Page 30 of His Fake Wife

The word came out before I thought about it.

Wide eyes met mine.

“Oh...okay.”

She blushed prettily in her usual way and I felt myself soften even more.

“You like my company now, don’t you?”

“No way. I just find you nice to look at.”

She gasped but saw the grin I was trying to swallow and laughed. “Asshole.”

“Yeah, but I’m growing on you.” Her soft giggles made me smile but inside, I was freaking out a little.

A while later, Beth was fast asleep. She’d managed to roll over to my side and rested her head on my shoulder. I didn’t pull away because snuggling wasn’t as bad as I thought. In fact, my arm had taken its time and crept around her to pull her closer. Feeling content, my eyes drifted closed...until it hit me that I’d bare-backed it with Beth and they flew open.

“Oh shit,” I groaned. She stirred and I froze, hoping she didn’t wake up. That conversation wasn’t one I wanted to have. It would probably ruin the new and still fragile line of friendship between us. I had no idea if she even realized we didn’t use protection or she just didn’t care. Either way, I wasn’t going to risk discussing it.

Condoms were my best friends. I liked to sling my dick around but I’d never been irresponsible enough to forget covering it up before. It was confirmed. Beth really was some sensual witch that had me under her spell.

******

I stepped off my private elevator, grinning at my phone screen. I had Charles McCarthy in the bag and it was all thanks to Beth. After our little golfing session two weeks ago, the man had warmed up to me completely. My “wife” was a real charmer and she knew how to make me look good. She practically had both Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy eating out of her sweet little hands. I was thinking of buying her an entire Cartie store for helping me out, but knowing Beth she wouldn’t be impressed. It would probably be better to get her a book or something.

Eyes still glued to my phone, I tapped out a few instructions for my assistant while I loosened my tie and whipped it off with a sigh. I’d been wearing monkey suits since I was a kid and I still hated them. When I rounded the corner into the kitchen, I nearly jumped out of my suit and my skin. Pieces of colorful scraps floated around me and then came a squealed, “Congratulations!”

“The fuck?”

“Confetti Mel? Really?” Beth hissed. She stood on the other side of the island, holding a bowl and wearing a scowl.

“You said this was a celebration.”

“Yes, but not a kid’s birthday party. You’re so embarrassing sometimes.”

Melissa stuck her tongue out at her sister and pulled out a party whistle. I winced when she blew into it. Beth’s sister was staying with us until she went off to college in two weeks. My apartment had become considerably louder since she arrived but I didn’t mind. The kid was a riot, like her sister...minus the sarcasm.

“I’m sorry, Adam,” Beth said. “It’s my fault for letting her go to Party City alone.”

“You said to get decorations,” Mel argued.

“I said to get one congratualations banner.”

There was indeed an attention grabbing banner draped on the front of the counter. Plucking a piece of confetti from my jacket, I laughed. Beth and Melissa together was pure entertainment. They were so normal compared to my family. I almost envied them. Our families had always been close but the Carsons operated like a normal, loving unit. These two made my apartment feel more homely. I didn’t know that was something I’d like since I’ve never really had it. Thorne mansion was a cold, sterile place for any kid to grow up in.

“What exactly are we celebrating?”

“You got McCarthy. You sent that text…” Color seeped into Beth’s cheeks. “I knew how much you wanted his business. Did I do too much?”

How was I supposed to know? I couldn’t remember the last time anyone was this eager to celebrate any of my achievements. The old me would have been at a bar getting wasted and scoping out a hot prospect to spend the night with. Instead, I was at home with my wife and her sister. Good God, how things had changed.

“Yup, I think we went overboard,” Melissa said. “He can’t even speak.”

“Quiet, Mel,” Beth growled. “I’m sorry, I just thought it would be nice?”

“It is nice. This is great.” I glanced at the table set for three. “I just wasn’t expecting a party.”

“Celebrating everything even if it’s something minor is our tradition,” Melissa shared. “Right Beth?”

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