Page 31 of Fake Wife

“Don’t what? Apologize? Beg? Grovel. Let me explain. We can work through this, Teagan. I’ve missed you.”

His hand drifts up my arm, skating and teasing over my flesh, and settles on my hip.

A lump lodges in my throat, my vision goes hazy.

I’ve had two lovers in my life: a fumbling incident at a high school party after drinking too much and craving the need to get rid of my V-card, and then nothing until I met this man in front of me.

He’s taught me everything, patiently and tenderly most of the time. Rough and impatient, fueled with lust and desperate need at other times.

I can’t stop my reaction to him, and despite the pain, despite everything I know he’s saying is a lie, my body still reacts.

I blame Corbin and his stupid kisses and excellent cologne and sexy confidence.

It’s that reminder that snaps me back.

I can’t do this.

I can’t ever be with Drake again. Not because he’s a lying, cheating scumbag, but because I’ve made new promises. Ones that won’t hurt my heart.

“Step back,” I say, pushing against him to put space between us.

“Say you’ll let me explain.”

I open my mouth to speak when another voice slashes through the air.

“I’m going to have to ask you to get your hands off my girl.”

Corbin. I squeeze my eyes closed.

I recognize the voice, the coolness and the distance and the blankness of it all. Shit. I’ve driven him back to prickish and cold asshole and I have no one to blame but myself.

I push Drake again and he’s entirely unaffected.

“Your girl?” he asks, tugging on his cuff links beneath his tuxedo. When did he have time to buy that? Or is it rented? He’s never once owned a tuxedo in his life. “Funny. I’m pretty certain she’s mine.”

Corbin flinches and holds out his hand to me. I take it without hesitation and let him pull me to his side. “That true?”

His gaze slices to me, and beneath his anger, other emotions are swirling in his eyes, but the most obvious is doubt.

“No,” I whisper, more for his ears than for Drake’s. “You know I’m not.”

“That’s right, baby.” He drops his head. I fight not to flinch at the cheap endearment, the coolness in his voice. He’s playing a role. Damn. He’s good at it, too. “How about we get out of here.”

Drake scoffs. Cool and evil. I’ve never seen this side of him. “Come on, Teagan. This guy will throw you away as soon as you spread your legs for him. Seven years together, you can at least let me explain.”

“She walked in and saw your dick in someone else’s pussy. Pretty sure that’s all the explanation she needs.” The memory hits me again, making my stomach churn. “Now she’s found someone else. Get over it.”

“There you are.” All of us twist toward the female voice, and as soon as I see that mess of blond hair bouncing on her shoulders, my veins turn to ice.

I must make a sound, something like vomit pooling in my throat. Corbin reacts, pulling me closer to him. His arm is warm at my back, his hand just at the top of my ass, but even his heat and his scent cannot distract me from the woman who’s grinning at Drake and walking directly to him.

“Where have you been? Daddy’s been looking for you, sweetie.”

Daddy? Sweetie?

I look to the floor. If I puke, I want to avoid my pretty new shoes.

“Of course,” Corbin says, that cold laugh forcing me to look at him. “Missy. How is your father?” His fingertips dig into my skin, hot points at my lower back that feel like darts he’s about ready to throw. “The head of cardiac surgery.” He quiets his voice and I blink.

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