Wed to the Bad Boy(50)

“So it’s done?” he asked as he entered the kitchen.

I nodded.

“It doesn’t have to be forever, Jo. I told you, we just need to be married long enough to appease our families, then we can walk away and you can get back to your life.” Why did it sound like he didn’t want that?

Did I?

“Can we not think about that right now?” I said as I wrapped my arms around him.

“We can do whatever you want.”

“How about a shower, you’re sweaty.”

“I was working out at the gym down in Glen Burnie.”

“You drive all the way down there?” I asked.

“I made a promise, and besides, it’s close to work.”

I nodded. “How about that shower?” I asked.

“I’ll get it started,” said, but I stopped him, and pulled him close.

“Let me undress you,” I said as I started stripping off his clothing. It didn’t take long, but it was all I could think of. If I could get his cellphone, I could get what my uncle wanted.

I kissed his neck as I stripped off his shirt and then started working on his pants. I pushed them down along with his boxers. It was a job only I could do, but damn, if I didn’t enjoy it.

“You’re in a hurry to get me naked, aren’t you?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Go turn on the shower?” I asked.

“What are you going to do?”

“Pour you a drink.” I grinned.

“Deal.” He turned and walked out of the kitchen leaving me alone with his discarded clothing. It only took me a second to rifle through his pants and find what I was looking for. His phone.

I grabbed my cellphone and dialed my uncle. “I have his work phone,” I whispered. “Is that enough?”

“That’s perfect,” he said.

“I need you to send someone to meet me, and you have to get it back to me, can you do that?”

“How long do I have?”

“An hour, two at most.” I said, honestly.

“I’ll send a delivery by right now.”

“You have a guy?” I asked.

“I always have a guy,” Dennis answered. He hung up the phone, and I walked out to the wet bar, pouring that drink I promised.

I jumped when I heard the knock on the door.

“I’ll get it!” I said, “Mary said she was having last minute arrangements sent to the apartment,” I shouted towards the shower.

Greg was waiting at the door. He was my oldest cousin.

“You were quick,” I said as I handed him the phone.

“Returned invitations, you need to call Meg and Sarah and let them know about the wedding.” Meg and Sarah were my cousins over in Bowie.

“Gotcha. I need that back. Soon.”

“Shouldn’t take more than fifty minutes. Travis knows what he’s doing,” Greg whispered.

I closed the door and set the invitations on the coffee table.

“What was it?” Greyson asked, his voice echoing in the bathroom.

I walked through the bedroom to find him standing there, waiting for me. Handing him his drink, I answered, “returned invitation. I need to get ahold of my cousins.”

“Can it wait?” he asked as he grabbed the edge of my shirt and pulled it up.

I smiled at him.

“It can always wait.”

“Are you expecting any more interruptions?” he asked.

“Honestly? Yes. But not for a while.” I admitted. Greg had to return the phone, but I needed to distract Greyson.

I felt so dirty for doing this, but it wasn’t something I could help. This was my life now.

I kissed him hard and wished it all away. I could lose myself in his arms for just a few moments, forget what I had to do to make good on my promises to my father.

I kissed him, hard. “Shower? Now?”

I had a feeling we were going to do more than just get clean.





Chapter Sixteen





Joanna



“Are you sure we can do this?” I asked Greyson as we stood at the door of the banquet hall. I swallowed, hard. I didn’t know if I could go through with this.

The story was that we’d been dating in secret for months. That he’d given up his playboy ways long before we announced our engagement but kept up the facade. We didn’t want anyone to know about our relationship because of the family feud.

It was a Romeo and Juliet story and it was the exact one that we were promoting. It was easier than telling them the truth. That we were thrown together and forced to marry despite our wishes. That we were falling in love in spite of it all and that we were afraid of the consequences of it.

“It’s just dinner among families. An engagement shower meant to be a good thing, Joanna. You have to relax.”

“Right, but it’ll break apart into two parties?” I asked. I needed him to go over the plans one more time. Really, what I needed was to hear his voice.