Dana surprised herself at the courthouse; lying about her apparent love for Jake came more easily than she thought it would.
Nonetheless, she was shocked. The whole thing was such a farce, she was convinced someone would put a stop to it at one point or another.
Yet, somehow, they managed to get through the whole event without even the smallest challenge, and she was now, for the next year at least, Mrs. Rayburn.
It looked like it was out of a magazine: a thick, cream carpet that felt like walking on a cloud; a real leather sofa in front of a fireplace; a balcony overlooking the city with a breathtaking view.
She wandered into the kitchen and felt like she was dreaming. Beautiful cabinets, a double sink, tons of counter space, and the appliances looked as if they had never been used.
Dana moved on to the bathroom, which was out of this world. Luxurious and modern, the tub looked so inviting, and she couldn’t wait to soak in it.
“You can use the spare bedroom.”
Dana did a half turn in the time it took her heart to jump in her chest. “Oh, you scared me. Sorry, I did knock.”
He gave her a sly smile. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about the baby-making? In which case, you can stay in my room.”
Jake moved closer to her, and she backed away until she had the tiled wall at her back. She was pinned between Jake and the wall.
When he went to lean in for a kiss, she placed her hand on his chest. Tingles of electric awareness shot through her fingers when she felt hard muscles beneath his shirt.
Dana gave him a firm shove, causing him to stumble backward, and she used the opportunity to slip through the gap and escape through the bathroom door.
She scowled at him over her shoulder. “No. How many times do I have to tell you that won’t be necessary?”
He let his eyes move slowly up and down her slender body. “I’m a man, Dana, and I have needs. Ones that need to be satisfied. And you are, after all, my wife. Remember that.”
The meaning behind Jake’s words worried her. Did he honestly think they would be having sex? Well, she had news for him: it wasn’t going to happen. “If you think for one moment—”
But Jake was already walking away from her, heading to the kitchen. “Now, I’m starving. How about I order some Chinese take-out while you get settled? My treat. It’ll be my moving-in present.”
Dana sat on the sofa, taking tiny bites, licking her lips between mouthfuls. He kept finding his eyes being drawn to her smooth skin, her full lips, her wet tongue…
“Haven’t you ever seen a woman eat before?”
He snapped his eyes up to hers. She was giving him her death stare again.
She wiped her mouth. “I wish you would stop staring.”
“I can’t help it. I was thinking about how stunning you are, and how great it’s going to be when we have sex. Shame you’re so full of anger and bitterness. It must be hard for you to keep a man.”
She threw her chopsticks into the rice. “Go to hell, Jake, you don’t know anything about me.”
“You’re right, I don’t.” He threw himself back into the cushions behind him, swallowing his rage.
“I’m sorry, Dana, really. You’re right. I don’t know anything about you. So, tell me something about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?” she asked.
“For one, I hope you can cook. Can you?”
An evil glint appeared in the corner of her eye, and she gave him a wicked little smile. “No, I’m a terrible cook. I tend to burn everything actually. So, it will be a pleasure to cook for you.”
He gripped the arm of the chair, his jaw muscles twitching. “Watch your step, Dana. Don’t push me too far.”
“Or what?” She lifted an eyebrow. “Are you going to spank me?”
Jake got up and sat down next to her. “If I have to, I will. Is that what you’re into? Should I give you a spanking now?”
Giving him an icy stare, she shook her head. “Don’t you dare touch me.”
With lightning speed, and before she knew what was happening, Jake was on top of her, pushing her down with his weight. She was trapped.
Dana tried pushing him off and wriggling free, but he was way too strong for her. “Get off me, you jerk, or I’ll scratch your eyes out.”
Grinning down at Dana, he let out a chuckle. “And how are you going to do that with your hands pinned above your head?”
Her squirming was arousing Jake, and he moved his lips to her neck. He could feel the throbbing of her pulse when he lightly kissed her soft, smooth skin. She smelled so good and tasted even better.
“Let go of me, or I’ll scream.”
He laughed. “Go ahead. It won’t be the first time my downstairs neighbors have heard a woman screaming in this apartment.”
“You’re a real jerk,” she said as she gave him a hard shove.
“Oh, come now,” Jake called after her, “I was only playing.” He picked up some noodles with his chopsticks and dropped them in his mouth. “Don’t pretend you didn’t enjoy it.”
And she had, he knew it. As mad as she was acting, he’d seen how aroused she’d been—the way her neck had turned red and her body had heated underneath him.
His smile faded when he noticed the hardness in his own pants.
For a petite woman, she had a hot little body. She’d felt so toned under him.
His hard-on twitched.
Dana awoke to the smell of fresh coffee, bacon, and eggs. Throwing on a robe, she walked into the kitchen and found Jake cooking.
She couldn’t help but bite her bottom lip.
He looked downright sexy with his hair a mess and his shirt unbuttoned, as he scrambled the eggs with the spatula.
But when he smiled at her, she remembered how he’d held her down the night before and shot him a look that could kill.
“Oh, come on, you’re still not mad at me for last night, are you? I was just kidding around,” he said, grinning.
“You had no right to do that. Don’t ever touch me again.”
“If I never touch you, how can I get you pregnant?”
She tossed her hands up in the air. “Oh, my God, do you never listen? I’m going to take a shower.”
Jake removed his shirt and threw it after her. “Would you like me to join you?”
She blushed as her eyes were drawn to his muscular chest and incredible six-pack, and her heart began to race.
The thought of Jake in the shower with her, his wet naked body touching hers, sent a wave of hot lust coursing through her entire being.
She turned and walked away, hoping he hadn’t noticed her face turning red. “Stay the hell away from me,” she yelled.
The sound of him laughing only made her angrier, and she slammed the bathroom door shut and turned the water on at full blast to drown him out.
At last, she sat down to eat breakfast.
“What are your plans for the day?” he asked.
“I’m going to see Millie. I have to let her know what’s going on, then I have to get in touch with my landlord. And you?”
“I will be at my office most of the day, making arrangements for my absence. Then I’m going to hit the gym. I’ll drop you off on my way and pick you up when I’m done.”
She caught him looking at her legs. Looking down, Dana realized her dress had ridden up as she’d sat on the kitchen island stool.
She pulled her dress down and tried to hide her warm face behind her hands.
“See, you’re teasing me too. That’s a nice dress you’re wearing. Shows off your incredible legs.” He moved his hand toward her knee.
She slapped his fingers away and scowled at him.
“I need to make a move. Let’s go,” he said, a hint of disappointment behind his smirk.
Dana turned to collect her things, but Jake grabbed her hand and held her still.
“How about a kiss for your husband before we begin our day?”
Dana pulled her hand away and gave him a look of contempt. “I’d rather kiss a dead rat.”
Jake laughed and headed toward the door. Dana was glad he was looking the other way when a small smile twitched on her lips.
