Pretend to Be Mine Read online

  I know I’ll never survive this, but I’m already too far over my head to do anything but surrender.

  The ache between my thighs builds and I wiggle beneath him, struggling with his belt, and needing him inside of me, now.

  “Please,” I beg. My clit is pulsing, demanding attention.

  Instead of giving me what I want, he chuckles, and continues to tease me with his mouth, moving down until his teeth rake across one nipple.

  I arch my back as he continues to move lower. Hot, wicked sensations race across my skin until I’m moaning beneath him.

  “What do you want?” He presses a kiss against my clit, then swipes his tongue across the sensitive bud.

  “More,” I gasp, pulling at his hair, demanding that he give me what I want.

  He crawls up, kissing my stomach, my breasts, his knees pushing my legs further apart.

  I struggle again with his belt, letting out a small sigh when it finally comes undone, then push down the material of his pants, until the long, broad length of his cock is free.

  “Do you know what I want to do to you?”

  I glance down at his cock and smile. “I have an idea.”

  He grunts, then leans closer so that his mouth is close to my ear, the thick, heavy crest of his cock pressed snug against my entrance.

  “I should turn you over on your stomach, prop that sweet little ass of yours over my lap, and spank you for thinking you could run away from me.”

  My eyes widen. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Pull a stunt like that again, and I most definitely will.”

  “Is that a promise?”

  He grabs my ass, then gives a smack. “You’re a bad girl.”

  “Only with you.” I laugh, wiggling and arching under him, begging for his cock.

  He grunts again, a satisfied sound, then thrusts deep inside of me, filling me completely.

  Pleasure and pain whip through me and I gasp, holding onto him as my body adjusts, stretching to accommodate his size.

  His gaze is on me, and there’s emotion there, or maybe I’m just imagining it. Needing to feel the connection.

  Am I that disillusioned?

  “Look at me, Brooklyn.”

  I hadn’t realized I’d closed my eyes. I blink, and look up at him.

  He starts to move, slowly, each long, delicious thrust making the ache in my body more and more intense. My pussy clenches around him, as he pumps in and out, filling every inch of me.

  “Mine,” he growls against my mouth before taking my lips with a sweet, almost torturous kiss.

  I am his. Fully and completely.

  “Say it.” He pulls out, then thrusts in hard, making me cry out. “Say your mine.”

  “Yours,” I moan, my pussy clenching around his hard length as he pushes deeper. Each thrust more forceful than the last.

  He sucks my nipple into my mouth, teasing it with his tongue as he smacks against me, rising me harder and faster until we’re both damp with perspiration. I lock my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, needing the friction of his skin against mine. He thrusts hard one last time and it’s enough to throw me over the edge.

  The climax rips through my body like an explosion, and I cry out with his name on my lips as my pussy spasms around his cock. His body jerks as he comes hard, and deep inside of me. I throw my head back, lost in the intense pleasure of our shared orgasms.

  He kisses me hard on the lips, then rolls over, taking me with him.

  As satisfied as my body is, I can’t help the small pang of anxiety that starts to build the moment my brain starts working again.

  One word from him, and I know he can shatter me into a million pieces. But I can’t keep doing this without knowing where it’s going, what he wants, even if it’s not the same thing I do.

  There’s no denying the chemistry between us.

  But how long will that last before he gets tired of me and moves on?

  I turn on my stomach, propping my chin on the pillow and look at him.

  He touches my cheek with his knuckle, and sighs. “I guess we should talk, now.”

  With an uneven breath, I nod, and agree, “Yeah, I guess we should.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Ross

  “I didn’t come here to do that,” I confess, stroking her hair off her damp forehead.

  “Why did you come?” she asks softly, fingers brushing across my chest absently.

  I tilt her chin, making her look at me. I need her to know how I feel. That’s the reason for me coming here. I hesitate for a minute when my phone rings from wherever I dropped my pants. Probably work. Or the agency calling to tell me that the new girl has quit after my short outburst when she came into my office.

