FABRICATED CHRISTMAS
GLENNA MAYNARD
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Christmas of Love Collection
Acknowledgments
About Glenna
Also by Glenna Maynard
Fabricated Christmas Glenna Maynard ©2020 All Rights
Reserved
This is a work of fiction. Names characters, places and incidents
either are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously
and any resemblance to actual people, alive or dead, business,
establishments, locals or events is entirely coincidental. Any
reference to real events, business, organizations or locals is intended
only to give the fiction a sense of realism and authenticity. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic,
mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise –
without prior permission in writing from the author.
The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and
trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of
fiction.
Cover: Alluring Write Productions
BLURB
Rule #1 - Never date your boss.
Rule #2 - Under any circumstances never ever
sleep with your boss.
Rule #3 - Rules were meant to be broken.
Finnick Wilder is rude and conceited. He's a
jerk with a capital J who also happens to be
devilishly handsome and my boss.
I despise him, but when he says jump, I ask how
high.
Him dropping to one knee and proposing ranks
way above how high I can jump.
His demand for a fake fiancée crosses the line
between fiction and reality. Yet, it seems like fate
under the mistletoe.
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Santa Claus, Indiana where Christmas
isn’t just a holiday, it’s a way of life. Join these 12
amazing authors with 11 wonderful books as they
bring you some instalove, a little mystery, and
maybe some thriller, for a romance filled holiday!
The community of Santa Claus was designed in
1849. The story of how it received the name of
Santa Claus has roots both in fact and legend. In
January 1856 the town applied for a post office to
be installed.
On June 25, 1895, as part of a nationwide
standardization for place names, the post office
name was changed to the one word Santaclaus.
The town's unique name went largely unnoticed
until the late 1920s, when Postmaster James Martin
began promoting the Santa Claus postmark. The
name was changed back to Santa Claus on
February 17, 1928. It was then that the Post Office
Department decided there would never be another
Santa Claus Post Office in the United States, due to
the influx of holiday mail. The growing volume of
holiday mail became so substantial that it caught
the attention of
in 1929, who
featured the town's post office in his nationally
.
Learn more about this unique town here:
To finding love in unexpected places.
1
F
—FINNICK—
lipping
through
the
stack
of
applications I let out a breath and
scrub a palm over my face. The blades of the small
fan on my desk whir, blowing the corners of the
papers up.
“Still no luck?” My mom dips her head through
the doorway of my private office.
I lay my hands over my chest knitting my
fingers together as I lean back in my black leather
chair. “Nope.”
“What about that one…you know,” she presses,
making the motion of big boobs over her chest.
I shake my head. “If I hire Amanda, Sean won’t
get any work done for staring at her ass all day.”
“Gross.” Auden darts past Mom.
“Hey, meanness. How was school today?”
“Boring.” She rolls her eyes. “We have to
memorize a gazillion words for the spelling bee. I
don’t like it.”
“I tell you what. You ace the list and I’ll think
about letting you have that sleepover you’ve been
going on about for your birthday.”
“Really?” Her eyes light up, stars dancing
behind her green orbs.
“Why not?”
Her arms sling around my neck as she climbs
into my lap. “You’re the best.”
I give her a hug. “Go get started on your
homework. We’ll head home in about an hour once
I finish up.”
Auden runs off, and Mom hesitates to follow
her.
“What? Whatever it is, spit it out. We both
know you’ll call me later to gripe if you don’t get it
off your chest. So out with it. Let me have it.”
“When are you going to put yourself out there
again? It’s been three years.” Her voice lowers.
“Kenya remarried and is having another baby.”
“I know. Auden informed me she’s getting
another brother.” My ex-wife is on her second
husband since our divorce was final three years
ago. And she’s on baby daddy number three.
Another reason we fight about custody so much.
She’s not setting a good healthy example for
Auden. I don’t want her being raised to think you
trade your men out like worn shoes. Thankfully the
judge thought I was the better parent and gave me
full custody with her having access to Auden every
other weekend. It doesn’t hurt that I am well versed
in the law being I make my living as a divorce
attorney. And because I’m not a complete dick, we
alternate holidays and birthdays.
“Don’t you want to find someone to share your
life with?”
“You mean like hiring Amanda.” I chuckle. “No
thanks. I am happy. I’ve got my career and Auden.
I don’t shit where I eat.” What my mother may or
may not know is I’ve fucked Amanda a few times
over the years since I’ve been single, but she’s not
the kind of woman a man settles down with. I knew
the minute I saw her application what she was up
to. She’s been hinting for months that she wants
more. A relationship. I’m not going there. She’s
good for letting off steam and getting off but
nothing more than that. Wife material. I think not.
Fuck buddy is pushing it.
I’ve tried to cut loose of her for months, but she
keeps popping up when she knows Auden is at her
mom’s place like a crazy ass stalker, and I know
them when I see them. I cross crazy assed bitches
constantly in my line of work.
“I worry about what will happen to you and
Auden. You need a good woman to take care of
you. Both of you.”
My brow shoots up. “And you think Amanda is
gonna be that woman?”
“I don’t know. I worry about you being lonely.”
Mom pushes any woman that even looks at me
longer than ten seconds, on me. Wanting me to
settle down, give her more grandkids. She should
have had more kids herself if she wanted so many
grandchildren. One kid is plenty.
“I’m a grown ass man. I can take care of
myself.”
“You’re right, son, but no matter how old you
get as your mother it’s my job to worry after you.”
“I love you, Mom. Now get on home. I’m sure
the old man is waiting on his supper.”
“All right.” She gives me one last exasperated
glance before she goes.
I knock the stack of applications into the trash
can that sits next to my desk. I don’t know what my
problem is. I should get it over with and pick
someone but none of them feel right for the job or
the office. Sean’s girlfriend was doing a decent job
holding down the secretary role but when their
relationship went sour, I had to let her go. I would
have kept her on, but she was causing shit in the
office any time a female client came in with a case
and Sean had to meet with her in or out of his
office. I couldn’t have a hostile work environment,
no matter how well she did her job. I hesitated to
hire her in the first place because I knew that shit
would happen. It’s been three weeks. I need to
replace her and fast. Only problem is no one is
qualified enough who has applied for the position.
It’s not easy to convince anyone who isn’t from
Shamrock to move here willingly. Paralegals don’t
just magically fall out of the sky either.
I stroll to the doorway of my office. I glance out
to see Auden sitting at the reception desk frowning
over her textbook.
The bell to the front door chimes. I give up on
finding someone to replace Mallory to see who’s
coming in at closing. I’m ready to get home and
kick back with a beer. I stroll to the main entrance
and my blood boils at the sight of Amanda with a
basket of cookies from Brina’s bakery.
“Hey there.” She shoots Auden a fake smile
and my girl stares back at her scrunching her nose
up at the big busted, raven-haired woman like who
are you. “I brought your dad and you some treats.”
She places the basket on the edge of the desk.
Auden has never seen me with anyone but her
mom. She’s used to having daddy all to herself.
“Outside now,” I growl, not wanting to make a
scene in front of my daughter.
“Okay…” Amanda draws the word out but
saunters out the door swaying her hips like I’m
supposed to be hypnotized by the jiggle of her ass
in those tight jeans she’s wearing. So damn tight I
wonder how in the hell she even got them on in the
first place. Shit must be difficult to breathe in.
Outside she leans against the side of the red
brick building. “What’s up?” Her thin red lips
spread into a smirk.
“How many times have I told you not to come
around my kid? We had a few good times but that’s
all we had. Stay away from me.”
“What do you mean? I thought we had
something good going, Finn. I came by because I
figured you’d made a decision about hiring me so
we could spend more time together.”
How did I never notice how clingy this chick is?
“Aren’t you listening? I said stay away from me
and stay the hell away from my daughter,” I snarl in
her face.
She frowns. “I don’t get it, it’s been months, it’s
time she knows we’re together, especially if I’m
going to be her stepmom someday.”
Hearing her refer to herself as Auden’s
stepmom makes me lose my cool. “Listen, you
need to stay away from my daughter. We were
never a couple. I fucked you. That’s it. Take your
psychotic fucking ass off my property. Don’t set
foot back in my office. Lose my number. Now.”
“But I need you to escort me to my family
reunion.”
“Not my problem. You crossed a line today.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“Don’t give a shit. Now get gone.”
“Wow.” She laughs. “You’re a real prick. Did
you even hire someone?”
My gaze lands on this chick strolling down the
sidewalk toward us with her nose buried in the
Shamrock Gazette. Something about the red and
black polka dot dress she’s wearing makes me
smile. Looks like a damn ladybug. Everything
about her seems out place. “Yeah. Her.” I stroke
my chin and step into her path. “There you are.
You need to finish your paperwork.”
“Huh?” The newspaper drops and I’m met with
a gorgeous face partially hidden by thick black
sunglasses.
I motion my head slightly. “Come on, we need
to get this wrapped up so you can start next week.”
Her brows knit, but she folds her newspaper,
tucking it under her arm as Amanda gapes at us. I
take the woman by the hand, noticing how soft her
skin feels against my rough palm, and tug her into
the office. Amanda glares at us but thankfully gets
in her car and leaves.
“Um…I
think
there’s
been
a
misunderstanding…I don’t know you.” She purses
her lips together and shoves her sunglasses up her
forehead resting them on the top of her blonde hair.
She’s got the prettiest smoky gray eyes I’ve ever
seen. They remind me of clouds in a thunderstorm.
Fuck me where did this tempting angel come from?
She’s gorgeous.
“Can you answer a phone?”
“Well yeah.”
“Good.” I grin. “You’re hired.”
“I didn’t apply.”
“Don’t care. I need someone. Are you
available?”
“For?” She’s looking at me like I’m crazy and
hell maybe I am, but I know one thing right now
and that’s that I want her ass in my chair answering
my phone.
“Answering
the
phones
and
scheduling
appointments to start with.”
Her lips roll inward. “I guess so.” She stares
past me at Auden. Her eyes wide, face pale. If I
wasn’t so pissed off right now, I would laugh. “I
don’t babysit.”
“Not part of the job. All I need is you to have
my coffee ready and hot when I get here in the
mornings and to answer my phone.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah. The pay is shit and the hours can be
long if I have a big case.”
“Can I have weekends off?”
“If you agree to make sure I get lunch at noon
every single day.”
“That’s fair. Is that my desk?”
“Yes.”
“Can I dress how I want to?”
I take in the sight of her legs in them heels she’s
sporting that say fuck me six ways to Sunday. Fuck
yeah. “Yeah sure, whatever. So you’ll do it?
The intriguing woman glances around making a
weird face that I can’t get a read on. “Why not.
When do I start?”
“Monday, be here at eight sharp.”
“Okay then. So since you’re my boss, what’s
your name?”
“Finnick Wilder. You?”
“Maisy Carsten.”
“Welcome to Wilder’s.” I grab the cookie
basket and hand it to her.
“I don’t eat sweets.” Maisy presses the basket
back into my chest.
“Who the hell doesn’t eat sweets?”
“I don’t.”
“Why not?”
Her body tenses, posture going straight.
“Because I just don’t.”
“You aren’t from around here, are you?”
“Not exactly, why?”
“Because everyone and I do mean everyone
loves Brina’s cookies. People come from all over to
get them.”
“Then I guess I’d better try one then.”
“But you don’t eat sweets.” I snatch the basket
away as she goes to reach for it.
“Dude, seriously?”
“I don’t think you deserve a Brina cookie. You
don’t like sweets, so you won’t appreciate it.”
Auden gives me a funny look. Shit, I’m flirting in
front of my kid. This never happens to me. I never
get all twisted up over a woman, but something
about this Maisy gets me all riled up.
“I said I don’t eat them, not that I don’t like
them.”
“Give her the cookie, Dad,” Auden chirps,
giving me a toothy grin.
“Fine,” I say with a huff and hand a plastic
sleeve over. I watch her take her time to open the
wrapper. Bringing the chocolate chip goodness to
her nose she inhales the scent before taking a bite.
Her lips stretch wide, a moan slipping between
them that sounds so damn erotic the sound travels
straight to my cock. It pisses me off. I shove the
basket toward her. “Here. See you Monday.” I
stomp off to make sure I don’t do anything stupid
like hit on her in front of my kid. What the hell did
I get myself into?
I shake my head and text Kenya to see if she’s
going to be picking Auden up from here or the
house. It’s her weekend.
I don’t need to be getting tangled up with my
new hire, but damn if she isn’t pretty to look at and
fun to spar with.
2
H
—MAISY—
eaven explodes in my mouth. It’s
been so long since I’ve had real sugar
or anything sweet that I’ve almost forgotten how
good chocolate tastes. This barbarian of a man
shoves the basket of cookies in my arms and
stomps out of the reception area. The little girl
sitting behind the desk shares his gorgeous green
eyes. Grinning at me while twirling her pencil
between her fingers she stares at the cookies.
“Would you like one?”
Her chin lifts and she nods.
“That guy. The suit. Is he your dad?”
“Yep.”
“Is he always like that?”
“Pretty much.”
“Right. I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each
other then if I’m going to work here, huh?”
Another nod.
I hand her three cookies. “What’s your name?”
“Auden.”
“That’s pretty. You can call me Maisy.” The kid
doesn’t say anything more, and I take it as my sign
to leave. I leave the basket of cookies on the edge
of the desk and exit the building. This morning
when I woke up, I was hoping to find something to
do with my time in this small town. When I chose
Shamrock, I didn’t realize just how small town this
place truly was. They have like four streets. I
dressed up and walked to Main Street from my
motel to get a late lunch at the local diner. There I
acquired a newspaper to start looking for a job and
a place to live. I don’t really need a job, but I think
it’d be suspicious for a single woman to move to
nowhere and not have employment. Working at an
office answering phones isn’t my idea of fun, but I
had asked the universe to give me a sign and well I
guess this is what the world is giving me. Finnick
Wilder. A devilishly handsome man with a bad
attitude.
Now that I have a job secure the only thing left
is finding a place to rent. I didn’t take this into
consideration either and the listings in the
newspaper were nonexistent. I did see an
advertisement for a realtor. I’m hoping I can catch
them in office before they close for the weekend. I
take out the newspaper again and check the
address. I’ve only been in town for two days and
haven’t a clue where anything is even though it’s so
small. I’m used to having everything at my
fingertips or paying someone to get what I want or
need.
Being on my own is refreshing and utterly
terrifying after being a socialite under my father’s
thumb for my whole life it feels good to break free.
A motorcycle roars by and it takes me a moment to
recognize my new boss and his daughter rolling past
me. He doesn’t dress like any biker I’ve ever met
but he sure has the attitude. Not that I have
encountered any in real life. I’ve only watched
them on Tv and in movies. I continue down the
street glancing at the signs on the businesses as I
stroll toward the fire station. I arrive in front of the
red brick two story building and a couple of guys
are spraying down a rescue vehicle. “Hi, can you
help me with something?”
The tall guy controlling the hose shuts the water
off, shooting me a grin, popping his handsome
dimples out at me. Dressed in his navy-blue tee and
coveralls he tugs on one of his red suspenders.
“Sure thing. What can I do for you?”
“Can you tell me where Shamrock Reality is?”
“I can do you one better and escort you there
myself.”
“If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Not at all. Comes with the job, serve and
protect and all that.”
“I thought that’s what cops say.”
“Well still applies.” He drops the hose. “Yo,
Phil. I’ll be back. Got a pretty lady here needing
directions.”
The other man, tugs on his graying beard.
“Yeah sure. Meet me at Bud’s when you’re done.
I’ll finish up here. You’re buying first pitcher.”
“You got it. Follow me.”
He steps in stride next to me, leading me down
a side street. Any other time I’d be scared the guy
is guiding me somewhere private to do his worst,
but this isn’t a big city. Firemen are the good guys
anyway. But that doesn’t stop fifty scenarios from
playing in my head. What if he drags me behind a
dumpster to strangle me? Or throws me in a van to
sell me to sex traffickers?
“So the office is in an alley?” I hedge.
He chuckles and runs a palm over his sandy
brown hair that curls around his ears. “No, just a
shortcut.”
“Oh. Right.” I shake my head feeling stupid and
slightly embarrassed for having such terrible
thoughts.
“So, you new around here or simply passing
through Shamrock?”
“New that’s why the realtor. I’m looking to rent
or buy a place.”
“Amy will take good care of you. Just don’t tell
her you know me.”
“Why is that?”
“I dated her daughter when I was in high school
and it didn’t end well. She holds a grudge.”
“Oh. Noted. Though I don’t know your name.”
“Branson Wilder.”
“Any relation to Finnick?”
“He’s my brother. How do you know Finn?”
“He um sort of offered me a job at his office.”
His lips tip up into an even bigger smile.
“What’s with that look?”
“Nothing. Here you are. Nice to meet you…”
“Maisy.”
“Maisy,” he rolls my name off his tongue then
smirks. “See you around.”
“See you.”
Branson salutes me and jogs back the way we
came from. I look to the realtor office across the
street only to find it closed. Shoot. Guess I will try
again tomorrow or call on Monday. The Shamrock
Inn is okay, but I want to be in my own space.
I sigh and take the long way back to the Inn.
It’s the only place to stay in town. I think it hasn’t
been updated since the day it opened fifty years
ago and that’s being kind. It’s like I moved to
Mayberry or some fictional sitcom from the 1950s
where the streets are lined with gorgeous flowers
and the streetlamps light up as soon the sun sets.
There’s not even a cigarette butt on the ground.
Big change from New York and the constant
shuffle from luncheon after luncheon and dinner
party after dinner party on showcase to sit pretty
and show the world I was a perfect daughter who
did as Daddy told her to. That all changed when the
old man tried to force me to do the unthinkable. He
tried to force me to marry the son of one of his
potential investors to seal a deal. I never thought
my father viewed me like one of his real estate
properties but that’s exactly how I felt when he
tried to persuade me to marry for the better good of
his company.
Shamrock Inn opened its doors in 1965. The
building sits on the last street before the suburbs
begin next to a gas station. Not like a corner store.
This is a full-service pump station. They even sell
homemade fudge and rock candy at the register.
