Page 43 of Fake Married to the Grumps

I struggle to hold back my anger, clenching my right fist tightly at my side to keep myself from bashing his nose with it.

Joe’s reasons are clearer to me now. I often wondered why he would betray me.But his need to feel superior drove him into thinking I treated him as beneath me.

The man standing in front of me is nothing like the confidant I considered my friend all those years ago.

Holding back my anger, I exit the conference room without a word to him. Nelly’s waiting in my office when I get there.

“You alright?” She walks over and touches my arm as worry forms in her delicate features. “Did something happen with you and Joe after I left?”

“No, I’m fine,” I lie, shaking my head and forcing a smile to dispel any doubts. Nelly’s hand still rests on my arm, and I glance down at the curl of her lean fingers over my biceps.

“We should celebrate tonight,” I whisper. “Just you and me. We’ll do anything you like.”

A slow smile spreads across her features, and I can’t hold back at that moment. I reach out to brush the strands of her hair framing the left side of her face.

My finger strokes her skin, and she sighs, her lips parting and drawing my attention to their moist folds. The velvety red shade of her lipstick suits her skin and blends with the rest of her outfit.

She’s irresistible.

My mind spirals out of control as I inch towards her, wanting to renew her taste in my memory. I want to hear her sigh, indulge in the moistness of her lips, and slide my tongue into her hot mouth.

“Ethan,” she murmurs breathlessly. Her soft sound only makes me tremble inside. The kiss happens slowly—our lips meet, cling, and part for an adventure that makes me bond with her.

We slowly pull away after a minute, but neither of us moves as we stare at each other. Her harsh breaths are little puffs expelled on my face. They tantalize my nostrils until I’m lost.

“Tonight,” I manage, knowing I need to pull away from her now.

“It’s a date,” she replies. Her eyes widen like she realizes what she’s said, then she shakes her head, “I mean … It’s not a date, date, but …”

“It’s a date, Nelly,” I counter, staring deep into her eyes. “Just you and me. That’s a date.” A smile lights up her features before I pull away from her.

“See you tonight,” she whispers, then slips out of my office.

I sink onto my chair with a deep sigh, then bury my face in my hands. I’m falling for Nelly and it’s about to get more complicated.

Because I don’t think I can handle being in love with anyone else and being vulnerable like that ever again.

***

Nelly is already dressed when I return to the house. I had dropped by my penthouse in Hollywood’s Boulevard to spend some time alone nursing and debating what to do about my feelings. I think about Nelly way too much and it’s unnerving.

My heart skips a beat when Nelly walks into the living room. The elegant black dress she has on hugs her petite frame the right way. Soft pearls run down its full length, adding a touch of glamor, and as she moves, the gown swirls around her like a graceful waltz.

“You look …” My throat tightens, and the lump there makes it impossible for me to speak without sounding hoarse. “… breathtaking.”

“Thank you,” Nelly answers, then draws another inch closer to me. “You look amazing yourself. Love the shirt.”

She sweeps a hand down my chest and beams at me.

“I got you something.” Nelly steps back so I reach into my suit’s inner pocket and take out the polished wooden jewelry box. Nelly opens it and gasps.

“Ethan,” she says breathlessly while staring at the silver necklace. It took three hours of scouting to figure out what I could get her, and her expression proves that she loves it, just as I anticipated.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“Let me help you.” She holds her hair aside, and I clasp the necklace around her neck. She fingers the pendant a bit before turning to face me again.

“I love it”

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