It's Only Make Believe Read Online Free

could have made such a success of our marriage if we hadn’t been best friends?”
    “Ah, but see, Grandpa, Brad and I aren’t best friends. Until lately we hadn’t seen each other in years. I hardly know him anymore.”
    “But you knew each other from way back. Don’t you remember how you used to tag along after him?  You followed him around like a little puppy dog?”
    Michele smiled at the memory. Oh yeah she had followed Brad, even had that horrible crush on him, but he hadn’t even given her the time of day. Michele shook her head. She couldn’t marry a man she knew nothing about?
    Her grandfather didn’t quit – he had an answer for every argument. Eventually she ran out of reasons. She couldn’t refuse him, she loved him too much and this seemed so important to him. Arguing was senseless Never being one for confrontation, she finally she gave in, as usual, and did what they expected. After all Brad had said only for a year. She supposed she could handle a year with him. Besides, he traveled a lot for business, chances were they wouldn’t have to spend all that much time together.
    “Okay, I agree to your proposition but on one condition,” she had told Brad later, “that you promised to remain faithful.”
    “I will if you will.”  Brad shook her hand and just like that they became engaged. A handshake, no kiss, no romantic gestures – what a deal. He pulled a ring out of his pocket. The size of it almost knocked her socks off. A one carat emerald cut solitaire. The sparkle almost blinded her.
    How did he know she’d agree to this charade? She almost changed her mind and gave it back, but something stopped her.
    “I know this looks presumptuous of me,” he said as if he read her mind. “But honest it wasn’t my idea. My parents insisted I buy it. Somehow they knew you wouldn’t refuse. If you don’t like it we can exchange it for something more to your liking.”
    She stared at the ring on her hand. Like it, she’d have to be a fool not to. The very simplicity of it appealed to her. And the size, well that could have been smaller. She’d never been one for expensive jewelry.  Michele looked at the ring. Next to it was a plain gold wedding band. Anything more would have taken away from the beauty of the diamond. She closed her eyes.
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    Movement in bed brought Michele back to reality. She crawled out of bed, careful not to wake Brad, and went to take a shower. How she’d get through this next week was beyond her, let alone a whole year. She wanted to get back to her business, “The Designer’s Edge”. She stood in the shower letting the water rush over her body when noise came from the other room. She turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around her. Brad knocked and opened the door without waiting for a response. He greeted her with an enticing grin.
    “Morning, Star-shine, sleep well?” He reached out and rubbed her wet head.
    Michele tried to side-step him. She moved away, dodged his hand. The attraction between them exploded inside her. Her stomach muscles tightened, causing a fluttering and rising tension. She tried to move past him, but he pulled her close. His lips hovered over hers, smoky eyes filled with desire. She turned away before his lips met hers, and they landed on her cheek. He held her in his arms while his lips moved from her cheek to nuzzle her neck. Flickers of electricity jolted her body. Her heart throbbed so loud he had to hear it. Moving his lips to her mouth, they captured and held, starting out fierce, demanding, and then easing into tenderness.
    She kissed him back, her mouth and body betraying her, giving in to their desires. The towel fell away. His hands caressed her bare skin creating waves of fiery passion in her. Her naked body thrust itself against him, as if it belonged there. Moans escaped from deep within her throat.
    Something in the back of her mind told her to stop, but she ignored it, wanting