I enter the lobby and Vina is working the desk
tonight. She checked me in when I first arrived
here. “Hey, girl. Love that dress.” She smiles,
pushing her thick black glasses up the slope of her
nose and closes her book.
“So, what do people do for fun around here on
a Friday night?”
“Bingo at the rec center. The drive-in movie
theater normally but they won’t have another
showing until they start their ten nights of
Christmas in December. Some go to the diner or hit
up Bud’s for a drink.”
That’s the second time I’ve heard Bud’s
mentioned. “What kind of place is it?”
“Loud, but um do you own any jeans? You’ll
stick out like a sore thumb in the dress. At the bar
tell Josie I sent you. That’s my sister-in-law. She’ll
watch out for you.”
I start to tell her I’m a big girl, but I think Vina
is only being sweet. These small-town people sure
are talkative and friendly. “Thanks,” I mutter and
head upstairs to my room. I fish the key out of my
clutch. It’s a real key attached to a black shamrock
key chain. No plastic key card or passcode. I twist
the knob and it sticks some. I have to push in on it a
little with my shoulder. Who knew something so
basic could excitement me? Kicking off my peep
toe heels I unzip my dress, dropping it to the ugly,
brown, worn utility carpet covering the floor. While
the place is outdated, they do keep it clean. Well
decent enough that my skin doesn’t crawl when I
get under the sheets.
I go to the closet where my rolling luggage is
stored. I wheel it out and sit it up on the small table
by the window that overlooks the parking lot.
Digging through my clothes, I find what I’m looking
for. My skinny jeans and a black top that hangs off
the shoulders.
I sweep my blonde hair up into a ponytail and
freshen my makeup. That fireman from earlier was
pretty dang hot. I’m not looking to hook up, but I’m
not against a little shameless flirting either. I touch
up my makeup, add a second coat of mascara, and
pop my lips, massaging the ruby red matte lipstick
into my skin.
Perfect.
I return to the closet and debate on shoes. My
gaze zeroes in on my black stilettos, but Bud’s
doesn’t sound like the kind of place a woman wears
heels to, so I settle on my black ballerina flats. I
should probably walk, since I intend to drink but
this town doesn’t strike me as the type to have a
cab or Uber or any of those services. Three drinks
max then I’ll switch to water.
3
I
—FINNICK—
stand at the end of the driveway with
Auden as we wait for her mother to pick
her up. “Hey, Dad?” she asks, finally looking away
from the game she’s playing on her phone. A phone
she only has so that she can contact me at any time
when she’s with her mother, otherwise I wouldn’t
have let her have it.
“What?”
“How come you’re not married?”
“I was, to your mother.”
She rolls her eyes. “I know that, but she’s
married to someone else now. How come you’re
not?”
I shrug. “Just haven’t found someone I see that
with yet.”
“That woman you hired today is pretty.” I look
down at her, eyes narrowing as she grins up at me.
I see what she’s doing.
“She’s way prettier than that other lady that
came into your work earlier. She had on way too
much eye makeup.” She’s got that right. “I bet
she’d want kids. I’m tired of waiting for a sister.” I
keep my mouth shut. I know what Auden is trying
to do here. Not gonna work. She’s been spending
too much time with my mother instead of her own.
It’s a damn shame, but it’s the way things are.
Kenya doesn’t have custody of her other kid, so
when she does get her time with that one, it’s
usually on an opposite weekend of Auden’s visits. I
try my damnedest not to speak ill of Kenya to our
daughter, but its damn hard sometimes.
“Hey look, there’s your mom.” I quickly
change the subject once I see Kenya’s Mustang
turn down the street. It used to be mine, but I gave
it to her in the divorce, it was one of the only things
she asked for. I hated to see it go, though I wanted
to be rid of her more than I loved the car. I never
drove it anyway.
“Hey. Sorry I’m late. My doctor’s appointment
ran over,” she calls out through the passenger
window. I bend down, giving Auden a hug goodbye.
“Bye, Dad.”
“Sunday, at four. Don’t be late.” I glance at
Kenya.
She waves me off. “Don’t worry, I know.
Later.”
I step back as they drive off, and I scratch my
head. Was Kenya just acting like a normal human
being? Normally she glares at me or argues about
every little fucking thing. Then I remember she’s
pregnant. That always makes her somewhat
agreeable.
“Finn.” I glance over my shoulder as I start
walking to my house to see it’s my brother cutting
across my lawn.
“Hey, Bran, what’s up?”
“Heading to the bar, you coming?”
“Yeah, let me get changed.” Inside my house I
pass through the living room and make a left going
down the hallway under the stairs to the master
suite. Auden has the upstairs to herself except for
my home gym I set up in one of the spare
bedrooms. When I purchased the two-story modern
farmhouse, I thought Kenya and I would have at
least two more kids. Now the place seems a bit too
large for just Auden and me, though I can’t bring
myself to downsize. I guess part of me keeps
holding out thinking one day I will find someone to
share all this with. I trade my suit for jeans,
preparing myself for another Friday night doing the
same shit I always do. Have a few beers and shoot
a couple games of pool with my brother.
Hard rock belts from the jukebox of Bud’s. Some
new shit that makes my ears want to bleed. Place is
the only bar in town. It’s usually just us locals but
when summer rolls around so do the tourists who
camp at the lake and rent out the summer cabins
and homes. We get even more traffic around
Christmas from tourists going north to Santa Claus,
Indiana. Another month or so and this place will be
so damn packed with the Christmas loving crazies
the fire marshal will be doing head counts.
Tonight it’s only the usual locals and the new
chick in town. My new hire. My brother seems to
have taken a liking to her. The moment we arrived
he went straight for her. I didn’t know they knew
one another. It shouldn’t get under my skin that
he’s chatting her up and no doubt making a play,
but it does. Branson and I have always been a bit
competitive so this shouldn’t be any different.
Jaw muscle ticking, I glare at Branson and
Maisy. I suck in a deep breath and exhale. Taking
another gulp of beer, I start feeling pissed. Why the
fuck am I getting jealous? I don’t know her. I
shouldn’t care that my brother is leaning way too
fucking close to her for my liking. Gets me even
more pissed off when she laughs at whatever the
hell he’s whispering in her ear.
Her infectious giggle rings out over the music. I
shake my head and take another hard pull off my
beer bottle. I signal Bud to get me another.
“Finnick,” a sultry voice purrs into my ear as
hands with fake red fingernails roam over my
shoulders.
“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, twisting in my seat
to glare at Amanda. Her black hair curls over her
shoulders hugging her big tits as they spill out the
top of her tank top. “What’d I say?”
She pouts, making her look like she’s
constipated. “Oh, stop that, you know you want to
come back to my place and fuck my brains out.”
I grimace at the thought of my dick going
anywhere near her again. We had our run. I got
what I needed, and she did too. Bud slides my beer
across the bar and grabs my empty and tosses it in
the bin behind the bar.
“Come on, Finny pooh.”
“Don’t fucking call me that.” I gently push her
away from me, not giving a fuck that she loses her
balance almost crashing to the floor before righting
herself. “Stay the hell away from me.” I vacate my
stool at the opposite end of the bar before she can
do anything else and storm towards my newest hire.
“Save me,” I grumble into Maisy’s ear as I drop
down to the empty stool next to her.
Her brows shoot up. “Why am I saving you?
Didn’t I save you earlier from some psycho?”
“Same crazy chick.” I peel at the corners of the
label on my beer. Condensation drips down the
bottle.
Maisy’s head whips around, gaze settling on
Amanda glaring at her and she laughs. She shrugs
once she turns back around. “Not my problem.
That’s all you, boss man.”
“Come on. Don’t feed me to the viper. I can’t
shake the crazy bitch. She won’t leave me alone.”
“What? Are you going to tell me you’ve got a
magic dick or something?”
“Maybe. Fuck, I just need her to get gone. I
don’t care how you do it.”
“You’ll owe me.”
“What will it cost me?” I almost groan. I don’t
want to owe her shit, but she’s right. I do owe her
for saving my ass twice now. And hell, to be honest.
Owing this gorgeous creature wouldn’t be too
terrible.
“The realtor office was closed when I went
by…I’m looking for a place to rent. I’d prefer to
buy but will settle with renting until something
better comes along. You know of any places around
for me?”
“If you’re looking for a place, where are you
staying right now?”
“The Inn.”
What the fuck? That place is a damn shit hole.
“I’ll call around tomorrow. Find you something.” I
have a place, but I already have her working for
me. I don’t want her living on my land too. That
would be inappropriate. When I bought my house,
it came with a mother-in-law apartment attached
over the garage. I use it for poker night and hosting
fight night. Sure I could easily offer it up for Maisy
to rent, but this town…I don’t need the headache
that’d come from the gossip. I try to set a good
example for my kid, but maybe it’s time I put
myself out there for real and start considering
serious prospects for a woman in my life.
“Another shot?” Branson looks to Maisy, and I
cut my eyes at him. “Or not.” He shoves away from
the bar and stomps toward the pool tables. I hate to
shut little bro down. I know he needs to get laid,
only tonight Maisy is mine. I need her to keep
Amanda’s stalker ass the fuck away from me.
“Okaaayyyy…” Maisy draws the word out,
staring after him, and it boils my blood. I don’t
know what the hell my deal is. I know nothing
about her but everything inside me is screaming
she’s mine.
“Fuck. Here comes crazy.” I let out a groan as
Amanda traipses toward us.
Maisy pushes away from the bar, abandoning
her stool, to place an arm around my shoulder.
Leaning in close, her lips nearly brush the shell of
my ear. “Hey, boss man. You promised to give me a
ride on your Harley.”
“Finn,” Amanda snaps.
We both turn toward her. I lick my lips
wondering how the hell to get away from crazy
pants without starting a fight.
“You ready to go?” Maisy questions, ignoring
psycho bitch, tugging on my hand.
I knock back the rest of my beer and toss a
twenty on the bar.
“Finnick Wilder, if you leave here with this out
of town skank, we’re through.”
“Can I get that in writing?” I chuckle, going to
my feet. I latch an arm around Maisy’s waist.
She gazes up at me mouthing the words, “kiss
me.”
Shit. I glance back at Amanda while sensing
everyone in the bar watching our scene go down. I
know I have to drive the message home that there
will never be anything between us, but lip locking
with my new hire doesn’t seem like the best idea
and not in front of the whole damn town.
Amanda taps her foot and shoots me a
murderous look. Jesus. I can’t handle another
minute of her crazy.
Screw it. If I cause a scene so be it. Won’t be
the first time I’ve been the topic of gossip. Kenya
had my name in the mouths of everyone in town for
years until they got shot of something else to
whisper about. I dip my head, bringing my mouth
down on Maisy’s. I close my eyes and press my lips
against her plush red ones, tasting her fruity
cocktail. The flavor of peaches and strawberries
explodes on my tongue. Hell. I didn’t mean to slip
her the tongue but fuck me can she kiss. Mouth so
damn sweet and tempting. She tastes like mine.
Which is insanity.
“I hate you, Finn,” Amanda screeches before
rushing to the bathroom.
Maisy pulls back wearing a sexy as sin smirk.
“You’re welcome. Don’t forget, you owe me, big
guy. Sooner rather than later.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” I grunt feeling relieved and like
the world’s biggest asshole for having to take things
this far, but that kiss was hella nice and
unexpected. I escort Maisy out the bar, hoping
that’s the last either of us see of Amanda. “You
good to drive?”
“Yup. I’m tip top, boss man.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Call me Wilder .”
“All right, Wilder. I’ll see you Monday but if
you happen to find a rental for me before then, call
me at the Inn. Room thirteen.”
“I’ll do that.”
“You better.” She starts down the street,
stumbling in the direction of the Inn, and I shake
my head.
I look around the parking lot, did she walk
here? “Where’s your car?”
“I can walk a straight line,” she says, throwing
a small wave up, nearly tripping over a crack in the
sidewalk. Like hell I’m letting her walk there alone.
Shamrock is safe enough, but it’s still late at night.
She’s a new woman in town who appears to be
single, and I’m not a complete asshole despite what
everyone might think. Besides, maybe I’m not
ready for this whatever it is to end. I don’t want to
admit it because it’s been a damn long time since
I’ve felt this pull to someone new, but I like her.
She’s feisty and sexy. I decide what the hell. I’ve
got nothing to lose. “Maisy?”
She stops in her tracks, throwing her hip out,
giving me a come hither crook of her finger. I close
the gap between us, take her in my arms, and kiss
her. Her arms cradle my neck, and I shove her
against the nearest car wanting to explore this
connection I’m feeling. Fuck she tastes sweet and
smells like paradise.
4
I
—MAISY—
don’t know whose car we’re against but
right now I really don’t care. Wilder’s
hands roam over my backside as his tongue dances
with mine. When was the last time I was intimate
with a man? I start counting back in my head, but
my concentration is cut off by the angry woman he
keeps trying to dodge.
“Finn, this is your last chance,” she shouts as
Wilder finally stops our kiss. Our extremely hot kiss
I should point out. I think her head is going to start
spinning at any second now.
Wilder shakes his head as I look up at him in a
daze. He smirks at me, bends at the waist and
suddenly I’m over his shoulder as we walk away. I
must confess he showed up at the bar tonight
looking fine as hell. The man is legit sexy in the
whole rugged, mountain man appearance he’s got
going on tonight. The complete opposite of when he
was in that suit today at his office. Even sexier with
his dark brown hair that is thick and wavy on the
top but clipped short on the sides. You know…
perfect for running your fingers through and
yanking on when he goes down on you. He’s tall
with broad shoulders, muscular though not in that I
spend every minute of my life in the gym way, but
as in I’m active and fit. He takes care of himself.
And sweet mercy does he smell good. Too good. I
don’t know what kind of cologne the man wears
but I swear it exudes sex pheromones because right
now with the way he kisses and his scent I’m like a
bitch in heat. I would climb him like a tree if I
weren’t already hanging over his shoulder.
“Get her out of your system, Finn. Tomorrow
you’ll be back to being mine,” she calls out after
him, and as I glance up, she stomps her foot like a
toddler. Wow. He doesn’t strike me as the kind of
man who’d put up with her antics. Based off my
impression of him I’m shocked he was sleeping
with her to begin with.
It doesn’t take us long to get to my room at the
Inn, and Wilder finally puts me back on my feet. I
fish my key out of my purse but its tangled with the
shamrock key ring. Impatient, he grabs my hand
and takes the key chain from me, opening the door,
and shoving me through. The door slams with him
kicking it shut with his foot.
I thought the whole ‘get psycho woman away’
scene was over, but nope apparently not. He grabs
me again, pulling me tight to his body and crashes
his mouth back down on mine. Man can he kiss.
Fire blazes in my belly and I know one thing and
one thing only. Boss or not, I’m going to have sex
with him. It’s been way too long, and he’s fucking
hot despite being a bit of an asshole. Moving my
hands down from his shoulders, I seek out his
zipper, and quickly undo his jeans. Everything
moves at warp speed. Once he realizes his jeans are
undone, he strips me faster than I’ve ever been rid
of clothes and has me on the bed ready and
anticipating his next move.
Dipping his head down, he comes in with
another fantastic kiss. Hard and deep full of tongue
and wet. My inner voice warns we really shouldn’t
be doing this, especially since I’m about to start
working for him on Monday. However when he
grabs my throat, shooting me this wicked grin that
says tonight you belong to me, and gets down to
business teasing me with his hands, all coherent
thought leaves my body. Finnick Wilder is a man
who doesn’t waste time. I appreciate that in a lover.
I can’t even remember the last time I slept with
anyone other than my battery-operated boyfriend.
Living life under my father’s rules, afraid to bring
any scandal to the family name, I played things
safe. Keeping my private life out of the tabloids and
off gossip sites online. Appearances are everything
to my family. Here though in this small town, no
one knows the name Maisy Carsten. I doubt they
know who my father is, but in New York City he’s
a real estate mogul and developer who has more
money than God.
My attention snaps back to Wilder when he
moves those hands lower and starts humming on
my clit as he makes a come here motion, hooking
his thick digit inside me, hitting the right spot.
Clutching the sheets, I hold on tight. This man is
going to bring me to the big O in record time. Faster
than BOB ever has or anyone else for that matter. I
don’t know whether to pray or cry because my
body has never experienced anything like the way
he’s making me feel. All I know is I want more of
that talented mouth on me, doing all the dirty things
I’ve only ever dreamed about. Hollowing my back,
I grab hold of his hair, giving him a playful tug
pulling him back to where I crave him.
His face jerks up, his gaze burning into mine.
“Don’t stop,” I snap. His lips curve into an amused
smile.
“Sweetheart, I’m just getting started.” Boy is he
ever. “So damn wet and tight. Such a pretty and
tasty pussy.” He works his thick fingers in and out
my pussy while using that skillful tongue on my clit
once more. Oh God, he’s good. Too damn good.
He’s the kind of man who fucks you so good you
want to scream out I love yous even if you don’t
mean them. Biting my tongue, I throw my head
back on the pillows, arching my back, hips bowing
up, taking all that he gives.
My body shivers and shakes, as he continues
his torturous assault on my pussy and teasing his
thumb against my asshole. Muscles clenching, I
can’t hold back. No one has ever made me come so
fast.
I grin down at him as he snakes up my body and
kisses me deep—his tongue tasting of my essence.
I break away. “Condom?” I breathe heavily into
his neck, inhaling the scent of his cologne. It’s dark
and spicy with a hint of musk but reminds me of
something exotic. On Finnick Wilder the
combination is intoxicating.
“Fuck,” he mutters and grabs his jeans off the
floor digging for his wallet.
“Please tell me you have a condom.” I pinch his
ass and he yelps.
“Easy.” He chuckles, flashing a foil wrapper at
me.
This man is infuriating but sexy as hell. I wait
impatiently as he rolls the rubber over his erection.
My eyes go round at the sheer size of him. I glance
down at my vagina wondering how that massive
cock is going to fit inside me. My brain is
envisioning trying to shove a watermelon through a
pea.
Settling back over me, he grips his thick cock,
rubbing the head back and forth, dragging it over
my pussy lips, teasing me. “Fuck me,” I purr at
him, needing him more right now than I’ve ever
needed any man in my life. I’m desperate for it. I’ll
do whatever he wants right now.
