The Wedding Trap (Second Service #1)(7)
Author: Adrienne Bell

"What?"

"Don’t think. Just do it." He pulled her closer.

Beth crushed against him. He was so close. He tilted his head down toward her.

She shouldn’t be doing this. Wasn’t she just trying to figure out how in the world she was going to get away from this crazy man? But she could do that in a minute. Right now, she had to save face. And if the only way to do that was to kiss the ridiculously hot man in front of her, well then, that was her cross to bear.

Beth had to stand on tiptoes to reach him. She pressed her lips lightly to his. Just a peck wouldn’t hurt.

His arms wrapped around her back. Her br**sts crushed against his hard chest. He deepened the kiss. She didn’t pull away.

Beth draped her arms around his neck. Just for show. As long as she was going to do this, she might as well do it right.

He tilted his head, and his lips slid against hers. Beth’s heart began to hammer. Dear God, she was actually kissing him. Her grasp around his neck tightened. Now she was the one that was pulling him closer.

She opened her mouth and drew his bottom lip inside. She felt his body tighten, certain parts more than others.

She was vaguely aware of a soft chime sounding, and then he was walking her backwards. The lighting changed behind her closed eyes. And then the kiss stopped.

He slowly pulled his mouth from hers, but his arms stayed wrapped around her.

Beth opened her eyes.

They were in the elevator. The doors were closed.

She snatched her arms from around his neck and pulled away. She didn’t stop moving until she was in the corner furthest from him.

"That ought to do it," he said with a languid smile. He leaned over and pressed the button for the second floor.

Beth’s mouth hung open. For a second, words flew from her head. All she could do was stand and stare at him. At least she had the presence of mind to fold her arms over her chest. Maybe her body language could convey how upset she was, since her brain was stubbornly refusing to do its job.

She drew in a deep breath. And then another. Finally, she trusted herself enough to speak.

"What the hell was that about?"

"Not everybody believed you and I were a real couple."

"Not that."

He smiled, a wolfish grin that made her blood boil even as it drained some of the strength from her legs. “Then what?”

"I told you I only needed you for five minutes. You were supposed to follow my lead, and then leave."

He shrugged. "I decided that you needed more than that."

"You decided? What in the world makes you think you get to decide what I need?" She was really angry now. She must have been feeling a little better if she’d managed to muster that up. But Beth didn’t get the satisfaction of seeing his reaction to it. The elevator doors opened, and he stepped out into the hall. She rushed after him.

“I didn’t have much of choice. Imagine how awkward things would be when your friends and family kept seeing me hanging out in the lobby when I was supposed to be in LA.”

Beth reached out and grasped his arm. He stopped mid-stride.

“What the hell are you talking about?” she asked.

“I have plans at this hotel this weekend too.”

“That’s ridiculous. Plans to do what?” she asked before she could think better. She let go of him and waved her arms in front of her. If only she could wipe him away so easily. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. What ever it is, it can’t be good. I don’t want any part of it.”

“Smart move.”

She started down the hall. She didn’t look behind her as she pulled the card key from her purse. She pushed the door open. If she had any kind of courage, she’d slam it closed and leave him out there. But she couldn’t. Until they had some kind of agreement—one with very clear terms this time—she would worry about what he would do.

Would he go downstairs and tell every one that she had asked him to play the part of her boyfriend? Or worse, would he go down there without her and continue to pretend to be Charlie? Either idea made her stomach clench into a tight knot.

She didn’t relish the idea of being alone with him, but it was better than having this conversation out in the hall where anyone could overhear them.

She would just have to keep the discussion as brief as possible.

Beth let go of the door as soon as he stepped into the room. She stayed by the door, while he walked to the window, pulled back the gossamer thin drape, and glanced briefly outside. A second later, he let it drop. He obviously wasn’t impressed with her parking lot view. Well, she couldn’t afford the luxury suite that Isobel had reserved.

"You’re going to have to change your plans," she said.

"Sorry. I can’t do that."

He sat down in the high-backed upholstered chair. Beth didn’t like the idea of him getting too comfortable in her room. But, on the other hand, since she couldn’t exactly run over and stop him, she was glad he at least chose the chair. Maybe she was still feeling the effects of that kiss, but the thought of him lounging across her bed was far more distracting.

She crossed her arms. "Of course, you can. I’m sure that what you have planned for the Kensington this weekend will go down just as well at the St. Francis across the bay."

He shook his head. "I like it here better."

"Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I’m not asking. You are going to leave."

"Or what?" he asked, leaning forward.

Frustration bubbled up inside of her. She wanted to storm over and smack his face. Throw things at his head. Anything to force him to listen to reason. But the protective part of her brain held her back.

He might look calm and relaxed sitting in that chair, but there was something undeniably threatening about him. She should have recognized it earlier. Maybe she’d been too pulled in by his gorgeous face to see it, but now that she was alone in a small space with him, she could see that he practically thrummed with danger.

"Or…I’ll go down there and tell them what you really are."

He smiled and leaned back in the chair. The ease was back so quickly it made Beth wonder if she’d only imagined the menacing gleam in his eyes.

"Go ahead," he said.

"I’ll do it." Her voice shook a little.

"No, you won’t. You’re too invested in this lie that you’ve told," he said. "And even if you somehow decide to face their scorn and laughter, chances are they wouldn’t believe you. Why would they? Everything else you’ve told them has been a lie."

Beth opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She could barely get breath past the lump blocking her throat. Her legs turned to rubber beneath her. She barely made the two steps to the bed. The edge of the mattress bowed beneath her weight.