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What if this didn’t have to end?
The thought popped into his head, and he knew he was playing on a dangerous playground. Neither wanted marriage, but what if he could arrange a deal with her to always be his fake fiancée and be seen together in public occasionally? Would she consider the deal?
She could be like his permanent non-relationship party date. They could both help each other out.
“Tell me the plan for tonight,” she said.
He didn’t want to tell her. He wanted this to be spontaneous and fun.
“When the mood feels right, I’ll get down on one knee,” he said, suddenly feeling frustrated and he didn’t know why. They had talked about this for the last couple of weeks –how he was going to not be harassed by women.
“Do we have to break up?” he blurted.
In the darkness, he could see a frown cross her face. “We only agreed to do this during the rodeo ball season.”
With a sigh, he pulled into the parking lot of the country club. “I know. It’s just been so convenient and I like not having women pursuing me.”
She was silent. “You know I would step in and go with you whenever you need a date.”
But that wasn’t what he wanted, but he just thought the same thing a second ago. Right now, he didn’t know what he wanted. Confusion swirled through him, and after he turned off the truck, he turned to her.
“I’ve enjoyed our dates. Being with you has been easy. Not having women chasing me has been wonderful. I know we only agreed to do this during the rodeo party season, but it’s been nice.”
She bit her lip. “It has been nice. I’ve had fun with you. Right now, I need to focus on moving here and getting my law practice set up.”
“You could always live out at the ranch with your mother,” he said.
Shaking her head, she reached out and touched his arm and desire filled him. “Thank you, but no. Everyone would believe we’re living together and I want to make it on my own.”
With a sigh, he opened the door of the truck and climbed out. She was right, and he hated that. What was it he wanted with Madison? No, he didn’t want marriage, but he didn’t want to let her go either.
He helped her out of the truck. “Let the fun begin,” he said sarcastically as he took her by the hand and led her into the club.
When they walked into the ballroom, music was playing and people were dancing. They wound their way through tables until they found where they were to sit.
He grumbled when seeing they were seated at the same table as his ex-wife and her new husband. With a sigh, he pulled out Madison’s chair and realized it was going to be a long night.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear. “Are you going to be all right sitting with Laurie?”
She smiled up at him. “It’s okay. What about you?”
“I hate the cheating witch, but I can be polite to her,” he said. “I just want you to be comfortable.”
“We’ll make this work,” she replied and kissed him quickly and softly on the lips.
Damn! Just that little comforting kiss set his blood on fire. It was the fact that she was concerned about him and not herself that really made him feel special.
This fake relationship was starting to feel very real and he was frightened. He loved and he hated it.
“Laurie,” he said as he sat. “Chuck, how are you?”
“Doing very well,” the man said.
The bastard had been sleeping with his wife in his own bed. All he’d wanted to do was deck him when he caught them, but his brother Blake had talked him down.
Even now he wanted to punch the man but would refrain. It might be an early evening.
“Do you remember Madison?” he said as he glanced at Laurie.