Finally, he pushes the tip in and stares down my
pussy stretching around him. He barely fits. Wilder
pushes deeper in then stops before drawing back
out and thrusting harder.
He shifts, muttering a curse under his breath.
“What’s wrong?”
He jerks out of me. “Condom broke.” Of course
it did, he’s huge, I’m surprised he got it on in the
first place without choking the life out of his dick.
“You have another, right?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.”
“The gas station across the street?”
“Closed.” He drops his forehead against mine.
“You wore protection with crazy bitch though?”
“Yeah? And before that?”
“I was married.”
“Right but you’re clean?”
“Yup. You?”
I nod. “Mhmmm. You’re the first guy I’ve slept
with in like a year or four. I lost count, though I’m
good.”
“Birth control?”
“I’ve been on the pill since I was a teen.”
“You want this?” he tosses the broken condom
over his shoulder.
“Fuck me, Wilder.”
He grins and kisses me. Then he gives me what
I crave, sliding back inside, thrusting deeper,
driving into me so hard I’m going to feel him for
days maybe weeks.
5
I
—FINNICK—
wake up pinned to the bed, an arm over
my chest, and a smooth leg thrown over
mine. Shit, I fucked up. Maisy was hot as hell last
night and even more beautiful when she comes. I
should have left her at the door to her room and
walked away. But no. Her swollen lips called to me
and the second I shoved her into this room, I had to
have her. I had a taste of heaven between her
thighs and couldn’t stop until I fucked her brains
out.
“You still here?” is mumbled out as Maisy
moves, disconnecting her body from mine. Feeling
her limbs leave my body I almost pull her back, but
I stop.
“Was just getting ready to leave actually,” I tell
her as she nuzzles a pillow.
“Okay. Thanks for such a warm welcome to
Wilder’s,” she grumbles with a yawn and snuggles
deeper into the mattress.
I grab my jeans from the floor and tug them on.
“Maisy, we should talk.”
“Mmhmm.”
I sigh and sit on the edge of the bed to tug my
boots on. “Last night shouldn’t have happened.”
There I said it. Felt like shit coming out of my
mouth but it’s the truth. I crossed a line I shouldn’t
have. I can’t even blame it on being drunk. Wish I
could. I wanted her. Now that she’s out of my
system I can move on and I hope she doesn’t make
shit awkward for me. I’d hate to fire her before she
starts on the job.
“I get it. You don’t need to have the talk with
me. Besides it got Psycho Barbie off your butt.”
She waves an arm, basically dismissing me.
I don’t know why it stings. The act sucker
punches me straight in the gut. I’m the one who
gives the brush off not the other way around. I’m
not sure I like it.
I glare at her, although she can’t see it. “It
won’t happen again.”
Maisy yawns. “Obviously. It was a onetime
thing we can blame on getting caught up in playing
our roles. Rule number one—don’t date your boss.
Rule number two, never ever sleep with your boss.”
She grins lazily into the pillow.
Rule number three. Rules are meant to be
broken. I start to say but stop.
“Rule number three,” she continues, “we never
speak of last night again.”
Why do I suddenly want to punch a hole in the
wall and yell at her? I grind my teeth. “So we’ll just
forget it happened?”
“That’s what you want isn’t it?”
I stare at her sexy backside a few seconds
before tugging my shirt over my head, my jaw
clenching. “Well, good, see you Monday,” I grunt
out and leave her room.
Her flippant attitude pisses me off. I almost
expected her to get flirty and try for another go, but
it was almost like she was disappointed I was still
there. I know it’s for the best, but it happens to piss
me off all the same. I make the walk of shame
down the sidewalk, going toward Bud’s where I left
my truck.
I glance at the driver’s side door. What the
fuck? There’s a long scratch deep in the door.
Fucking Amanda. Crazy damn bitch. I’ll deal with
this later. What a damn fruit loop. I can’t believe I
ever fucked her and more than once. That’s what I
get for thinking with my dick.
I fish my keys out of my pocket and climb into
the cab of my Chevy. I start up and head over to
my folk’s for breakfast. I need to ask Mom a favor.
“Someone looks rough this morning,” Mom muses
as she slides me a plate of biscuits and gravy
topped with sausage crumbles as I slouch into the
high back chair at the dining table.
I chug my coffee and ignore her. Branson grins
at me from across the table while Dad just ignores
us all and reads his morning paper.
“Heard you spent the night at Shamrock Inn,”
my brother announces looking all smug. I kick him
under the table, nailing him in the shin. “Ow, shit,”
he howls.
“Was it with Amanda? I heard she made quite
the scene last night,” Mom interjects. “That girl has
it bad for you from what I hear. Guess she thought
you were going to put a ring on her finger.”
I swear to fuck that woman needs her head
examined.
“She’s the definition of crazy. Hope you wore a
rubber,” Dad barbs.
“Jesus. Can we not discuss my sex life over
family breakfast?”
“Well my phone has been ringing off the hook
all morning. You know how the girls are. Ha. Ha.
Ha.” Mom’s high pitched laugh pierces my damn
ears.
Her girls as she calls them are nothing but shit
stirrers who have nothing better to do than spread
rumors while they knit and garden. They need to be
worried about their own lawns before they talk
about how I water mine. I dig into my food and
groan. Nothing beats my mom’s cooking.
“You guys rent out the cabin yet?”
“Yes, you know the moment summer is done
the hunter’s stake their claim. Why?”
“New girl I hired needs a place to rent or buy.”
“What about Mrs. Donahue’s place. She was
just moved into the senior home. I always loved her
backyard. That view of the town, just priceless.”
“And she had like twelve cats. Place is nasty
and reeks of piss. You can smell it when you drive
by. Gonna be months before Curtis has it rentable
or up on the market.” The property is great, but that
house probably needs a complete renovation. The
cats had taken over. The animal shelter didn’t even
have room for all the furballs and had to find
fosters for a few of them.
“So, you wanted us to rent the cabin to her?
What about your apartment over the garage or one
of your spare bedrooms?”
“Not happening. I won’t even let Branson move
in and he’s not half as pretty.” I chuckle.
Mom frowns. “You know your brother gets his
good looks from me. What are you trying to say
that your poor old mother is ugly?”
“Jesus, Louise.” Dad folds his newspaper and
shakes his head. “Give the boy a break.”
Boy, I snort to myself. I’m thirty-five years old.
He shoves his chair back, goes to the counter,
and pours himself another cup of coffee from the
pot.
“You like this chick, don’t you?” Bran accuses.
“No. I owe her after she rescued me from
Amanda. Twice.”
“That’s not how I saw it last night. I would’ve
been taking her home last night if you hadn’t
interrupted us.”
“Home to where? You live here, little brother.
When are you going to stop sucking on the tit and
get your own place?” No way Maisy would have
been leaving with him. I start to argue my point but
think better of it.
“Boys!” Mom snaps and a dish clatters in the
sink. “I won’t have you talking filth at my table.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I mutter, smiling into my coffee
cup. Grown ass man and still getting called to the
carpet by my mother.
“Branson knows he always has a place here.
Though, son, it would be nice if you started
thinking about your future and finding you a nice
girl instead of picking up floozies at bars. Same for
you, Finnick. I’m sure this Maisy is a nice girl but
sleeping with her the first night doesn’t sound that
nice.”
“Who said I had sex with anyone? And even if
I did, I’m a grown ass man who can decide where I
stick my—”
Whack. A hand knocks the back of my head
hard. “Don’t finish that sentence.” Mom stands
behind me ready to hit me again if I don’t listen.
“Now eat up. I’m going to go get dressed and tidy
up the apartment over your garage. I heard she’s
real pretty.” She claps and lets out an excited
squeal. “You know it’s the only decent place
available right now. You can’t leave her at the Inn.”
She shakes her head, giving me an exasperated
glance.
Dear God, what have I done, I wonder as she
unties her apron that says: Kiss the Cook, with a
picture of Miss Piggy ironed onto the center?
Maisy won’t know what hit her when my
mother gets her hands on her.
I finish up with breakfast and say my goodbyes.
I need to get home and hop in the shower before I
call on Maisy to show her the apartment. I’m telling
myself this will only be temporary. She’s new here
and might not even stick around. No sense in
getting so damn flustered and yet all I can think
about is how damn good she felt in my arms.
6
I
—MAISY—
’m just finishing pulling my hair up when
there’s a knock at the door of my motel
room. “Just a second,” I call out, as I get another
bobby pin to pin this darn flyaway piece down.
Walking over to the door I open it and am face
to face with Wilder. “Hi. Not to sound rude, but
what are you doing here?” I hope he doesn’t think
last night means the start of something between us.
“Grab your purse and a jacket, got a place to
show you, and if you like it you need to fill out the
paperwork and have the first month’s rent.”
My brows shoot up. “Great, one second.” I rush
over to the desk to grab my purse, slip on my UGG
boots, and yank my coat off the back of the desk
chair before we head out. It was all sunshine the
other day and now its windy and cold again. This
weather is giving me whiplash. “So where is this
place? How much a month? What’s all included?” I
start to ramble off.
“Just wait until we get there, I have all the
paperwork and shit.” He opens the passenger door
of his big black truck to let me in first. I’m
surprised by the gesture since not many men do this
sort of thing anymore unless they get paid to. I
shrug it off and climb in, the second my butt hits
the seat he shuts the door.
“Drive takes about twenty minutes, longest
drive in town probably. The apartment is small but
it’s in a safe neighborhood,” he tells me once he’s
in the driver’s seat.
“Okay. I can do small. I’ve been staying at the
Shamrock after all.”
“There’s a house that should be coming up for
sale soon. I know the owner and will talk to him
about it if you’re serious about sticking around.”
So far around town I’ve noticed but one place
for sale. An older home that needs some serious
restoration that would be way out of my budget.
When I left New York, I left without a good chunk
of my inheritance. My father cut me off when I
went against his wishes.
“The property is set back a bit, lots of privacy,
and the backyard if you walk about five minutes
down the path leads to a secluded part of the lake
with a private beach.” He turns down a dirt road, I
would have missed it if I came myself because it’s
hidden in the trees. Wow, he wasn’t kidding, this
place is secluded.
Getting out of the truck before he makes it
around to open my door, I see a plump older
woman standing on the front porch of a huge
farmhouse, practically jumping. “You must be
Maisy. I’m Louise, Finnick’s mother.” Her blonde
streaked with silver hair is cut in a fashionable bob
that curls around her heart-shaped face.
Louise’s happy energy and broad smile is
infectious.
“Nice to meet you.” I hold a hand out for her to
shake, and she brushes it away, coming in for a hug.
Oh my. I’ve heard that small town people are
friendly, but I’ve never experienced it until now.
“None of that silly handshake stuff. We’re a
town full of huggers.” She turns to look up at
Finnick and gives him a wink, which has him
shaking his head. “Now, let me take you inside to
show you around before you sign anything and
hand over money. No point in renting this place if
you don’t like it.” She leads me to a two-story
garage situated away from the house.
The tour doesn’t take long. One bedroom, one
bath, a living room, a kitchen that is way nicer than
I expected.
“What are you looking for as far as rent and
what all is included?” I ask her when she drags me
back to the kitchen grabbing the paperwork from
Wilder and puts it on the marble countertop in front
of me. “Four hundred a month, everything’s
included, but anything extra like internet or cable
you’ll have to hook up on your own or discuss it
with my Finnick here.” That’s way too cheap. I
almost feel like she’s downsizing what she wants
me to pay.
I look to Wilder.
“Um, apartment is mine. Auden and I live in the
house over there.” He hooks his thumb toward the
window.
“Oh.”
“Is there a problem, dear?” Louise shoots me a
smile that makes me wonder if she knows I slept
with her son last night.
I glance over the lease, it’s month to month,
which is perfect. Everything appears standard.
“You have a pen?” she plops one on the paperwork
and I get to filling all vital information out. I write
out a check to cover the deposit and first month’s
rent.
“Any questions?” Louise glances between the
two of us.
“I’m good, I guess. It was nice to meet you.”
“You too, Maisy. I’m always around. My house
is two driveways down on the left. I bring lunch
most days to the office, but now with you there I
suppose Finnick would rather you do that for him.”
She smiles and gives me an over exaggerated wink
before looking to her son.
Oh God. She knows we slept together.
“Why don’t you round up that brother of yours
and some friends with trucks so we can help Maisy
move in. We can have a party at my place.”
Wilder groans. “Mom, she has maybe two
suitcases in her hotel room, she probably doesn’t
need any help at all.”
I bite my lip. “Um. Is there a furniture store in
town or nearby?”
“Oh yes, just the next town over in Santa Claus.
Why do you ask?”
“I don’t have any furniture.”
“Oh well you leave that to me. Finn, dear. Your
father and I have all that stuff in storage from
where we change stuff out at the cabin. I just know
it’d be perfect for Maisy.”
“How much shit we talking about?” Wilder asks
bluntly, appearing annoyed.
His mother slaps him on the arm. “You shush,
get on your phone and make some calls. Maybe call
Bodie. That couch is heavy.” She looks to me and
smiles while rolling her eyes.
“Well, I appreciate any help that can be given.”
I don’t want to offend her. She seems to have her
heart set on doing this for me. “I could have the
party here that way I can say thank you to
everyone by paying them in food and drinks?”
She waves me off. “No, no, dear. I’m sure the
place will be a mess until you can unpack and
everything. Let me throw it. I’ll call it a welcome to
town party.” Then she lets out a squeal. “Oh, this is
just wonderful. I can introduce you around, we
have so many single men around here.”
“Mom,” Wilder growls out at her, glaring.
Putting her hands on her hips she glowers right
back. “What?”
“No setting people up. You know we all hate
that shit.”
Her brows go up. “Have you seen how stunning
Maisy is? She needs a man, a good one. A
handsome one. Oh my, the babies would be
adorable.”
Wait, what? Babies? What on earth. My face
grows hot as all color drains away. This town is
crazy. His mom is a crackerjack, but I like her. She
makes me smile a lot. I’ve never met anyone quite
like her.
“No, put those boxes in the bedroom. Can’t you
read, Branson?” Louise shakes her head then looks
to me. “I swear he got all my looks but the brains of
a rock.” Her lips tip into her big goofy smile then
she lets out a laugh that sounds like a cackle. “Ha.
Ha. Ha.” The woman is a riot. I can’t believe
Wilder is even related to her.
The man is seriously so broody I think he might
be hiding a stick up his ass.
“Now I noticed on your application you didn’t
put down a phone number.”
“Oh, I don’t have a cell phone. I’m going to get
a landline hooked up when I call the cable
company to set up the internet.”
“No cell phone? I thought that was all the rage
with you youngsters.”
I lift a shoulder. “I guess. I don’t really like
getting caught up in all that social media stuff.” Not
owning a cell phone has been one of the hardest
things ever. I was so used to always being
connected. It’s nice to be unplugged and not keep
up with everything going on in New York and it’s
one less way for my father to track me or try to
control my life.
“Well, let me know when you have your
number. So, what do you think?” Her elbow nudges
me in the rib, and she winks.
“The house is great.”
“Not the house, silly. The guys. Look at those
ripped muscles. We have some fine single men,
hey?”
“I’m not really looking to be on the market.”
“Nonsense. Pretty single girl like you. New to
town. You’re not one of those you know…”
“Lesbians?”
“Oh goodness no. Feminist that thinks she
doesn’t need a man.”
“Men definitely have their uses.” My gaze flits
to Wilder as his muscles bulge and flex under the
black fitted tee as it stretches with his movements
and my mind flashes to how good I used him the
other night. My cheeks flush, and I turn my head,
clearing my throat.
“I think the guys have this under control. We
have a party to get ready for. Follow me.” She
waves a hand over her shoulder, grabbing her purse
as she moves toward the door not bothering to wait
for me to respond. Okay then. She doesn’t waste
any time. I wasn’t expecting her to organize
everything so fast. I only signed the rental
agreement yesterday and today she has Wilder
moving in beautiful furniture and has a full menu
for this party.
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help. Wilder,
can you lock up? Bring me my key to your mom’s,
and I’ll supply the beer?”
“Sounds good,” Wilder says on a grunt without
looking my way. I don’t know why the fact that he
won’t even look at me since he got here bugs me,
but it does. We both agreed that our entanglement
was a onetime deal, and I’m good with that. Better
than fine with it, and yet I wish he’d at least
acknowledge my presence.
“See you around, Maisy.” Branson smolders at
me doing some weird thing with his eyes. I want to
ask him if needs some eyedrops but then Wilder
finally glances my way and my stupid heart does
this silly fluttering thing. I need to get out of here.
Too much testosterone and sexy muscles in one
space.
“Right.” I grab my purse and find Louise
waiting by her car.
“You can ride with me. Finnick can give you a
lift back. No sense in you two wasting gas taking
two vehicles. It’s better for the environment. You
know with you working for him you should
probably carpool to the office too.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
No way. I will give her this once but after I’m
driving myself everywhere. My father was reluctant
to let me get my license. Said he didn’t understand
when I had a paid driver to take me anywhere. He
never understood my desire for independence.
But I’m finally gaining it.
7
I
—FINNICK—
stand out front of my parent’s place,
arms folded over my chest. I sent Kenya
a text earlier to bring Auden here at four instead of
my place. She’s thirty minutes late. I’ve sent her
two more text messages. All have gone
unanswered. I’m getting pissed. Blood boiling in my
veins, I pace the length of the driveway. She knows
to keep to our schedule unless she clears it with me
ahead of time.
I can’t believe my mother is going to so much
trouble for Maisy. It can only mean one thing. She
likes her a lot and sees her as one of us.
Finally, the roar of the Mustang barrels down
the road. The tires screech to a stop. The passenger
door opens and my daughter files out the back.
“Bye, Mommy. By, Mickster,” she coos at her little
brother who is strapped in his car seat.
I shoot Kenya a look through the open door as
Auden hands me her backpack. “You’re late.”
“I know. I would have texted, but my phone
died, and Jerry said I could have Mickey, so I took
him and Auden to the park so they could spend
some time together. Time got away from me. You
know she loves her brother.”
Yeah I know. Auden loves getting to see her
little brother and it’s rare that she does since she
lives with me full time and his dad has custody of
him. I swallow back my anger. Kenya’s trying to do
better. She doesn’t need me ragging on her.
