Page 48 of Stick Work

My fingers fly across the screen, for a deeper investigation. It doesn’t take long to figure out who she is…a professional mortgage broker.

That’s when my stomach tightens and I know exactly why. I’m jealous.

Totally freaking jealous.

And not just jealous. I’m distraught.

She looks perfect, polished, confident. Someone who could step seamlessly into his life. She’s even around his age. My throat tightens, a wild thought in my head. What if this whole charade, this stupid ruse to fool his family is keeping him from finding someone real? Someone who could actually be his future bride. Like the woman he has his arm around.

The mortgage broker.

The room spins, like I’ve just been slapped across the face—with a hockey stick. But the worst part of this. I don’t want that woman anywhere near him. As a matter of fact, I want to push her off him and claim him as my own.

But that’s ridiculous. Absolutely ludicrous.

Because one, this thing between us is about sex and pretending, nothing more.

And two, I’m young. I’ve spent too much of my life under my brother’s thumb, and I’ve got a future to chase. A life to live, trips to take, wings to spread.

That’s all I’ve ever wanted. It’s all I still want.

Right?

14

Elias

I park my car outside my new place and practically run inside. No, it’s not because my new sofa has been delivered. It’s because I can’t wait to sprawl out on it with Taylor, or better yet, bend her over it. Honestly, I just can’t wait to see her, hold her, touch her and find out how her day has been.

Okay, sure, sex would be nice too.

It’s only noon, so her day hasn’t really begun, but we have plans for shopping and dinner later and I am so looking forward to spending time with her. We video chatted every night and while that was awesome, it’s not the same.

I hurry inside, and drop my bag. “Taylor?” I call out, and she comes running down the stairs, like she’s excited to see me, too. I pick her up and her legs go around me. Unable to help myself, I press my lips to hers, carrying her straight into the living room and set her on the sofa. I drop to my knees, and spread hers so I can get closer. Breaking the kiss, I inch back and even though there’s excitement in her eyes, there’s something else there. Something that looks like worry.

“Hey?” I ask, and cup her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

She opens her mouth, hesitates, and says, “I’m just worried about my exams.”

“T, come on. Are you forgetting who you’re talking to?” I put my hands on her thighs and she glances at the long L on the sofa, sex clearly on her mind. “Not right now,” I tell her.

She shakes her head, puts her hands on my shoulders, and plasters on a happy face. “You just got home. It’s time to unwind and relax.”

“I can’t unwind and relax if you have something on your mind.”

She nibbles her lip. “I don’t want to bring the mood down. I’m really happy to see you, Elias. I…missed you.”

“I missed you too, babe. But whatever you have on your mind is important, so spill.”

She briefly closes her eyes and when she opens them there’s a new kind of determination there. “I’m not sure we should continue with this charade.”

Okay, she might as well have kicked me in the teeth.

“If that’s what you really want, I’ll respect that.” As soon as those words leave my mouth, my heart pounds so hard against my ribcage I’m sure it’s going to leave bruises. “Did something happen when I was away?”

“I saw that woman you were with, and?—”

“I wasn’t with any woman,” I quickly correct her. “The whole time I was away I was playing hockey, or video chatting with you.”

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