Hired Love

"The hell I am."

Who did she think he was? An errand boy?

"The hell you are." She fired back, firmly placing a hand on her waist and she stood daringly.

"There is no way I'm sleeping on the floor. If you have a problem with that, I suggest you take it." Roman crossed his hands across his chest. After the award-winning performance he'd put on downstairs, he'd expected more than a little show of appreciation. The woman was infuriating. God, if it wasn't for Grace....

"What do you think is going to happen on this trip? We'd act the perfect couple and then things will go your way and I'll sleep with you as payment?" Her chin was raised ridiculously high, and it infuriated him even further.

"I don't have to do this." He stalked closer to her, making a fist to keep his hands from reaching out and shaking some sense into her. "You're not that important. If I wanted to sleep with you, I wouldn't go through all this trouble!" Her eyes widened for a moment, and he immediately regretted what he'd said. He hadn't meant it like that, hadn't meant to say that. He didn't get angry easily, but the woman knew how to push his buttons.

In the car, she'd asked him not to let her down. The words had tugged at his heartstrings and left him speechless. He just knew he wanted to keep that promise, anyway that he could. She didn't seem like a bad person. He'd been looking forward to meeting her sister and he still didn't know what to make of it. He didn't have siblings himself, but he was sure they weren't supposed to sleep with their sister's boyfriend. Roman knew it hadn't been long it happened and that the wound was still fresh. He'd admit this all seemed like a game to him to it was serious to her and he wasn't there yet, but he was willing to try.

"I'm sorry." He said. "I didn't mean to say that."

She swallowed, turning away from him. Roman was penitent at the forlorn look on her face before she turned away. She walked to the wardrobe with her bag, and he watched as she began to unfold her clothes.

"Listen, uh.. I know you don't have to do this, and you don't have to take it seriously either but my mom," Her throat worked again. "My mom is sick, and I need to see this through for her sake so just...try please."

Fuck this shit, he thought. He took long strides until he reached her, threw the dress she held in her hand on the bed and grabbed both her arms. Her eyes were watering, and he cursed again. "For the rest of this week, you're my wife to-be and the apparent love of my life. We're going to make sure your mom stays happy, and your sister pained, alright?"

She looked up at him with big, blue eyes, watching, searching. Roman let her. There was nothing else he could do but let her choose to trust him. Green to blue, blue to green. After what seemed like forever, she finally breathed, and he felt her relax against his hands.

"Thank you." She said, flashing him a smile.

This time it was his own breath that hitched. She had such a beautiful smile. Why had he never met her before? He released his grip on her arms, lifting a finger to stroke her cheek. It was soft beneath his touch, like the feel of silk brushing against skin. "You're beautiful, do you know that? Your ex-boyfriend was a fool."

She huffed, her eyes fluttering close for a second and then reopening. "He's here."

Her lashes were long and light as a feather. "Who?"

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Matt, my ex."

His finger stilled. "The one with Claire?"

She nodded.

Roman was surprised. Talk about guts. The man had no shame at all.

The finger moved again. "First of all, I'm going to need a proper introduction, names and all. Secondly, why did you date such an idiot?"

He saw her lips stretch into a small smile. "They've been best friends since I was old enough to remember. He's practically family. I've liked him since forever. It just felt right."

That made sense at least. Roman couldn't stop staring at her lips. It was pink and plumb and all shades of inviting. He imagined them wrapped around his girth, nice and warm. Blood rushed to his manhood. That Matt guy had chosen the wrong sister. There was nothing remotely enticing about Claire. Sure, she was beautiful and attractive and Roman thought he probably would've fucked her if he hadn't met her sister first. But he had and now he couldn't stop thinking of kissing Stacy.

"Well, he's a moron." He murmured, angling his head closer to her face. What did she taste like, he wanted to know.

"Are you talking as my fiancé or as Roman?"

He wasn't sure anymore. "Tell me something, how can I be your fiancé when I haven't even kissed you before?"

"What?" Her eyes were wide.

"Hm. I think we should remedy that."

His hand travelled to the back of her neck, grabbing the skin. Roman inched closer to her face, anticipating the rich flavor of her mouth. Oh, how he longed to-

A knock at the door interrupted them. Stacy all but flew past him. He chuckled, swiping a finger through his lower lips. He hadn't expected to feel so good about wanting to kiss someone. "Matt?"

He heard the surprise in Stacy's voice, felt the panic. He didn't have to think about it; his legs picked a pace to the door.

"Baby?" He murmured, keeping his eyes on the man facing them as he wrapped a hand around her waist possessively. "Who's this?"