Page 67 of Malicious Marriage

A baby. The next natural expected progression in Dean’s world, and mine, if my family were of a higher stature.

“You’re welcome.” My voice trembles slightly and I release a deep sigh as the ribbon finally slips free from Dean’s fingers and my tight corset eases. “Wow, speaking of breathing room!”

Dean’s warm fingertips run over my shoulder, mapping out the netting and tracing some of the crystal jewels. “You look beautiful. When I saw you walking down that aisle, I almost couldn’t believe my luck. How fortunate we are to have met.”

Fortunate. As if I didn’t insert myself into his life with an insane plan.

“Although you seemed so distracted that I was worried.”

“I wasn’t distracted.” Turning to face him, I catch his hand as it slides from my shoulder. “I was just… focused. I wanted to make sure it was believable in case anyone still carried doubts. I really want this to work out for you.”

“And you.” Dean’s handsome, weathered face melts into a happy, blissful smile. “I promise that once the dust settles and we’ve tracked down your sister, I will take you on a real honeymoon.”

My racing heart that’s been beating like a drum ever since that phone call skips in my chest. “But we’re not really married. We’re not really in love.” Saying that out loud feels so alien when I’m standing in a wedding dress and Dean’s shirt is halfway open.

“Maybe not,” he says. “But I want to thank you for doing this for me. I know we’re keeping things professional and this is apartnership where we both benefit, but you’ve shown more care for me in this past month than anyone has in my entire life.”

The truth rises inside me like a tidal wave and I can’t control it. I don’t want to break his heart, not now of all nights and not when I might be carrying his baby. I don’t want to be another woman who’s lied to him and caused him pain while carrying his child, but the urge grows so strong that it almost escapes me in a sob.

Almost.

I surge forward suddenly and smother that urge by grabbing him by the shirt collar and dragging him down for a kiss. Our mouths meet with a bump and he grunts in surprise, then his arm snakes around my waist and he pulls me close.

29

DEAN

She pushes away and pulls me back in the same breath. I shouldn’t give in. I should respect her earlier request that we don’t mingle business with pleasure.

But I can’t resist.

She kisses me with purpose and I’m a weak man when presented with exactly what I want. I want her. So I pull her close and increase the pressure behind the kiss until she’s dipped backward and fully supported by my arm around her waist.

“Clover,” I say as the kiss breaks and we both gasp softly for air.

“No.” Her fingers brush over my lips to silence me and when our eyes meet, the dark lust in hers sends my heart into a flurry. “Don’t speak. Don’t. Just kiss me again.Please.”

How can I resist such a sweet, honest request?

I purse my lips slightly and kiss her fingers, then brush past her touch and claim her plump, thick red lips once more. They’re cushiony soft and taste very faintly of something sweet that drives my hunger to kiss her again and again. I want to throw herdown on the bed, tear off her dress, and fuck her right here and now until she’s screaming my name like a prayer.

But not yet.

Using my hold on her waist, I move us away from the dresser and toward the bed.

Clover moves easily while caressing my arms up to my neck. One of her hands slides into my hair and she strokes though the strands, then grips tightly and pulls slightly.

I break the kiss with a soft growl then lean in and very lightly catch her lower lip between my teeth. Her eyes widen as she pulls back and her lip slips from my teeth.

We reach the bed and Clover stumbles when her calves bump against the edge. I keep her upright with my arm around her waist and kiss her once more, slowly and tenderly. My tongue swipes briefly over her lower lip, then across the seam of her mouth with enough pressure to entice entry.

Clover moans softly and when her lips part, my tongue slides inside against hers. They dance together in a soft, slow waltz, sliding against one another as I feel and taste every inch of her. Even the teasing nip of her teeth is enough to send an excited rush down my spine.

I shiver and her grip in my hair tightens, which causes another shiver to curl warmly down my spine.

We break for air and our noses briefly bump together while we pant. As Clover catches her breath, I kiss her jaw and follow the soft curve to her ear where her glittering, dangling earrings are cold against my cheek. Continuing down her neck, I don’t stop until I reach the edge of the glittering lace fabric covering her shoulders. As much as I’d love to lavish attention through the netting, I’d rather not have glitter stuck to my tongue. Very slowly, I start peeling the sheer fabric away from Clover’s shoulders and kissing each inch of bare skin that’s exposed. From one shoulder, across her collarbone to the other, I weavea hot path of small, open-mouthed kisses that cause her skin to flush a soft pink.

“Dean,” Clover moans softly as she continuously runs her fingers through my hair.