BLURB.Sweet, but sassy Felicia Hayford needs her inheritance. And the only way she can get it is to get a husband by her twenty-fifth birthday, or kiss it goodbye.She's worked hard all her life, and needs a layoff. When she gets abandoned at the altar on her wedding day, she enlists the help of her billionaire next-door neighbor and best friend Collins Donovan to help her out.Collins have been best friends with Felicia since they were practically in diapers, and when he learns she's abandoned at the altar, he's pissed. She's running out of time, and with no options left, he offers her a solution.A temporary fake marriage.No attachments. Just putting up a believable act so Felicia could get her inheritance.Except living under the same roof together doesn't turn out easy as either of them expected.Fake kisses slowly starts turning real, and late-night talks turn into stolen, forbidden moments.It's a delicious danger, the path they're towing.But all arrangements have an expiry d
Collins.I blink as Collins sounds almost angry. His gorgeous blue eyes look intense, and he has a heavy frown. With his dark hair and those eyes, Collins is the sexiest man I know. He's big, easily over six feet, and has a body that looks like he spends all of his time in a gym.When I moved in about two years ago and heard the loud rumble of his motorcycle, I thought he would be an arrogant jerk. Instead, he helps with all the repairs and never complains about my many plants. He loves my cooking. He's a good friend, but only a friend. No matter how many wet dreams I've had about him.I avoid his accusing eyes and look down at my failure of a wedding dress.I hate it! The dress my aunt and cousin picked out for me has a full skirt with layers of ruffles that go from my waist to the floor. The ruffles over-emphasize my full hips, and the cut and style of the dress look horrible on me. The top is not made for a full-figured girl, and you can't tell I have a waist in this awkwardly desi
Collins" Marry me."Felicia blinks her big dark eyes. She looks stunned."Marry you?""Well, you don't have to sound so shocked by the thought.""But why would you be willing to do that for me? You don't need the money. You're already rich. Your family is worth what now? Billions?""What does my being rich have to do with anything? Of course, I'm willing to do this for you. We're friends, Felicia. Good friends. We could get married temporarily so that you can collect your inheritance.""Collins, the stipulation states I must be married an entire year before I get the money. The stock shares transfer immediately, though.""We'd have to remain married for an entire year?""Yes, for me to receive my full inheritance. A lump sum of five million dollars. I also have my monthly trust fund."I watch Collins stand up and then walk back and forth as he thinks over what I said. He turns toward me."Alright. For you to get five million, I can commit to one full year. Once you get your inheritan
Felicia."Aunt Gloria, Uncle Vincent. This is Collins Donovan–""Explain yourself, young lady. You just walked away from your only chance at getting married.""Oh, I don't know about that," Collins says casually.At his words, both my aunt and uncle glance his way. I watch my aunt's lips tighten even further when her gaze rakes over Collins's biker leathers and boots."Explain what you mean by that remark," my aunt states waspishly.Collins takes his time answering as he looks from one to the other; he then wraps his arm possessively around my waist and pulls me close to him."Felicia and I are getting married. We'd invite you to the wedding, but it will be very small and intimate. Probably just us two."I see my aunt's eyes narrow as she looks at Collins with a suspicious look."And just what are you getting out of this deal? What did Felicia promise you? Money, I suppose?" she questions with a sneer."She'll be promising to love, honor, and cherish me. I would go with obey, but that
– Collins."Do you, Collins Alfred Donovan, take Felicia Allen Hayford as your lawfully wedded wife?" the preacher states in a Georgia drawl."I do."I listen to Felicia as she quietly states, "I do," and then we're pledging our vows.Soon, the wedding ceremony is over, and the preacher states, "You may kiss the bride."I take a nervous Felicia into my arms and then lean down to give her a quick kiss to seal the deal.She's so close I can smell her flowery perfume. It's the scent she always wears: lily, lilac, or something like that.My lips touch hers, and all thought of my promise not to touch her goes out of my head. I've thought about kissing Felicia. Hell, I've thought about throwing her down on the ground and just taking her period. I mean all those sexy curves and her lush ass. It would be heaven.Why haven't I? Because her friendship means more to me than a damn quickie. I don't want to jeopardize our friendship for lust.Yet, I knew kissing Felicia would be perfect. I just di
Felicia. Collins's truck has a new radiator hose, and we're almost back in Jacksonville. We only stopped once for breakfast. It was at a little hole-in-the-wall diner on I-95. I now know that my husband— Yes, Collins is my husband. I still can't believe it. He likes pecan pancakes. I'll be sure to add that to my list of things that Collins likes to eat. I swear this morning, when I was in that place between sleep and being awake, it felt like Collins had his arm wrapped around me and was fondling my breast. But when I opened my eyes, I knew it was only a dream because he wasn't even near me in the bed. I had such a hard time falling asleep, knowing Collins was lying just inches away from me. I was in bed with Collins! I wanted to pinch myself to prove I wasn't dreaming about getting married to him, but I was too scared to move. I think he slept like a baby. At least he was sound asleep when I finally dozed off. When he pulls up outside the duplex, I jump down from the tru
Felicia. Collins and I both sit down at the kitchen counter, and we watch as his mother takes cookies right off a cookie sheet and onto a plate. She sets the plate between us. Collins immediately grabs one up and stuffs it in his mouth. "Be careful, they're still hot," Bonnie warns him. "Yep, I love 'em when they're hot," he states around a mouthful of gooey cookie. Bonnie just shakes her head at her son, goes to the fridge, and gets out some milk and tea. "Milk or tea?" "Iced tea, please." Collins doesn't answer, so I guess he knows she was only asking me. His mother pours a large glass of milk for Collins and then pours a glass of tea for me and herself. She takes a few sips and then talks to us while she continues to move cookies from the sheets onto a cooling rack. I glance at Collins with a soft smile because right now, this big, tough guy reminds me of a little boy sitting there drinking a glass of milk and eating cookies that his mother fixed just for him.
