Free Taken Home (Lone Star Burn) by Ruth Cardello

“I’m fine,” Chelle said in a husky tone. “I can’t stay here, Mason. I can’t afford this.”
    He ran a thumb gently over her jaw. “I don’t expect you to. You’re here as my fiancée, remember?”
    “Fake fiancée,” Chelle added. It was an important distinction to keep clear in her head, especially while she fought a strong desire to throw herself into his arms and beg him to take her.
    He lowered his head until his lips hovered above hers. “No one knows that but us.”
    Chelle licked her bottom lip and fought back a panic. She wasn’t supposed to feel this strongly toward him. She was supposed to play things cool, possibly meet someone through him. Have fun. The all-consuming desire coursing through her scared her as much as it excited her. A kiss to him is nothing more than a handshake. Don’t be an idiot and read anything more into this. This is supposed to be an adventure for me and helpful to him. Breathe. “Do you really think people will believe that we’re engaged? It’s not like I have a ring.”
    Mason dropped his hand from her face. A second later, he took her left hand in his and slid a stunning emerald-cut diamond solitaire onto her finger. “There wasn’t time to have one designed for you, but this should do, and it fits.”
    Chelle held her shaking hand up, and the diamond mockingly sparkled at her. Panic rose within her. “I can’t wear this. What if I lose it?”
    He smiled down at her. “You won’t.”
    Chelle went to pull it off. “I couldn’t afford to replace it if something happened to it.”
    He took her hands in his. “You worry too much.”
    Chelle’s next protest dissolved before she spoke it. Melanie and Sarah described Mason as a shameless flirt, but there was an emotion in Mason’s eyes and a seriousness Chelle hadn’t expected when she’d agreed to the visit. She would have sworn on her life that in this moment, he wanted her as much as she wanted him. I’ve been down this road before, and it ends with abrupt and painful disappointment. He doesn’t care about me. This is about the charity event. That’s why he asked me here. Don’t let those heavenly eyes fool you twice. The ring was nothing more than a prop for that event. “I guess I can wear it for a day or two, just to prove we’re together.”
    His gaze was unrelenting. “How is your elbow?”
    “My elbow?”
    “You hurt it,” he said in a tone laced with humor.
    Chelle swallowed hard. “Oh. Yes. It’s fine. Just a little cut.”
    “I’m glad.” He lowered his head again until his breath felt as soft as a caress across Chelle’s parted lips. “I want to take you out tonight, and people will expect us to be comfortable doing this.” His mouth claimed hers. His tongue slid teasingly between her lips. Just enough to have her part them in a gasp of wonder. It was a kiss unlike any she’d experienced before. He didn’t take; he invited. He didn’t plunder; he explored. He dug his hands into the hair on either side of her head and held her there gently while his tongue danced intimately with hers. When he raised his head, he was smiling. “We’ll be convincing.”
    Convincing? Oh my God, I almost forgot why I’m here. She pushed away from him and took several deep breaths. She looked down at the ring on her finger. It’s a prop. I’m a prop. He’s an actor, and this is his stage. She glanced around the suite again. What had felt like a dream a moment before was suddenly muddled. “Why do you have an account at a hotel next to where you work?” When Mason didn’t answer, Chelle met his eyes again. He gave her an odd look that birthed Chelle’s next question. “Do you bring women here? Like on a regular basis?”
    He shrugged. “What do you want me to say, Chelle?”
    “The truth.” Shaking her head, Chelle pointed to the bedroom. “Have you had sex with someone on that bed? The bed I was going to sleep in tonight?”
    His answer was a slight incline of the head.
    Chelle looked