Page 37 of For the Promise

Jaxon kisses my forehead. “Funny. She never mentioned changing her name as a problem to me.”

He’s good. Who knew Jaxon, the nerd, would excel at being a fake husband? I wonder if he’d excel at being a real one.

Whoa. Where did that thought come from?

Concentrate on the present, Blossom. You’ve got enough issues without adding pining for your fake husband to the list.

Alan nods to my left hand. “But she wouldn’t wear your ring either.”

Jaxon sighs. “My petal doesn’t like to wear rings.” He frowns at my bare finger. “But I won’t stop trying until she’s wearing my ring.”

I nearly shiver at the conviction in his voice. I might need to wear a chastity belt this weekend because there is no way I’m not jumping Jaxon if he continues this possessive gentleman routine.

“Maybe you haven’t figured out the best way to persuade me yet,” I tease.

Jaxon’s eyes flare and butterflies erupt in my stomach. I am playing with fire here and I don’t care. Let the flames burn me down. It’ll be worth it to taste Jaxon again.

“A dare,” he grumbles. “You know how much I enjoy a dare.”

Alan clears his throat but I ignore him. I’m too busy being ensnared by ocean blue eyes to care about my ex. He tries again – this time much louder – and the moment is ruined.

“I’ll see you two later. I need to speak to the owner, Hudson Clark.” Alan smirks as he drops the name. Am I supposed to be impressed?

He starts toward Hudson but the former NFL player is already heading in our direction. Alan holds out his hand in greeting but Hudson passes him by and stops in front of us.

“Jaxon. I heard you were staying here this weekend.”

They clap hands.

“Have you met my wife?” Jaxon asks.

Hudson’s eyes light with amusement. Does he know the truth?

“Blossom, right? You work at the brewery.”

Alan snorts from where he’s lurking behind Hudson. “The brewery.”

“The brewery where my wife also works,” Hudson says in a loud voice.

Alan cringes at the rebuttal but it doesn’t stop him for long. “Excuse me, Hudson. I have some questions about this weekend’s activities.”

“Terri will be happy to help you,” Hudson says without bothering to look at him.

I bite my tongue before I burst into laughter at Alan’s sour face. His nostrils flare as he glares at Hudson’s back. He waits a few beats before finally stomping off.

“Is he gone?” Hudson whispers.

I erupt in laughter. “His face when you ignored him. I will love you forever for how you treated him.”

Jaxon growls and I pet his chest to calm him without thinking.

Hudson’s gaze flicks to my hand and I drop it. Oops. No touching the fake husband when not strictly necessary. Although, I’m the one who decides what’s ‘strictly necessary’.

“This is going to be fun,” Hudson says before stalking off.

Jaxon drops his arm from around me. I immediately miss his touch. But then he catches my hand.

“Let’s go find our chalet and get settled, Petal.”

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