Curvy Fake Wife for the Player

20. Sasha

Chapter 20

Sasha

T his cannot continue. How many nights was this man, this frustrating beautiful man, going to invade my dreams? It was unfair really, the way he’d kissed me after he’d been so wishy-washy on what was so far our first—and only—date. How could a man be so unsure of his feelings yet kiss like I meant everything to him? It was magic or maybe sorcery, it was some sort of supernatural bullshit.

Instead of lying in bed while my mind played and replayed that kiss, heating up the blood as it pumped through my veins and dampening my panties, I sat up abruptly and jumped out of bed. I couldn’t start another day with Alex on my mind, even if he was my husband-to-be. No, I dressed quickly and check on Dixie, who was thankfully awake and ready to start the day. “You’re a lifesaver, pretty girl.”

At the sound of my voice Dixie smiled, a sight that never failed to make my chest squeeze just a little. She was a sweet baby in need of love and I was happy to lavish her with it.

“At least you’re happy to see me.” Unlike her father who had spent most of the past week avoiding me. If I walked into a room, he left that room. He made sure not to touch me when he took over to spend time with Dixie. And most of all, we hadn’t been on a second date. We hadn’t had any more heart-pounding kisses.

The thing was, I missed Alex. Sure he was arrogant and too charming by half, and he knew his worth as a man, but he was also funny and kind. He smelled like a man should and yeah okay, maybe I also missed the way his body felt under my hands. Hard and sculpted, rippling and so hot that my hands tingled just thinking about touching him.

“Damn,” I whispered under my breath and forbid myself from having any more Alex related thoughts until the sun set hours from now.

So far so good. I hadn’t thought of him once while I dressed Dixie for the day, or when I ventured outside of her room and into the kitchen. Twenty minutes and then forty-five minutes passed and I hadn’t thought of him once.

And then there he was, appearing out of nowhere in a pair of shorts that hung low—mouthwateringly low—on his hips, and no shirt because the man had an aversion to wearing too many clothes. “Good morning, ladies.” He flashed a toothy grin and I turned away, kept my focus on feeding Dixie.

Henrietta turned and gave him a long, assessing look before she frowned at him. “Something wrong with your shirts?”

“It’s summer,” he reminded her as if that was a full answer or an answer period.

Henrietta pointed her wooden spoon at him and then the vents hidden on the walls. “There’s air conditioning in here.”

I laughed and continued feeding Dixie who was having a full blown baby conversation on her own.

Alex crossed the kitchen and stopped in front of me, his gaze focused on me while I staunchly avoided his gaze. He plucked Dixie from the high chair. “Mornin’ sweet girl.” My heart kicked up at the sight of father and daughter smiling at each other with adoration. He smacked a loud kiss to her cheek that made her face split with a sweet smile. “What do you think about hanging out with your Dad today?”

No, no, no. Going to the park would involve me and it was likely also involve the press and I wasn’t in the mood. “Don’t you have practice?” I stood purposefully and offered Dixie another spoonful of roasted summer squash.

“Nope. Some kind of management meeting so we have a free day and I was thinking we could go to the park together. All three of us.” His green eyes were so full of hope that I wanted to say yes immediately, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

Instantly my gaze was wary as it darted all around the kitchen, everywhere but at Alex and his hopeful expression. I had no good reason to say no and since the contract had already been sighed, I couldn’t technically say no. Instead I thought about a few tips to help me keep my emotional distance from a man like Alex. He was entirely too potent, took up to much space in every room he was in, and most of all, he was irresistible. There was no other answer I could give so I shrugged inwardly and agreed. “Yeah, sure. We can go to the park. It’ll be fun for Dixie.” My smile felt phony which was good because it was, things were too awkward now and I didn’t like it, knew I couldn’t deal with two years of that problem.

“Great. We can leave in an hour if that works for you?”

I nodded and finished feeding Dixie, knowing I had one hour of peace before I had to touch Alex, accept his affection and return it. All for show.

I had sixty minutes to get my head screwed on straight and ready to pretend for the cameras.

Only for the cameras.

Seventy-five minutes later Alex and I strolled through the park with our hands clasped, Dixie strapped to his chest as she smiled and babbled at everything in sight. Her eyes lit with excitement at the colors of the flowers, the dogs and kids. The sounds.

His hand squeezed mine and I looked up into those eyes, sparkling with joy. “You think she’s enjoying herself?”

I smiled softly at the concern in his question and nodded. “Hang on.” I held a hand up to stop him and rushed forward with my phone in my hand, snapping a few photos. “Okay, now walk.”

His brows knitted together at the command but a moment later he started walking again and Dixie’s face lit up even more. I let the video record for a few seconds and tapped the stop button. “What was that?”

I shrugged. “I wanted to put your mind at ease.” I returned to Alex’s side and showed him the photos and then the video. My goodness he was as gorgeous as they made men and when a soft smile touched his lips, my attraction only intensified.

“She’s smiling!”

“She likes being out here in the world, seeing the sights and sounds, don’t ya, Dix?”

“Thanks,” he mumbled. The moment was ruined by the sound of cameras clicking but Alex’s smile only brightened as he leaned forward and pressed a too hot and too damn short kiss against my lips.

“You’re welcome,” I whispered, my voice low and breathy.

“Wipe that look off your face or I won’t be responsible for what happens next,” he growled, his gaze dark with desire.

