“Your best bet with them is to pretend you’re both in love. I don’t think they’d go for this temporary marriage thing.”
“I can’t lie to them.”
“You don’t have to. You know Mom is almost as in love with Cole Miller as I am. She’ll be so excited you’re marrying him, she won’t question the timing.”
“I haven’t even told them about the baby yet.”
“Weren’t you going to wait until you were in your second trimester?”
“Yes, but I’m almost there, already.” She chewed her lower lip. “Mom’ll be so upset when I get divorced again.”
“After all the divorces Aunt Patty’s had, she’s still Mom’s favorite sister.”
“True.” Her stomach churning, she took another bite of her cracker.
“When is the wedding supposed to happen?” asked Harper.
“Early this week, I guess. We have to be married before the show starts filming on Friday.”
“I have to work every day next week. Can’t you get married tomorrow?”
“We got a marriage license, but it has a seventy-two-hour waiting period. Monday night is the earliest we can do it.”
“Not if you fly to Vegas. You can be married and back home tomorrow night.”
Brooke’s stomach heaved. “I gotta go!” She barely made it to the bathroom before she lost her saltines.
Cole was on his third cup of coffee by the time Brooke appeared in the dining room, her beauty making him catch his breath. Each time they were apart he almost convinced himself he wasn’t physically attracted to her. But this time, the heat in his chest as he gazed at her left no doubt of the truth. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Oh, he’d been around plenty of women who were more polished and perfect after applying layers of makeup and styling their hair just so. But Brooke had walked in with a fresh-scrubbed face, her deep brown eyes so sultry he was dying to kiss her again. Having her around the whole weekend was going to be dangerous. Time to muster his self-control.
“Good morning!” He put on a casual air, yawning and stretching. “I thought you might’ve gotten lost in the guest wing.”
“Sorry you had to wait.”
Her eyes darted around the room. What was she looking for?
“Gus isn’t allowed in the dining room,” he offered.
“That’s fine.” She walked to the kitchen door and peeked inside.
“Can I help you find something? There’s decaf coffee in that insulated carafe.”
“That sounds heavenly.” She poured a cup and carried it to the table. “Is there anyone else around? I kind of need to talk to you in private.”
“I’ve got permanent staff, but they all have their own living quarters on the grounds. No one’s here but us.”
If she needed privacy, he had a feeling he wouldn’t like whatever it was she had to say.
She lifted the coffee to her lips, took a sip, and set it down with trembling hands. “I’ve decided I’m willing to do the temporary marriage thing.”
He held her gaze, unwilling to take her at her word when she seemed so distraught. “Why do you look like you just volunteered to walk the plank?”
“Mostly because I’m worried what everyone will think.”
Cole chuckled. “That’s one thing I’m not worried about. I enjoy keeping people off guard. If you don’t believe me, ask my attorney.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
He was afraid her vulnerability made her even more irresistible. If they got married, he’d have to limit the time they spent alone together, or he’d be tempted to let his guard down.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured into something you’re not comfortable with.”
“I don’t feel pressured. I just want everyone to be happy.” Her fingers drummed on the table.
“Ha! Now there’s an impossible task.”
“That’s one of my faults—trying to please people.” She’d chosen a seat on his left, so he tentatively covered her hand with his prosthetic one, watching for her reaction. Her tiny shudder was almost unnoticeable. Almost. He withdrew his hand, as color rose in her cheeks. In a way, he welcomed her aversion to his prosthesis. It might keep his attraction from growing.
“I’m also afraid you’ll fight me about spending money on you.”
Her sharp glare darted his way. “There’s no need to spend any more than what’s spelled out in the prenuptial agreement.”
He lifted his chin, enjoying the fight. “How will I ever make this look real if I do that? Do you think the public will buy it if the wife of a billionaire drives around in a wreck of a car?”
“Fine. You can buy me stuff, but I’m not going to keep it. Or we can subtract it from the $250,000.”
When she tugged her lower lip into her mouth and chewed on it, he had an insane desire to do the same. Just one more little kiss. Maybe she’d make an exception to her no-kissing rule at the wedding.
