Four Week Fiancé by Helen Cooper
A Note to Mila
The sun sets late in the corners of my mind.
I think of you when I go to the lake.
I think of you when I close my eyes.
I think of the girl who changed my world.
I think of the heartbreak that changed your world.
And I’d make one wish to take all your pain away.
TJ Walker
Prologue
TJ
Present Day
“I can’t make your decision for you, Mila.” My voice was deep, some might say husky, as I looked down into her wide eyes. She was gazing at me with a question in her big brown eyes and her lips were slightly parted. “What’s your answer?”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked me softly as she stepped towards me, licking her lips nervously. Her long blond hair hung around her shoulders and small runaway wisps blew into her eyes. I leaned over and moved them gently behind her ear. She blushed at my touch and I made sure to let my fingers linger on her cheek for a few seconds. I could feel the heat emanating off of her skin onto my fingertips.
“I want you to experience the happiness, the joy, the goodness that you deserve.” My voice sounded too serious and I wasn’t altogether sure why I’d chosen those exact words. I wasn’t really sure why I was here myself, with her, about to do something I knew I shouldn’t do.
“I wish I could control what happens next,” she said, her voice breathless. I gazed down into her eyes and my heart stopped as I saw the emotion there. She was letting me in, baring her soul to me in a naked, vulnerable way. Her eyes reminded me of a young, innocent doe I’d seen in the woods one year when I’d gone deer hunting with a friend’s family. I’d felt guilty then and I felt guilty now as well.
“There’s not much that is going to happen next.” I sounded harsher than I’d intended. I didn’t know how to tell her that I was mad at myself, not at her. She wouldn’t understand my inner turmoil. “We’re going to kiss and then you’re going to dump that loser of a boyfriend.” I put my hands on her waist and stilled them from going higher.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” she squeaked out as she closed her eyes and lifted her lips up to me, waiting. Her shoulders were thrust back indignantly and I stared down at the curve of her breasts and down to her long legs. She’d grown into a beautiful young woman. A very beautiful young woman that I knew I shouldn’t let myself indulge in.
“You’re damn right he’s not,” I growled before bending down and lightly pressing my lips against hers. They were so soft and sweet, and she kissed me back eagerly as her fingers fumbled with my shirt. I grabbed her hands and clasped them in mine as I deepened the kiss, allowing my tongue to enter her mouth and taste the delicate hint of freshly picked strawberries that she’d just eaten. She moaned slightly as I sucked on her tongue and my hands let go of hers and moved up her waist, making their way up to her bra. All thoughts of Cody warning me to stay away from his sister were far from my mind.
“Oh, TJ,” she said as she grabbed my hand and moved it up and pressed it against her breast. “Oh, yes.”
“Oh, no.” I stopped and pulled back. Her eyes blinked open and she looked at me with a slightly bewildered and lost expression. She looked hot and flustered and I loved it, though I kept my grin to myself.
“What are you doing?” She pouted. “Why did you stop?”
“You didn’t think it would be this easy, did you?” I said with a smirk, feeling hot and bothered myself. “Nothing happens until I get your decision.”
“But, I just can’t pretend to be your fiancée, TJ. That’s not right.” She licked her lips nervously.
“You can’t?” I said softly, allowing my fingers to trace the curve of her lips. “Or you won’t?”
“I read the contract,” she said and swallowed. “What you’re asking—it’s too much.”
“For you or for me?” I asked, my eyes never leaving hers. “What’s four weeks, Mila?” I said as I pushed the tip of my finger into her mouth and watched as she sucked it gently. She just stared at me, thinking, and I could see her mind racing. She had no idea what to say or do. I’d beaten her at her own game and she knew it. Now I was ready to take my prize. And I was going to take it whether she became my fake fiancée or not.
Chapter One
Mila
September 19th, 2008