Read Online The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion (Entangled Indulgence) by Christine Glover - Free Book Online Page A

pretend we’ve gotten over the past, then come back here and finish the renovation before Christmas,” she said. “Afterward, you’ll return to your father’s company. I’ll stay with mine. We wait it out. Tell him we’ve had an amicable split due to long-distance issues.” Hell, if it worked for the stars in Hollywood, it could work as an excuse for her.
    Zach inhaled a deep breath. Let it out slowly. She could see the muscle working in his jaw as he considered the option. Waiting was torture, but she didn’t have a shot if she broke the silence hanging between them.
    “I want Michael to be happy.” He nodded. “Chances are he’ll never question our story because he wants to believe us. And you put on a good show.”
    His anger, though born out of her rejection, still cut to her marrow. “Of course,” she said. “We’ll be civil, attend Michael’s fundraising speech in Asheville, convince him to stick with the research program, then end this ridiculous charade and get back to work.” She moved an inch closer, met Zach’s black gaze. “Michael won’t fall for this scheme if you continue with your takeover plans afterward. End the bid now.”
    “Your lie. My terms.” He walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and withdrew a small box. “I prefer a more definite boundary.”
    Her heart thuddedy-thudded in her chest. She knew the contents of the box before he returned to stand in front of her. Her engagement ring gleamed inside with accusing sparkles. “I can’t believe you’ve kept it all these years,” she said, unable to believe an object could cause her more hurt.
    “I don’t let go of things as easily as you do.” His eyes gleamed with something dangerous, victory and a darker emotion. “It’s perfect for meeting the terms of my proposal.”
    A tendril of tension twisted around her spine. What he had in mind had nothing to do with wedding bells and island hopping honeymoons. “What kind of proposal?”
    He pulled the ring out and twirled it in his palm. “I propose a fake engagement with all the benefits. That should keep Michael happy long enough to get him to stick with the clinical trial plan.”
    “But that’ll mean pretending that we’re in love.”
    “How hard can that be?” he asked. “Even you can’t deny the sparks flying between us.”
    “No, but sparks don’t imply affection.”
    “True, but Michael will see what he wants to see. We don’t have to finish up in private what we start in public, right?” He slipped the ring over the tip of his index finger. “I remember the night you threw this at me, Kennedy. Would you do me the honor of wearing it again?”
    Something close to desire, lust, and wanting screamed warnings through her nerves. Even now his flaring nostrils, the jut of his jaw, his long lean legs and broad shoulders lured her, gave her trembles. She had wanted him from the moment he’d driven up to the lodge and taken off his motorcycle helmet.
    Time slowed as she considered her options. The ticking clock sounded louder as each second passed. Could she pretend affection and keep her heart at bay? Could she play with the fire sparking between them publicly and stop herself from acting on it privately?
    Tick-tock-tick-tock clanged in her ears. If she accepted his fake proposal, she’d have no problem pretending that her blood ran hot for Zach. She’d just have to stop it from exploding behind closed doors.
    Kennedy swallowed. “I won’t honor you.” She held out her left hand. “But I will do it for Michael’s sake.”
    He slid the platinum band over her ring finger. The diamond, always too big and too grand for her slender hand, weighed heavy. The emeralds he’d chosen to surround its clarity glittered as a mocking reminder of hope long lost and dreams shattered.
    She twirled the gems inward, fisted her hand. The edges of the perfect stones cut her skin.
    “What about your takeover bid?” she asked.
    “I’ll shelve it for Michael’s