“Have you guys ate yet? Mom has a shit ton of
food.”
“Did she make her lasagna?”
“That and her fried chicken and pasta salad.”
“Well, I mean, I guess we could come in for a
minute.”
“All right. Unbuckle Mickey, and I’ll take him
on in. You park.”
“Thanks, Finn.”
“Don’t mention it.” I hated Kenya for a long
time but as much as I can’t stand her most the time,
she does make cute kids.
She leans around her seat, her bulging belly
bumping against the console. “Go with sissy and
Finn,” she tells him.
Mickey is a rambunctious three-year-old that’s
meaner than hell. He’s all grit and loves to play in
the dirt. Hell, there was a time I thought about
taking him when her and his dad were going
through their shit, but Jerry stepped up and got
clean for him. Divorced Kenya after he left rehab
and went through parenting courses to get full
custody.
He gets out of the car and I shut the door. I
swing him up on my shoulders and take him inside.
Kenya isn’t my mom’s favorite person or anyone’s
for that matter, but we all tolerate her for Auden.
“Oh, well hello there, little guy,” Mom coos at
Mickey. Looking to me she quirks an eyebrow and
shakes her head while mumbling under her breath,
“Great, now we all have to pretend to like that
woman.” I glance towards Auden and sigh in relief
that she’s gone over to say hi to Maisy and didn’t
hear my mother talking about Kenya. To be fair
though, my ex hurt our family a lot. Hell, she stole
and pawned my mother’s diamond earrings and
matching necklace the old man had bought her for
their twentieth wedding anniversary. Mom can hold
one hell of a grudge or be the best woman you’ll
ever meet. Kenya earned herself a permanent spot
on her shit list.
Maisy says something that has Auden giggling.
Looks like they are making friends fast. I don’t
know that I like it. I’m not used to the whole dating
and being a single dad thing, but I guess I’d better
get used to it since Mom has made the woman her
next pet project. Maybe it’ll work in my favor, and
I’ll get to know more about Maisy in the process. I
know what I said about the other night being a
mistake and her working for me complicates things
but there’s something about her that has me
curious.
Moving her in wasn’t that difficult, but Mom
wasn’t lying. That couch was a bitch to move. I
hope Maisy got enough beer for us as thanks. Bodie
and Branson can put it away when the mood strikes
them. I had to make them start bringing their own
to poker night.
“Down!” Mickey shouts from my shoulder as
he starts to see more people. He takes off wobble
running, the sight giving me a chuckle.
“He’s not overly sturdy but at least he’s a boy,
doesn’t seem to care.” Kenya laughs sounding
nervous. “Thanks for the invite, I’m gonna say hi to
your dad and get some food. We won’t stay long.”
Dad still has a soft spot for Kenya. Hell, I think
he took our divorce harder than anyone. He saw
her as his daughter. Him and her father were close
growing up and he always thought it was his
responsibility to look after her since Tim died. He
moved here with Kenya when Dad gave him a job
working for him when his wife passed away
suddenly in a car wreck leaving him a single father.
He passed away about two months after Auden’s
birth. Cancer. Kenya took his death hard, and I
think that was the beginning of our end. She
spiraled and shut me out.
I shrug. “Stay and have a plate or not. Makes
no difference to me either way.” I amble over to my
brother. The second he sees the annoyed expression
I’m wearing he’s popping the cap off a beer and
hands it over.
“She bought the good shit. Have to hand it to
her. She has good taste and hell, she’s damn pretty
to look at.” He stares over my shoulder, letting out
a chuckle. “You might want to rescue her. Mom has
been dragging her around in between bites of food,
literally talking to every single dude that showed
up.”
I grunt, taking a gulp. “Shit. She looks scared,”
I point out as Mom whips her around to another
guy, practically giving her whiplash. “Damn it, I’ll
go save her.”
“Yeah, thought so.” Branson lifts his bottle to
his lips trying to hide his laughter. Fucker. I feel set
up.
Auden skips to me before I can make it to
Maisy’s side. “Hey, Dad. I didn’t know we were
having a party.”
“Yeah, you know your Gramma, found out
Maisy was new around here, and wanted to throw
her a welcome party.” Which reminds me. I
should’ve asked Auden how she’d feel about Maisy
living over our garage until she finds something
else. “Listen. You know the apartment over the
garage?”
“What about it?”
“Maisy’s going to rent it out for a while.”
Auden’s face lights up. “Maisy is pretty cool.
It’ll be nice having a girl around to do fun stuff with
on weekdays.” I want to correct her. Don’t want
her getting her heart set on the two of them being
buddies.
I frown at her. “You don’t even know her.”
Damn, the woman is putting her spell on all of us.
She shrugs. “Sure, whatever you say. I think she
is going to love it here.” I watch her as she glances
back at Maisy. “Gramma is trying to line up dates
for her. So far lots have asked, but she only said yes
to Bodie, probably just to get Gramma to stop.”
I clench my fists, God damn it.
I move closer to Mom and Maisy, ruffling my
kid’s hair as I move away.
“Maisy, I meant to ask earlier. Would you like
to go shopping with me in Santa Claus this week for
stuff for your new apartment?”
“Um… sure. Why not.”
“Now, since you don’t have a cell phone for me
to call when I’m on my way, I’ll pop into the office
and see when that son of mine will let you have an
early evening off.”
I get a funny tickle in the back of my throat.
“You don’t have a phone? What the hell are you
thinking?” A single woman, in a town she doesn’t
know, by herself, she has to have a damn phone.
“Finnick Wilder, you watch your mouth.”
Ignoring my mother, I glare at Maisy, who is
glaring right back at me. “You’re getting a phone.
Today.”
She shakes her head. “Not sure how it’s your
business, but you’re right, I am getting a phone.
When I call on Monday to get my cable and
everything set up. So, I’ll have a phone when I
have a phone.”
Stubborn.
A hit to the back of my head forces me to
stumble. “He being a dumbass?” my dad asks,
joining us.
Rubbing the back of my neck I scowl again at
Maisy even harder.
“Go help your brother man the grill, do
something useful,” he tells me.
“You’re getting the phone.”
Maisy rolls her eyes and turns to my dad to
introduce herself as I walk away.
Fuck me, she’s under my skin, and I don’t know
what to do about it. I want to throw her ass over my
shoulder and take her upstairs to work out my
frustrations. She’s damn near driving me crazy. One
taste of her and I can’t escape her. My mind flashes
the other night in her hotel room, and I shake my
head. I need to get a damn grip.
8
W
—MAISY—
ilder walks away and I let out a sigh
of relief. Sure, he’s hot, but he ticks
me off more than anything. Why is it any of his
business whether I have a phone or not?
“My boy’s a good one, but don’t let him walk
all over you. Sometimes he just needs a swift kick
in the ass,” Mr. Wilder tells me before clamping me
on the shoulder and walking away. He’s tall like his
sons. I’m betting he looked a lot like Finnick in his
younger years. They both have dark hair and green
eyes, where Louise and Branson have lighter hair.
This party is interesting. I’ve met a lot of
people, and highly doubt I’ll even remember their
names in about five minutes. There’s just so many
of them. I don’t know where they all keep coming
from for Shamrock to be such a small town.
“Now I know you’ll say no, but you and my
Finn have something crackling between you.”
“There’s a fine line between love and hate.” I
shoot her a cheeky grin and she howls.
“Oh, now. Silly girl. Give it time. But for now, I
have someone else I think you should meet.”
I try not to roll my eyes because Louise is truly
so sweet.
My arm still firmly grasped in her hold she tugs
me forward. I say a quick prayer for someone to
rescue me as she steers me towards another man.
“Bodie, this here is Maisy,” she quickly states.
I glance up at him. Shit he’s tall. Taller than
Wilder. And handsome. He’s got these big thick
arms that I just know he’d give teddy bear hugs. He
runs a hand through his wavy dark hair and my
mind flashes to the way I pulled on Wilder’s the
other night begging him to fuck me. My cheeks
glow red at the memory. A bead of sweat breaks
across the back of my neck. Am I old enough to be
getting hot flashes?
Bodie grins flashing his pearly whites. He has
nice straight teeth. “I know, we’ve met,
remember?” he was one of the men that helped
move the furniture in at the apartment.
“Well, yes, but this is different, before you were
all sweaty and doing heavy lifting.” Louise lets out
another one of her high-pitched laughs. “Bodie is
my nephew. Son of my sister Linda Lou. He’s just
as handsome as my boys, but I’m the prettier
sister.” Her eyes twinkle. “He’ll give Finnick a run
for his money.”
I can feel blush creeping down my neck and
spreading across my chest. I shake my head slightly.
Bodie chuckles under his breath as he looks at me.
“Since Maisy is new in town, I was thinking
you should take her out. Say Tuesday evening?”
I start to protest, again as Bodie looks over my
shoulder and smirks. “Sure, why not.” Shooting me
a wink, he grabs a pen and paper off the nearby
table. He scribbles something down. “Call me.
Anytime day or night.”
“Right. I’ll do that.”
“Be sure that you do,” he tells me, promising to
talk more later but he needs to do something first.
“She’ll call this week. I’ll make sure of it. She
doesn’t have her landline setup yet, but we’ll get it
all
sorted.”
Louise
is
serious
about
her
matchmaking. She turns to me waiting for me to
add to the conversation.
“Okay. I’ll call.” I agree to a date only because
I really don’t want to meet anymore single guys.
For a town so small there sure is a lot of them here
today.
I’m pretty sure Bodie is taking one for the team
anyways, especially since he gave me a wink while
handing over his phone number. Heck, he didn’t
even ask me for the date, Louise volunteered him.
After agreeing to this ridiculous setup, I move away
to get myself a drink and a plate of pasta salad,
when a heavily pregnant woman comes up next to
me.
“You must be new in town and the pretty lady
my daughter went on about all weekend.” She
beams at me with glowing cheeks holding her hand
out for me to shake.
“I’m Maisy.”
“I’m Kenya, Auden’s mom and Finnick’s ex.
Don’t believe everything you hear about me. I’m
not liked very much.” Wow, blunt.
“Um, well, that sounds unfortunate.” What else
can I say to that?
She waves it off. “Nah, I deserve it. I wasn’t a
good wife, barely a good mother, but I’m trying to
be better,” Kenya confides, as she rubs her belly.
“This one makes baby number three.” I stare at her,
looking for similarities between her and Auden.
They share the same smile, but other than that I
think Auden takes after her father.
“Congrats. Third times a charm, right?”
She lets out a laugh. “I like you. You’re funny.”
I shove a bite of pasta in my mouth, not sure
how to handle this. I slept with her ex. I now work
for him and am now his tenant. “This is really
good.” I decide talking food seems safe enough.
“Louise is an amazing cook. I burned that
bridge, but she’s a good woman. Slightly nutty.
Doesn’t take no for an answer. How do you know
the family?”
I don’t know how much information to disclose
here but I might as well be honest since she is
asking and will find out either way. “Oh, um I’m
working for Wilder and renting the apartment over
his garage.”
“Oh. You should go for him.” She nods toward
her ex-husband. “He’s hot. I don’t say that because
I’m still hung up on Finn, because he’s a bit of a
jerk. But honestly, he’s a great guy under that tough
exterior. Branson’s great too but he has some
growing up to do still.”
“Oh, I’m not interested in either. I’m not
looking to start anything. I just moved here, and the
last thing I need is a man complicating things.”
“Says the woman Finnick has stared at for five
minutes solid.”
I swallow hard and when I catch his eye, he
quickly turns his head.
I go to chat her up a little more, trying to
change the subject since she seems nice, when the
crazy chick from the Bud’s shows up. Crap, this
isn’t going to be good. “I’m sorry, looks like I might
need to help with that.” I point to the girl.
Kenya snorts. “She really should be in a mental
hospital. The girl is nuts, even when I was married
to him, she kept trying to turn his eye. But one
thing about him that I respect is that he’s loyal.
When everyone talked shit about me though he
knew there was truth to it he stood by me.”
I move off feeling weird and all kinds of
awkward like his ex-wife was trying to sell me on
him. Tossing my paper plate in the trash I shake the
conversation off and slide up behind him as he goes
for another beer. “Hand me one of those will you,
Wilder?” He jumps when I put a hand on his arm.
“Uh…what are you doing?”
I cock my head to the side. “You’ve got
company. Crazy Barbie at one o’clock.”
“Fuck,” he mutters and glances out the corner
of his eye. He hands me a beer then pinches the
bridge of his nose. “I don’t know how many ways I
can say get lost.”
“Yeah, she’s a bit stalkerish.” I take a long
drink.
“You’ve got to help me get rid of her, but I
don’t want to make a big scene. My kid is here, and
this is my parent’s house. That bitch has no
boundaries. Someone keyed my truck last night,
and I’ll give you one guess who was behind the
handiwork.”
The last thing I need in my life is to deal with
more of his crazy stalker fling or whatever she is. I
need to shut this spark I feel with him down fast.
“Quite the predicament you’re in here, boss man.”
I start to walk off and he grabs my wrist.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to get away from Psychotic Barbie
and go hang out with your mother or even your ex-
wife. Both are much better company than whatever
situation you’re trying to drag me into.” I tilt my
head in Amanda’s direction. “I gave you a head’s
up. I don’t owe you anymore favors.”
I go to make my escape, but he pulls me in
close. “Stay.”
“Would you stop it? Your mother has already
asked me a million and one times what I thought
about you. She’s on a serious matchmaking quest,
don’t give her any ideas.”
“Too late, if you don’t help me out now,
Amanda will know it was all to piss her off. I’ll
explain to Mom later.”
I fight back a groan. “I don’t need to be cozied
up to you. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong
impression. Especially not your daughter. I’m
already working for you and now living over your
garage. Your ex-wife was telling me to date you not
even five minutes ago. Next thing you know your
mother will be planning our fictitious wedding and
for fear of breaking her heart I’ll be forced to marry
you or something.”
His eyes light up.
“What? I don’t like the look you’re giving me.”
“Nothing. Just please do this for me one last
time. Let me worry about my kid.”
“I think you might be a crazy person. Maybe
you and Amanda belong together.”
9
I
—FINNICK—
’m pissed at myself for ever getting
involved with Amanda. That’s what I get
for thinking with my dick. All I needed was a
woman like Maisy who understands no strings
attached sex. Too bad she didn’t move to town
sooner. She could have saved both me and my dick
a lot of grief. But hell, if she had been around, I’d
want more than sex and one night. Because now
that I’ve had her I know that one time will never be
enough. There’s something about her that makes
me want to get to know more. And fuck, the sex
was that damn good. Never had such an attraction
to anyone in my life. I keep telling myself its lust
and nothing more, but I get this stupid tight pain in
my chest every single time I think about her.
I shuffle a little closer, not near enough for
Amanda to see me, but to overhear what is about to
be said as Maisy stalks toward her. “Amanda, what
are you doing here? I didn’t realize anyone invited
you to my party.”
“Finnick will want me here. Ask him.”
“What’s this?” my mother steps between them
sensing the tension.
“I was hoping to speak with Finn,” she says, in
her fake as shit sweet voice. She even toned down
her sexy clothing which is surprising. Her tits aren’t
hanging out of her top for once. Amanda is all tits,
and she knows it. Uses it to her advantage to get
what she wants. I fell for it a time or two only I
know better now.
Maisy glances at me, and I mouth thank you.
Her eyes roll, and I’m afraid she’s going to rat me
out. “I’m sorry, but the last two times you’ve tried
to speak with him, he hasn’t wanted to. This is his
family’s home. You need to respect his wishes and
leave.”
Amanda narrows her eyes at Maisy. “You can’t
tell me what to do.” She glares at her so hard I
think lasers might shoot out her eyeballs. “You’re
not even from here. Why are you even here? And
what did you mean your party?”
“Didn’t you key his truck? Are you stalking
him?”
“Answer my question. Why are you here?”
Mom steps between them. “Now, Amanda. I
always thought you were a sweet girl, but if my boy
doesn’t want to be with you, you need to leave.”
Mom gives her the talk now or you are in big
trouble look. “Did you key his truck?”
Putting her hands on her hips, Amanda’s jaw
clenches. “He does want to be with me, he’s just
playing hard to get. We’re perfect together. He’s
just confused. I’m trying to get that into his head.
And I know you agree with me, you’re always
trying to push us together. You can’t trust the word
of this stranger. We don’t know anything about her.
Maybe she keyed his truck.”
Mom’s brows shoot up. Probably noticing the
crazy side of this bitch I’ve been trying to tell her
about.
“Yeah. That makes perfect sense. While he was
with me all night, I snuck out to key his truck.”
Amanda practically has steam blowing out of
her ears hearing confirmation from Maisy we spent
the night together.
I glance around for Auden, but she seems
occupied with her brother.
Dad stalks over to them, gives Amanda a look
then shifts to Mom. “Who invited her?”
Amanda gasps at how rude it comes out, and I
want to laugh but keep quiet. I don’t want to draw
her attention to me. She hasn’t spotted me, and I
want to keep it that way.
“No one did, Harold. She’s being quite rude if
you ask me,” Mom tells him with a sigh. I rub the
back of my neck. “Apparently she keyed Finn’s
truck.”
Dad looks to Maisy. “What’s this got to do with
you?”
“Nothing really. Your son’s a nice guy who has
done a lot for me since I arrived, and I wanted to
repay the favor by keeping crazy pants here from
making a scene in front of his family and friends,
but she can’t seem to take the hint.”
One of the old man’s rare grins spreads across
his face. This isn’t good. My old man likes her. He
doesn’t like anyone, not since Kenya which means
he’s probably going to help Mom with the crazy
matchmaking bullshit she loves to do. I need to put
a stop to it all because I want her for myself.
“Leave.”
“But, Mr. Wilder, sir,” Amanda stammers.
Dad shakes his head. “My house, my rules.
Take it somewhere else. If Finnick wants to talk to
you, he’ll reach out. Don’t show up uninvited
again. I know your mother raised you better than
this.”
Amanda doesn’t fight it. Most of the people in
town fear my dad. Although I have to say he’s all
bark and no real bite. Her shoulders sag as she goes
out the front door. I sigh in relief when I hear a car
door shut and it takes off.