Collins. Felicia and I arrive at precisely three o'clock at her attorney's office. His administrative assistant gives us a sympathetic smile and states. "If you'll have a seat, I'll let them know you're here." Felicia turns to me with a frown, "Them? Mr. Jenkins is my attorney. I'm not expecting anyone else." The door opens, and Mr. Jenkins walks in. He's an older man with gray hair but a kind smile. He looks slightly agitated as he approaches us. "Felicia," he turns to me to shake my hand, "Mr. Donovan, thank you both for coming. We received the digital copy of your marriage certificate this morning. I'll have my admin take a copy before you leave." He frowns as he explains, "Unfortunately, we have a few unexpected visitors who wish to learn more about your new husband." I watch as Felicia's eyes widen in apprehension. She gives me a quick searching glance. I just give her a brief, confident nod. "If you'll both follow me, I'll try to keep this as short as possible, an
Felicia.The last week has been hectic for Collins. He's having to spend more time at the Donovan Security offices. He left the house before I even got out of bed this morning. Hopefully, we'll be able to see each other tonight as long as I don't get stuck here at the office.I've been working overtime as the deadline for our software release gets closer and closer. We are still ahead of schedule but only slightly. This is a crucial time because if anything major were to go wrong, it could throw us off schedule and delay the release.My team and I have been meeting daily. Going over everything at least twice. Making sure we haven't missed anything.Emotions are high, and right now, Dave is causing a problem."I don't see why I need to give up my office.""Because we need the room. We're trying to finalize the marketing plans and our backers.""I understand why it's needed. I just don't understand why I have to be the one giving up my office.""Ellen, would you mind stepping in here, p
Collins.When your phone rings in the middle of the night, it's hardly ever good news. I wake up and grab my cell phone."Carson?""Collins, we have an emergency. A guard has been shot. He was working a job on the Southbank. There was gunfire. Guy Sanders was taken to the hospital.""Damn. Okay. I'm on my way. Do you know how badly he's injured?""I don't know any more details. I'll meet you there. He's at Baptist."Also, now awakened and hearing half the conversation, Felicia asks, "Collins? Is something wrong?""There was some gunfire at a job. One of our guards has been taken to Baptist Hospital. He was shot. Carson is going to meet me there.""I'll come with you.""You don't have to, Felicia. You can go back to sleep.""No, Collins. I'm coming with you.""Okay, thanks, Felicia."I throw on some jeans and a blue hoodie and shove my feet into a pair of boots.I look around to see if Felicia is ready. She comes out of the bathroom, brushing her hair and then she pulls it into a ponyt
Felicia.I open my eyes and blink sleepily as I notice the soft sunlight as it filters into the room.I keep yawning, and I still feel sleepy because I didn't get much sleep last night. Collins was a wild man, an insatiable lover.I go to move, and my muscles twinge, muscles that I haven't used before. But then, I've never been taken so thoroughly and in so many ways. I shiver as I remember how demanding Collins was.I turn and look at the still-slumbering man in bed behind me. We're both lying naked on the bed. I look around for the covers and finally find them on the floor, with our clothes and most of the pillows.As my eyes dart around the room, I blush to the roots of my hair as I notice the chair askew and the table a few feet to the side of where it used to be.Collins meant what he said, and I have the sore muscles to prove it. Will I even be able to walk?As I turn to slide out of bed, I look around for something to wear. I spot my dress on the floor between the door and the
Collins.I walk over to our table and turn to Hunter and Rebel."We'll be going now. We enjoyed the event and learning about the sponsored charities. Hunter, Felicia and I will be contacting you later about working something out with MAP. Hayford and Donovan Security would like to get more involved.""That's great. Thank you, Collins."Felicia gives Rebel a hug. "I enjoyed meeting you.""As did I. I'm sure we'll see you at other events around town."Felicia turns toward me. "I'm a little confused. Don't we have another half hour before our driver gets here?""Our driver won't be picking us up tonight."I walk us to the front desk."We'd like a room for the night.""Certainly, is a king-size bed acceptable?""Yes, that's fine.""Any bags we can take up for you?""No, thank you."I sign for the room, and I'm given a key card."Room 302. Third floor."We get in the elevator, and I turn and look at Felicia with hungry eyes, but I don't touch her. If I do, we'll be having sex right here in
