The Temporary Wife - By Jeannie Moon Page 0,64

floored him. He’d always been protective of her, but this was totally different.

Jason had thought about all the possibilities for this relationship. Or at least he’d thought he had. He hadn’t counted on making the mistake of falling completely and totally in love with his wife, but that’s exactly what happened. As soon as they started spending time together—having dinner, going to movies, watching TV—as soon as he let his guard down, she had crawled inside him and taken up residence in his heart.

He’d resigned himself to the fact that no one would ever replace what they’d shared when they were younger. She was special, his girl, but the feelings that had been developing from the minute they said I do were more than Jason bargained for. He didn’t know if he could handle it, didn’t know if he could be who she needed him to be.

It’s not like his parents gave him a lot of hope. He assumed they loved each other once, but now they existed in this poisonous bubble with no joy, no affection, and he didn’t want to do that to Meg. Meg without joy would be a crime.

“Hey.” Her voice broke the silence in the room like a breeze. He turned in his chair, and there she was—sweet, smiling, perfect, and for the time being she was his. She’d left Bo Peep behind and was back in her work clothes, a pair of black pants and a gray turtleneck sweater. She looked happy, and if he thought about it, other than during the shit he’d put her through, Meg always looked happy.

“Hey, how was the rest of the day?”

She walked toward him and sat on the edge of the desk. “It was quick. The kids had a ball and were nicely sugared up when they went home.”

“You looked like you were having fun, too.”

Meg licked her lips, and much to Jason’s surprise, she settled into his lap, wrapping both arms around his neck.

“You know what made me happy?” She kissed him gently. “Having you there.” Another kiss. “Listening to the class moms talk about how hot my husband is.” A deeper kiss this time, and her tongue touched the seam of his lips, sending a shock right to his groin. Christ.

“I’m hot, huh?” She leaned in and smiled against his mouth. By this time she’d pressed her body right to his. He could feel every lush curve, every hollow. Jason’s brain was starting to shut down just from being so close to her.

“You are very hot,” she said. “Especially when you’re jealous.”

“I wanted to fucking kill that meathead.”

“I know.” She nipped at his earlobe, and Jason wondered how he could be considered a sane man for not doing everything humanly possible to keep this woman in his bed. She nuzzled his hair and whispered in his ear, her breath like a warm touch. “My hero.”

The last kiss was hungry, demanding, and Jason went with her to a place that he knew they would have a hard time coming back from. He wanted her. He wanted to be everything to her. To love her, to protect her, to be the man she needed. He didn’t know if he could.

“Have faith in us,” Meg said, her eyes exploring his like she was reading his mind, yet still looking for an answer.

Jason held her close, knowing they were on the brink of something wonderful or tragic.

He wanted it to be wonderful. Meg deserved wonderful.

Chapter 16

Meg sat on the bed in the master suite of Jason’s luxury Manhattan apartment, dressed for a black-tie benefit that she was certain would show her for the fraud she was.

Her dress was gorgeous, black silk chiffon with sequin embellishments on the top and the bottom all floaty and soft, moving around her like a mysterious cloud; her hair and makeup had been professionally done. But she wanted nothing more than to be in sweats with a beer.

That wasn’t an option, though. In a few minutes, about twenty-five of Jason’s business associates would be coming in the door for drinks before the benefit, and she was expected to be the executive wife. To mingle and make small talk. She just hoped she didn’t screw up.

There was a light tapping on the door, and Jason poked his head in. “You ready? They want us to sample the hors d’oeuvres before the guests arrive.”

“Okay.” Not that she could eat. She was sure her stomach would revolt and she’d be in the bathroom. Once she stood, wobbling