjoy this sweet mouth of yours.”
Heat races through me and he gives a playful grin, knowing how much I like it when he talks dirty. “Was that payback for rubbing up against you?” He looks away and whistles innocently. It brings a laugh to my lips. “You’re going to pay for that.”
“Can’t wait.” He gives my ass a smack. “Now come on before you’re late. We don’t want to give Paula and Richard any more ammunition.”
My shoes tap on the sidewalk as we head toward the school. “He’s actually been pretty nice this week.”
His hand tightens around mine. “You’ve heard the saying, keep your enemies close, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t trust him, Peyton.”
“I won’t.” We both go quiet for a second, lost in our own thoughts. I break it by asking, “When do you think you’re going to visit with your family?”
He frowns. “Soon. I’ve been busy with some work for Hard Wear and haven’t really had a chance.”
