Fiancee for Hire Read Free Page A

inhalation of breath, every tickle of soft blond curls against the sleeve of his black linen shirt. He could tell she was thinking and didn’t want to rush her. He glanced down at the sand and saw a flash of something illuminated by moonlight.
    He caught her around the waist, pulling her into his arms. She gave a soft squeak of surprise, but came willingly, soft and fragrant and pliant against his body. He held her cradled to his chest, her feet suspended in air, her breath warm on his throat, her curves soft and warm beneath her dress.
    Her eyes met his, and something stirred in his chest.
    “Glass,” he breathed, his face scant inches from hers.
    “What?”
    “You almost stepped on a broken bottle.”
    “Oh.” Her eyes darted to the sand, then back to his. Her throat moved as she swallowed, and Mac ached to kiss her there. “I see.”
    He knew he should set her down, but hesitated. She felt so good in his arms. So warm and soft and sweet and deliciously fuckable.
    No. Keep this professional .
    He kicked the bottle out of the way and set her on her feet. She blinked up at him, her expression equal parts startled and intrigued. She licked her lips. “You could have just warned me.”
    “Not my style.”
    “I’m glad,” Kelli said, stooping to pick up the bottle, presumably so someone else didn’t step on it. Conscientious of her.
    She gazed up at him, her blue eyes pale in the moonlight. Mac resisted the urge to grab for her again.
    “I’ll do it on one condition.”
    “What’s that?”
    “Take off your sunglasses.”
    “Why?”
    “If I’m going to put my life on hold and my safety in your hands, I want to look you in the eye first.”
    He hesitated. Then he reached up and removed them, his eyes locking with hers. Her lips parted, but she didn’t blink. He held her gaze for one heartbeat, two, three, four—
    “Okay,” she whispered. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Two
    Kelli stepped through the doors of the baggage claim area at the San Jose del Cabo airport and straight into the arms of—well, not her dashing groom.
    “Kelli!” squealed Anna Keebler, grabbing her friend in a bear hug so tight, Kelli felt all the air leave her lungs. She hugged back, happy to have a friendly face greeting her the instant she set foot in a foreign land.
    Not that she would have minded Mac’s not-so-friendly face. Still it was good to see Anna.
    “Hey, Anna,” Kelli said. “Thanks for coming.”
    “I’m so happy to see you,” Anna gushed, stepping back and tucking strands of stick-straight auburn hair behind her ears. A thick purple streak ran down the side just behind her ear, which was new. Last time Kelli had seen her, it had been green. Somehow it looked perfect on Anna, a woman whose entire career revolved around planning offbeat weddings.
    “I couldn’t believe it when you called out of the blue like that to say you’re engaged,” Anna gushed. “Has it really been a year since we’ve seen each other? I can’t wait to get started on your wedding.”
    The words hit Kelli in the gut, and she felt a pang of guilt for lying to her friend. But this is what she and Mac had agreed upon during their hasty strategy session.
    “Your friend—the one who’s the wedding planner in Portland?” Mac had prompted, and Kelli hadn’t bothered to hide her surprise he’d investigated her closest friends. “Get her out to Todos Santos right away. Set up some wedding planning meetings someplace public. We need Zapata to see us behaving like a normal engaged couple.”
    Kelli had tried to point out that Anna didn’t really do normal—Anna’s Weird Weddings specialized in Star Trek -themed ceremonies and receptions in which guests reenacted the battle of Gettysburg—but Mac just shook his head.
    “Doesn’t matter. A wedding’s a wedding, and it’s important this look as authentic as possible when Zapata’s spies start sniffing around. A real bride would go to her friend who’s a wedding planner for this sort of