The FAKE HUSBAND: a spicy second chance romance (Steamy Shorts Book 34)

I don't really hate my ex, but if there's only one thing I can say about him, it's that he lights up every room he leaves. Every day I don't see him is a good day.

River turns back to the stove and says, "Exactly the thing I would expect from a guy who refused to carry that treasure chest you bought at an estate sale." I smirk. "The one you carried four flights of stairs and claimed it was haunted?" "Something in it rattled." "That was a loose hinge, River." "Spirits sound exactly like loose hinges, Nadine. That's how they get you." "I had no idea you were scared of ghosts." "I wasn't scared. No way! I hated them because I hate everything that lingers when they ought to be gone." "Okay, sure. Whatever you say." "And do not tell me it was coincidence Kevin almost died a day after you brought that blasted thing home."

told him I was bringing someone. My husband." If I told them I met Poseidon and he was about to whisk me away to his kingdom in the middle of the ocean, I wouldn't have gotten a better reaction. River whirls so fast I almost lean back, his hand clutching a stirring spoon so hard, his knuckles are white. His forehead furrows, a strand of his hair slides loose just above his eyebrow.

Rachel does that thing whenever she's deep in her own thoughts. Her gaze is somewhere between me and space, then her face shifts. Her eyebrows rise to her hairline, and her face spits into a devious smile. I know this expression. It usually means something chaotic is incoming, and I'm going to agree to it because Rachel's chaotic ideas have a 60% success rate, which is genuinely better than my own careful ones.

"A-are you sure? I mean, I'm not above going back from the lie." Rachel smacks my arm lightly. "And make Derek think he won? So he could shove it in your face that he's now married and you're still single?" "River, are you sure? Like a hundred percent and not just because Rachel is giving you the stink eye, which means you might probably find yourself kicked out of your apartment if you say no?" River just smirks. "I never liked that Derek guy. He looks at mirrors more than you do. Say yes, Nadine. Let's get this son of a bitch." His confidence is infectious, so I jab the spoon at him. "You're on."

something warm unfurls in my chest. These two are my ride or die. The kind of people who won't ask questions if I call them and tell them to bring a shovel and garbage bags.

I watch the road ahead and think about nothing in particular, except the fact that I will now be playing husband to the only one I have ever fallen for. Tough.

Tara makes a sound of pure approval. "I want whatever this is," she says, waving a finger back and forth, gesturing between us. "Tell me, Nadine, what exactly were the words of the prayer you said when you asked for this guy?"

"Oh, huh. Anyway, that went well, right? You think Derek bought it?" River massages the back of his neck, and why does that look sexy? Then, he unbuttons the top button of his shirt and rolls his sleeves, and why does that look even sexier? God, what is happening to me? Is it the alcohol in my system? No way, I only had a little wine and a mocktail, and that was over two hours ago. "If the constant glare he throws in my direction is any indication, I would say yes, he definitely bought it." "Well, he did invite me to his wedding." "The man brought it upon himself. He was a fool to do that to you, and I have zero sympathy for fools." "Alice looked pretty, though. I hate to admit it, but she looked radiant." River stares at me for a second or two, and that stare does something to my girly parts. I suddenly feel so hot all over. "I wouldn't know, Nadine. I never looked at her or any other woman. My eyes were glued to you."

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. He really is big and thick. There's still one layer of clothing preventing me from seeing him completely, but I can tell just how gifted he is in the penis department. Before he can even move, I drop to my knees until his bulge is at my eye level. "Nadine…" I ignore him. Instead, I tug his boxers down, freeing him; his cock juts proudly against his stomach. Veiny. He's veiny, too. I look up at him from under my lashes and wrap a hand around his thick length, earning me a hiss and a groan. "Fuck, Nad."