Read Online Husband for Hire by Susan Crosby - Free Book Online

rationalize well enough, so she grabbed it. “But what about everyone at work? They all think I’m married—except Chip, who’s totally confused about it and kind of angry. And Suki, of course, who knows the truth.”
    â€œCan you ignore the subject with them for the rest of the week?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe. I’ve never been in this kind of situation before.”
    â€œI would hope not.” He smiled.
    â€œI mean lying to my friends and family.”
    â€œI know. Why not just tell Chip the truth?”
    â€œAnd remove all doubt that I’ve gone over some edge of sanity? No, thanks. I’d rather come up with a plausible explanation when this is over. He’ll forgive me.” At least she thought he would.
    Gavin pushed away from the counter. “Why don’t you change out of your work clothes. I’ll fix some sandwiches, then we can get started on your loft.”
    â€œOkay.” She retreated to her bedroom. The mirror reflected her blotchy face and swollen eyes, but she felt pretty good, considering.
    Except for the escalating lies…and that attraction to Gavin that kept getting in the way. Starting with how gorgeous he was, moving on to his powers of perception and then his great sense of humor.
    She’d met men like him before, men content to live day to day, without plans for their future. They were generally easygoing and likable. But Gavin had the potential for so much more. He was educated and smart—
    And it wasn’t her problem, not at all. He’d be gone from her life soon, leaving her better for having known him.
    Becca changed clothes then went out to join him.
    â€œLie down,” he said, indicating the sofa.
    â€œAm I about to be psychoanalyzed, Dr. Callahan?” she asked, but doing what he ordered without asking why. She figured he wouldn’t answer, anyway.
    â€œPlease. We’re friends. Call me Sigmund. Now close your eyes.”
    Smiling, she did so, then felt something cold being placed on her eyelids.
    â€œCucumber slices, for the swelling,” he said. “Good thing I went shopping today, hmm?”
    She felt instantly soothed and relaxed. “Good boy,” she said as one would say to a puppy.
    â€œCareful.”
    She laughed. “I may fall asleep.”
    â€œI seem to have that effect on you.”
    She peeled up the cucumber slices and looked at his smiling, caring face. “You might be surprised at the effect you have on me,” she said, then let the slices drop back into place, amazed at her brashness, but not about to apologize for the truth.
    She jumped when she felt his hands flatten against the sides of her thighs. Moving his palms in circles, he made his way down her legs, his fingers seeming to come along for the ride, not pressing into her, just sliding along, the heels of his hands doing most of the work. When he reached her feet, he massaged them through her socks, digging his thumbs into all the right places until she moaned.
    She should make him stop. At the least she should take off the makeshift eye mask and look at him, but the sensation of darkness, the not knowing what he would do next was too intriguing, too tempting to give up—especially when he moved his competent hands to her shoulders then dragged them down her arms until he reached her hands, giving them the same thorough treatment as her feet.
    He let his hands travel back up her arms to her shoulders, kneading them, his fingers working the tight muscles, his palms resting on her chest. If she’dhad much in the way of breasts, he would’ve been cushioned by that flesh.
    â€œNot much there,” she murmured aloud, continuing to be surprised by what she told him.
    â€œThere’s plenty.”
    She didn’t know what to say to that. In truth, she was comfortable with her body, with her small breasts, but she knew men usually preferred…more.
    He put his mouth on hers. She