  “You should get that.”

  “I’m taking the day off.”

  “Right.” She laughs. When I don’t say anything else, her eyebrows lift. “You’re serious.”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow. Ross White, playing hooky.”

  I chuckle at that. “There’s a first time for everything.”

  “Have you ever thought about why you work so hard?”

  “I suppose I do it because I need to be busy. Everyone has a drug of choice, mine is work.”

  She gives a small nod, as if understanding.

  “So you came here to tell me you’re taking the day off?” She starts to move away from me.

  “Yes.” I grab her around her waist and pull her back to me.

  “This will last all of five minutes.” She smiles, shaking her head.

  “Not if you give me a reason to stay.”

  She chews on her bottom lip. “Ross–”

  “Don’t.” I use my thumb to pull her lip from her teeth, then press a gentle kiss there. “Don’t say anything until I’m finished with what I have to say.”

  She gives a small nod.

  I take a deep breath, holding her gaze. “I’ve been a jackass.”

  A small smile forms on her lips. “Yes.”

  “I said, don’t speak.” I slap her ass playfully. “I’m sorry for how I treated you. Not just at the Hamptons, but for the past six months. Ever since you walked through my office doors, I knew that you were special. That I had to have you.”

  Her mouth parts and her eyes widen.

  “You have no fucking idea how beautiful you are. But it’s more than that.” I place my palm on her cheek and gaze into her green eyes. “You make me want to be a better man. To stop hiding behind a pile of paperwork and really live my life. I want to spend my life with you.”

  Her eyes widen even more at that. “With me?”

  “Yes.” I press my lips against her mouth, softly, then draw back. “I don’t know the first fucking thing about love or relationships. I’m a selfish prick who thinks more about business than the people around him.”

  “Not much of a sales pitch.” Her lips curve up.

  “No.” I grin. “But if you’re willing to put up with this self-centered prick, then I want you in my life, and not just as my assistant.”

  She looks at me and searches my eyes. “You want me to be your girlfriend?”

  “No.”

  “Oh.” She bites her lip and looks away, clearly disappointed.

  “I want you to be my wife.”

  Her gaze snaps back to me. “Your…”

  Her mouth opens and closes as if she can’t get the word out.

  “My wife.” I trace her bottom lip with my thumb. “Will you marry me, Brooklyn?”

  “I…” She shakes her head and blinks.

  My chest twists, and for a moment, I think she’s going to say no.

  “Yes,” she blurts out, tears suddenly forming in her eyes. “A million times yes.”

  Emotions explode in my chest.

  She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me hard and I swear my entire future plays out before me, every scene with Brooklyn in the starring role. Nothing and no one could ever make me happier.

  Epilogue
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  Brooklyn

  One Year Later…

  Ross and I come from different worlds, but in some ways, we struggled through very similar pasts. The demons we had to overcome made us who we are, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized that sometimes running only makes things worse.

  He faced his and I realized that I had to do the same with mine. So I went back home. To the place that I ran away from so long ago.

  It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Staring into the eyes of the man who hurt my mom, who hurt me.

  But I’m glad I did.

  With Ross by my side, I confronted my father.

  There were tears, and a lot of angry words. But I convinced my dad to go to rehab.

  My mom found a place of her own during that time. It was a big adjustment for her, being on her own, but she did it.

  I don’t know what will happen with them, if she’ll ever go back. But for now, she’s safe, and he’s getting the help he needs.

  Holding my brand-new daughter, I can’t help but think about my parents. I know there are no excuses for what they did. Either of them. It’s a parent’s job to protect their child.

  But I also know how difficult this world is. And the worst thing I can do for myself is to hold onto the anger and fear that guided my actions for so many years.

  “She’s beautiful,” Ross says, sitting on the edge of the hospital bed, and stroking his thumb across our baby’s cheek. “You did so good. Are you sure we want visitors? I can tell them to come back later so you can rest.”

