The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion (Entangled Indulgence) by Christine Glover Page B

claims Michael’s life. He heard the unspoken words as clearly as if she’d said them aloud. Pain scraped inside his throat as sharp as nails driving through wood. Five years ago, he’d have turned to Kennedy for comfort. He still wanted to shield himself in her arms from the anguish—feel the stroke of her hands on his back and the warmth of her lips on his face.
    His heart hammered a punishing round inside his chest. Zach couldn’t wrap his mind around the possibility of losing his best friend. That he yearned for Kennedy’s soothing touch more than ever despite all that had happened between them scared him in ways he couldn’t articulate.
    He wanted to unravel the mystery behind her rejection five years ago, but that could lead to more heartache for both of them. They could never go back to what they had and who they had been in the past. But they could enjoy the present, which meant catching her off guard with the unvarnished truth.
    “I ordered the flowers before I spent the day with Michael,” he said, then unleashed a full-wattage grin.
    She stopped pacing and glared. “Park your charm, Tanner.”
    He motioned toward the suite’s phone. “Call the concierge. She’ll be happy to provide you with a receipt.”
    Gradually, her hands unfurled, her shoulders lowered, and her facial lines smoothed.
    “You might be a master manipulator, but you’ve never been a liar,” she said. “I don’t need to call the front desk to prove you’re telling the truth.”
    “Glad we’ve got that settled.” He traced a line down her bare left arm until he reached her hand. She flinched when he brushed her smooth skin. “I’d hate to cancel our romantic evening because of an innocent white lie . ”
    “Not that innocent,” she muttered.
    He twirled the hidden emerald to expose the gem. “Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t like the ring?” He held her gaze.
    She licked her lips. “What did Michael tell you?”
    Her moist mouth taunted him with its delicious pout. He wanted to tease his tongue along the seam and slip inside to taste. “He’s shocked you’d wear it again.” Her hand trembled. “Said you’d never cared for the stone’s ostentatious size.”
    “He’s suspicious.” She glanced away and lowered her chin. “That’s why you had to give him a wedding date.”
    “Damn straight. I want him on my private jet and on his way to Tallahassee Hospital in Florida before we go back to Sweetbriar Springs.” He moved his index finger over the stone. “You should have told me you didn’t like the ring. I’d have bought you another one.”
    “You were so proud of your choice the day you proposed.” She straightened her spine and regained her regal posture. “It’s just a ring. At the time, I wanted you to be happy.”
    He clasped her hand. “And now?”
    The color deepened in her chest, and he watched the swell of her breasts rising and falling. “It’s not for real so it doesn’t matter anymore.”
    Her voice hitched. Oh, she wanted him. That was definitely real. “Not all of this arrangement has to be fake.” He released his grip, stepped back to the bar, and poured the remaining champagne into the flutes.
    “Zach, anything we decide to do can’t last forever,” she said, taking the glass he offered.
    “I know. But it would be fun while it lasted.” Though there were plenty of doubts about where playing this game would lead, he couldn’t stop looking at her mouth, wishing he could taste it. “I suggest a temporary fix.”
    Kennedy licked her lips. The atmosphere sparked, lit up to combustion levels. “Temporary could work,” she said.
    “Then do we have a deal?” He raised his glass.
    Kennedy clinked hers against it. “Deal.”
    After the first sip, he pointed to the shopping bags she’d dropped. “Anything sexy in one of those bags?” he asked. He’d skirted treacherous emotional waters earlier and now that he had what he wanted, he was determined to keep things