Green Card: The Fake Girlfriend/Marriage of Convenience, #2

By Sierra Rose

This is part 2. 

Chloe and Dominic are happily 'fake' married. But sparks fly as their chemistry grows hotter on a trip to Italy, so Chloe can meet her new husband's parents. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dark Shadows Publishing
• Release date: Jun 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533746610

Book preview

Chapter 1

LEO AND CHLOE WERE a nervous wreck awaiting news at the emergency room. Chloe cried into Leo’s shoulder as he patted her back and gave her words of encouragement. They both settled down once the doctor explained to them that it was a very shallow gunshot wound. Dominic had passed out because he had lost so much blood. When Chloe learned that he was going to be okay, she felt this huge surge of relief.

Thank goodness.

When she walked into the hospital room, Dominic shot her a small smile. She and Leo smiled back.

So Superman isn’t invincible? Leo said with a chuckle.

Chloe nudged him. No, but my man of steel is incredibly brave.

It’s good to see your smiling faces, Dominic said.

Dominic, Chloe said, running over to his hospital bed to hug him. I was a nervous wreck! Please don’t ever risk your life like that!

That man would’ve killed you. I wanted to be your knight in shining armor. To prove to you that they really do exist in real life and outside of romance books.

I can’t believe you’d risk your life to save mine. I can’t thank you enough.

There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Like how I’d do anything to save the people I love.

She kissed his cheek and gave him anther hug. Then he pulled her close and she gazed into his eyes.

I thought I lost you, she whispered as emotion welled up inside her. I...

He reached for her hands. It’s okay. I’m way too stubborn to die. He looked at her finger. You got the ring back?

The mugger dropped it when he ran away. One of the ambulance drivers saw it, and gave it back to me.

I’m so glad.

It’s a precious heirloom. But not worth your life.

I was protecting you, not the ring.

They said a few more words, then Chloe backed off so his brother could get a chance to see him.

I don’t see an S on your chest, or a red cape flapping in the wind, or even those little red briefs, Leo said. So you know what that means, little brother? It means you’re not Superman! But I get it. You simply acted. Made a split-second decision, and that makes you a hero in my book.

After Leo hugged him and said all this brotherly stuff, Chloe got her turn once again.

I’m going to leave you two alone, Leo said. I’ll be waiting outside.

She nodded, then turned to Dominic.

He cupped her face as she leaned over. You’re such a sight for sore eyes. Thanks for coming.

Of course I’d come!

He grinned. "You have to. That ring on your finger is legal and binding, and it’s your duty to be my loving wife."

Smiling, she pondered. Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I remember something vaguely in the vows about committing my heart and soul to you.

Laughing, he kissed her hand.

Speaking of our loving marriage, I’ve got good news, she said. The immigration interview got pushed back. They said you could do it once you recover.

So I bought us a little bit more time.

Yes, you did. The lady called me on my cell, and I told her everything that happened. I’m sure she called the hospital to collaborate my story.

He looked into her eyes and pushed a few strands of hair from her face. Maybe I should get shot more often, if that’s what I have to do to get your attention.

Funny! Don’t you dare pull a stunt like that ever again!

I can’t make that promise. I’d do it all over again if that’s what it took to save your life.

She kissed his lips. You mean everything to me.

And you mean everything to me too.

I know you were supposed to be my fake husband. And I was supposed to be your fake wife but...

He swept the hair back from his eyes. Fake? I had glorious, wonderful sex with my fake wife. So I’m wondering how fake she really is. Because fake wives don’t consummate marriages. The marriage is just for show. And after the things we’ve done... Yeah, you’re not a fake wife.

She blushed.

It wasn’t supposed to be that way, but things quickly got out of control, she said.

He cupped her cheek. You know, darling, we were far too attracted to each other to just stay friends.

Their fingers intertwined with each other, and she felt a deeper connection. She stared down at her diamond ring. Are we more than friends?

He shot her the most beautiful smile. What kind of question is that to ask your husband?

She laughed.

How long will this sizzling fling last? she asked.

Fling? You consider our marriage a fling? I don’t think that’s in the marriage handbook...or the vows for that matter.

C’mon. You know that’s what this is.

It’s more than just a fling, he said. Don’t you agree?

