Page 86 of A Temporary Forever

“Not really. My father is a terrible man, so I trade fairer.” He snakes his arm around me and cups my nape before he claims my lips.

It’s a lingering kiss, no urgency or raw desperation. Just two people sharing a moment in the kitchen. The languid spell of it stretches, along with my heart.

This man surprises me daily, and I don’t quite know how to reconcile that with the image I’ve always had of him.

His phone shrills to life again, and he groans.

“God, I hope it’s not another delivery.” I laugh, but tense when Caleb shows me the display before answering.Dominic Cressard.

“Be fast. I’m in the middle of something.” Caleb doesn’t bother with a greeting.

I swat at his chest, rolling my eyes while he taps the speaker icon and drops the phone on the counter.

“I can call later,” Dominic says, unimpressed.

“Or you can get it over with now.” God, how is this the same man who turned his former nanny’s life around?

He fists my hair and guides me to him for another kiss. He eats my protest with his greedy mouth, running his hands up my ribcage.

“I tried to reach yourwife,” Dominic laces the word with sarcasm, and it’s a good thing my mouth is otherwise occupied because I would tell him what I think about his attitude. I might not be able to claim a loving relationship, but on paper, I’m. The. Wife. No sarcasm warranted.

But I forget my indignation when he continues, “Her work permit came through.”

We pull away, and I can’t help it. I bounce on the balls of my feet, shaking my hips in a celebratory dance.

“Thank you, Dom. That’s good news,” Caleb says before he kisses me again.

“My bill is in your inbox.” Dominic hangs up. No one ever praised lawyers for their bedside manner.

“Congratulations, you can dance for the audience again.”

“Finally. I’m sure Reinhard will not be happy.”

“What do you mean? You’re the star of the show.”

“First, you haven’t seen the show. But despite its success, the theater director has been treating me like I’m the bane of his existence pretty much since I started.”

A frown passes over his face, but it’s gone before I’m even sure it was there, and his signature sexy smirk settles over his handsome features. “I went to your premiere. That asshole should be happy he got you to dance there.”

“You were at opening night?”

“Sure.” He shrugs and takes another cookie. “I have something to show you.” He grabs my hand, but his phone pings loudly again.

He came to the opening night? The night after wespat words at each other during dinner with Saar? Before I needed his help with the visa?Sure.Sure?

“Jesus Christ,” he murmurs and swipes at his screen, pulling me closer.

Xander

Sorry, man, I fought him on this.

I’m still stunned by his casual revelation, and perhaps I shouldn’t see the message, but he holds me close and doesn’t hide it. “What does he mean?”

“I have no idea. I’ll call him later.” Pocketing the phone, he drags me from the kitchen.

“Are you sure? It must be about the deal.” We cross the living room, and my mind is misfiring in so many directions.

I have no time to digest any of it—the week of a very real-feeling relationship, him buying apartments for struggling former employees, attending my premiere, all his gifts, my work permit. And now he just casually, but with determination, wants to show me something, ignoring his potential business partner.

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