Page 19 of Perfectly Wedded

I quickly add, “But you don’t have to do that. We can keep it... casual.”

“No, they’ll expect more than something casual,” Vale replies, like we’re discussing a job offer rather than a marriage. “I don’t want to pressure you, but if we didn’t behave like that, people might not believe us. The question is, how do you feel about that?” He studies me for a beat.

“Touching... in public?” Already I can feel the heat crawling up my neck. With him holding my hand to guide me through Vegas, it would be no different than right now. But there’s something about giving him permission that feels entirely different. Like I’m opening up the floodgates to some very dangerous feelings.

I shrug. “Whatever it takes, right?”

“Okay, so that’s rule two. Touch each other as often as possible.”He hesitates for a second. “Just promise me if it makes you uncomfortable, you’ll tell me?”

I nod and paste on what I hope is an easy smile, even though it feels like there’s a weight on my chest.

“Now it’s your turn,” I say, trying to switch the focus. “How did you behave around the girls you dated?”

Vale lifts an eyebrow. “You want to get into dangerous territory?”

I hesitate. “That bad, huh?”

“I’ve mainly dated for fun, not love. Hockey comes first, and most of the girls were more in love with theideaof dating a hockey player. But if given the chance, they’d be all over me.”

“I bet you hated that.” I shoot him a look.

Vale laughs. “But for a married couple? I don’t think it’s out of place.”

“Really?” I say, feeling my internal temperature rising ten degrees. Is Vale suggesting I need to throw myself at him? Because I’m sure I could do that quite easily. It’s the aftereffects I’m worried about. Once I kiss Vale, I can’t go back tobeing his friend.Ever.“You’ll have to give me strict instructions on what you mean by too much. Because I can be...” I hesitate.

Vale stops, his eyes glancing toward my mouth, lingering there. “Be what?”

“Too impulsive,” I finish.

I know it’s not a character flaw, just my way of taking action. Maybe in the case of pulling off this charade, it will be a useful trait.

His gaze hovers on my lips for a moment before shifting to meet my eyes. Then, almost abruptly, he starts walking again. “Brax and Jaz can hardly keep their hands off each other. And they’re kissing all the time...” He gives me a sidelong glance. “I don’t mean we should do the same. But there’s something about their relationship you can’t fake.”

I wonder if we’re in over our heads in the fake relationship department. My sister knows me better than anyone. If anyone could guess this is a charade, it would be her. Part of me just wants to confess, but I also know too much is on the line.

“I don’t know if I can do it, Vale. What if we fail?”

Vale shakes his head. “We won’t fail. It’s not an option as long as we make rule three the most important.”

“And that is?”

“Make it believable. Whatever it takes.”

I feel like I just swallowed a balloon. Rule three ups the risks a million degrees. But if Vale wants me to act like his wife, then I’ll need to.Whatever it takes.

“Okay, but what does that mean exactly?” I ask, nervously.

“Well, there’s a fourth rule that keeps rule three in check so we don’t go too far.”

Something prickles down my spine as Vale hesitates.

“Rule four should be no sex.” His eyes cut to mine before they flick away. “Just so we don’t get confused.”

I nod, while my face feels like it’s been shoved into a toaster. Of course Vale is referring to me. He knows I’ll get emotionally attached if we go that far. “Agreed,” I say, trying to pretend it’s nota big deal. “Once we tell everyone we’re married, there’s no turning back,” I add, more to myself than Vale.

Until now, our decision to marry felt like a Vegas dream, something we could shake off once we left.

“Sorry to break the news, Sloan, but you’re already married. That ship has sailed. Now we just need to decide how to tell everyone.” I see it in Vale’s eyes—he’s trying to protect me from messing up by establishing ground rules. “But we don’t have to decide anything else now. I think we should celebrate at some over-the-top restaurant.”

---