The Jilted Bride Read Free Page A

hubby for the next twenty-four -hours so that I can deceive my elderly grandparents into thinking I got married when in fact I was too ashamed to tell them my real hubby-to-be dumped me at the altar? Yeah, that was some official let’s-get-to-know-each-other icebreaker, wasn’t it?
     
    Jake’s face grew hot, he was angry as hell. “This guy did that to you?”
     
    “Yes,” she whispered, her face turning red.  
     
    Jake  figured the guy was a creep but didn’t even in his wildest imagination think that he could be that much of a lowlife.  Luring a sweet girl, like Jody, into a marriage based on fraud? Then dumping her because he found out he couldn’t use her like he wanted to. That jerk! He could tear that guy apart for ripping her heart out like that. Jake had his principles. He wasn’t perfect, but he sure wasn’t reckless with a woman’s heart, either. He was a straight up take-it-or-leave-it kind of guy. Sure he had a lot of women in his time but they all knew up front what the deal would be with him—no commitment, just a good, mutually fun time. He had his thoughts about men who use women. Users were losers in his book—end of story. Jake rubbed his temple not sure of what to make of this. The shocking information struck him with full force. Once his anger sizzled down, he stood up and chuckled as he walked toward the balcony door with a grin on his face. All this time, he wanted to get to know Jody better and well…she shows up on his doorstep wanting to play married. Holy cow! Was that something else or what?
     
    He could see from the corner of his eyes, that Jody was practically trembling.
     
    He drew in a deep breath and shook his head. “Well, I’ll be honest with you, I’ve never been asked to change my name and be somebody else for a day or to play the part of a groom. But…”
     
    He noticed she drew in a deep breath but did not let anything out. Was she holding her breath?
     
    “Okay, now this is just for twenty-four hours?”
     
    “Just for twenty-four hours,” she confirmed as she let out a huge air of relief.
     
    “Okay, first things, first, we have to get things straight in…fifteen minutes now!” He glanced at his watch. “They’ll be here any second, correct?”
     
    “Correct!” It both thrilled her and terrified her that he agreed to this not knowing what to expect over the next twenty-four hours.
     
    Oh, my God! He’s agreeing to this?
     
    “Now…about the obvious.”
     
    “The obvious?”
     
    He inched closer to her, slowly and seductively. She could feel the sexual magnetism between them. It was…almost unbearable. She really craved him but she knew it was off limits. Besides this was just a pretence, right? Trouble was, the moisture in her panties were saying otherwise. She felt a tingling sensation in her belly. The scent of his cologne sent her senses ablaze as a quiver surged through her veins. Of course, she hadn’t really thought it through what they should do or how they should act when her grandparents arrive. Everything sort of happened so fast.  
     
    “I….um…I should be going,” she said almost too throaty for her liking—she said the words yet she stood frozen to the spot inches from his muscular chest. Oh, why did he have to wear his gym gear now. He looked undeniably sexy. She realized he was probably going to shower before her grandparents arrived.
     
    “Wait a minute. We’re not finished here yet,” he murmured as he brushed her cheek.
     
    Shivers danced down her spin as her skin tingled when he touched her.
     
    Oh, God! This was not going to be easy. Pretending to be married.
     
    “We’re not?” she whispered.
     
    “We haven’t discussed an important item. What are we going to do about…sleeping arrangements.” His silky, deep voice caused a pleasant shiver to surge through her veins.
     
    “S-s-sleeping arrangements?” she stuttered, almost breathless.
     
    She hadn’t thought that far