Read Online Wife for a Day by Patti Berg - Free Book Online

anyone else.
    They were behind a tall potted palm, and he backed her against a wall. The stone was cold against her skin, but the fingers he was tracing over her cheek were on fire. “Who are you?” he asked, his words slow, deep.
    â€œAn actress.”
    â€œWhy all the mystery? You know my name. I want to know yours.”
    She swallowed the crazy knot of desire that had crept into her throat, and pretended his kiss, his eyes, his touch had no effect on her. She couldn’t let him know that he’d stirred feelings in her. This was all an act, nothing more. If he called her by name, it would seem all too real—and she’d hurt even more when it was over. “There’s no mystery, Jack. I can bluff my way through most situations, including calling someone by the wrong name. You, on the other hand, don’t have a poker face. If you knew my real name, you might spill it in front of your sister and blow everything.”
    He kissed her cheekbones, gazing deep into her eyes. “Then I’ll call you Whiskey.”
    â€œWhiskey?”
    â€œSome men might call you Red, or Curly,” he said, wrapping a spiraling strand of her hair around his finger. “Personally, I like your eyes, especially now, when they’re warm andglowing. You’ve got eyes that could intoxicate a man.”
    â€œYou aren’t trying to butter me up so I’ll help you out with some other foolish scheme, are you?”
    â€œI’m not thinking about much of anything, except what’s going on right now between you and me.”
    â€œThere’s nothing going on.”
    Again he kissed the corner of her mouth, and with every ounce of willpower she had, she fought the urge to give in to him.
    â€œJack, this isn’t right.”
    â€œIt might not be right, but it feels damn good.”
    â€œStop, Jack. Please.”
    The moment she said stop, he drew back, and sighed. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œDon’t pretend you care for me when it’s only a farce. Don’t—”
    Sam’s protest came to a skidding halt when a familiar man slipped into view.
    â€œAm I interrupting something?”
    Jack spun around, and Sam thought for sure her heart had skipped a beat when she recognized Chip Chasen standing behind Jack in a tux she’d altered for him earlier in the week. “Good evening, Jack,” he said. “Good evening, Arabella. You’re the talk of the party, and I’ve been anxious to meet you.”
    Forcing a smile, Sam held out her hand and Chip, one of Mr. Antonio’s worst tippers, kissed her knuckles. He studied her with a frown on his face as if trying to remember where he’d seen her before.
    â€œArabella,” Jack said, “I’d like you to meet Chip Chasen.”
    â€œI believe we’ve met somewhere else,” Chip said.
    â€œI don’t think so,” Sam tossed back, maybe a little too fast.
    â€œShe’s firmly entrenched in Denver society, Chip,” Jack said, coming to her rescue. “You’re Cape Cod and Palm Beach.”
    â€œI’ve been to Denver a time or two. Do you know—”
    â€œIt’s a big city,” Jack interrupted firmly, then changed the subject. “What are you doing at Lauren’s party? I didn’t think the two of you were on speaking terms.”
    Chip took a swallow of his drink. “We made up years ago. I loved her once, she loved me, and even though she took me for half of what I’m worth, divorce didn’t wipe out all the old feelings.”
    â€œYou and Lauren were married?” Sam asked.
    â€œFor six not-so-blissful months. I might as well tell you the honest truth, before Jack puts his own spin on things. I liked to bet on thehorses. In fact, I preferred horses to marriage—then, and now. Statistics-wise, I’m husband number one. Number two was killed in a boating accident a week after their divorce, and”—he