Page 46 of A Temporary Forever

He shoves his phone in front of my face. Even from his profile, he looks gorgeous, kissing the side of my head. I look stunned. “This will not sell it, black swan. You’re a performer, try a bit harder. I’m too pretty to go to jail for you.”

I roll my eyes and smile at the camera, and he takes a few more pics. This time, his lips stay away from me. The pang of disappointment is completely misplaced, but it still coils inside me.

“I guess if we’re done, I’ll go.” I jerk away from him, as if it’s his fault I’m feeling all conflicted about him.

“I’ll drive you. Peter is here in two. What’s the rush, anyway? Do you need your afternoon nap?” He smirks.

“I could use one, thank you very much, because someone decided to renovate my building.”

He raises his arms in mock surrender. “Sorry for improving your living conditions.”

This man with his savior complex.

“Has it ever occurred to you that not everybody wants to be saved by you?”

He shrugs. “Well, Grinch, usually people are grateful. You, on the other hand, have been fighting my willingness to help. I wonder why?” He steps forward, the fabric of his tailored jacket brushing against my dress. “Why couldn’t you imagine a fake marriage with me, black swan? What scared you?”

He dips his head, and now his nose is almost touching mine. I fight the urge to step back. Or to fuse my lips with his. Either would work.

“I’ve just married you, haven’t I?” I croak.

“Don’t sound so thrilled.”

I step back. To keep my sanity. To cool down my body that seems ready to combust spontaneously in his vicinity. “The idea of three years with you is just so overwhelming.”

“If we last that long.” He turns and opens the door of his large SUV. I didn’t even realize Peter had pulled to the curb already.

I did, however, notice how much his words smart. They shouldn’t, because there is an expiration date on this sham of a union, but they do.

I slide into the car, and Caleb follows. The partition is up, so I can’t greet Peter, but the privacy gives me the opportunity to set boundaries.

Because I need them. I need him to respect them, so I can hopefully survive the next three years unhurt.

And yet I remain silent. Sleeping with him would be amazing. But I’m sure that our marriage certificate wouldn’t be enough to keep him interested long-term. And I don’t think I can watch him bringing home other women.

A one-night stand is not an issue, but a one-night stand with your roommate would be a disaster.

The car pulls to a stop. Caleb gets out and holds the door open for me.

“I’ll text you the time for the movers tomorrow,” I say, leaning into the practicalities to distance myself from the salacious scenarios in my head.

“I’ll get that organized. It’s one phone call to my concierge.”

I guess that’s my life now. I nod and start to turn, but stop.

Boundaries.

“For the record, I enjoyed that kiss. In fact, if that was a fake kiss, then I can’t possibly imagine what a real one would do to me…”

He cocks his head, and I continue before I find some stupid reason to give in to his charm.

“That being said, I don’t think we should do that or anything else physical. It would complicate things between us, and this”—I point between us—“is only an arrangement. Besides, I’m not getting down on my knees for you.” I refer to his rejection from the other night. “You haven’t earned the honor.”

Caleb smiles like he just won the lottery. “We’ll see about that, black swan.”

Chapter 14

Caleb

---