Felicia.It's the night of the Charity event, and I left work early. The hairstylist swept my hair up but left a few strands to curl and frame my face.I let them do my makeup as well, and my eyelids have a line of iridescent makeup that sparkles above my cat eyeliner. The song from West Side Story keeps playing over and over in my mind. 'I feel pretty, oh, so pretty...'I just hope tonight ends better than that musical.I'm dressed and waiting for Collins. He's running late tonight. There was an accident, and he's stuck in traffic. He said if he's too late, he'll send a car, but I'd rather wait for Collins to go with me."Felicia, I'm home. I'm sorry I'm so late—" Collins stops mid-sentence when he sees me in my dress."So, you like my dress?""Hot damn, do I like your dress? No, I freaking love it. You look gorgeous.""Thanks. I have your tux all set-out.""Shit, yeah, I better hurry."He takes a quick shower, and then I'm helping him with his dress shirt. His bow tie."Damn, you lo
Felicia.It's been over a week, and Collins hasn't acted any differently toward me. Maybe I overreacted. Everything else has been going well.At work, we're still ahead of schedule on the new software. And my uncle appears to be leaving us alone. The closer we get to completing all the testing, the more the excitement in the department builds.There's also a higher level of stress the closer we get to the go-live date in case anything goes wrong. It's like this every time we launch a new software, but it's still hard to get used to.This Friday night, Collins and I will be attending a charity event downtown. I vaguely remember my parents used to attend some of the bigger galas around town.My mother-in-law and Ellen both volunteered to go shopping with me. So, I meet the women here at the Olive Tree Mediterranean Grille and then Bonnie said we could walk to the different shops.When the women walk through the door, I wave them over."Were you able to find a parking spot, okay?""I lef
Collins.I frown as I drive to the office. Something is off with Felicia, and I don't know what it is.She's been acting differently for the last week. I think it started around the time of the cookout. Did someone say something to her that upset her?When I try to ask her what's wrong, she just shrugs and says nothing.Bullshit. Something is wrong. Why won't she confide in me? She always has before.Unless— unless I'm the problem? I mean, she really couldn't turn me down when I offered to marry her. She would have been crazy to turn down a cool five million and the stock shares. Let's not forget about the fucking stock shares. Suddenly, I'm feeling frustrated.Things were going so great. I mean, the sex is off the charts. But lately, when I take her, she's been closing her eyes. Does that mean anything?Hell, if I know. I slam my hand against the steering wheel. Who knows what's on a woman's mind? I sure as shit don't. Women!Then, I stop short. This is Felicia. And well, she's diffe
Felicia.On the ride back home, my thoughts are so jumbled. I overheard what Collins said to one of the guys at the cookout.I already knew how he felt about kids. One night after we got the backyard fixed up we were sitting out on the deck. We somehow got around to discussing children. Collins shuddered and said he wouldn't know what to do with a kid. He felt he was too immature to raise a child. He didn't think he'd be a good father. He was vehement.So, why did his remarks bother me today? It's not like we're really married. Well, we are, but it's temporary. This marriage will all be over in one year, and then we'll get a divorce.The sex has been so great. I've been sticking to our deal and just enjoying the pleasure we can give each other. In the back of my mind, though, I've allowed myself to believe that this could become a real marriage. How foolish. How naive.I sternly remind myself: this has an expiration date. In one year, it will be over.What guy wouldn't be fine with gr
Collins.Today, we're having a cookout at my mom's. We never found my dad's smoker, so we ended up buying a new one. Now, we're committed to having quarterly cookouts.Carson and I will man the smoker this afternoon. We started roasting the meat very early this morning. We cheated and hired somebody to watch the smoker for most of the day. The word went out, and all of my family and the Wild Riders were invited to the event.We've invited everyone we know. We had to get the tables out of storage and have them set up to hold all the food and covered dishes people would bring. We're expecting quite a crowd.I pick up Felicia from the duplex, and we head over to the cookout. When we pull up to the house, there are already numerous cars and motorcycles in the driveway and along the strip of land beside it. My parents' house is situated on a huge piece of private property near the river. There is ample parking.Felicia has a large container of potato salad. I explained that we provide the