Jake’s face tightened for an instant.
Lucy recognized the look that crossed his face. She’d
seen it enough times when she looked in the mirror. That empty
expression, the one that signaled lonely.
“I’m too busy to settle down.”
She let out a small laugh. “Now you
sound like me.”
“But I don’t have a father trying
to marry me off, either.”
She grimaced, hating that they’d gotten
back on that subject.
There had to be some way to get her father
to let loose of this ridiculous marriage idea. Otherwise,
every event she attended she’d be hounded by Alex, and
her father.
“Maybe I need to find someone to parade
around, let Father think I’m involved,” she mumbled
to herself.
“Good idea.”
“It would have to be someone he didn’t
know. Otherwise he could manipulate the situation.”
She drew figure eights in the condensation on the beer bottle.
“Got someone in mind?”
“Not really. He knows everyone I know.”
“You could use me.”
She snapped her gaze up at him. “Pardon?”
“Use me. To keep your dad from playing
matchmaker.”
Had she missed a vital part of their conversation?
What in the world was he talking about? “I don’t
understand.”
“It’s simple. You let your father
think you’re dating me, and he won’t be able to
throw this Alex guy at you anymore.”
She took a quick gulp of her beer, hoping
the cool liquid would melt the lump in her throat. “You
want to date me?”
He laughed. “No. Just help you out.
Appearances and all.”
This whole night had been a surreal experience.
Had she just stepped into some outer dimension? She had to
get her mind around the thoughts swirling through her. Her
father. Jake. Alex. It was all too much.
“Why would you want to do that?”
He grinned. “Maybe I want to annoy your
father.”
Okay that made perfect sense. Her father had
been anything but gracious to Jake. She still burned at his
condescending manner.
The thought had merit. It was ludicrous of
course, but still, parts of it intrigued her. How long had
she fought against her father? Against his ridiculous notions
of society and classes? How many times had he tried to drum
into her head that the Fairchilds were the elite? The elite
who did not, under any circumstances, mix with the lower classes.
Yes, her father was a snob. She’d spent
her entire life trying not to emulate his actions. He would
positively have a fit if she started parading Jake around
as her boyfriend.
“Are you certain you’d want to
do this?” Her mind spun with ideas.
“Why not? Might be fun to get a few
digs into your old man.”
She didn’t really understand Jake’s
motivation in all this, but if she brought him to a few events
and let her father know she wasn’t going to be bought
and sold like a piece of property, maybe he’d back off
and let her make her own decisions. It wasn’t like she
and Jake would really be dating.
“I’d ask you to attend some social
events with me. Just enough to let my father, and Alex, see
us together.”
“Whatever. As long as it doesn’t
interfere with my work.”
“My father will not be pleasant about
this, Jake. He can be rude, downright nasty at times.”
Jake shrugged. “I’ve heard worse.
Doesn’t bother me a bit.”
“We wouldn’t be actually dating.”
He nodded. “Right. Not dating.”
“It might work. And it probably wouldn’t
take long. Once my father sees me with you a few times, he’ll
know I’m not interested in Alex, and maybe he’ll
drop all thoughts of trying to marry me off.”
“No problem. And besides, after being
with me, anyone you pick after that will be a huge relief
to your father.”
That thought hadn’t occurred to her.
Sadly, he was right. But how did Jake feel about that? His
expression was unreadable. She didn’t know if he was
amused or annoyed, but either way, she was grateful for his
help. She had to take control of her life, make her father
understand that she would choose the man she would marry.
Not that Jake was that man. But her father didn’t need
to know that.
Guilt niggled its way into her heart. This
could be rough on Jake. Really rough. People in her circle
looked down their noses at those who weren’t born with
the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths.
“Jake, I don’t know. I’d
feel awful if someone hurt your feelings.”
He laughed. “Believe me, no one could
hurt my feelings. I’m immune.”
She didn’t know how someone could become
immune to being insulted. “What’s in this for
you?”
He shrugged. “Other than irritating
your father, nothing. I need to get out more, anyway.”
Somehow she didn’t think he really meant
that. “I’ll bet you have a lot of dates.”
He laughed. “I have a few now and then.”
She shouldn’t do this. She really shouldn’t.
But the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like
the key to her freedom. Her father was a smart man. Surely
he’d see right away that she wouldn’t allow him
to choose her husband.
“I can’t believe you’re
doing this for me, but I appreciate it. And I’ll try
not to take up too much of your time.”
He shrugged. “Whatever gets you off
the hook, sweetheart. I’m glad to help out. And if it
irks your old man in the process, all the better.”
Okay, this was starting to sound like fun.
And spending time with Jake wouldn’t be a hardship at
all. He was great looking, had a good sense of humor, he was
smart, and, admittedly, she liked him. She really liked him.
He made her feel good. She liked touching him.
“Let’s dance.”
She snapped her gaze to his. “What?”
She barely heard the music playing in the
background. Jake stood and held out his hand. “Dance.
Practice being together for when your dad sees us. You might
as well get used to it now.”
“Okay.”
She stood and let Jake lead her to the…well,
there really wasn’t a dance floor in the place. Jake
took a few steps away from the table and drew her against
him.
Solid, warm, he wrapped his arm around her
back and entwined his fingers with hers, then swayed to the
music of a ballad.
“You’re stiff as a board, Lucy.
Your father will never believe we’re dating if you don’t
loosen up.”
He was right. She hadn’t been ready
for this. She really did need the practice.
“Look at me.”
She tilted her head back and was instantly
lost in the warm depth of his eyes. They held a sensual promise
she’d love to explore, if only they had a real relationship.
So she’d pretend it was real. She could
do that, couldn’t she? She’d fantasize that Jake
really did care about her, that he really was interested,
that the spark of attraction she felt for him was returned.
The way he looked at her, the way his lips
curled in such a sexy manner, the way he leaned in as if was
going to—
His lips brushed hers, casual, a soft caress.
Lightning struck and she was rooted to the spot, unable to
take her next breath. Then he pressed more firmly. Shocked
at first, Lucy did nothing but freeze up.
Jake leaned back. “Don’t tell
me this is your first kiss.”
“No. Of course not. I just…I
didn’t know you were going to kiss me.”
He arched a brow. “Was I supposed to
ask for permission?”
Her heart pounded, her hand began to sweat
in his. Really, no wonder he thought her inexperienced. What
an idiot. “I can do better.”
“I’ll just bet you can.”
Could all men lower their voices and whisper
in a way that made a woman melt, or was it just Jake? She
shivered as he leaned in again, and this time she was ready.
Or she thought she was ready, but not for
the power of a kiss that rocked her right off her feet.
She’d expected more of the same, a light
sweep of his lips against hers, a chaste, get-to-know-you
kind of kiss.
Instead, he leaned her back over his arm and
took her mouth in a kiss that spoke of possession, of demand,
forcing her mouth open to slide his tongue inside.
Every part of her body exploded with sensation,
with desire, with a hunger that hadn’t been satisfied
in far too long. She felt every part of that kiss in every
nerve ending of her body.
When Jake raised her up and pulled away, she
was dizzy, turned on and ready for more.
“Now when we’re together in front
of your dad, we’ll act more like a couple,” he
said, taking her hand and leading her back to the table.
Disoriented, Lucy grabbed her beer and took
a couple deep swallows.
Jake nursed his beer and grinned at her, seemingly
unaffected by what had just happened.
He sure could turn it on and off easily, couldn’t
he?
But could she? Because she was hot and bothered
as hell, and not at all ready to stop what he’d just
started.
This game she’d agreed to might be more
than she could handle.
A lot more.
