build. Having rowed crew in college, he had a well-developed upper body while also having to maintain a certain weight for the team. He obviously kept himself in shape on that rowing machine, even with the demanding job. Impressive. My eyes glided down his form from head to toe. I’d wondered more than once what he must look like under his clothes. And then I’d chastised myself for not keeping it one hundred percent professional even in my thoughts.
I cleared my throat. “You look handsome,” I said with a small smile.
But the way he was looking at me right then said that I wasn’t the only one who wasn’t keeping it one hundred percent professional…
Chapter 7
Lucas
I was prepared for her to look hot. Kat was always hot without even trying. But I wasn’t quite ready for this. She looked…
My mind ran through a litany of possibilities from basic to flowery—gorgeous, radiant, stunning, ravishing. Beautiful. Her dress was short, resting mid-thigh and hugged her curves. A glittery light blue with silver accents. It complemented her coloring beautifully. The top of the bodice was held up by thin straps over her pale shoulders. It dipped into a plunging neckline, showing about as much cleavage as she’d inadvertently given to her audience of horny gamers this morning.
But I pushed that thought aside quickly before the irritation flared up again. Her beautiful dark red hair gleamed against the color of her dress, spilling over her shoulders in thick, loose curls. I’d never seen hair that color on a person and at first had been convinced that it wasn’t her natural color. It wasn’t until I’d noticed that her brows and eyelashes, when not wearing mascara, were the exact same color that I figured she was a natural redhead.
It gave her an otherworldly appearance, like one of the ethereal and mysterious elves out of our Dragon Epoch game. Like a fey creature from deep in a dark forest who wielded nature magic and was as wild and as powerful as the land and trees that surrounded her.
My eyes settled on her cleavage. The dress showed off all her stunning assets.
And they were amazing, perfect assets. The round curves of her breasts, the glow of her skin there advertised all on its own a creamy softness that screamed to be touched. Along with a sweet, sweet flavor I longed to taste. I was obsessed with the thought of running my tongue there, along that silken valley, those pillowy crests. The state of things below my belt was suddenly uncomfortable, pulled like a knot wound tight. I was rock hard at the thought of touching and tasting her. I gripped my phone so tight that I almost dropped it.
She was looking like this… and I had to share her with my family tonight.
Which was probably a good thing because I was so damn tempted to do something that would feel very good, but that I’d regret later. I’d already endured the shitty conclusion of a terrible marriage once. No need to tack a similar messed up ending onto this fake one.
Tonight, I had a new wife I needed to present to the whole damn family. Of course, they’d insisted on it the minute I’d been forced into revealing the surprise marriage. So bogus or not, we’d have to go through with the charade of pretending to be new husband and wife.
Yeah, sure, I never turned down a chance to mock the institution of marriage when I could. But there was no way I’d consider getting tied into another disaster like the first one had been, even if just legally and temporarily.
Regardless, looking at Kat right now, I couldn’t help but wish there was more between us than a sham marriage. Because… wow. It took me a moment to catch my breath and calm the beating of my heart. I was grateful for the front flap of my jacket covering other, more visceral reactions.
“You look good,” I heard myself utter. Understatement of the year. She looked good enough to eat and boy was my mouth already watering. Hunger pangs screaming for her, demanding, insistent. So loud they almost combined into a chorus all their own. One that threatened to own every thought until I finally got to touch her, undress her, taste her. Bury myself between those warm, curvy thighs.
Fuck. I really needed to touch her. And any excuse would do.
“Shall we go?” I said after another pause where I fought to collect myself. Jesus. I’d seen a