Maisy is now in front of me smirking. “See.
There wasn’t no crazy blow out drama. She went
peacefully. And I didn’t have to be all over you for
her leave.”
No, she didn’t. Part of me knows it would have
been nice having her in my arms again.
Her elbow digs into my side and I get a whiff of
her perfume, remembering how good she smelled
when I buried my face between her thighs. Like a
tropical paradise. “Now you owe me another
favor.” Her lips quirk up spreading into a sexy
smirk. Maisy is gorgeous. Short enough that she can
wear heels and not tower over me. Sexy as sin
curves. Big tits and a perfect ass to match.
She’s feisty and a bit on the sassy side.
She’s fucking trouble is what she is. I like my
life and she’s been in town all of a week maybe and
blown my comfort all to hell.
“Name your price. What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
“Everyone wants something.”
“Listen, I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but I don’t
know you all that well and this woman really has an
axe to grind. You said she keyed your truck. What
will she do the next time?”
“She’ll cool off once she finds a new man to
hook her claws into.”
“You sure about that?”
“She won’t be a problem.”
“Okay. Fine. Get your mom off my back with
all this matchmaking business. I was able to get out
of the first few dates she tried to wrangle me into
but couldn’t get out of the last one. A man is the
last thing I’m looking for right now.”
I clench my fists. Bodie came to me gloating
about he had a date with her, and it pissed me off.
Asshole wanted to rub it in my face. When we were
moving all her shit him, and Bran kept going on and
on about how hot she is. “There’s only one way
she’ll leave it alone.”
“What’s that?”
“Get coupled up with someone.”
Her face pales. “Um and who am I going to do
that with?”
“Me.”
“Excuse me? Uh…did you not hear the thing I
said about not wanting a man complicating my life
right now.”
I shrug. “You heard me. We could pretend to
date for a few weeks and then we tell her it didn’t
work out. She’ll leave you alone if she thinks
you’re undateable.” Only I plan to show her that
we could have the best of both worlds. She’ll get
my mom off her back, Amanda will get off mine,
and maybe there will be more hot sex in it for the
both of us. We had a good time. I’d definitely like
to hit that again even if I know I shouldn’t go there.
“No thanks. I’ll take my chances.”
“And why the hell not?”
“I don’t shit where I eat.”
“I could fire you.”
“For what? I’ve not even started yet.”
“Calm down, tiger.”
“And why would I be the one that’s
undateable? You’re the one who is a grumpy
asshole that attracts crazy women, and I’m not like
Amanda. I’m not your type. You’re not mine
either,” she tacks on.
Those orgasms I gave her screamed otherwise,
but I keep the comment to myself.
“Whatever,” I mutter and stomp off. What the
fuck was that just now? I’m a damn catch.
I go to the kitchen and check out the desert
selection before I stick my foot further in my
mouth. I bump into Kenya. “Maisy seems nice and
she’s really pretty.”
“Don’t you start on me too.” I cut off a piece of
cheesecake and hand it to her.
“Thanks. I’m just saying that you’ve not really
dated seriously since me, and I know it’s not
because you’re hung up on me. I wasn’t the love of
your life, Finn. You married me because I got
pregnant.” I glare at her. “Don’t get defensive. Just
hear me out. Auden thinks you’re unhappy. I agree
with her.”
“Did she tell you that?”
She nods, swallowing, then taking a drink of
water. “She thinks you won’t date because you’re
worried about her not liking them.”
“Kid is too smart for her own good.” I shake
my head and scoop out some whipped cream for
my apple pie.
“You should ask her out.”
“Who?”
She rolls her eyes. “Duh. Maisy.”
“Nope not happening.”
“So, you like Amanda?”
“Fuck no.”
“But you slept with her?”
“I’m not getting into this with you.”
“I only want you to be happy. You deserve to
be with someone who appreciates you. You’re a
little rough around the edges but deep down, you’re
a good man. Any woman would be lucky to have
you. I know I ruined us, but we weren’t meant to
be.”
I grunt. The last thing I want to discuss with my
ex-wife is my love life or our failed marriage.
“How’s things with you? When’s this baby due?
Jack still working out of town a lot?”
“Stop changing the subject. I never in a million
years thought you’d end up with a woman like
Amanda. You’re better than that. I mean, you were
married to me.” She grins and I laugh.
“I wasn’t with her. I slept with her a couple
times, nothing major never even bought her a
meal.”
“Stop being such a man and thinking with your
other head.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“You know I’m glad we can talk like this. I
never thought we’d be friends and maybe we never
will be, but I like this. Us communicating.”
“Me too, Kenya. Me too.” I never thought we’d
reach this point. I stare at our reflection in the back
door in the kitchen that leads out to the back deck.
We look normal. Not ready to tear out one
another’s throat. Maybe things are changing
between us for the better.
Auden skips into the kitchen with Mickey
stumbling behind her. She skids to a stop and smiles
big at us. “Can Mickey and I have some dirt
puddin’?”
“Yeah, princess.” I push off from the counter
and grab the bowls.
“Mickey and I will be leaving soon. Come give
me a hug.” Kenya tosses her plate in the trash and
opens her arms to Auden.
I find myself smiling at the sight. Kenya was in
a bad place for a long time. I’m glad to see her
getting back to her old self. The woman I thought I
loved once upon a time. Happy and sober looks
good on her.
“Okay. You were right,” Maisy interrupts, and
Kenya smiles to herself.
“Come on kids. Let’s take your pudding to the
dining room.”
“You ready to make a deal?”
“Your mother tried to set me up with her
garbage man.”
I chuckle. “You want to rethink that whole fake
dating thing?”
“I…” Her tongue darts out and wets her bottom
lip. The sight makes my cock twitch remembering
how sweet her mouth and the rest of her was Friday
night.
Her words die on my lips as they capture hers in
a tongueless but tasteful kiss since we are in my
folk’s kitchen.
“You were saying?” I rub my chin, knowing
damn good and well she enjoyed that as much as I
did just now.
“Why did you do that?” she hisses.
“Well then Bodie, I guess you won’t be needed
after all,” I overhear my mother.
I stare Maisy down. “A simple thank you will
do, sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” she says through her clenched
teeth.
10
M
—FINNICK—
aisy stayed back at my mom’s to
help her clean up from the party. I
stopped by my office to grab a file for this case I
have court for Wednesday. My firm mostly handles
small town family stuff. Affairs. Annulments.
Paternity stuff.
“Dad, this isn’t going to work,” Auden sasses at
me as she stares at what will be Maisy’s desk.
Narrowing my eyes at her, I shake my head.
“What did you mean by it’s not going to work?”
She throws a hand out motioning around the
room. “Maisy is a girl. She needs a nice office. This
is a boy’s office.” She crinkles her nose.
Folding my arms, I ask, “And what would you
suggest?”
“Well, colorful folders or sticky notes for one
thing. Pens. A pen holder. Maybe a label maker,
plants, that smelly thing with oils that mom has.” I
start going cross-eyed as she speaks.
“Auden, this isn’t that kind of office.”
She flops into the worn leather chair behind the
desk. “Doesn’t matter, she’s nice, and should be
comfortable here. Right? This chair sucks. It’s all
hard and it’s peeling.” Her lips spread into a
mischievous grin. “I have a great idea. Let’s go
shopping, I’ll pick everything out.” Her head bobs
up and down.
“Don’t you have homework or something to
do?”
“Nope,” she pops the P and grins bigger at me.
“Come on, Dad. Let’s go. I bet if she shows up and
you have everything all nice for her she’ll like you
a lot more.”
Chuckling as I walk to the door, I give in. Kid
knows how to work me. “Fine, lead the way, boss.”
“Awesome, let’s hit up Staples. That way we
won’t have to go anywhere else.”
I hold back a groan. Going into the city, forty
minutes away, wasn’t exactly something I planned
on doing today, or any day for that matter.
“Can we get Taco Bell when we’re done?”
“We’ll see.”
“This is going to be so much fun. Can I get
some stickers and a new notebook? Oh, and I need
pencils. Maybe some markers.”
Perfect. Now my kid wants me to not only shit
all my insides she wants all new stuff too. Like she
doesn’t already have enough stickers and junk at
home.
Auden gave me command of the shopping cart
while she forces me to follow her down just about
every aisle in the store. “We done yet, kid?” I don’t
think Maisy we need all this shit to answer phones,
but what do I know?
“Just one more thing. You need to get her a new
computer, because the one in there now, you’ve
had it in there for as long as I’ve been alive, at
least.” She’s not wrong. And now I feel like an
idiot. That’s something I should have replaced
years ago, but my last office girl didn’t complain
about it, so I never even thought of it.
We hit it up Best Buy for the computer after I
shelled out two hundred bucks for some damn chair
that Auden insisted I buy for Maisy saying how
could I expect her to work if she wasn’t
comfortable.
Kid is trying to make me go for broke, but she
has a point. The office hasn’t had any upgrades or
changes in years. Not since Sean came on to help
out after Auden was born.
Another grand later she has me in Taco Bell
telling me about the latest playground gossip. “So
Lenny dared Marta to jump off her swing and she
stuck her tongue out at him and started swinging
higher. Oh man. Anyway, she was determined to
prove that girls can do anything boys can but
better.”
I shake my head and shuffle the meat and
cheese around in my taco bowl.
“So, there she was singing, boys come from
Jupiter because they are stupider. She went to make
her big leap only her skirt got caught on the chain
the swing hangs on and she face planted right in the
dirt with her Care Bear panties flashing to the
whole fifth grade.”
“Jesus,” I mutter.
“Right?” She laughs, lettuce flying out her
mouth. “Now everyone keeps calling her,
underpants bear.”
“That’s not nice.”
“No, but it’s funny. She doesn’t care. She just
flips her hair and says yeah so what?”
“Finish your food. It’s getting late.”
“Can we get a milkshake?”
“Not tonight. I don’t need you bouncing off the
walls when we get home.”
“Fine.”
Maisy should be showing up any minute now. I left
before she did but could sense movement over the
garage when I took Auden to the bus stop. I finish
getting the stuff placed on her desk though I’m sure
she’ll want to arrange everything in her own way. I
don’t know what my problem is, but my stomach
keeps flip flopping. I’d like to blame it on last
night’s dinner, but I already was up half the night
paying homage to the porcelain throne.
Auden tried to worm her way out of school this
morning saying I needed her to set up all the junk
we bought and get the computer running.
I stare at the desk at all the feminine crap
wanting to vomit.
The door chimes. I turn around and my breath
catches in my throat at the sight of Maisy. Wearing
this form fitting black skirt and white blouse, she
smiles at me brighter than the damn sun. “Morning,
boss man.” She hands me a bag from Brina’s and a
to go coffee cup. “You okay? You look a little
pale?”
“I’m good, thanks,” I grumble, wanting to take
her in my office and bend her sweet ass over my
desk.
“What’s all this?” She smirks staring at the new
setup.
“Auden. She thought you’d like new shit.”
Her fingers trail the top of the new computer
monitor. “She did good. Thank you.”
“Thank the kid.”
“All right I will next time I see her.”
I take a sip of the coffee and peek into the bag.
“The hell is this?”
“A bran muffin.”
“No way. I don’t eat that healthy shit.”
Maisy drops into the chair and lets out a moan.
“This is comfy.” She gives it a spin.
“Today you’ll mostly be answering the phone
and getting a feel for the place. I’ll need you to
transfer and update the customer files on the new
system. If you run into any trouble, I’ll be in my
office. If you get any calls about a new client take
down their name, number and the nature of their
case. Tell them you will return their call to schedule
an appointment. Later you’ll email me a list with
their information then I will email you back to let
you know who to schedule them for me or Sean.”
“Got it. Wait. Sean?”
“My partner. He’s out of town on personal
business. You’ll meet him later. You good?”
“I think so.”
“Welcome to the team.”
“Thanks.” My gaze lands on her pretty kissable
red lips. “Wilder?” My head snaps up. “Was that
it?”
No. I want to tell her she needs to give me a
taste of that sweet tempting mouth again. “Uh
yeah.”
“You sure?”
“You getting settled in okay at the apartment?”
“Yup. Everything is great. Your mom has been a
huge help.”
“I bet she has.” I chuckle. If my mom and all
the crazy with Amanda doesn’t send her packing
maybe my pursuing her won’t either.
“Oh and one more thing. I agree to your terms,
but I think because we work together and I rent
from you we need to have boundaries of what is
acceptable and what isn’t when it comes to displays
of public affection.”
“Good.”
“If I’m going to be your girlfriend, I want
treated to dinner at least one night a week. I like
flowers. I want to be handled with respect. No
gross groping or heavy petting. If we kiss there is to
be no tongue involved. We need to keep this as
platonic as we can while making our relationship
believable. Also I get to be the one who breaks up
with you. Most important under no circumstances
will we be having sex again ever.”
I do my best to mask my disappointment, but
it’s probably for the best we don’t sleep together.
Sex complicates shit. I have enough on my plate
navigating Kenya’s shit and sharing custody of
Auden with her.
“If that’s it then I’m going to get started with
my day, sweetheart.”
“Oh. No pet names.”
“Sure, whatever. You need anything. Well I’ll
be in my office. I’ll take you to lunch later.”
“Sounds great but it doesn’t count as my
weekly meal.”
“Right. Got it.”
I shuffle down the hallway to my office with
my tail between my legs, but every bone in my
body aches for me to march back in there and
prove that we could make friends with benefits
work. Things went south with Amanda because she
expected more but with Maisy there are no
expectations. Maybe I can bring her around to my
way of thinking sooner rather than later.
11
I
—MAISY—
look up from my computer finding
Wilder staring at me with his permanent
scowl. I wonder what made him so grumpy? His
divorce? Or is it merely his personality? I confess
part of me looks forward to finding out what makes
this guy tick. I’ve been working for him a week
now and it’s not as bad as I was expecting. Things
around here can border the tedious side but
watching him squirm whenever he sees that crazy
chick is fun.
“You ready to go?”
“Give me a second to make a visit to the little
girl’s room.” I push back my chair and grab my
purse from the bottom drawer.
“Hurry up.”
“I will only be a minute or two tops.” He was in
court a lot last week, so I rarely saw him. This week
things are slower. I move past him and he grabs my
wrist. My heart skips a beat when I inhale a good
whiff of his cologne. Stupid hormones. That’s all it
is. One night of good sex and my body thinks it’s
now go time whenever he’s near.
“In case I forget to tell you later. Thanks for the
help with Amanda.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re helping me out too.
Your mom is on a mission to marry me off to every
good-looking guy in town.” I smirk and he lets me
go.
In the privacy of the bathroom I give myself a
mental pep talk. I can do this. It’s only lunch and
coworkers eat together. Sure, Wilder is great in bed
but what’s a few kisses to get us both what we
want. I like this town and the people make me smile
more than I ever did back in New York. I finally
found a place where I might fit in. Except for
making an enemy my first week here in Amanda
but that’s to be expected. I can’t like everyone, and
they won’t always like me. It’s a part of life.
I wash and dry my hands then rejoin Wilder
outside the office. He lets out this strangled noise
from the back of his throat. I glance across the
street and see Louise about to cross the road. I grab
Wilder’s hand, and he gives me a funny look.
“Couples hold hands in public,” I remind him.
“Right.” He curls his fingers around mine.
“Well you two seem to be getting along.” His
mother eyes our joined hands.
“Wilder is about to treat me to lunch if you
want to join us.”
The panic on his face makes me want to laugh
but I hold it back.
“Goodness no. I don’t want to intrude. You kids
have fun. I’ll be by sometime to discuss our plans
for thanksgiving. I won’t take no for an answer.”
“Okay. Thanksgiving.” My father’s idea of a
family Thanksgiving was a catered diner and
hosting his rich business partners while I sat in my
assigned seat looking pretty.
“All right. If he’s taking you to Joni’s today’s
special is roast beef and gravy. It’s a little dry for
my taste. Ha. Ha. Ha.” Her laughter is infectious.
“Mom, we need to get going or we’re going to
miss the special.”
Her lips tip down. “Well don’t let me keep you.
Maisy, it was nice to see you again, dear.”
“You too, Mrs. Wilder.”
“Call me Louise.”
“Bye, Louise.” Wilder tugs me forward,
practically dragging me down the sidewalk. “Would
you slow down? Geez. Are you starving or
something?” I’ve ate there a few times on my own,
but last week I packed my lunch almost every day.
It’s something I had never done in my life. And
well this is my first job. I haven’t told my boss that
though. He didn’t ask me for any references.
Though I suppose he was desperate to get rid of his
stalker at the time.
“No. I want to get the special before it runs
out.”
“Your mom said it’s not that great.”
“That’s because it’s the one thing Joni cooks
better than her.”
“Oh. Okay. Do they have a longstanding roast
feud I should know about?”
“Mom and Joni were partners back in the day.
They were best friends to be exact.”
“What happened?”
“Joni accused Mom of stealing my father out
from under her.”
“Oh my. Go Louise.”
Wilder rolls his eyes. “It’s not that dramatic.
The old man came to town to build a new
courthouse. He’d go to the diner for lunch and
dinner. He saw my mom and knew she was the one.
Asked her out and when the job was done, he
decided to stick around and started his own
business. Mom and Joni stopped being friends and
mom sold her part in the business. After that she
married Dad, became a stay at home mom.”
“It’s a little sad that they lost their friendship.”
“I guess.” He shrugs and drops my hand to
open the door to the diner.
Joni’s is one of those places when you enter
through the door you know you’re welcome there.
The décor is what I’d call farmhouse rustic. Tin
roosters and signs about fresh eggs. Joni advertises
that a lot of her food is made with organic produce
and meat from local farmers. My father wouldn’t
step foot in the town at all. To him it’d be too
country for his taste. I love the homey feel of it all.
The home cooked food. The friendly people. They
all know each other. I’ve never experienced
anything like it.
Wilder ushers me to a booth by the front
window and slides in next to me instead of sitting
across from me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Amanda
screeches and slaps two menus down in front of us
on the table. “You brought her here?”
“I honestly didn’t know you work here. I’m just
here for the special.”
“It’s my first day, but I’m ready to come work
for you anytime.” She licks her lips. “I was hoping
we could talk.”
