Not the Marrying Kind(25)

She dragged in a few deep breaths and he saw the moment her resolution hardened. Her head tilted up and she nodded. “Let’s do it.”

The vows passed in a blur of echoed verses, agreeing to love, honor, and obey. Empty words, empty promises, and how far he’d go to achieve his goal hit home when he looked into her eyes and said, “I do.”

For in that moment, everything faded: the minister, their witnesses Lou and Ashlee, and the stunning backdrop of the red rocks he called home.

He’d just pledged himself to a woman he barely knew. A smart business choice, one that would gain him the national recognition he craved. Then why the soul-deep niggle he was getting in over his head?

“You may kiss the bride.” The minister beamed as he snapped his ceremony book shut.

“Well, hotshot, what are you waiting for?” Her lips curved in a saucy smile, her sass too late in covering the sheen he’d glimpsed in her eyes. Hell, he couldn’t handle waterworks. So he did the one thing he’d been desperate to do since he first laid eyes on her strutting up the aisle.

He swept her into his arms and kissed her.





Chapter Eight



Divorce Diva Daily recommends:

Playlist: “White Wedding” by Billy Idol

Movie: Love Actually

Cocktail: Bride’s Cuss





Poppy knew she shouldn’t play with fire.

Taunting a guy like Beck would only ever have one outcome. With him on top.

Guys like him never lost. Whatever they gambled on, they won. Every time. Success bred success and while she’d been happy with her life, it wasn’t until the moment the minister had pronounced them husband and wife that reality hit.

She’d married a virtual stranger.

Now that she’d done the deed, a million doubts assailed her. How could she pretend to play the adoring wife in front of his business colleagues? Play the adoring wife in front of his business colleagues? Remain immune to his charms?

Therein lay her real concern—that the moment she’d seen him at the end of the makeshift aisle, mouthwateringly, wickedly gorgeous in a tux, silhouetted against the stark beauty of Red Rock Canyon, her heart had given an uncomfortable squirm and she recognized it for what it was. A reminder that despite the fact she should hate him for blackmailing her into this farce, she could fall into bed with this guy given half a chance.

So daring him to kiss her? Probably not a great idea.

“Wow.” Ashlee snagged her arm and dragged her a safe distance from where Beck and Lou were in deep conversation. “You sure you’re faking it? Because from where I was standing, you two look seriously into each other.”

“Pheromones.”

As Beck glanced her way with a crooked half smile that elicited an answering twang deep within, some of those damn hormones set up a party in regions best left ignored for now.

“Just be careful, hon.”

“Of?”

Ashlee hesitated. “The Hottie isn’t a keeper. He’ll break your heart.”

“No danger of that happening. This is business, remember?”

As Beck strolled toward her, jacket slung over his shoulder, bow tie askance, top button of his ivory dress shirt unbuttoned, piercing green eyes with a wicked glint, she knew without a doubt she’d be the one having to remember this marriage was all business.

“Whatever you say, sweetie.” Ashlee lowered her voice to a whisper. “But anything involving that guy’s gonna be monkey business.”

Wishful thinking.

When Beck reached Poppy’s side, he slipped an arm around her waist like it was the most natural thing in the world. Sure, they had to keep up appearances—and he wasn’t aware Ashlee knew the truth—but it made her feel more like a fraud than she already was, the pretense in front of her friend.

“Nice to meet you, Ashlee, and thanks for coming. Lou will take you back to town in the limo and we’ll see you at the reception later.”

“Sure thing.” Ashlee practically simpered as she shook Beck’s hand and moved away, mouthing Hottie over his shoulder at Poppy.

“What’s with the grin?”

“Just so darned happy to be your wife,” Poppy said, batting her eyelashes at him.

He laughed and tightened his grip around her waist. “You know that smart mouth of yours will get you into trouble one day?”

“Today if I’m lucky.”

What was it with this guy that had her wanting to spar and parry and play word games? She shouldn’t flirt with him unless people who needed convincing of the validity of this marriage surrounded them. It would only give him the wrong idea.

Which was what? The fact she had the hots for her husband big time?

Flustered, she rushed on. “Where are we going?”