Page 17 of Temporary Wife Temptation

The other guests were in their element, drinking and laughing, taking all the opulence for granted. Natalie was grateful to be wearing her new designer dress. Even so, she felt like she was on the wrong planet.

She rubbed shoulders with rich, powerful people at work and held her own, but that was her job and she knew what she was doing. This was a completely different beast. Small talk and mingling were not her forte. Garrett led her through the throng, stopping frequently to greet people he knew. As promised, she smiled and nodded in the right places, relieved she wasn’t expected to talk.

“Mike.” Garrett clapped the host on the shoulder. “Are you old enough to drink yet?”

“No, but I shaved for the first time today,” Michael Reynolds said with an easy smirk. His smile broadened when he turned to her. “I’m glad you could make it, Natalie.”

“Happy birthday, Michael.” She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “And let me know if you need a fake ID. I know someone who knows someone.”

“I see you speak my language.” Michael chuckled. “And call me Mike.”

Natalie laughed with him and the knot in her chest loosened a notch. She didn’t know their host well, but he had an openness to him that she liked.

She glanced up at Garrett when his arm snaked around her waist and he drew her close, but he addressed his friend without meeting her eyes. “You’re a bad influence on my fiancée.”

“I think it’s the other way around.” Mike lowered his voice and winked at her. “Congratulations, by the way. As his oldest friend, I thank you in advance for putting up with the grumpy son of a bitch.”

Natalie snorted. “You’re very welcome.”

When Mike walked away to mingle with the rest of his guests, Garrett dropped his hand from her waist. She shivered at the sudden loss of heat.

“Are you cold?” A small frown marred his smooth forehead.

“No. I’m fine, but I could use a drink.”

“Bowmore?” he said, one side of his lips tipping up.

“Just a glass of champagne.” Her stomach fluttered—she was surprised he remembered her drink from Le Rêve. “I need to stay sharp for our audience.”

Garrett resisted the urge to glance over his shoulder to check on her. Natalie was a grown woman and he didn’t need to protect her from being swarmed by admirers. Besides, she was the one who had proposed they refrain from other relationships, so she wouldn’t do anything to hurt his reputation or hers.

Earlier, at her apartment, he’d caught fire at the sight of her in her little black dress. It was demure compared to the one she’d worn at Le Rêve, but it hugged her hourglass figure and highlighted the curves underneath just enough to tease his imagination.

He walked to the bar for his Scotch and grabbed a flute of champagne from a server on his way back. As he’d anticipated, Natalie was now surrounded by a group of men and he lengthened his strides to reach her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sweetheart.” He pressed a light kiss on her lips and handed her the champagne.

“Thank you.” She leaned her head against his shoulder when he pulled her to his side, playing her part like a pro.

“Natalie was just taking us to task about USC’s new head coach. It seems neither he nor I truly understand college football,” said one of Mike’s college friends.

“Is that so?” Garrett raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged.

“Taking you to task is a bit harsh.” She hid her grin against the rim of her champagne flute as she took a long sip. “It’s just that I have a better understanding than you guys.”

The audience winced and guffawed at her cheekiness. As Natalie continued with her lecture, all the men listened intently, as did Garrett. She was funny and down-to-earth, and her mind was quicker than lightning. Lost in her words, Garrett belatedly noticed the crowd had grown. Her champagne glass was depleted and her smile was becoming strained.

He leaned down close to her ear. “Tired?”

“And hungry.”

“All right, gentlemen. I’m whisking away my date now. I’m tired of sharing her.”

When the crowd finally dispersed, Natalie slumped against him with a groan. “I need food, champagne and somewhere to sit.”

A server walked over with a tray of bacon-wrapped shrimp and Natalie snatched a couple of them. She popped one in her mouth and mumbled around her food, “Not necessarily in that order.”

Garrett laughed and guided her toward the French doors leading out to the garden. Natalie ate every single hors d’oeuvre she met along the way and finished another glass of champagne.

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