His voice drops low as he says, “We’ve already
talked, and I’ve already said all I wanted to say.
You just don’t fuckin’ listen.”
“No, you talked, and nothing you said made
sense, you wouldn’t even hear me out.”
“There’s nothing to say. I’m seeing where
things take me with Maisy. You need to move on.”
“We’re meant to be together, Finn. You didn’t
even give me a real chance to prove it.”
Wilder shoots me a look and a minuscule part
of me almost feels bad for Amanda. However, we
made a deal to help each other, so I need to uphold
my end of the bargain. “Look, Amanda. You seem
like maybe somewhere deep, and I mean way down
in there you might be a decent person. He doesn’t
want to be with you, it’s that simple. Give it up
already, desperate is not a good look on you. You
could find a man who really wants you if you’d
stop chasing the ones who don’t.”
“No one asked you.” She snatches our menus
back and stomps off toward the kitchen without
taking our order.
“That went well,” I note and Wilder squeezes
the top of my thigh. My cheeks burn at his touch.
I’m going to need to get a handle on my physical
reaction to this man. The effect he has on my
hormones is insane.
“I’ll just order at the counter. What do you
want to drink?”
“I’ll take a diet soda. Unless…you don’t think
she’d spit in our food, do you?”
My grumpy fake boyfriend groans. “How do
you feel about a sandwich from my kitchen?”
I grin. “Why don’t we skip lunch and have an
early dinner.” I confess the idea of going to his
house alone makes me nervous. His bed is there.
“Can you cook?”
“Why? Don’t you?”
“I kind of grew up with a private chef.”
“A chef?”
“Mhmm.”
“Jesus. What are you doing in Shamrock?”
“A fresh start. The desire to make a life of my
own choosing.”
“I respect that.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve got Auden this evening but you’re
welcome to join us for some tacos. We do tacos
every Monday night.”
“If you don’t think it will be awkward for you.”
“You’re already next door it’s not a big deal.
You’ve got to eat, don’t you?”
His kid will be there, it’s not like I’ll jump him
in front of her. “Okay. I’m in. Should I bring
anything?”
“Just your appetite.” He slides out of the booth
and holds a hand out to me. “Let’s grab a coffee
from Brina’s to hold us over.”
“Coffee sounds good.”
“Not as good as roast beef and gravy,” he
grumbles.
“I’ll make it up to you sometime.”
“You gonna cook a roast for me?”
“I’m sure I can figure it out. It can’t be all that
hard.” I bet Louise would be glad to give me a
lesson in her kitchen and show Joni up at the same
time.
“I’m going to hold you to it.”
We leave the diner, and he takes my hand in his
again. Butterflies flutter in my belly. I do a glance
all around us and drop his hand. “No one’s
watching us right now.”
“Right.” His mouth twitches like he wants to
say something, but he leaves it there.
Brina’s isn’t as busy as it was this morning
when I stopped by to get my coffee and muffin. I
didn’t bother getting one for Wilder since he tossed
the others in the trash last week, grumbling about
how he doesn’t eat the healthy shit. I grab us a
table while he orders our drinks. The door chimes
and Bodie walks in. He sees me and approaches the
table. “Want some company?”
“Hi. I’m actually here with…” I start to point
toward the register where Wilder is, but Bodie
helps himself to the chair opposite me.
“How’s it going?”
“Good. I guess. Just getting a coffee. On week
two at my new job.”
“That’s right Finnick hired you for the phones.”
“Mhmm.”
“You sure you know how to use one. You never
called me.”
“I’ve not had time to call you,” I tell him a
white lie not wanting to hurt his feelings. He seems
nice but I don’t want a boyfriend right now. I
already have a fake one I can hardly juggle.
“Well you should call me sometime.”
“I don’t have a phone yet.” It’s not a lie. I
didn’t get one hooked up yet since Wilder already
had cable going to the apartment, so he said not to
worry about switching to my own plan.
A shadow looms over me as Wilder leans right
in and plants a coffee breathed kiss on my lips. He
looks over at Bodie. “Hey, man. Didn’t see you
sitting there.”
“Hey. Guess I’ll see you around, Maisy. Cuz.”
he gives Wilder a chin lift and hightails it out the
door.
Wilder drops to the empty chair and slides a
coffee across the table to me.
“What was that about?”
“You looked like you needed saving.” He
shrugs and takes a drink.
12
“D
—FINNICK—
ad, why are you being so weird?”
I pause from dusting the Tv stand.
“Just tidying stuff up.”
“You’ve been running around like Gramma
does when she’s in a tiff. Cleaning and muttering to
yourself.”
“Maisy is coming to dinner. She should be over
soon.”
“Is Maisy your girlfriend? This is the third time
you’ve invited her for dinner.”
“Um… she’s a friend.” Shit. I didn’t think about
how I’d explain this to Auden. She’s a smart kid.
Sometimes too damn smart. “Just want her to feel
welcome and since she’s new she hasn’t made a lot
of friends yet I’m being neighborly.”
“Uncle Bran thinks she’s pretty. I bet he’d like
to be her friend. Or Bodie. Gramma told him to
take her to dinner.”
“Go set the table,” I grumble, wondering why
the thought of Bodie taking Maisy anywhere irks
me. When he hit on her at the bakery, a few weeks
ago I wanted to punch him and tell him to back off.
Auden darts to the kitchen to grab the plates, and I
take one more look at the living room. After the
divorce Mom came in and redid everything. Said
she wanted to clear out all the negative energy left
behind by my failed marriage to Kenya. We
compromised on the furniture. No floral shit.
Ding dong.
“I’ve got it, Auden.” I stuff the dust rag and can
of cleaner into one of the bins on the entertainment
stand while hoping I don’t have the orange scent of
it clinging to me. Peering through the peephole, I
spot Maisy. Fuck me she’s gotten even prettier
since I last saw her only hours ago. I glance at my
watch. Right on time. Clearing the tickle from the
back of my throat, I swing the door open to greet
her.
“Hi.” Her wine-colored stained lips curve into a
sexy smirk. Something shifts inside me as I stare at
her standing on my front porch. The urge to kiss her
overwhelms me. I’m in deep shit here. “Am I early
or…?”
I shake my head, not understanding the strong
attraction that takes over me when she’s near.
Something I’ve not felt in a long time. Not since I
got with Kenya and maybe not even then. I don’t
know if this was a good idea to keep inviting her
over and letting everyone think we’re a couple.
“Come on in.”
“Thank you.”
I move back only enough for Maisy to enter
wearing these dark jeans that hug her hips. My
mind flashes to digging my fingers into the dimples
above her fine ass. Heat spreads down my neck.
Her body rubs against mine as she struts past me
smelling intoxicating. I groan inwardly and close
the door. This is a terrible idea. I know better than
to mix business and pleasure and yet part of me is
glad she’s here. The other half of me wants to fire
her and run her out of town. I know how this ends.
It starts out fun and then the crazy or the drama
will soon follow. Things are never simple when the
opposite sex is involved.
What the fuck was I thinking? Fake dating. I
stare at her and deep down I know there is nothing
fake about the way I feel. It’s insanity. I am still
getting to know her, but it’s as though I always
have on some deeper level I can’t explain.
“Maisy, you’ve gotta sit here by me.” Auden
grabs her hand and tugs her toward the dining
room. “Dad dusted for you and everything.”
Jesus. Way to call me out, kid.
“You dusted for me?” her smirk returns.
“No,” I growl and shoot my daughter a scowl.
“What do you want to drink?”
“What are you drinking?”
“Dad always has a beer,” Auden volunteers.
“Beer’s good with me.”
“I’ll grab you one.” I enter the kitchen and let
out a breath. I never invite women to dinner with
the kid and me. I’m not used to having anyone
around outside of family or the guys for poker
night. Occasionally Sean would bring his woman
over, but this is different. Maisy is becoming a
permanent fixture, and I enjoy having her around
more than I should.
“Uncle Bran,” I hear Auden squeal with
laughter. Great.
“Hey, Bodie,” Maisy’s soft voice filters over
my kid’s laughter.
I grab a six-pack and return to the dining room.
“I don’t recall inviting you. Either of you.” I put
the beers on the table and fold my arms across my
chest.
“Bro, its taco night, and there’s going to be a
game on,” Branson says with a shrug of his
shoulder then grins at Bodie. Assholes.
“Did someone say tacos. Ha. Ha. Ha.” My
mother walks through the front door dragging my
father behind her. “Don’t worry I brought extra
food. I was making tacos too. When Bran said he
was coming to your place I thought why not make
it a family meal. Your father likes your Tv better
anyhow.”
“We do that every Sunday,” I mutter.
“Oh dear. Maisy’s here. Are we interrupting a
date? You say the word and I’ll take everyone back
to my house including Auden to give you a little
alone time.” She winks a few times, and I wish the
floor would open up to take me on to hell.
“No date. Only dinner. Just two people sharing
a meal.”
“Well then I guess Bodie has a shot after all. I
thought there was something special between the
two of you. Guess I misread that spark.”
Maisy goes pale at her words, then glances to
me with an expression that cries help.
Fuck. Guess its time for me to uphold my end
of this little arrangement we’ve got going on. She’s
been great keeping Amanda away from me. “Maisy
isn’t going out with Bodie or anyone else you’re
thinking of setting her up with.”
My mother plants her hands on her hips. “And
why not?”
Maisy stares at her shoes. Auden stares at her
while Bodie and Bran grin at me. I scratch the back
of my neck. “Because we weren’t going to tell
anyone yet, but we’ve been talking online for
months. I asked her to move here to give the real
thing a shot.” I fire off the first lie that pops into my
mind.
“Hmmm.” My mother eyes me then Maisy. “Is
what my son says true? The two of you were trying
to keep things a secret?”
Maisy licks her lips then grabs my hand.
“Certainly is. I wasn’t sure if things would be
different once I came here but to be honest my
feelings are stronger than before. Wilder is all I
hoped for and more. Aren’t you, honey?” she kisses
my cheek.
“Completely. Which is why…” I drop to one
knee not knowing what in the hell is possessing me
to be so damn stupid and change the terms of our
agreement.
13
D
—MAISY—
ropping to one knee, taking my free
hand in his Wilder stares up at me with
this funny expression on his face.
“Um…what are you doing?” My stomach
plummets to my toes. What the hell is he doing?
“Maisy, my love.”
His what?
“The moment I first kissed you I knew you
were the woman I’ve been waiting for. I can’t go
another day or a single moment without asking you
one very important question.” Mischief glitters in
his eyes. My pulse races. Heart stuck in my throat.
Stomach dropping to my feet as he says, “Do me
the honor and make me the happiest man alive. Be
my wife.”
“What are you doing?” I hiss between my teeth
then plaster a fake but uneasy smile on my face. I
think I’m going to vomit right here. “Is it hot in
here? Can someone open a window or something?”
“Ladybug, don’t leave me hanging here.”
He’s insane. That’s all there is too it. Did he
really call me one of those disgusting bugs? They
stink. I told him no pet names. Marry him?
Ladybug? I must be dreaming. Any second now I’m
going to wake up from this I mean wouldn’t call it a
nightmare. Wilder is sexy and great in bed. I could
have worse prospects, but I don’t even know that
guy that well. ‘But you had sex with him already,’
the devil on my left shoulder whispers. ‘And you
loved every hot, sweaty, orgasmic second of it too.’
I did. I so would do it again if I thought it
wouldn’t make things worse.
“I…” I glance around as sweat beads on the
back of my neck. His family stares at me waiting
for me to answer. I have two choices here. I can
humiliate Wilder who drives me insane or I can go
along with his crazy whatever this is to keep
Amanda from harassing him and his mother trying
to set me up for marriage, but if I agree I am putting
myself into the exact situation I am trying to get
away from.
I meet Wilder’s gaze. God, he looks so damn
sincere. Like a damn puppy dog. Granted he’s
probably having some weird alpha macho dominant
reaction to his mother suggesting I go out with
Bodie and this is his way of peeing on me to mark
his territory because I did sleep with him. I let out a
big breath. He’s going to owe me big time for this.
“Yes, Finnick Wilder, I’ll marry you.” He comes up
and pulls me into a tight hug, choking the air out of
me, planting a sloppy kiss right on my mouth. Oh.
My. God. What did he just get me involved in?
Why did I say? What is wrong with me? I should
pack my bags and go running back to New York
first thing. I need to check myself into a psych
ward. There’s got to be something wrong with me.
Louise claps her hands together.
“Well isn’t this wonderful. Harold.” She smacks
his father in the chest. “Go get the food.” Harold
rolls his eyes but forces Branson to help him. Bodie
takes a seat and Louise points to the kitchen.
“I should go help her.”
“Okay. Should I come with you or…? I feel like
we should talk.”
“Probably.” We go to the kitchen to salvage the
rest of our lie.
“Lying to your own mother.” She shakes her
head at Wilder. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Like Maisy said we weren’t sure if this would
work out or not.” The lies keep coming. He’s really
digging us into a pile now.
“I suppose not and there is Auden to consider.
But why have her over the garage and not living
with you since you brought her here?”
“I’m not ready for that much commitment.”
“Her moving here to a new town and Shamrock
of all places sounds serious to me. And now you’ve
proposed. I’m so happy I could burst.”
“Me too.” I smile but not in the way she thinks.
I’m going to strangle him the first chance I get.
“Can I have a minute alone with Maisy?” he
kisses his mother on the cheek and gives her a hug.
“My son.” She rolls her eyes. “Do you even
have a ring, you silly goose?”
“I hadn’t got that far.”
“Men,” she mutters.
“All right. Just so you know I like Maisy a lot
but no more secrets. You can’t build a future based
on lies.”
“Got it. The secret is out. No more pretending.”
I glance at him and try not to glare. I can’t believe
this.
We leave Louise to handle the food and Wilder
takes me out back through a patio door that leads to
a deck that overlooks the water of Shamrock lake.
“Wow this view is gorgeous.”
“Yeah it is.” I turn toward him, but he’s not
staring out at the water. So cheesy. He thinks he is
so smooth.
“Want to tell me what the hell that was in
there?”
“I don’t know.” He shakes his head and leans
over the balcony. “I didn’t know what else to do to
convince her that this…that we’re the real deal.”
“But we’re not.”
“No,” he agrees, and disappointment washes
over me. I should be relieved, but I don’t know.
There’s something kind of romantic about the
proposal he gave me.
“We should get inside. We’ll talk about this
later.”
“Right. Later.”
We return to the dining room, and I notice
Auden is sitting off to herself wearing a scowl.
I nudge Wilder in the ribs. He frowns. “Hey,
kiddo. Living room.”
She shoots us a nasty look and sulks all the way
there. I sit next to her on the couch and her dad
drops to his knees to be eye level with her. “Hey,
what’s up with you?”
“You say we’re always supposed to tell the
truth, but you lied and so did Maisy. You said she’s
not your girlfriend and Maisy pretended not to
know who you were when I first met her. You two
both acted like strangers. And now you told
Gramma that you’re getting married, so which is
it?”
She’s smart. I keep quiet because I don’t think
it’s my place to intervene.
“Listen, adult business is complicated. When
you’re older you’ll understand. For now, all you
need to know is that Maisy will be around a lot and
if things take a serious turn, you’ll be the first to
know, okay?”
“Like getting married?” She scrunches her
nose.
“Right. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. This is all
new to me and Maisy too.”
I offer him a weak smile in support, but this is
craziness.
“Fine, but you owe me a sleepover with all my
friends.”
“You got it.”
Can I go eat now?”
“Right. Let’s go eat.”
Shit just got more complex.
14
“H
—MAISY—
ere. You’ll need to wear this.”
Wilder places a blue velvet box on
the edge of my desk.
“What’s that?” I lick my lips and take a drink of
water. I’m still not recovered from that stunt he
pulled last week in front of his whole family. All we
were missing was his ex-wife and Amanda.
“Your engagement ring. And you’ll need to
coordinate with me on your dress color.”
Dress? Oh. God. He isn’t going to attempt to
persuade me to marry him, is he? I mean I hear he’s
a great lawyer but surely, he can’t mean we go
through with this and so soon. “For?” I take
another big drink. My head gets all fuzzy and
swimmy inside. I need an aspirin.
“Our engagement photo shoot.”
“Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit too
serious? And what the hell? Photoshoot? You only
proposed last week.” Since then I have gone out of
my way to avoid everyone. Burying myself in my
new job, learning the ins and outs of working for a
lawyer. Shopping for my new apartment. Anything
that keeps me from situations exactly like this one.
Playing the loving girlfriend.
“You’ve met my mother. She thinks we’re
engaged. In her mind we’ve been a thing online for
months. Once Amanda leaves me alone and my
mother finds her next project, we’ll break things
off. We’ll tell them whatever you want.”
“But the truth,” I whisper, staring at the jewelry
box. “Maybe the engagement will finally push
Amanda to move on?” I scowl but curiosity has me
opening the box. “This is your mother’s ring.” I
only recognize it because she was showing it off to
me that crazy night during dinner.
“It’s on loan so take care of it.” He has this soft
expression to his gorgeous green eyes that if this
wasn’t pretend might make me melt.
“I promise.” I slide the gorgeous princess cut
diamond ring on.
“Perfect fit.”
“Yeah it is.” I frown, staring at the ring. His
mother’s beautiful and perfect ring that fits me as
though it was made for me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I shrug. “I just always thought that
when I was proposed to it’d be real.”
One Week Later
“Remind me again why we’re doing this,” I grit
through my teeth as the wind whips my blonde hair
in my eyes.
“I told you. My mother did this not me. She
wants a photo for the announcements in the paper.”
“You
didn’t
say
anything
about
an
announcement in the newspaper. Are you serious
right now?”
“It’s not a big deal and it will convince Amanda
to stay away. She came by the office again while
you were out on another one of your shopping
excursions with Vina.”
I may have bargained for a day or two off
earlier than normal to get out of doing a family
dinner with his parents. Twice. I hate lying to them.
They are such nice people. And not to mention
every time Wilder kisses me I like it way more than
a lot and then my insides get all gooey and warm
and I start thinking about his hands and mouth
touching me all over and I get all hot and tempted
to drag him into the copy room at his office and do
dirty bad things like give him a blowjob.
