I raised a finger, trying to look stern. “No puppies. You know we don’t have the time to train a puppy right now. A mature dog, like we discussed. Deal?” I’d give this woman any damn thing she wanted, but she didn’t need to know that.Yet.
She sighed heavily. “Fine, but you do realize a mature dog might need a friend eventually, right? Maybe when things settle down, after filming for the show wraps up and we get this house in order, we could get a puppy then?” Folding her hands under her chin, she asked, “Pretty please? I’ve always wanted a puppy.”
I pulled my chair closer before grabbing her hand and hauling her into my lap. It was an intimate gesture, especially when I started nuzzling her neck, but I was tired of playing it safe. She may think our marriage was fake, but my feelings for her were as real as they could get.
“A puppy, huh?” I asked, skimming my lips over the slope of her shoulder. Damn. Every time I touched her thrill bumps danced across her skin. I could tell it embarrassed her, but I loved it.
“I know it’s a lot of work, but I’ll have more time once the show wraps up.”
“Let’s get a dog first, see how that goes, then we’ll talk about a puppy.” The more reasons I gave her to love this place, and me, the more certain I was she’d never want to leave.
“Okay.” She dropped a kiss on my lips and it struck me how easy it was between us, like we’d already been a couple for years, instead ofjustfriends. “I can live with that.”
“Hey, where are you going?” I asked, trying to haul her back down when she made a move to get up.
“I’m going to clean up this mess and get dressed. “I can’t go to the animal shelter in your t-shirt, can I?”
I let her get up so my eyes could travel all over her sweet little body. “My t-shirt has never looked so damn good, girl.”
She laughed, tipping my chin with her fingertip. “I’m glad you think so, because I’ve already claimed this one as my sleepshirt, just so you know.”
“You think you’ll be sleeping with clothes on?” I chuckled. “That’s funny.”
Gia shook her head, looking amused as she wagged a finger at me. “Why do I get the feeling I’ve unleased a monster? You’re going to be insatiable, aren’t you?”
I curled my hand around her wrist before pressing a kiss to her palm. “Only with you, sweetheart.” I wanted to tell her it was years of craving her that made it so hard to resist her now, but I knew there would be time for confessions. Later. When we’d settled into this marriage thing and it started to feel real to her.
“Oh, you.” She rolled her eyes. “Sweet-talking like that may have worked with your other girlfriends, but this is me, remember? I know you too well.”
Maybe it was easier for her to believe I was playing. I’d let her think that for now, but eventually she’d come to realize I was deadly serious about her.
“You cooked,” I said, pointing up the stairs. “I’ll clean up.”
“Really?” She sounded skeptical. “You’re sure?”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “What’s wrong? You don’t think I’ll be able to meet your impeccable standards?”
“After last night?” Her naughty smile spread slowly. “You raised my standards. Lord help the next man who tries to reach the bar you set, my friend.”
Ugh. She was still thinking about other men… and calling me her friend? I clearly had a hell of a lot of work to do. But I was up for the challenge.
* * *
We’d agreed on a male beagle mix named Duke at the shelter. He’d looked so sad in the confines of his small cage and after learning his owner, who was an elderly woman, had died, and the family surrendered him, Gia’s mind was made up. Duke was in the last quarter of his life, but my girl was determined to shower him with love in his senior years.
Gia wanted to invite our friends over for a barbeque so they could meet Duke and we could share our fake engagement news. She was adamant she didn’t want to try and sell our relationship as real to the people closest to us, with the exception of her parents, whom she claimed would never understand. I wasn’t about to argue. Her old man might bust an artery if he found out we’d tried to scam him.
I watched Gia greet everyone with warm hugs and promises of too much food as Duke hung back with me as I manned the grill. I had to hand it to her. She was the queen of impromptu parties and even though she’d only decided on this get-together a few hours ago, she’d still managed to put on quite a spread. No wonder she had millions of followers and a TV network beating down her door. The world needed more of Gia’s brand of hospitality. And I needed more of her. In my house. In my bed. In my life.
I kissed Briar and Deanna and shook hands with Jake and Rhett before offering them a beer. Since both Briar and Dee were pregnant, Gia had whipped up two pitchers of mocktails, a term I’d never even heard of until she enlightened me.
Rhett accepted a beer as he bent to scratch Duke behind the ears.
The dog was remarkably laid-back, given the strange people and environment. I hoped that was a good omen. Gia had fallen in love with him on the car ride home and I wanted the old dog to be all she claimed he would be.
“I couldn’t miss the rock on Gia’s finger. So, you guys are really doing this, huh?” Jake smirked as he brought the beer bottle to his lips. “Can’t say I’m surprised. It was only a matter of time.”
I glanced at Gia, who was passing out drinks and appetizers to her friends at the picnic table. “We are.” I closed the lid on the grill, letting her fancy homemade burgers do their thing. “It’ll help her career, you know, to be able to shoot the show here, and pass me off as her husband.” I tipped my beer back, taking a deep swallow to get the bitter taste out of my mouth. I didn’t want to be her brand-building strategy, I wanted to be her man.
