A Merger by Marriage

“It’s after one. Do you want me to show you to your room?”

“So I can do what?” Violet quizzed, walking toward the breakfast nook’s bay windows. “Pace for hours? I don’t know about you, but I rarely get to bed before three.” She spied a turquoise pool behind the house. “Can I use that?”

“As of twelve-fifteen the house became half yours. You don’t need to ask.”

Violet gasped, all thoughts of a moonlit swim forgotten. “Oh, no. That’s not what we agreed to. And when we get divorced, we’ll just go our separate ways—I don’t want half of your house.”

“Maybe we should renegotiate our deal. I might need to demand alimony in the divorce settlement.”

“Why would you need alimony?”

“Because if our plan fails my father will surely kick me out of the family business and the way he’s running things, the stock won’t be worth much.” He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “While you will be worth millions as Fontaine’s CEO.”

Because she couldn’t tell if he was poking fun at her or not, Violet refrained from commenting on her chances of winning her grandfather’s contest. “I never imagined that I would end up supporting you,” she replied. “Perhaps we should get an annulment—”

“While we still can?” JT interrupted, his silky voice spreading shivers along her skin.

“Stop kidding around.” She tried for lightness, but a hint of anxiety crept into her tone. “Just because we’re married and alone in this house on our wedding night...” Violet trailed off. What point was she trying to make?

“Doesn’t mean that we’ll fall prey to our basic urges,” JT finished.

“Exactly.”

“Even if those urges are fueled by champagne and curiosity?”

Violet set her glass down and dismay sparked when she realized it was empty. “I think it’s time you show me the bedroom. My bedroom,” she corrected, feeling her cheeks heat. “Where I’m going to sleep. Alone.”

JT picked up her bag and gestured back the way they’d come. “It’s upstairs.”

Violet attributed her lightheadedness to the champagne, refusing to believe that she was overwhelmed by the thought of spending the night alone with JT in his house. Was his room way down the hall from hers or a convenient few steps away?

Get a grip. You’re not a virgin at your first frat party. You’re a successful businesswoman and this man is a colleague. Keep your head and everything will be fine.

“Here you are.” JT opened a door and gestured her inside. The large room contained a queen-size bed with matching cherry nightstands, a triple dresser, and a small seating area in front of a gas fireplace. He set her overnight bag on the bed and returned to where she stood just inside the bedroom door.

“This is nice. Thank you.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you. If this wild idea of yours works, I’ll be able to save my family’s company. And that’s a debt I can’t repay.” JT leaned down and kissed her gently on the cheek. “Good night, Violet. I’ll make sure I have green tea ready for you in the morning.”

He knew that she didn’t drink coffee? She vaguely recalled having a tea versus coffee discussion with him long ago. And he’d remembered.

“That’s nice of you. And one more thing.” Before she considered the wisdom of her actions, Violet lifted on tiptoe and coasted her palms along JT’s massive shoulders. Shoving aside rational thought, she tunneled her fingers into his hair and murmured, “You didn’t give me a proper kiss at our wedding.”

“Then let me rectify that right now.” He lowered his lips to hers.

Her breath stopped. Every nerve in her body screamed to life. Newly sensitized, her skin prickled at the slide of his cotton shirt against her bare arm as he cupped the side of her head to hold her in place. His lips were firm, but softer than she’d expected. The friction of his mouth on hers dragged a moan from her chest.

The sound spurred him to intensify the pressure of his kiss, but he retreated before she could act on her rising passion. His teeth caught at her tender flesh and gently tugged. She arched her back, seeking closer contact. This was so much better than she’d ever imagined.

He flattened his palm against her back, locking her in place before treating her to the first delicious lick of his tongue. A slow thrust followed. Warm. Wet. Skilled. He claimed her mouth as if he’d done it a thousand times. Taking his time, he explored every corner of her mouth, tantalizing her with his leashed passion. What happened if his control snapped? Violet was fast losing her wits. Much longer and her stance on a sexless marriage would topple.

Anticipation built as his hands coasted over her ribs, thumbs whisking provocatively over the outside curves of her breasts. She pulsed with need, craving his possession, and shifted restlessly against him to ease the ache.

JT tore his lips from hers and gulped air into his lungs. “Better?”

Better? Glorious was more like it.

Chest heaving, knees like pudding, she blinked to clear her vision and was startled to see they hadn’t moved from the doorway. How was that possible when he’d turned her entire world upside down?

“Now I feel married,” she said.

“You’d feel even more so after a proper wedding night,” he murmured, letting his lips graze temptingly close to hers once more.

Unsure whether he was serious or merely taunting her, Violet clutched at his strong shoulders and leaned back in order to survey his expression. With eyes that glittered, JT probed her gaze. His compelling curiosity alarmed her. What was he looking for? Proof that his kisses rendered her insensible?

He swept his hands down her spine, fanned his fingers against the small of her back. Ever so slowly he pressed her hips forward, easing her against the hard length of him. Violet’s legs trembled. She wanted nothing more than to be filled by him. To lose herself in his evocative touch.

Damn. She never should have asked for that kiss. If she’d just ignored the tension building between them, her body wouldn’t be throbbing with unfulfilled longing nor would she be fighting temptation at the idea of one night with him. One incredible, mind-blowing night.

“JT, I...”

Before she figured out what she intended to say, shutters dropped over his gaze and she was left staring at an insurmountable wall. The speed with which he’d shut her out acted like a bucket of ice water on her overheated hormones.

“You don’t need to explain.” He relaxed his hold on her and stepped away. A sardonic smile tugged at his lips. “I know our marriage is only for show.”

And she’d been seconds away from forgetting that fact. Humiliation chased away any lingering traces of desire. No question, she’d just dodged a bullet. So why was she so miserable about it?

“It’s not that,” she began and then frowned. “Well, it’s mostly that, but the truth is, I don’t know you very well and I’m not in the habit of falling into bed with a man this quickly.”