“Then maybe you should get a restraining order
and we can knock all this crap off.”
“Put your hand a little lower,” the photographer
directs, interrupting our conversation. Wilder’s left-
hand floats down my back coming to rest on my
ass. Heat shoots up my spine. The musky scent of
his cologne washes over me. Dear Lord, why does
he smell so dang good? “Perfect.” The camera
clicks. “Maisy, stroke his jaw. Slower.” My fingers
tremble as I glide them along his stubble.
“Am I making you nervous?”
I suck in a breath. “What? No. Why?” I yank
my hand away before I do something stupid like
grab his nice ass. It really looks good in those slacks
he’s got on. Ugh. Why does my fake boyfriend
slash boss have to be so attractive it physically
hurts?
“Your pulse. I can practically hear your heart
thumping out of your chest.”
“I’m ready to get this over with. This whole
thing is dumb and not cool at all. I don’t remember
this being in our terms.”
“Hmm,” he muses, staring at me with such
intensity in his green eyes I’m finding it hard to
breathe or focus on what I was saying.
“Perfect. Hold that expression.” Click. Click.
The photographer shifts positions. “Now lean in.
Closer. You can’t live without her. You want to kiss
her.”
Wilder parts his lips, his fresh minty breath fans
over mine. Brushing a thumb along my lip, he holds
my gaze. I swallow hard. A gust of wind swirls
leaves all around us. Shades of red, yellow, orange,
and brown. If his actions weren’t all for show the
scene would be epically romantic.
“What are you waiting for?” The woman snaps
more shots.
“Don’t you dare,” I hiss in warning.
“It’s not a big deal. Just my lips on yours. I
promise I won’t stick my tongue in your mouth if
that’s what you worried about,” he murmurs,
coming closer. So close in fact that his lips graze
mine and I whimper, praying he didn’t hear the
sound but of course he did his face is attached to
mine in a lip lock.
I mean he has a point but I’m not going to tell
him that. It’s not like we haven’t kissed before or
slept together, but we both swore to never mention
it again.
Palms sweating, knees quaking, I wait for him
to close the deal while praying I don’t throw up.
Light and soft as a feather he presses his mouth to
mine. I freeze. My pulse races, but I stay in place
hating my body’s reaction. This is Finnick Wilder.
My jerk boss. Our relationship is supposed to be
fake, so why is my blood humming in anticipation
for more?
“Come on, guys. Show me the passion. I want
to see electricity. The sparks. Kiss her like you
mean it.”
“This is stupid.” I go to pull away when Wilder
shifts his hand from my ass to my midback and dips
me out of nowhere. A grin spreads across his
handsome features. In slow motion his mouth
descends to mine, claiming my lips. Stars burst
behind my eyelids. My body is a traitor. Warmth
flows through my veins settling low in my belly. I
can feel the curve of his smile as he tugs my bottom
lip between his teeth.
“You promised,” I remind him.
His tongue slides between my lips, taking full
control. My fake fiancé kisses me hard and deep,
like he did the night we slept together.
Stunned, I pull back.
“So maybe I lied.” He flashes me his signature
smirk then turns to the photographer. “We good?”
“Yes. I think I have everything.” She snaps one
more shot. “I’ll send the edits over soon.” Her
cheeks bloom pink, and I don’t think it’s due to the
chill in the air. He has that effect on every woman
he comes in contact with it seems.
“Put a rush on it. I’ll pay the extra fees.”
“I’ll add it to your tab, or we could do dinner.”
I don’t miss the hope in her sickly-sweet tone.
Ugh, rude. We’re supposed to be getting
married. I mean, not really but she doesn’t know
that, or does she? Did he tell her? She must be
another of his special friends like Amanda. In the
weeks I’ve been playing his fiancée he’s made it
clear he doesn’t do relationships. He has what he
calls casual acquaintances. Women he can call any
night of the week to tickle his pickle. Though I
confess other than Amanda and his ex-wife he
hasn’t dated anyone else that I’m aware of unless
this photographer bitch is his latest conquest.
Maybe they slept together when he went to Bud’s
with his brother. He did pick me up there. What is
wrong with me? It’s none of my business who he
sleeps with and yet I don’t want people to think
he’s cheating on me.
“I already have plans. Bill me whatever you
consider fair.” He grabs my hand. “Shall we,
ladybug?” The nickname he coined me with makes
my belly do this stupid dip.
“Umm.” I stumble forward catching my heel on
a rock.
“So damn clumsy. Try not to sprain something. I
promised my mother we’d do Thanksgiving
dinner.”
Oh no. Louise. If we miss another one of her
dinners, she may kill us both. I don’t know if I can
get out of it this time.
15
I
—FINNICK—
t’s barely six in the morning when my
doorbell starts chiming. Ding dong. Ding
dong. Jesus. Someone better be dead. I roll out of
bed and scrub a palm down my face. I’m surprised
Auden didn’t wake up. I shuffle down the hallway
to the front door. Maisy is standing on my porch
with wet hair, her body wrapped in nothing but a
towel. She must be out of her mind. It’s freezing. I
throw the door open, and she charges in, teeth
chattering. I close it back behind her, wanting away
from the bite of the chilly air filtering in from
outside.
“My hot water isn’t working, and I have
shampoo caked in my hair. I’m supposed to be at
your mother’s house in a few hours to help her with
Thanksgiving.” Her gaze drops to my bare chest
then drifts to my charcoal boxer briefs.
“You forget your clothes and shoes?” I suck in
a breath, observing how little that towel she’s
clinging to covers.
“No.” she scowls. “I just need you to do
whatever it is you do to get the hot water working
again.”
“I will but first you need to go wash that shit
out of your hair, and I’ll make us some coffee. My
shower’s down the hall. Master bath is in my
bedroom. You can borrow my robe and my
slippers.”
“Fine.”
“And Maisy?”
“What?” she jerks, turning back to face me,
nearly losing her towel giving me a peek at her
nipples. Fuck me. Fuck her. I want to throw her
over my shoulder, carry her to my bed, and fuck
her brains out, but I stop myself.
I cough. “You prefer bacon or sausage with
your pancakes?”
“Bacon. I like it crispy but kind of chewy.” She
stomps down the hall.
A man could get used to seeing a woman
walking around his house like that. What I really
want is to go crawl back in bed and get another
hour of sleep or jerk off because I’m getting hard at
the thought of her naked, soapy body in my shower
all slick and wet. With a sigh I trudge on to the
kitchen and flick the start button on the coffee
maker. Letting out a yawn, I continue with my
morning routine, grabbing two mugs instead of one
and placing them side by side on the counter. I
should get dressed and head over to the garage to
see if the breaker slipped but first caffeine. I need
to put on a shirt and pants wouldn’t hurt either.
While waiting on the coffee I go to my room to slip
in and grab some clothes. I wouldn’t want Auden
getting the wrong idea if she wakes up while Maisy
is still here and finds us both barely clothed.
She likes Maisy but is still getting used to the
idea of us being engaged.
I’ll just get in and out. Maisy won’t even know
I’m here. The minute I open the door I realize my
mistake. The bathroom door is wide open, and I
have a full view of Maisy’s naked backside in my
shower. I know it’s wrong to stare, but I can’t look
away. My cock twitches as I watch her run her
hands along her sides and through her hair. I’m
entranced at the sight. Completely taken in by her
beauty.
“Oh, my God. Perv!” She shrieks moving her
hands over her breasts and pussy, failing miserably
to cover either.
“Nothing I haven’t already seen.” I smirk and
grab my flannel pajama pants off the end of the
bed. I turn my back to her to slide them on and
leave her to it. Perhaps I should be sorry I gawked
at her but I’m not. The only thing I’m apologizing
for is not acting on the desire to fuck her again.
I start banging around in the kitchen taking my
sexual frustration out on the pans and the pancake
batter.
“You beat that batter any harder and it’s going
to file charges.” Maisy stands on the opposite side
of the counter wearing my robe, hair wrapped up
on her head in one of my towels.
“Someone woke me up too damn early and put
me in a bad mood. What can I say? I’m cranky
before I’ve had my coffee.”
“Noted. Is there anything I can do?” the corners
of her mouth lift into a wicked smirk. She’s an
infuriating sexy little devil. Maisy knows exactly
what she’s doing. Taunting me to do something
about my reaction to that scene moments ago—her
in my shower all tempting and gorgeous.
I want to tell her what she can do is get on them
knees and blow me but I don’t think she’d take to
well to me speaking to her like that so instead, I
say, “Pour us some coffee.”
Maisy comes around the bar and squeezes past
me smelling of my soap. This scenario I’ve found
myself in is one of pure torture. Somehow, I
manage to make it through preparing breakfast
without bending her over the counter and fucking
her till we’re both on the verge of death.
Like clockwork, Auden comes bouncing into
the kitchen the second the food is ready. She stops
abruptly seeing Maisy seated at the table. Her eyes
go big as she glances back and forth between us.
“Did you guys have a sleepover? That’s not fair. I
never get to have sleepovers.”
Maisy chokes mid-drink. “No.” Cough. “My
shower is messed up and your dad let me borrow
his.”
“And his robe?”
“Hush and eat, rotten tail,” I bark and pour her
orange juice. The three of us eat breakfast quietly
without the need to fill the silence with small talk.
It’s natural and easy, her being here. As though we
do this often and I find myself wondering if maybe
we should start.
Auden excuses herself to get dressed leaving
me with Maisy. “Once I drop Auden with Kenya,
I’ll check out your hot water situation.”
“Thank you. I’ll um…give this back later.” She
tugs at the robe.
“May want to call my mother and let her know
you’ll be late though.”
“Oh and why is that?”
I step into her space, debating whether or not I
should make a move and kiss her for the hell of it.
Not because anyone is watching but because I want
to. I want to tell her she’s spending her morning in
bed with me instead of helping cook.
“Hey, Dad.” Auden stomps back down the
stairs. “Have you seen my purple shirt with the
white cat on it?”
“Yeah. Laundry room,” I answer, stepping
away from Maisy trying to gauge if that’s
disappointment on her face or relief I see.
“I’m going to get ready. See ya at dinner.”
Maisy gives me a quick wave and rushes out of the
house as though it’s on fire.
Auden returns from the laundry room now
changed into her purple shirt. “When are you and
Maisy getting married?”
“Huh?”
“Yeah. You guys haven’t said when you’re
getting married. I heard Gramma telling Uncle Bran
that she’s throwing you guys a surprise engagement
party soon.”
Shit. I need to do some damage control, but
once my mom sets her mind to something there is
no stopping her, and I don’t know if I really want
to.
16
“A
—MAISY—
re you sure there’s nothing else you
want me to do?”
“Heavens no. Honestly I only wanted the
company and well if you’re going to be in my
family, you’ll need to know how my guys like their
food.” She smiles. “Have you and my son set a date
yet?”
“For?”
“The wedding. You’ve not mentioned anything.
And well we need to get a start on planning. Now, if
you ask me, a winter wedding would be gorgeous.
Silver and blue perhaps for the colors. Brina makes
lovely cakes, and I’ll make an appointment with
Ginger to look at dresses. She makes the most
beautiful gowns.”
I’m going to kill Wilder.
He strolls through the back door and shoots me
a wink. I glare at him but he ignores my annoyance
to pull me into his arms for a quick kiss.
“Just look at that,” I hear Louise. “Aren’t they
the most beautiful couple, Harold? I saw some edits
from the engagement shoot. This town isn’t ready.
It’ll be the wedding of the century.”
Wilder chuckles against my lips but I’m not
laughing. This isn’t funny. He knows how serious
his mother takes her parties.
“Where’s my granddaughter?”
“With Kenya at her in-laws.”
“I don’t know why she wouldn’t accept my
invitation to eat with us. Auden belongs here with
her family.”
“You don’t even like Kenya,” Wilder grumbles.
“That’s not the point.” She shakes her head.
“Never you mind. Tell your brother that dinner will
be ready soon. He stayed out all night. Didn’t drag
in till early this morning. I think he has a new lady
friend.” She smiles big then lets out her silly laugh.
“Ha. Ha. Ha.”
The doorbell chimes. “Be a dear and answer
that will you, Maisy?”
“Sure.” I’m glad to get away. I adore Louise but
this wedding talk is making me feel like the worst
person on the planet.
“Hey.” Wilder grabs my hand and tugs me
backwards once we are out of the kitchen.
“What?” I snap a bit too harshly.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine but she was talking about dress
shopping. She’s so sweet. I never had that with my
mom and when she finds out this is all a lie…”
“I promise you no one will know. It’ll work
out.”
“You can’t know that.”
“Trust me.” He brings me in close, resting his
forehead on mine. His breath washes over my lips.
Part of me wants to bridge the gap between us and
kiss him. The other part of me knows I need to hold
back before his mother isn’t the only one getting
hurt by our deceit.
His dad walks past us.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll get the door.”
“You better go wake your brother.”
The front door opens and Louise’s sister, Linda
Lou and Bodie walk in.
Wilder goes tense then plants his lips on mine.
“Ignore the lovebirds. They can’t keep their
hands to themselves,” Harold announces, and I
blush.
“How long do we intend to keep this up?” I arch a
brow at Wilder. He has me pressed against the side
of his SUV because Amanda just walked out of the
diner. I don’t think she even cares anymore. I’ve
noticed her talking to his cousin Bodie a lot lately.
Since our engagement announcement ran in last
Sunday’s paper.
He shrugs. “Why? Have you met someone?”
“No. Please. There is no one in Shamrock that
I’m interested in.”
“Give it time. You’ve only been here what a
month or so?”
I sigh. “That’s not the point. Don’t you want to
I don’t know date someone who actually wants to
be your girlfriend?”
“You say that like it’s such a hardship for you.”
“That photographer was into you.”
“I’m not interested in her.” The way he looks at
me I wonder if that means he’s interested in me for
real and not only pretend.
I’ve done great resisting Wilder and his stupid
good looks, but since walked in on me in the
shower, I find myself thinking about it and having
to finish myself off. I want…no I need sex. Sure
he’d be up for it but things have already gotten
muddled enough between us. “I mean we survived
faking it through Thanksgiving and our lovely
engagement party, but Christmas is coming, and
your mom has been quite vocal about us spending
the holiday with them.” Enough is enough already.
“You don’t like my family?”
“Your family is great, better than great, but I
think your mom has these ideas about where our
relationship is heading. She was asking me about
monogrammed towels.”
Wilder chuckles and nuzzles against my neck.
“It’s not funny, asshole. She probably thinks
I’m pregnant or something. I don’t know how much
longer I can put her off dress shopping and cake
tasting.”
“No one thinks you’re pregnant.”
“You didn’t see that little twinkle in her eyes. I
think she’s buying us the towels for Christmas.”
“Fine. I’ll tell her no towels.”
“I’m glad you find it so amusing.”
“If you don’t want nice towels with my initials
on them then who am I to stand in your way.” He
taps the tip of my nose then kisses me. Lately
we’ve both grown a little too accustomed to trading
kisses whenever we see his mother or Amanda
around town. I’d never tell Wilder this but it’s easy
to lose myself in the land of make believe with him.
Then there’s his family…and his daughter. I’m
growing attached and the longer we keep this
charade going the harder it’s going to be to let them
go. I’m afraid I’m falling in love with the idea of
this relationship. I know he doesn’t see me that
way. He’s made it clear that he only sees me as his
friend who he happens to not mind kissing in
public. Why else didn’t he make a move when I
was naked in his shower?
“What are you doing tonight?”
“I have a bottle of wine and there’s some new
Christmas movies on Netflix I added to my list.
Why?” I don’t tell him I plan on having a date with
BOB while thinking about him that’s for sure. He’s
probably doing what he does every Friday night
and going to Bud’s for wings and beer with Branson
and Bodie.
“Kenya has Auden tonight, so I thought I’d
head to Santa Claus to get our Christmas tree. You
want to go?”
“Get out of Shamrock for the evening? Uh
yeah. You can help me find something for your
mother. I have no idea what to get her.”
“All right. We’ll need to swap vehicles with my
old man first then we can go.”
“What about work? We don’t close the office
for another four hours.”
“That’s a perk of dating your boss. Besides, like
you said, it’s almost Christmas and no one wants to
file for divorce or breakup during the holiday.
That’s too damn depressing.”
Is that a hint that we are spending Christmas
lying to everyone?
“I guess so.” I look over his shoulder. “She’s
gone.”
“Who?”
“Amanda. Though I’m not sure we have to
keep pretending. I think she has her eyes set on
someone else.”
“You trying to breakup with me?”
“We aren’t together,” I remind him.
He takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine.
“No, we’re engaged.” He chuckles and kisses my
palm with such tenderness my knees go weak.
Damn him. Is he doing this on purpose? Being all
sweet and boyfriendy like we’re the real deal? Does
he know I caught feelings? Is he teasing me?
My stomach drops. I don’t know how to tell
him I can’t do this anymore. All the lying and
pretending. I don’t know that I want to pretend
with him, and it scares me.
Wilder drives me crazy. He’s bossy and can be
a bit of a jerk but he’s growing on me. I like him. A
lot. More than I should. When this ends, I’m going
to be left with a broken heart.
“Come on. Help me lock up.” He tugs me back
to the office. I shut down my computer since it’s
Friday and I won’t need it again until Monday.
“You ready?”
“Yeah. I think so.” I go over my mental
checklist and think I covered all the basics. Wilder
doesn’t have any active cases right now. He’s not
due in court until after the first of the year that I’m
aware of.
He drives us to his parent’s house to swap his
SUV for his dad’s pickup truck. Harold answers the
door. “Good you’re here.”
I glance at Wilder and he lifts his shoulder.
“What’s up, old man?”
“Can I see you in the kitchen?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll just go over here and admire all
your and Bran’s photos on the wall.”
Wilder goes to the kitchen with his dad and I try
hard not to eavesdrop but find myself gravitating
toward the wall that divides the living room and
kitchen.
“Your mother is driving me up the wall. I
wasn’t supposed to say anything, but she thinks
Maisy is pregnant and that’s why you proposed.
Now what I want to know is there any truth to it?
We’ve been down this road before with you and
Kenya and we saw how that worked out.”
