Temporary Marriage (Complete MATCHMAKER BOOK 3)

Chapter 20

“ GARRETT POV ”

I knew I was in trouble, but I couldn’t help grinning when Nathalie tried to elbow me in the ribs again.

She was so fucking adorable. I barely felt it, but I let out a quick little exhale to give her the impression that it had stung.

I knew it would ease some of her wrath if she felt like she’d hurt me back in some way, and I would take any advantage I could get.

It wasn’t that I didn’t have guilt for keeping things from her, but I’d had a damn good reason in the beginning.

I should have told her sooner, but I didn’t want to risk her trying to end things before I could get her fall for me.

She glanced up at me, and I quickly schooled my features so that she didn’t see my smile.

“Please give me a chance to explain?”

I asked gently as I held out my hand to help her into the car. Her eyes softened the tiniest bit, and she let me assist her.

When we were both seated, she was to the right of me, so I took her left hand and gently drew my fingers over the skin,

Stopping to play with her wedding ring, then lifting it to my lips to kiss it.

Peeking up through my lashes, I saw what I’d been hoping for.

The ice was slowly melting, if only by centimeters.

Nathalie cleared her throat and shook her head as though she was emptying it of unwelcome thoughts.

I hoped they involved my mouth and her naked body.

Those images were certainly filling my own head, and I was determined to take care of the misunderstanding as quickly as possible so we could get to the makeup sex.

“So talk,”

she demanded, trying to sound authoritative but only managing light irritation,

Especially since I’d flipped her hand over and flicked my tongue over her pulse.

I sighed.

“Your father did hire my company to protect you.”

Nathalie tried to pull her hand away at my statement, but I wouldn’t let go.

She scowled at me, but I just smiled and went on.

“When I found out you’d signed up for Love Connections, it seemed like the perfect answer. I could keep you close without arousing suspicion and end things when the campaign was over without you ever knowing about your shadow detail.”

Her coffee-colored eyes shimmered with tears, and when one escaped, I used my thumb to wipe it away.

“Hear me out before you get upset, beautiful,”

I requested somberly. She took a deep breath and lifted her hand in a gesture for me to go on.

“Then, on our wedding day, I opened that car door and was nearly knocked on my ass by the beauty who emerged. My attraction to you was fierce and instantaneous.”

I scrubbed my free hand over my face and groaned, though my lips tipped up into a devilish grin.

“I wanted to throw you over my shoulder and find the nearest private place to have my wicked way with you.”

She snorted, her lips tipping up and making my smile widen.

“It wasn’t just how fucking beautiful you were, though. I could see the beauty inside you, and damn, your rambling was cute as fuck. Something inside me clicked into place, something I hadn’t realized was broken. And I knew, right then, I was never letting you go. You were meant to be mine—you owned me.”