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Liberation rushes through me as I practically skip to the beach, kicking sand.
The breeze fingers my hair and the sweet scent of sunshine and salt lifts my mood.
“Wait up, buttercup,” Liam calls behind me.
Oh, him again. That’s right, I have a fake husband hanging around 24/7. Not so free after all.
I slow my steps, turn, and shield my eyes from the afternoon sun. “Hurry up, then.”
He catches up and keeps with my pace. “What’s the rush?”
“There’s no rush, I’m just eager to talk to the lady who leases the jet skis. See if anyone else has had problems.”
“Always the reporter.” He smiles.
I give him a once-over. His t-shirt is too tight. The image of Liam in the hot tub, droplets sliding down his chest haunts me every night as I try to fall asleep.
Liam’s lips quirk to one side and he circles his chest. “Liking what you see?”
“Excuse me?” I wince like I’ve swallowed a mouthful of sand.
“You’re staring at me again.”
I jab at his pectoral. “You have a stain, buddy.”
He dips his chin. “Where?”
I smack his mouth and set off running.
“You little—!” He yells as he chases after me.
The wind tosses my hair, and a bubble of laughter rises in my throat. I’m a fast runner, and I keep fit. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if I beat him in a race? If only the cameras could record this.
I’ve gained some ground, but his pounding steps thump close behind. The guy’s long legs give him the advantage.
“Gottcha!” Liam yanks me into his chest.
My feet leave the ground, and I squeal.
Liam topples backward. His arms instinctively tighten around my waist before we hit the sand. He lands first with a thud, and I collapse onto him, the breath forced from his lungs.
Oh, that didn’t sound too good. I roll in his arms to face him. His eyes are shut, and Liam groans.
I swipe sand from his forehead and brush it from his hair. “You okay?”
He cracks one eye open and his large hands smooth over my back. “Worth it,” he croaks.
“Worth puncturing a lung?”
“Yep. At least I beat you at something.”
I tsk. “Husband dearest, let me enlighten you with my extensive research on this whole marriage thing. Lesson number one: The wife, in her infinite wisdom, gently strokes the man's ego, allowing him to bask in the illusion of having a win now and then, all while she quietly pulls the strings of marital control.”
His chuckle bounces me upon his chest. "Sweetheart, you’ve just revealed your strategy. So it’s checkmate, my queen."
“Sure. Keep thinking that. It’s exactly what I want.” I push up from his chest, dust the sand from my shirt, and offer a hand to Liam.
He takes my hand and pauses. “My ego’s not so big that I can’t receive help from my beautiful wife.”