You did step in front of a speeding bullet for me. Not many ‘flings’ would do that.

I’d do anything for you. I can’t stop thinking about you, Chloe. You came into my life and totally changed my world. I have lost total control of myself.

You are sweet and charming, she said.

You give me a reason to be sweet and charming. I want to win your heart over. Because I’m crazy about you.

There you go again. Being so sweet.

I think marriage makes me sweeter. Having a friend and lover by my side makes me feel wonderful. I should’ve done this ages ago.

I could’ve settled down, but the problem is...I can’t settle, Chloe said.

Never settle for anything less than what you deserve.

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.

I need you so bad, he said.

She brushed her lips against his in a tender kiss. Not here. I can’t take advantage of you like this. So hurry up and get better so I can!

He laughed. I’m perfectly fine. It’s just a scratch.

When he started to get out of bed, Chloe waved her hand.

Wait, she said. Let me get a nurse.

I’m fine, honey.

Don’t be so macho.

Looking good, she said with a smile.

I hate these things. Now I know why they call it ICU.

Chloe laughed again. I thought you were just flaunting the goods, trying to get me to change my mind.

I like hearing you laugh, Chloe.

Laughter is the best medicine.

She stared into his perfect, brown eyes. He held her gaze, then reached out and touched her face. His gentle caress and sweet kiss made all her worries melt away. It was such a defining moment. She could even see the emotion brewing in his eyes. It was the most intimate of all moments.

And it was moments like these that made her fall for him. They had this magic that neither could deny. She couldn’t help but be drawn to this beautiful man. She knew there was more to him than just a bad boy who loved Jack Daniels and women in skimpy bikinis. Maybe she ruined her marriage of convenience by starting to fall for the man she swore she’d keep as a friend. What would it be like to love him? What would it be like to have him fall in love with her?

She’d fallen into a dark hole, but she was starting to see the light. It was like Dominic had picked her up off the ground and showed her how wonderful life could be. She’d been missing out on life and it took meeting Dominic to see that she didn’t want to be that lonely girl anymore. He brought color into her dark world. She thought she could survive being alone and still be happy. She’d clearly been wrong. So damn wrong.

WHEN DOMINIC FINALLY came home, Chloe took excellent care of him. She made him soup and waited on him hand and foot that day. Almost losing him made her realize how much she truly cared about him.

Immigration would be pleased by this performance, he said.

Yes, they would. I don’t cook, but I can throw stuff in the microwave. They’d be very pleased with my microwave skills to put food on the table for my wonderful husband.

It’s the best soup I’ve ever tasted.

Liar.

Nope. I mean every word of it.

She threw a pillow at him. You’re just being nice. It’s in the vows. You have to be nice to me.

Laughing, he threw a couch pillow back.

I think you’re much better now.

He winked. Much better.

She wrapped her arms around him and started kissing him.

This is exactly what the doctor ordered, he said.

Wanna skip the movie? she asked.

His mouth trailed down her neck leaving a hot path where his tongue ventured. I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Yes, let’s definitely skip the movie.

Are you sending me home tonight? he asked.

Nope. You need lots more TLC.

No, I think you do.

Dominic kneaded her shoulders, and she sagged against him with relief—relief kindling into something much less relaxed and much more fiery. His mouth was still on hers, and the inexorable length of the deepest, most passionate kiss she’d ever experienced left her breathless. She tried to remind herself of a few important facts, but it was really hard with her toes curling up inside her shoes and her insides turning to liquid under his touch.

Chloe wrote about this sort of thing all the time. She had several USA Today bestsellers to her name and her fans knew what they liked—hot alpha male heroes who knew how to reduce a woman to a puddle of lust. She just didn’t know those guys were real. She was adept at making them up, describing them, giving them great lines and dark secrets. She wasn’t so sure about the real live version, though. He was too hot to handle, too complicated and cynical and irresistible. The leading men she wrote were never this thorny, this difficult. The heroines always brought them to heel with their innocence and sweetness and some well-timed tears. Chloe was many things—smart, successful and mouthy to name a few. But she wasn’t one to tame such a bad boy.

Could she possibly make Dominic ever settle down? Could she?

Or was it until citizenship do we part?

Or was their sham marriage turning into