I peek around the corner of the wall. The
muscle in Wilder’s jaw ticks. “My marriage failed
because we weren’t right for each other. Maisy
isn’t pregnant. It’s not like we’re getting married
anytime soon.”
Or at all I want to add but keep quiet.
“You might want to try telling your mother that.
By my estimation she’s planning a Christmas
wedding.”
Guilt pools in the pit of my stomach, and I
move away not wanting to hear anymore. I look to
the coffee table and see bridal magazines with
sticky notes and a wedding binder with our faces
glued onto some couple. How did she? When did
she? I suck in a breath. Louise thinks we are really
getting married. How will I ever look her in the
eyes and tell her the truth? She’s been so sweet to
me. All of them really. They accepted me no
questions asked into their family without even
really knowing me.
Wilder returns, shooting me an uneasy smile. Is
he feeling guilty too? “Let’s get on the road.”
“Is everything okay?” I don’t want him fighting
with his dad because of our careless lie.
“All good. The old man just wanted to remind
me to refill his gas tank.”
I let him feed me the lie. It’s easier than
confessing that I’m too selfish to put a stop to this
because I’ve started to fall for him, and I don’t
want to give up this life we’ve created even if it
isn’t real.
17
S
—FINNICK—
ince we pulled out of my parent’s
driveway Maisy’s been silent. Too quiet.
“What’s got you being all weird?”
“I’m not being weird. You’re weird.”
“You always have something to say. What
gives?”
“Nothing. Let’s just go get this stupid tree.”
“You want me to take you home? I can do this
alone tomorrow if you aren’t into it.”
“Aren’t you tired of the lies? How do you do
it?”
“What? Lie? I’m a lawyer. I get paid by the
hour to lie every day.”
“Well sorry that it doesn’t come natural to me
and I hate it.” She puffs up and stares out the
window at the scenery.
“Are you mad at me? Did I do something or
offend you in some way?” Everything was going
great until…my dad. “You were eavesdropping.”
“Not on purpose. Okay maybe only a teeny bit.
I stopped listening once you started talking about
your marriage.”
“It’s not polite to listen in on private
conversations, but I don’t know what you’re so
upset about. I told him you aren’t pregnant.”
“What if I was? We had sex. Unprotected, hot,
sweaty, filthy sex.”
“Are you sexually frustrated? Is that what this
is?”
“What?” Her nose scrunches as her mouth
screws into an adorably pissed off pout. “You’re
gross.”
“No. You’re horny.”
“Am not.”
“Look at me, ladybug. There’s nothing wrong
with needing or wanting sex. I’m happy to fulfill
that need. All you gotta do is say the word.” We
pass a billboard for Santa’s Lodge. ‘”We can get a
room.”
“Are you for real? What makes you think I
want to sleep with you?” Her fingers slide through
her blonde hair. “Unbelievable.”
“You seemed to enjoy it the last time.” I shrug.
We’re almost to Santa Claus. Every year we come
to Jack Frost’s Christmas Tree Farm, to cut down
our own tree. I usually bring Auden, but Kenya is
doing her Christmas this weekend since she has
Mickey too, and she’ll probably be in labor next
weekend. She’s ready to pop any minute now. I
only hope once this kid comes she doesn’t return to
being a mega bitch.
“You’re disgusting.” Maisy folds her arms over
her chest, but all the action does is draw my
attention to her tits. Her perfect tits that I want to
caress and suck on. Fuck. I’m getting hard thinking
about it.
“You like me enough to let everyone believe
you want to marry me so you must not find me all
that repulsive, sweetheart.”
“I’m done. I’m not playing along with your
little game anymore.”
“Who said I was playing a game, Maisy?” We
pass another sign, this one for Holiday World &
Splashin' Safari. One of Auden’s favorite places.
“What are you even saying, Wilder?”
I turn off the exit when the truck makes a weird
noise and smoke starts coming out from under the
hood. Damn it. I pull onto the shoulder and shut the
truck off. I get out and I can’t even touch the hood
to open it, the metal is so damn hot.
Maisy gets out. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Not sure. We’re going to have to call for a
tow.”
“A tow? Like we’re stuck here?”
“I don’t know. Maybe for the night. I won’t
know anything until I can get someone to look at
it.” I pull out my cell phone and the damn battery is
dead. I didn’t think about making sure it was
charged before we left. The cigarette lighter in the
truck doesn’t work anymore, so I didn’t bother to
bring an adapter to use it as a charger. “You got a
cell with you?”
“No. I don’t. I never got a new one when I
moved over the garage. I didn’t see the need…until
now. Oops.”
“Guess we’ll have to walk. There’s a bar not
from here. I’ll call a tow truck. We can grab a
drink, some food, and talk. We’ll get the tree after
we know if we’re stuck for the night or not.”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Maisy?”
“What?” she snaps.
“I know we have a lot to talk about.”
“I’m currently talked out.”
I step in stride next to her, walking toward some
of the main attractions in town. “Okay. No talking.”
I slide my palm over hers. She starts to jerk away.
“Hey.” I stop abruptly forcing her to do so as well.
“I can’t hold your hand now?”
“What’s the point? No one is here to watch.”
I swallow. “You like me.”
“No.” She makes an eww gross face but I’m not
buying it.
“Admit it.”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
“That’s what this is about. You feel something
for me.”
“Yeah. Right now, I’m strongly annoyed, and
I’d really like to get a drink.”
“You want a hot chocolate or something?”
“I think I’m going to need something a lot
stronger than chocolate,” she says with this vibe
that I’ve never felt coming off her before that I
can’t get a read on.
I keep hold of her hand as snow starts pelting
the ground and melting into our clothes. “Yip,”
Maisy yelps, nearly wiping out on a patch of black
ice. I steady her in my arms and gaze into her eyes.
“Maisy, there’s something you should know—”
Honk. Honk. A car pulls up alongside us. “Need
a lift?” a little old lady calls out.
“Please. If you could drop us at Rudy’s that’d
be great.”
“Well, don’t just stand there. The two of you
get in out of that cold and snow. It’s going to be a
cold one.”
I didn’t even think to check the weather
forecast. “You expecting a lot of snow?” I ask her
as Maisy and I slide into the backseat.
“At least four inches. I doubt you’ll get a tow
for that truck tonight. Your best bet is to get a room
at Santa’s Lodge if there are any openings.” She
stops in front of Rudy’s. A bar a lot like Bud’s but
nicer.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Glad to help.” She gives us a waive once
we’re out the car.
“Do you think she was right?”
“About the snow?”
Maisy nods.
“Let’s find out.” We enter Rudy’s greeted by a
hostess dressed like a sexy elf. “Table for two.”
“Right this way.”
Maisy and I get seated. I order us a few beers.
18
“D
—MAISY—
o you want the good news or the bad
news first?” Wilder resumes his seat
next to me in the booth. He went off about twenty
minutes ago to find a phone.
“Does it matter?” I know by taking one look
out the window we aren’t going anywhere tonight
and possibly the rest of the weekend the way that
snow is coming down.
“Okay. First the good news. I reserved us a
room and found a tow for the truck. Bad news is
the mechanic is home with the flu. Once we get
settled in at the room, I’ll call the old man and see
when he can pick us up, but I doubt he’ll come
tonight.”
“I wouldn’t want him or anyone out driving in
this.” I take another drink of my Jack and Coke.
“Did you want to order something to eat?”
“Nope.”
“Finish your drink then and we’ll get checked
in.”
I down my soda and liquor and make a quick
trip to the bathroom, wondering if I’ve gotten
enough liquid courage to tell Wilder the truth. I
don’t want to pretend. I want to be with him. No
strings. No games. Only question is does he want
something real with me?
By the time we’ve made it to our lodging two
inches of snow has fallen. Wilder opens the door to
our room. There’s only one bed. “One bed?”
“We were lucky they had this. If you want the
shower first, I’m going to call home to check in
with the old man and find out when we can get a
ride out of here.”
“I don’t have any dry clothes.” I shrug my wet
jacket off and kick off my boots. My toes are
freezing and numb. Taking a seat on the edge of the
bed I remove my socks.
“I’ll go get you something.”
“No. it’s fine.”
“Babe, it’s not a big deal. You need warm, dry
clothes. I do too. They have a gift shop. I’ll be
back. Go ahead and get in the shower, and I’ll sit
your stuff on the sink.”
“Okay.”
“Good. I’ll be back.” He leans down, brushing
his lips over my forehead. Wilder leaves me on my
own, and I should be getting in the shower, but he
called me babe and kissed my forehead. Both
actions are something a boyfriend would do. I can’t
fight the smile that spreads over my face. Maybe he
does care for me. With my toes thawed out, I shove
up off the bed and make use of the shower.
The hot water sprays down on me and all the
stress of earlier washes away, until the lights flicker.
I tell myself it’s only the bulb going bad, but the
wind howls against the roof. I finish up, with only
two tiny towels to dry my body and wrap my hair
in. Wilder isn’t back yet with dry clothes but at
least the room is warm enough. I start using the
complimentary hair dryer when the power goes out
completely, and I am left in total darkness and
naked. Perfect.
By some miracle I make it to the bed and curl
up under the covers. I wish Wilder would come
back. I’m not sure how much time has passed when
a knock sounds at the door. “It’s me. Key card
won’t work. Let me in.”
Finally. I secure the flimsy towel the best I can,
noting that my whole, right side is basically on
display and if it weren’t dark Wilder would be
getting quite the peepshow. I open the door, and he
shines a flashlight at me. “Ugh. Watch it.”
“Sorry. Bad news is the power is out but good
news they hope to have the backup generator on
soon. Also, I got some flannel pajamas, but I’m
thinking I like you as you are.” The beam of light
from his flashlight shines on my body. I’m glad he
can’t see that I’m blushing right now.
“Clothes please.” I move further into the room,
allowing him to enter. The door closes behind him.
“We’d keep warmer with body heat.”
“Ha. Funny.”
“I’m not laughing.” His gruff voice grows closer
and then his hands are on me. Lips to my ear he
says, “I’m done pretending, Maisy.”
“Wh-what?”
“You heard me, ladybug. What we got is real.
I’ve known you were mine since I first kissed you.”
His lips find mine in the dark. The towel drops to
my feet and is forgotten. Wilder’s the only thing on
my mind. I return his kiss, completely lost to my
desire to be had by this man. He walks me
backwards slowly, till we find the bed. He makes
quick work of kicking his boots off. He may be the
only lawyer I know who will wear jeans and flannel
looking like a sexy lumberjack to the office.
I take my time unbuttoning his shirt and ridding
him of his pants. I don’t want to rush this tonight. I
want to savor every second. All I want for
Christmas this year is him. This handsome jerk who
drives me crazy. I moved here wanting to find
myself, but I found something even better. I found
Finnick Wilder.
Those skillful fingers roam my body as he
peppers kisses down the column of my throat. He
loves me like a man should with gentle touches and
rough kisses. Teasing all my senses. The roughness
of his facial scrapes over my breasts as he travels
further south. I take a deep breath and let him in.
I’m scared of the fall but even more afraid not to
take a chance and put my faith in him.
Deep down I know he’s meant to be my man.
We share a connection that feels natural. As though
we’ve always been a part of each other. We’ve
both fought it since we met, but now I think we’re
both done fighting. I’m ready to explore what we
have.
I need him to know I want him as much as he
does me. Taking control, I signal for him to roll to
his back. I tease, stroke, taste, and suck him until
he’s on the verge of coming.
“Fuck, Maisy,” he breathes out my name,
gripping my hair, and pulling me off him. “You
don’t stop that I’m going to come before I ever get
inside you, and I can’t have that.” He grins and
hooks his big hands under my arms to drag me up
his body.
I line up with his erection, sinking down on him
eagerly. One hand grips my hip and the other
squeezes my ass. Our bodies move together in
perfect harmony.
Rolling my hips side to side I spell out his name
knowing there’s no turning back now. He has my
heart whether he wants it or not. Wilder flips me
onto my belly to take me from behind then
missionary style. As he looms over me, I stare up at
him and it hits me. I’m in love with him.
Stroking his finger along my jaw he smiles. “I
love you, Maisy.” My stomach dips at his
confession. “You’re all I want and what I’ve been
missing and waiting for.” Sliding out to the tip he
slams back inside me in slow deep strokes hitting
me in all the right places.
“I love you.”
He kisses me soft and sweet, making love to me
till I get off with his release soon following mine.
Wilder lays to my side, curling his body around
mine to keep me warm through the night.
The following morning the power’s been
restored, but I don’t want to leave the comfort and
warmth of his arms. Last night we were under the
spell of the snow and darkness. Will he still feel the
same when we return from the magic of Santa
Claus to Shamrock? Back to where our fabricated
relationship began.
“Morning,” he whispers in my ear.
“Hi,” I whisper back, doing my best to avoid
blowing my morning breath in his face.
He laces his fingers with those of my left hand,
finger brushing over the borrowed diamond ring I
wear. “I think today we need to go shopping and
get you your own ring.”
“Then you’d better ask me again.”
“I meant every word. Told you, ladybug, I knew
the moment I kissed you in Bud’s you were mine.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.” He comes in for a kiss and I pull back.
“I need to brush my teeth.”
He growls at me and pulls me in closer to him,
touching his nose to mine. “I’m going to kiss you
often anytime I want to, get used to it.”
“Is that a promise or a warning?”
“Maybe its both.” He rolls over top me, using
his knees to spread my thighs apart. “I think we’ll
get married on Christmas Eve. Be our present to
my mother.”
“Like next year?”
“As in next week.” He rubs his cock over my
pussy lips.
“Are you insane?”
“Yup and it’s too late to back out now. You
already confessed your undying love for me.” His
lips meet mine.
“You’re really bossy, you know that, right?”
“Maisy?”
“What?”
“Stop talking.” Wilder pushes inside me, and I
give up arguing with him. As long as he keeps
kissing me and fucking me stupid, I’ll give him
anything he wants.
EPILOGUE
“E
–FINNICK–
Next Christmas
veryone get in front of the fireplace,”
my mother shouts over the noise,
waving her arms around. “Bodie and Amanda
scooch in next to Kenya.”
Maisy shoots me a smile as I place my arms
around her, hands resting on her baby bump.
Auden, Mickey, and baby Austin are seated in front
of the tree wearing their matching pjs their mom got
them. This year my mother insisted everyone do
Christmas at her house so here we all are. One big
happy family. My ex-wife Kenya and her husband,
the father of her third child, Branson and some
chick he started dating around Halloween, and
oddly enough Amanda and Bodie got married this
past summer.
My wife and I are expecting our first child
together next month, and we’re celebrating our
one-year anniversary soon. Maisy and I married on
New Year’s Day. Auden is excited to finally get a
baby sister. She only has one stipulation and its that
she doesn’t do diapers. Kenya asked her to help
with her little brother Austin once and that was
enough.
“Hurry up, Louise, or I’ll have to reset the
timer,” my old man complains, but there’s no doubt
when he looks at my mother that he loves her as
much if not more than he always has. They share
the kind of love I know I have with Maisy.
“I love you,” I vow, kissing her cheek right as
the camera snaps our family photo.
Mom rushes over to look at the preview on the
camera screen. “Isn’t that just perfect.” She claps
her hands, smiling at every single one of us.
“Simply beautiful.”
Dinner is served. The turkey is carved. Bellies
are full. Presents are exchanged. I have everything
I never knew I wanted. No one knows we began
our relationship on a fabricated whim. It’s our little
secret. Not that it matters now anyway. In the end
everything worked out exactly as it should.
CHRISTMAS OF LOVE COLLECTION
Other books releasing in the Christmas of Love
collection are as follows and can be read as
complete standalone stories in any order.
13 Nights of Christmas by Emily Rose
Coal For Kiera by E.M. Shue
Fabricated Christmas by Glenna Maynard
Finding Mistletoe by AJ Alexander
Finding Mrs. Claus by Leaona Luxx
Holiday Wishes by S.L. Sterling
Holly’s Knight by KL Donn
Merry & Bright by Mayra Statham
Secretly Sant by B.L. Olson
The Christmas Proposition by Mika Jolie
Wedding Bell Rock by Annelise Reynolds &
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First off, I gotta do a shout out to my fellow
Christmas of Love Collaboration author friends,
especially our organizer, KL Donn. Without her this
book wouldn’t be here. It was a real pleasure to
work with all the ladies involved. Teamwork makes
the dream work.
Dawn, my bestie and partner in crime. Thank
you for all the help with Maisy and Finnick. You’re
the best. Nickie and Andi ya’ll kept me going and
made sure I finished on time. I adore you both more
than you know. Tina, you kept my ass in line and
kept me from killing all the characters. I know I’m
a pain at times, but you are always there when I
need to chat or a good kick in the ass. Morgan you
know I couldn’t do this author life without you.
All my readers and bloggers who read, share,
review, and support me on this journey. Thank you
for believing in me and loving my characters as
much as I do if not more at times.
Brett and my kiddos you guys are my
everything and why I never give up.
ABOUT GLENNA
Glenna Maynard is a USA TODAY & Wall Street
Journal Bestselling Author most known for her
gritty Black Rebel Riders' MC saga.
She has a passion for writing antiheroes but
occasionally takes a walk on the sweeter side.
Bikers, Rockstars, the boy next door, Glenna writes
them all.
When she isn't arguing with the voices in her
head or drinking reader tears, she enjoys watching
classic TV shows with her two children and
longtime leading man. Her favorite books to read
change with her mood, but she always enjoys a
good historical romance.
Visit
information.
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Document Outline
- Title Page
- Contents
- Copyright
- Blurb
- Introduction
- Dedication
- 1. —Finnick—
- 2. —Maisy—
- 3. —Finnick—
- 4. —Maisy—
- 5. —Finnick—
- 6. —Maisy—
- 7. —Finnick—
- 8. —Maisy—
- 9. —Finnick—
- 10. —Finnick—
- 11. —Maisy—
- 12. —Finnick—
- 13. —Maisy—
- 14. —Maisy—
- 15. —Finnick—
- 16. —Maisy—
- 17. —Finnick—
- 18. —Maisy—
- Epilogue
- Christmas of Love Collection
- Acknowledgments
- About Glenna
- Also by Glenna Maynard
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