California Girl Read Free

is this? Some kind of joke?” She poked the fork at him, potato dangling on the end. “Did Ray put you up to this?” Wariness gaped her mouth open . Oh, my God . Dread washed away her suspicion. Of course, it made perfect sense. This was her ex-husband’s handiwork.
    “Ray?” Niko’s face clouded with uneasiness. For a split-second, she saw a hint of jealousy in his eyes. Good actor. “Did he accompany you to France?” Now he was pretending indifference. Damn good actor .
    “How’d you guess?” She played along to see how far Ray’s pawn could take it. Plastering on her most intimidating glare, she skimmed the potato off her fork and devoured it.
    “Did you two have a spat?” Curiosity colored Niko’s eyes a darker shade of indigo. He grinned at her flirtatiously.
    Damn, he’s good . “Yeah, sure. Okay.” Ray must be paying him really well to get him to go this deep into character. Niko—if that was even his real name—was probably being paid with money Ray hid from her during the divorce proceedings. Anger seethed hot against her cheeks.
    “I suppose he’ll be quite surprised when he hears the news?” he said, a little too calmly to suite Veronica.
    “What news is that?” She regretted it as soon as she said it. Why did she egg him on?
    “That you and I are married?” He looked her over seductively but her defenses held strong.
    Veronica furrowed her brow. Why are you so calm about our so-called marriage ? His behavior was suspect. But if Ray was behind it, she doubted the marriage was real. She wouldn’t put it past Ray. He’d go to great lengths to get revenge on her for what she’d done.
    Maybe she’d sleep with Niko—if she hadn’t already—and then she’d thank Ray for paying for the best sex she’d ever had from him. That’d teach her ex-husband a thing or two about spite and revenge.
    A devious cackle was on the verge of charging up her throat when she realized she couldn’t let Ray’s flunky know she was on to him. She had the upper hand and she intended to keep it that way.
    Keeping a watchful eye on Niko, she stabbed at the eggs on her plate with such force that her fork clicked against the dish. “You’re awfully calm about our marriage ,” she said, and deposited the food into her mouth. There was no reason not to eat. It made sense to sate her hunger now and conserve her energy for later, when she’d need to elude the press she was certain Ray had waiting in the wings.
    “No use getting upset about it. It is what it is.” Niko’s tone remained calm. Veronica marveled at his composure. “You are a beautiful woman, and I’m not opposed to spending a few days with you.” He paused, and his eyes started doing the talking for him again. That made her nervous. “We were awfully good together last night.”
    “So you say,” she said, rolling her eyes. She had the edge because he didn’t think she remembered last night. It was best she kept it that way.
    “Come to Nice with me.” His smooth words and striking eyes lured her toward surrender. “I’ll give you the best honeymoon you’ll ever have.”
    Really? He’d blown it with the additional remark. It was presumptuous of him to assume as much, not to mention arrogant. “And then?” This guy was good, but her ex couldn’t have scripted every possible outcome for him. Ray wasn’t that smart. Handsome, yes. Talented, yes. But clever, no.
    “When you’re ready to leave, I’ll have my people take care of it.”
    I just bet you will. She chuckled, keeping her laughter inside. Those people of his probably consisted of Ray.
    This was a setup, Veronica was sure of it. She and Niko had met and married yesterday. Under those circumstances, what kind of man suggested they go on a honeymoon before ending the marriage? A hired one, that’s who.
    “You want to go to Nice?” she asked, playing along. “Sure, why not. So long as you’re buying. Let’s just call it a severance package, divorce settlement, or