One Hot Fake: An Accidental Fake Marriage Romance by Sarah Brooks (free novel reading sites .TXT) 📗

out of my office. I sit staring into space as I digest the news that Leonard has a daughter. His mother, Fiona, will raise her well. She’s got a good heart but is weak where Leonard is concerned. She could never stand up to him, but luckily for her, Leonard dotes on her.

My life feels messed up right now. I lower my hand to my belly and instantly feel peace. Nothing else matters except for Declan and my baby. Anything else that is going on is short-term.

Leonard will realize that I’m not going to budge, and he’ll agree to a motion for judgment nunc pro tunc. Declan and I will work through our differences as all couples do, and life will go back to normal. I love normal.

I’m out of the office most of the afternoon, finalizing venues and attending several meetings. I make it home at six, and my heart leaps when I see Declan’s car in the driveway. Relief floods me, and I can’t believe the joy and anticipation I feel just knowing he’s in the house. Still, I keep my cool as I stroll into the sweet-smelling kitchen. I can’t keep a smile from my face when I see him, clad in an apron.

He turns to me. “Hey you,” he says.

We stand facing each other, unsure of the next move. He’s the first to move. He closes the distance between us and plants a chaste kiss on my cheek.

“Dinner smells lovely,” I say, at a loss for words.

“Steak with porcini butter, tarragon sauce, roasted cauliflower, and crunchy potatoes,” Declan says.

My stomach growls in response. “Yum.”

“Go on and take your shower. Still a while before it’s ready.”

My heart is beating crazily in my chest. “Okay.” As I look into his eyes, I see something I’ve never seen before. Vulnerability. “Okay,” I repeat. I’d better go and take that shower before I make a complete fool of myself. I feel as if I’m in foreign seas that I don’t know how to navigate.

I’m glad for the shower and the time alone. By the time I’m finished and dressed, I feel a little more in control of my emotions. I don’t throw on my usual relaxing sweats. I pick a pretty pink sleeveless top and a mini skirt that’s casual enough for dinner at home.

I comb out my hair and let it flow to my shoulders, ignoring the voice in my head demanding to know why I’m going to so much trouble.

I’m glad I made an effort when Declan shoots me an appreciative glance.

“You look beautiful, but then again, you always do,” he says as he comes to the island and pulls back the stool for me. “Dinner is ready.”

“Thank you,” I murmur as I sit down. I feel like a guest in my own home. My hands feel like they belong to someone else. I place them on the island, but that doesn’t feel comfortable, and I drop them to my lap.

Declan brings over two plates of food, followed by two glasses of water.

I groan as I look at the delicious smelling food. “I’m going to get fat.” I inhale the sweet scent of the food. “It smells like heaven. How am I supposed to resist?”

“You’re not,” Declan says. “You’re eating for two, remember?”

I grin. “I have an excuse for gluttony for the next eight months or so.” I dig into the food. The potatoes are perfectly crunchy, and the steak, just right.

“Speaking of the baby, isn’t your appointment with the obstetrician tomorrow?” Declan says.

I nod, unable to speak because of the food in my mouth.

“I want to come with you,” Declan says.

I almost choke on my food. Somehow, I hadn’t thought about Declan coming with me. Leonard never attended even one appointment with me.

“Is that okay?” Declan asks.

I swallow. “Yes, of course.” Emotion grabs me by the throat. That’s a nice thing for Declan to do.

“Any morning sickness today?” he says.

“No, come to think of it, none at all.” I grin, pleased that the uncomfortable nauseous episode is over. Hopefully, for the rest of my pregnancy.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there this morning,” Declan says.

“It’s fine. We don’t have an agreement that you should be by my side all the time,” I say, a defensive note in my voice. I can’t bear to look at him because I might burst into tears. I attribute the swirl of emotions in me to pregnancy.

Declan places his hand on mine. “Maybe. But we had an unstated agreement that I would come home. I came, sat in the drive for a few minutes, then decided to go to Santa Monica.”

I stare at him, shocked. I can’t imagine him being in the driveway and not coming in. “Why?”

“You were upset, and I didn’t want to be in your face,” Declan says.

“You wouldn’t have been in my face,” I say. “Besides, this is your home too, and you have a right to be here.”

“Now I know,” Declan says. “Now, we need to talk about yesterday.”

I inhale deeply. “We do.”

“I’m not sure I understand the boundaries of our marriage. I don’t trust Leonard, and I didn’t want to leave you alone with him. Marian, this is a man who hit you.”

“I get that,” I say. “But Leonard was in my office. I was surrounded by people. I didn’t need you to protect me.” It hurts to see the hurt that comes over his features, but I have to say it. “I’m not a damsel in distress, Declan, and I’ll never allow myself to be that again.”

He looks away before he swings his glance back at me. “You make me feel things I’ve never felt before, and I just don’t know how to do this.”

“Me too, Declan,” I say, forging ahead. “I’ve never felt for anyone the way I feel, but I’m frightened too. There’s so much at stake now.”

He stares at me intently. “I want to be in you and the baby’s life forever, Marian. We can do this.”

I let out a shaky breath. “I want