When Jennifer moaned against my lips, my hips pressed into her, pleading for more. She pressed her hands against my chest as her nails gently dug into my skin. Goosebumps appeared across my body, my desire growing. Jennifer pushed me away. Our lips broke apart as I caught my breath, not wanting to let her go. She shook her head, running her fingers through her hair before looking up at me.
“That was a bad idea,” she stammered. “This is a bad idea. The whole thing was just bad.”
“Wow, well, I’m sorry I was such a disappointment then,” I said.
“No, not like that! You were wonderful! You still are wonderful. That whole thing was just amazing, but for us? It’s a terrible idea.”
“Why?” I asked. “I don’t get it. There is something between us. I know you can feel it too. Why are you trying so hard to deny it?”
“Because we are stuck together for the next six months. Think about that, Henry. Six months of living and pretending like we are a happily married couple.”
“Who says we have to pretend? Maybe we can just enjoy the time and call it what it is.” I countered.
“And what happens if things go south two weeks in? We are still stuck living together, and things just got ten times worse. I’m not going to make myself miserable just so I can scratch an itch.”
I wanted to argue with her, but I could see her side. It was a good argument, but that didn’t stop me from being disappointed. She sighed and moved over to me, tossing her arms around my neck and pulling me into an embrace. We stood there in the hallway as I held her for a moment. It didn’t help my desire for her any, but it stirred a new set of emotions. I loved it when she was in my arms though this was the first time it was while we were alone. Usually, we were only close in public.
“I don’t want to mess this up, okay? I’ve got too much riding on it. I’m sorry, but there isn’t ever going to be anything physical between us. We shouldn’t have kissed even.”
“Well, we will have to agree to disagree on that. I don’t regret kissing you one bit, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
“Henry –
“But since that isn’t what you want, I won't do it ever again. Will that make you happy?” I asked.
“No,” Jennifer whispered. “I don’t know. This is just a lot to handle right now. I just want to get through tomorrow without getting caught, okay?”
“Fine,” I said. “I will keep it all business. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Cant, we just go back to ten minutes ago before all of this?” She asked.
“Sure,” I said. “Goodnight.”
Without another word, I left her in the hallway and went into my room. I was worked up and upset over the whole situation. One second she was hot, and the next, she was cold. I couldn’t keep her feelings straight to save my life. I’d only been pacing for a few minutes when Jennifer knocked on my door. Without waiting, I jerked it open and found her glaring at me.
“We weren’t done with that conversation.” She hissed. “You don’t just get to walk away and decide we are done.”
“Oh, really? Pretty sure that’s what I just did. You said you weren’t interested. So I backed off. I don’t see what the problem is here.”
“I don’t want there to be this tension between us. See, this is exactly what I knew was going to happen, and that was just a kiss!”
“Maybe the tension is here because you are trying to pretend like there is nothing here at all when we both know there is. Have you ever thought about that?”
“You are the most complicated, infuriating man on the planet.” Jennifer snapped.
“You aren’t exactly a walk in the park either, sweetheart.”
“All I wanted was to be able to get through the next six months without either of us getting hurt. Why is that so hard for you to understand?”
“Just because we are attracted to each other doesn’t mean we have to get attached. Maybe it’s just sexual. Did you think about that?” I asked. “When was the last time you had a good roll in the hay?”
Her cheeks flushed as her mouth snapped shut.
“That’s none of your business.”
I grinned at her. “Oh, I don’t know about that. After all, I’m going to be your husband tomorrow. I want to make sure that your every need is being met.”
“I’m quite capable of meeting my own needs in that department.”
“Well, if you ever want a helping hand, be sure to let me know,” I said. “Now, if there is nothing else, I’d really like to get some sleep. I know you’re excited about tomorrow, but really, we should be getting to bed.”
Jennifer glared at me. “You’re a real dick sometimes, do you know that?”
“You’ll learn to love it, I promise.”
“I doubt that,” she snapped back. “Let’s get one thing clear, I’m not some ditzy woman you can charm into bed.”
“Oh, I know, you’re too smart for that. I’ll have to woo you the old fashioned way.”
“Good luck,” Jennifer said.
“I don’t need luck,” I gave her a wink. “I’m Henry Smith.”
While she was still standing in my doorway, slightly dumbfounded, I closed the door after giving her a playful wink. For a few seconds, I waited to see if she’d burst in again. Next time I wouldn’t be able to hold back, and I’d kiss her a second time. Jennifer was playing a dangerous game with both of our hearts. How she could say that we didn’t have anything between us was beyond me. It was so thick I could cut the sexual tension with a butter knife, but none of that mattered unless she wanted it as well.
After I was sure she wouldn’t be coming back, I slowly stripped down and climbed into my empty bed. Tomorrow was going to be an important day. Not because I was getting married but because Callus would be there, and finally, he’d see that I was the right fit for his property. All I had to do was keep Jennifer far away from Scott.
10
Jennifer
“Can you believe how many people showed up?” I whispered.
“Well, we did send out invitations to half the county. Granted, I didn’t think quite so many would have nothing better to do on two-weeks notice, but hey, I guess the more, the merrier.”
“You know I’ve seen some of these people in the local papers and even online, but this is crazy. There were photographers outside! Like reporters!”
Henry laughed and pulled me closer as we spun around the dance floor. To the crowd of people watching us, it was a tender moment between newlyweds. Smiling faces turned into a blur as Henry spun me around. I’d expected the day to be draining, but I was downright exhausted. The constant supply of champagne that Gwen fed me didn’t help any either. I couldn’t count how many people I’d met, none of whom I’d remember.
“Have I told you tonight that you look stunning?” Henry asked.
Heat jumped to my cheeks as I shook my head. He grinned at me, and I nearly lost my composure. The night before had rocked me. There was something more substantial than just friendship between us. As the song started to fade out, others joined us on the dance floor. From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Callus and his son. Henry had pointed them out to me earlier, but we had yet to speak with them. My mind was still sharp but fading with the alcohol.