A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

He eased down, and she welcomed him into her arms. She pillowed his head on her chest, his mouth a breath away from her nipple. He kissed the plump swell of her breast but didn’t move. Their hearts thudded against each other and neither did anything to break the silence.

What could be said? She knew she didn’t have words. She didn’t want to dissect the moment. Words would only ruin the euphoric aftermath of an experience she was at a loss to describe anyway.

She ran her hand idly through his mussed hair. At his nape the crisp hairs were slightly damp with sweat. She inhaled, savoring the uniquely masculine smell of sex and sweat. It was intoxicating and erotic.

“Does it make me a bastard that I’m already fantasizing about the part where you climb on top of me and have your wicked way?” he mumbled against her chest.

She smiled. “As soon as I regain the feeling in my legs, I’ll see what I can do about that particular fantasy.”

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Waking in bed with Julian didn’t bring about the immediate what-the-hell-have-I-done feeling she would have thought. No, when her eyes opened, she registered a fantastic male body wrapped around hers, and instead of shoving him over and wailing on about how dumb she was, she snuggled deeper into his embrace and soaked up every minute of the lazy morning.

“Good morning,” Julian murmured against her temple.

“Mmm.” She replied.

He chuckled softly and rolled away for a moment.

“Damn.”

“I don’t like that damn,” she grumbled. “Bad things are going to happen after that word.”

He sighed in regret. “Sorry. Yeah, we have to get up.”

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Noon.”

Her eyes popped open and she scrambled up to look over his body at the clock.

“Noon? I’ve never slept until noon in my life!” she said.

He grinned and tugged her down onto his chest. “Glad I could contribute to your downfall then.”

“So arrogant,” she said. “Now let me go, otherwise I’ll look like a bag lady for your brother’s wedding.”

“I like bag ladies,” he replied.

She snorted. “Ladies carrying Hermes Birkin bags maybe.”

He gave her a puzzled look that suggested he didn’t have a clue what she was talking about. She rolled her eyes and then pried herself out of his arms.

“Come on, get up,” she coaxed. “The sooner we get it over with, the sooner you can see your brother and his new wife on their way, and we can go home.”

He threw off the covers, and she nearly squeaked as he got up from the bed, stark naked. Then she realized that she wasn’t any more clothed, and she fled for the bathroom, his laughter ringing in her ears.

Two hours later, dressed appropriately, they made their way to the terrace where the lovebirds would exchange their vows. As they reached the door leading out, Julian slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side.

Warmth spread through her cheeks until she remembered that this was all for show. She’d been stupid to forget that even for a moment.

When navigating the chairs and the people mingling became too difficult, he loosened his hold on her waist and tucked her hand in his instead. His fingers laced with hers and his thumb rubbed her palm as he smiled and said his hellos.

The pre ceremony was a bit of a madhouse and was without structure. Everyone just gathered on the terrace overlooking the cozy inlet, talking and visiting until finally Sam’s father stood close to the floral arch and raised his hands for attention.

“If everyone will take their seats, I believe we’re ready to begin,” he said.

Nina to the front row where they sat beside Abby, Elizabeth and Ross. Julian kept a firm hold on her hand until Loveth made her appearance.

Despite his seeming indifference, Julian’s demeanor changed as soon as the ceremony began. His fingers loosened from hers until she drew her hand away to rest in her own lap. He made no move to prevent the action.

His gaze was locked on Loveth and his cousin, and he wasn’t smiling as the rest of the attendees were. He looked like a stone pillar. No emotion. What made it worse was when Elizabeth and Abby started sending sidelong glances at Julian.

They had obviously picked up on his coldness. It begged the question as to whether Julian was as unaffected as he’d reported. Did he still love Loveth? If he was to be believed, he never had, but then did a man like Julian fall in love?

His association with Loveth could hardly be deemed romantic. He’d formed a shopping list for a prospective bride and he hadn’t looked far. The first suitable candidate he’d found he put a ring on her finger and that was that.

Nina glanced down at the diamond gleaming on her third finger and winced.

Oh, Nina, tell me you haven’t gotten caught up in this nonsense. You’re too practical, she thought.

She almost snorted. When it came to Julian, practicality didn’t crop up first. Or second or even third. She’d lusted after forbidden fruit from the moment she’d seen him when she came to stay with Abby.

A tiny, unwelcome thought niggled at her consciousness. Would she have begged so hard to be the one to pitch to Julian if she hadn’t been so fascinated with him?

Another derisive sound had to be stifled. Fascination was a very tame word to describe her fixation with Julian. Attracted. That wasn’t a very descriptive word, either. It seemed no matter the word, it didn’t do justice to the overwhelming barrage of sensations she experienced in his presence.

Thank God the weekend was almost over and she could hopefully gain some objectivity again. This ruse of theirs was a dangerous fantasy for her. If she didn’t remove herself from it immediately, she was going to fall completely victim to it.

She could just see trying to explain that to her boss. The boss who had put his company’s fate in her hands.

And then the ceremony was over and suddenly Julian was smiling down at her once more. She promptly forgot all about her worries and reservations.

Once again he was attentive. He touched her frequently as if he couldn’t keep his hands off her. It made her nuts the way her body leaped to life under his attention, but she couldn’t control it.