  Always so attentive. The second Ross found out I was pregnant, he became almost unbearably overprotective.

  Almost. I love how much he pampers me. The way he makes sure that I’m always safe, and in need of nothing. I can’t imagine what he’ll be like with our daughter. All I know is this little girl will want for nothing, especially love.

  Twenty hours of labor and I feel like I’ve been run over by a bulldozer, but I don’t want to put her down, or for Ross to leave my side, and I can’t wait to show off this precious little bundle to my friends and family.

  “I don’t mind.” I take his hand in mine, and he leans down and kisses me gently on the lips.

  “I love you, sweetheart,” he murmurs against my mouth.

  My chest squeezes with emotion. I didn’t do anything to deserve this happily ever after, to deserve my Prince Charming. Although, Ross would argue with me, and say that he was more like the big bad wolf than any hero.

  But I know he’s wrong.

  He is the hero of my story.

  And I’m the hero of his.

  I blink back tears when I look up at the man who’s given me everything I never thought possible.

  A life. A home. A family. But most importantly, love.

  We got married practically a second after he proposed. It wasn’t anything big, I didn’t want that. All I wanted was him. Most days I still don’t know how I got so lucky.

  He places a hand on my cheek, brows drawn down. “Are you all right?”

  “Just a little overwhelmed.” I glance down at our daughter. “And we still have to give her a name.”

  “Sophia.”

  “I like that. Sophia.”

  In her sleep, the corners of her rosebud lips curve up in a small smile, and both Ross and I laugh.

  “I think she likes it too.”

  He kisses me then, with all the love and passion our relationship is built on, and I know in this moment that I’m the luckiest woman in the world.

  “The woman just had a baby, give her some room.” Dana bounces into the small, private room, and places a large balloon bouquet on the windowsill, then pushes Ross out of the way, so that she can hug me. She glances at Ross with a crooked grin. “Do you want her to be pregnant with baby number two before she leaves?”

  Ross just smiles and gives her some room. I still don’t think he’s gotten used to Dana’s boisterous personality.

  “Let me see her,” Dana says, reaching for Sophia.

  I hand her over with some hesitation, but Dana has a brood of nephews and nieces, and she holds her with a confidence that both Ross and I are still struggling with.

  “She’s gorgeous,” Dana croons. “But then look at her parents.”

  “Speaking of parents.” I place my hand on Ross’ arm. “Is your dad and grandma coming?”

  “They’ll be here later. I didn’t want to overwhelm you with too many people.”

  Ross’ relationship with his father has been better since he spoke with him and learned the truth about his mom. But like all relationships, it will take time for theirs to heal completely. I think having John be a part of Sophia’s life will help.

  Ross’ cell buzzes on the side table. He glances at it briefly, then turns it off.

  “Work?” I ask.

  “It can wait.” He kisses the top of my head.

  “You’ll have to go back to work eventually,” Dana says, snuggling Sophia closer. “And I can be here to help.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I plan to take it easy for a while. I want to spend as much time with my wife and daughter as possible.” Ross takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “Besides, I sold the company.”

  “You what?” Dana and I say in unison.

  “I sold the company.”

  “I heard you.” With a small wince, I sit up straighter so that I can look at him. “But why?”

  “We don’t need the money.”

  “I know, but–”

  “I plan on being around for both of you.” He stands and takes Sophia from Dana’s arms, a broad smile playing across his lips when he looks down at her. “I’ll probably start a new venture at some point, but until then I’m going to be there for every first. I don’t want to miss anything.”

  My heart swells, and I can’t help the tears that start to fall.

  Ross frowns. “Did I say something wrong?”

  I shake my head and manage to choke out, “I’m just happy.”

  His smile returns, and he sits beside me. “Good. Because I plan on doing everything in my power to make you happy for the rest of your life.”

  I know he will.

  There’s no more pretenses between us. No more pretending. I’m his and he’s mine. Always and forever.