Chapter Sixteen #2
A devilish spark glimmered in his eyes. “I knew you were checking me out after my shower.”
“I’m not talking about that.” She motioned to his face and body, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest as she cataloged his deliciousness in a gray T-shirt and his leather cut, low-slung jeans, and those biker boots that gave him an edge.
“You give off this energy. People can’t help but be drawn to you.
Practically every woman we’ve walked past has checked you out.
” Oh God. Did I really say that last part out loud?
“A ring could help stop that.”
She shook her head, wondering why he wanted a ring so badly.
“Guess you’re not the jealous type, huh?” he coaxed.
“It’s a fake relationship, Zan. What do you want me to say?”
His brows knitted. “Aren’t you a little proud to be marrying me? I mean, I’m a pretty great guy.”
“You’re an amazing guy, but it’s hard to be proud when I feel like I’m taking advantage of you,” she said quietly. “You’re doing everything to help me, and I’m reaping all the benefits.”
“That’s not true. You’ve made it clear that there will be no taking advantage, so you’re not reaping all the benefits.”
She laughed. “I’m serious.”
“I’m just pointing out the obvious. I, on the other hand, have a fun new roommate who’s easy on the eyes, snarky enough to keep me from getting bored, and isn’t afraid to break a fingernail helping me fix up my cottage. I’d say I’m reaping some kick-ass benefits, too.”
“Do you spin everything positively?”
“Fuck yeah. Life is too short to live in the muck, and I can tell you right now, I will not stand for guys hitting on you while you’re wearing that ring. I take this role very seriously, and now that you’re my fiancée, every other guy on this planet is out of luck.”
Fake or not, it felt good to be looked after.
The next thought hit like an aha moment.
If it felt good to hear him say that, then didn’t he deserve to feel that way, too?
She was about to say as much, when a thought gave her pause, and she had to ask, “Why would you want to stop women from hitting on you?”
“Because I’m just going to turn them down.”
“But this isn’t real. You don’t have to do that.”
“You keep saying that, but a vow is a vow, and I told you I live by a code. I’d never disrespect you by being with someone else when people think we’re married.”
As she tried to process his commitment, he said, “You’re putting way too much thought into this. Let’s pick out our rings.” He slung an arm over her shoulder and headed into the jewelry store, speaking low as he walked up to the counter. “Time to test your acting skills, gorgeous.”
The tall brunette behind the display smiled as they approached. “Hi. Are you looking for something special today?”
“As a matter of fact, we are.” Zander held Shauna a little tighter and said, “My fiancée and I are shopping for wedding rings.”
“How exciting,” the brunette exclaimed. “When is the big day?”
“Friday,” Zander answered.
“Oh,” the woman said with surprise. “Nothing like waiting till the last minute, but don’t worry. That’s not a problem. We have a large stock of wedding bands.”
“I had planned on a long engagement,” Zander said, eyeing Shauna mischievously. “But when I got down on one knee this morning, I couldn’t wait to call this sweet darlin’ my wife.”
Shauna’s cheeks burned. Why was he laying it on so thick?
“Love is like that,” the woman said. “It’s been known to upend all sorts of plans. How long have you been together?”
“It seems like forever, doesn’t it, Angel?” Zander said without missing a beat, and then he kissed her temple.
The kiss took her by surprise, and it wasn’t a quick peck.
It was a warm, intimate press of his lips that lasted so long, she found herself leaning closer.
She had to put her hand on his chest to steady herself, imagining how good those soft, warm lips would feel on hers.
When he finally drew back, her skin tingled.
He smirked victoriously, jerking her from her reverie.
Shitshitshit. What was she doing? She should not be thinking about how good that felt when the saleswoman was looking at her expectantly.
Zander’s eyes danced with amusement.
Her competitive side reared its head. He wasn’t the only one who was going to ace his role.
Remembering what Zander said about it seeming like they’d been together forever, Shauna said, “It sure does. I barely remember the night we first met. It seems like a lifetime ago. Then he crashed into my life again, and sparks flew—”
“More like flames, darlin’.” Zander glanced at the saleswoman and said, “Marriage wasn’t even on her bucket list, but she couldn’t resist me.”
We’re going there, are we? Shauna slipped her arm around his waist and gazed up at him, letting the attraction she’d worked hard to tamp down show through. “How could I, when you swooped in like a knight in leather armor and knocked me off my feet?”
“You did spill your coffee,” he reminded her.
She smiled, remembering how shocked she’d been seeing him standing there. That felt like a lifetime ago, too. “Yes, I did, and then you showed up everywhere I was, like a sexy stalker, and suddenly everything in my life made sense.”
Zander’s eye warmed. “Mine too, darlin’.” The way he said it made her want to believe him as he pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head.
“Now, that’s a love story,” the saleswoman said with awe.
As Shauna stepped out of Zander’s embrace, he said, “It’s one for the record books. The sooner that ring is on her finger, the better.” He tossed Shauna a gratified wink, as if to say, We did it, Flores.
And the Oscar goes to Zander Wicked, for getting me swept up in the idea of marrying him after all.