Page 54 of Sweet Surrender

“Lucky me.”

“God, can we cut that crap?”

“You tricked me.” With a kiss that left me reeling.

Who is this man?

Tears burn in my eyes.

After all the kind words of affirmation he threw at me, it would be reasonable to believe he kissed me because he wanted to.

It’s a business arrangement, Hendrix. You forgot that, didn’t you?

“Better get used to the exposure, Hendrix. This is what you signed up for.”

Clearly the honeymoon is over. I thought I was getting to know the true Jase.

“Isn’t it?” he asks.

“I didn’t sign up to be lied to. Not once did you think about—”

“What’s the big fucking deal?” he shouts. “In two days, everyone is going to know we’re married. At least this way it doesn’t look like you were some wannabe groupie I picked up in Vegas.”

“Wow. Just feed into my fears, why don’t you.”

He pulls down on the back of his neck and groans. “You didn’t have to say yes to this.”

And like any person fighting with someone for the first time, you don’t know where lines can and can’t be drawn or just how dirty your opponent is willing to fight.

“And you didn’t have to bring me in to help solve your problems.” My tone is even despite the racing of my heart.

He groans and moves about the space like a caged animal who’s at war with himself.

“Look.” His sigh is heavy as he lifts his hands and drops them. There’s regret in his eyes but only a hint of it in his words when he speaks. “I did what I had to do. It’s not that big of a deal so quit making it one.”

I stare at him, hating the tears welling in my eyes. I’m hurt, when I really shouldn’t be. But he blindsided me today, and I hate feeling like I’m on the back foot. Humiliated.

It’s a business arrangement, and you’ve learned something about your fake husband today. He won’t always include you, despite the bullshit he fed you about ensuring you know where he is.

“I’m not making it anything, Jase.” It’s a partial lie. He kissed me by the pool and for the smallest, tiniest sliver of time, I believed in the tenderness. I won’t again.

You don’t kiss when you don’t want to—just because. Well, Jase Gizmodo does. So, keep your guard up.

“I have shit to do,” I mutter.

“Hendrix—”

“Don’t.” I hold a hand up. “Like you said, it’s not a big deal.” My tone says differently. And with those words, I turn and head back down the hallway to my bedroom without looking back. Jase calls after me, frustration in his voice, but he doesn’t chase after me.

I don’t want him to, either.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Gizmo

You’re an asshole.

A Grade A, certifiable asshole, Giz.