Page 5

I point to the doorknob. “The faster you rip the Band-Aid off, the better.”

He nods, but before he can use his key, the door flies open.

A large hulk of a man fills the doorway.

Casually dressed, dark hair, brutish features.

Instinct compels me to take a step forward, preparing to insert myself in between the brute and Payton, just in case this unidentified man isn’t the roommate.

“Payton! You’re back!” The two men lock hands and pull toward each other as they slap each other on the back. “Great to see you, man. How was your trip?”

“Good as can be expected, considering.”

Hulk man frowns at me. “Is this your sister?”

Payton barks out a laugh, then scrubs his hand over his mouth. “No, um, this is Lily. She and I met my first week back.” He turns to me. “Lily, this is my roommate, Luke Jameson. He’s also captain of the Sun Kings.”

Donning my best smile, I extend my hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Luke.”

“Likewise.” He bounces his eyes between us before settling on me. “And you came with him?”

My priority at the moment is not to explain why I’m here to Luke, but to get Payton out of view or harm. “It’s really warm out here. Why don’t we go inside?”

“Of course! Sorry.” Luke opens the door wider, clearing a path for us. He takes my suitcase from Payton and rolls it inside.

Cool air wafts around me. Air conditioning. A luxury Del and I don’t have in the UK. I let out a soft breath once I see the door’s closed. “Much better.”

With a combination of humor and confusion in his expression, Luke crosses his arms and stares at us as if he’s waiting for an explanation.

And Payton’s standing there as if he’s at a loss as to what to do or say next. I sidestep to Payton and twine my hand with his, which seems to startle him back to the present. He glances at me before focusing on Luke.

“Lily and I…we’re…”

Luke raises a brow. “Together? That’s great, man. Fast, but great.”

I can tell Luke’s being polite. His words are supportive, but his stance is uncomfortable.

Time to uncover the elephant in the room. “Payton and I just got married.”

“Seriously?” Luke lowers his arms.

In an attempt to appear happy about it, Payton nods, but there’s a tinge of green peeking out of his tanned face.

“Wow. You work fast, Pay.” Luke frowns as he studies us. “Does anybody else know?”

Payton shakes his head. “Not yet. And I’d appreciate it if you’d let me be the one to tell everyone.”

“Of course.” Luke glances between us, still appearing unsure about the situation.

And Payton acting like a cornered dog in an alley isn’t helping. I squeeze his arm, encouraging him to say something. We both need to play our parts if we intend to pull this off. Right now, this is feeling more like a one woman show.

He covers my hand with his while gazing into my eyes like a love-sick puppy. “What can I say? When you know, you know. The closer my return date came, the more we knew we didn’t want to be apart.”

I’ve read studies done with couples that involved extended times of just staring into each other’s eyes to truly see one another, the goal being to build connection and affection.

I didn’t put much thought to it, but considering the way my heart just tripped up, I think I’ll reassess my opinion on that.

And make a point to limit eye contact with Payton.

Although, he does have quite attractive eyes.

He’s the classic stereotypical light brown to blondish-haired male with blue eyes.

Not a pretty boy by no means. More on the rugged side, especially considering the faint scar on his cheek, which I assume came from a recent scuffle in the rink, which gives me an idea.

Payton said Luke is the team’s captain. If we can convince him our fake marriage is the real deal, we’ll have a leg-up on convincing the rest of the team.

I drag my eyes to Luke and smile. “I know we could have lived together and given it more time, but Payton’s family isn’t big on that kind of thing. And his nan is having some health issues. Since everyone was there, it just seemed ideal.”

With a nervous laugh, Payton jumps in. “More like fate. Just meant to be.”

Luke’s frown deepens, reminding me of an infant trying to mess their diaper. Not that I have any experience with babies, but I did have to be around one on an assignment last year. Every time I saw that tiny human, he was eating, sleeping, or pooping.

Suddenly, Luke breaks into a massive smile and holds his hands out. “Congratulations, you two.” He steps back with a sheepish expression on his face. “I’m sorry I blew your entrance.”

Payton frowns. “What are you talking about?”

Luke takes on a puzzled look and shakes his head. “Tradition, man. She’s your new wife, and you brought her home. You’re supposed to carry her over the threshold.”

I shake my head…vigorously. “That’s not necessary.”

“Of course it is.” Luke reaches for the door. “You want to start things right, don’t you?”

“I’m too tall. Payton might hurt himself.” Might as well use my height as an advantage here. I long ago accepted I wouldn’t be one of those petite women who gets swept up into the arms of a man who towers over her and weighs twice what she does.

Little did I expect Payton to rise to the challenge. And that mischievous gleam of his is back. Next thing I know, he grabs my hand, drags me outside, then sweeps me up into his arms without even a grunt.

I stiffen at first, but then our eyes lock, and my body relaxes.

“Right.” Surprise lurks in his eyes.

Concerned I might be too much, I tighten my grip around his shoulders to make this easier for him as he swings my legs through the doorway and sets me back on my feet.

He straightens and gives me a cheeky grin, displaying deep lines that bracket his lips like parentheses and adding to the ruggedness of his face. “There. It’s official now.”

Our gazes meet again and hold. I think I must be in partial shock because I can’t stop staring at Payton and reliving how he so easily carried me inside. And I can’t seem to shake the feeling of his arms holding me like vises against the warmth of his chest.

Luke clears his throat, then grabs a set of keys off the table by the door. “I just remembered I have some errands to run. You two enjoy getting settled in.”