I blinked and shook my head. “What are you talking about? What look?”

Alex leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “That look that says you want me to devour you whole. I will, Sasha. Just say the word.”

The word. What word would that be? Yes, please, have your wicked way with me? I wanted that, so bad I could taste it, but I couldn’t. Not with this man and not now. “We, uh, shouldn’t complicate things Alex.”

He tossed his head back and laughed. “Things are already pretty damn complicated Sasha. What isn’t, is how much I want you.”

“Dammit,” I muttered and cast a look over my shoulder at the photographers not even pretending to keep a respectful distance from us as they snapped more photos than they could ever possibly sell.

He laughed again before taking my hand and continuing our stroll through the park. His hand was so hot, so big and strong that I found it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

“Do you get a chance to get out like this often without the cameras?”

He laughed but there was no humor in it. “I wish. When I went to visit Dante recently it was nice, it’s easier to relax outside the city without photographers. It was nice too, a lot of high-fives and congratulations but not a lot of autographs and photos. It was…nice.” He sighed the last word and in that moment I empathized with him.

“That must be hard.”

Alex nodded. “I suspect its why the pay is so damn good.”

I frowned. “To make up for the lack of privacy?”

“No,” he laughed. “To turn your home into all the things you can’t do in public without interruption. To fly in a private jet so you can just sleep or read a book. Things like that.”

I smiled up at him, impressed with his ability to make light of a pretty serious invasion of privacy. “That’s a good way of looking at it.”

“You think?”

I nodded. “I do. You could be bitter about it, or you could be like those celebrities you hear about who are secretly awful. You grin and bear it publicly and find ways to enjoy your life outside the public eye.”

“Sounds like you might be impressed.”

“I am,” I shrugged. “It takes a lot of strength to deal with this,” I motioned to the gang of people following us, “and not get angry as hell about it.” I looked up and our gazes locked for a long, hot moment. His gaze was as hot as my skin felt and it had nothing to do with the Texas sun. I couldn’t look away and I didn’t want to, at least not until the telltale camera click ruined the moment.

Again.

Thankfully.

Soon enough Dixie dozed off and I knew it was time to head back to the penthouse. I rubbed the soft tendrils that peeked out from under her hat and smiled. “Time to head back home.”

“So soon?”

I flashed a smile as I nodded. “You’re the one who didn’t want to bring her stroller and we can’t let her head bob around like that. So, ready?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Was that disappointment I heard in his voice? Maybe he was just missing being outside with the sun and without the bother. Yes, that had to be it. I brushed off my own disappointment as we turned towards the photographers, who parted for us though they never stopped snapping photos and made our way out of the park.

Once inside the penthouse, my shoulders finally relaxed. My heart though, raced as Alex’s nearness and the heat of his body swirled around me. I focused on taking Dixie’s sleeping body from the baby carrier, not on his broad chest or masculine scent. “I’ll just put her down for her afternoon nap.” Then, like the coward I was, I rushed away and then I hid in my room like any sane woman would.

I kicked off my sandals and flopped down on the plush bed with a sigh. And a smile. It was nice to get out of the penthouse for awhile without running errands. The photographers weren’t great but the day was still nice and Dixie seemed to love it.

A knock sounded so soft I wasn’t sure if I was hearing things or not, until another knock came. My heart raced as I answered the door knowing that Henrietta was out shopping, which meant my visitor could just be one person. I opened the door and Alex stood there with a shy smile on his face unlike any of his other smiles. “Alex.”

“Sasha.”

We stared at each other the same way we had earlier only now it was more charged, so heated the electricity crackled between us. “What’s up?”

“I, uh, I had a good time today. Thanks for agreeing to it.”

“So did I and I’m pretty sure Dixie had the most fun.” My lips parted into a playful smile. “And the photographers were only mildly annoying.”

His brow quirked. “Already getting used to the limelight?”

“Hardly,” I huffed out a laugh. “But that controlled chaos was better than being bombarded when you’re least expecting it.”

“Yeah,” he sighed, his big green eyes focused on my mouth.

My tongue slid out and swept across my lips, suddenly breathless at the hungry way he looked at me. “Alex.” His name came out on a shaky whisper and I took a step back.

He stepped forward. “Sasha.” He growled my name and hooked an arm around my waist, pulling me so our bodies were flush together. “Tell me to stop.” His words were a plea and as much as I wanted to say those exact words, I couldn’t.

“I can’t.”

Alex didn’t say another word, he just smashed his mouth against mine, kissing me like the world would end if he didn’t. His lips were firm and demanding, his tongue slipped between my lips and when I gasped, he tilted my head back and deepened the kiss.

I growled and tangled my fingers in his thick blond hair, pulling him closer. Alex kissed the same way he did everything else, with an intense focus that explained exactly why he was so successful.

His hands slid up the outside of my thighs and I’d never been so grateful for a sundress in my life. The feel of his slightly roughened hands against my skin was intoxicating and I arched into him, tugged his hair a little harder. He pulled back and stared at me with glossy eyes. “Sasha.”

I smiled as his hand slid between my thighs, his thumb found my clit over the scrap of damp cotton that covered me. “Fuck,” I moaned.

“Exactly.” With one quick move, the dress was off my body and sailing to the floor.

This was happening.

Holy shit this was happening.