He set his glass down and walked to her, holding out his hand for hers. “Whatever you’re worried about, we can work it out together.
That’s what couples do in a marriage, right?” He smoothed his hands through her hair, and his heart fluttered when her eyes closed and she relaxed at his touch. He moved one hand to her chin, holding it lightly as he tilted her head up so their lips met.
As before, his whole body came to life and he deepened the kiss, testing the waters and letting his tongue glide along her lower lip. Her mouth parted on a sigh, and he took his time exploring as she pressed her body full length against his. His hands slipped to her shoulders, squeezing them as the kiss grew into so much more.
This woman was filled with an energy he only truly felt when they touched, but he wanted to feel it for longer than a few moments. Her body shifted and her breasts crushed into his chest. His arousal rose, and she gave a startled sound before her hips ground against his hard erection.
He opened his eyes briefly to glance at the bed so close at hand and wondered if leading her over there was a good idea.
“Wait,” she whispered and stopped kissing him abruptly. “I’m sorry, I can’t…this isn’t right.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, out of breath and wanting her more than he’d wanted any other woman in his bed before. “Lana?”
She stumbled away from him, wrapping her arms around herself like she was cold. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I thought I could do this, but it’s not fair to you. God, I’m such an idiot!”
“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” he asked, worried she was about to have a panic attack of some sort, but when her next words left her mouth, he wondered how he managed to stay standing on his two feet.
“My name is not Lana. My name is Natalie.”
* * *
Natalie heldher breath and waited. Vincent had been so nice to her all day, the perfect gentleman, and damn, did he know how to kiss. Whatever sexual tension was between them was certainly real, which was why she couldn’t bring herself to go any further until she told him the truth. It wasn’t fair to him and lying was not the person she was.
All right, Lana, I hope you have those backup plans in place¸she thought. I think I’m about to get sued into next year.
Vincent’s hands twitched at his sides, and he looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. His mouth opened and closed several times like a fish searching for water but finding only air. “You’re…you’re not Lana Jenkins,” he muttered finally.
“No,” she said shaking her head. “I’m Natalie Jenkins.”
“So you’re her sister? How is this possible? The picture online…you look identical!”
“We are,” she whispered. “Identical twins.”
“Jesus,” he breathed and leaned against the wall with one hand, glaring openly at her. “You decided to simply take your sister’s place and marry a stranger? Who does that?”
“I know, I know, which is why I told you,” she argued. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking and she thought this would be a good idea and—”
“Who thought it would be? Are you working for someone?” he yelled.
“What?” she asked, confused. “No, my sister thought it was a good idea. She forgot she was on the site and is actually engaged to be married, and she thought I needed a way to get out. After the accident, she’s been worried and…and…none of this matters right now anyway.” She closed her mouth quickly, shutting off her rant, and hung her head. “Look, we can go get a divorce and this will all be over with and you don’t have to see me again.”
Her arms wrapped tightly around her as if to ward off whatever curses this man would fling at her. She marched to the door, but Vincent stopped her from leaving.
“What are you doing?” She glanced at his hand holding her arm and at the mix of anger and confusion in his eyes. Despite what she had done to this man, she wasn’t worried about him hurting her. She trusted him without fail. Why? She had no idea in hell, but she did.
“Hold on a second,” he mumbled and let her arm go. “Let’s talk about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I lied and I married you under false pretenses.”
“I realize that, but the situation is a bit more complicated for me, remember? It will be public record that I was married, and it will also be public record if the same day I filed for divorce,” he told her firmly. “How do you think that will make me look to the voters?”
Natalie wasn’t sure why she did it, but she laughed—quietly at first, but it built until she almost howled, holding her aching sides. “Really? That’s what you’re worried about? You want to keep me around because of your damn image?’
His jaw tensed and he shook his head. “That’s not the only reason.”
“Oh no? Then what?”
“Despite this…current predicament, I felt something when we kissed, and I know you did too. Are you ready to walk out on that? Because I’m not.”
Natalie’s laughter died, and she blinked a few times. “But…I don’t understand.”
“The night on the computer, when we were talking, was that you or your sister?”
“Me. Lana never responded to you.”
“Then I think our next course of action should be to sit down and be truthful with each other. You mentioned an accident in your rant. What accident?”
Natalie huffed and stepped away from him. “You can’t really be this curious about me. You should be pissed and throw me out of the house!”
“I never said I wasn’t pissed,” he corrected with a smirk, “but I picked your sister because I thought she was you. Tell me the truth, Natalie. Why did you really agree to do this if it wasn’t to fuck up my political career?”
“You’re really concerned I’m here just to mess with you. Aren’t you a bit paranoid?”
His eyes narrowed. “Yes, I am. It comes with the territory, I’m afraid. Why did you do this?”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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