The Heiress and Her Fake Fiance

By Kimberly Hope

"A delightful new voice in contemporary romance!" -Regan Black
When her father starts manipulating her life again, Jessica Heymore needs an escape and time to determine her next move. She runs to Blakely and the safe haven of her grandmother's house. Except Grandma didn't mention the house was occupied. Now she finds herself living with the star of her high school fantasies. Matt Lawson has moved back to Blakely to prove he's more than they thought the son of the town drunk could ever be. An accomplished landscape designer, he's looking for a wife who will stay in the small town and help him set down strong roots on the right side of the tracks this time. But Jessica's grandma has a penchant for matchmaking and now the whole town is talking about the future for these unlikely roommates.
"A quirky twist on the 'one that got away' theme." --Jordan

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberly Hope
• Release date: Dec 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466126671

Kimberly Hope

Kimberly Hope knew from the time she was 12 she was destined to write romance novels. With a name like that, what else would she be? The only question was, what direction that trip would take. Kimberly found her forte in smart, sexy, sassy, contemporary romances with guaranteed smiles and happily-ever-afters for today’s contemporary reader. Her heroines are feisty and give as good as they get; her heroes are sexy, successful men you’d want to keep for yourself. A professional freelance writer, she grew up in northern California but now lives in North Carolina where she manages 2 kids, 2 dogs, and a cat that must be obeyed. When not writing, she enjoys gardening, knitting, and cooking (although not after a day of writing). The Heiress and Her Fake Fiance is her debut novel.

Book preview

Praise for Kimberly Hope

A delightful new voice in contemporary romance -- Regan Black, Paranormal Romance Author

A quirky twist on the 'one that got away' theme. -- Jordan, Reviewer

A Peek Inside Blakely

It’ll go away, she muttered. Her body hadn’t gotten the memo saying she was over him. With so little sleep, her body and her hormones were working on autopilot. Tomorrow everything would get back to normal.

Now, come on, you two, work with me. This isn’t a root canal. Matt, put your arm around the girl. You’re supposed to be in love.

What? We’re not –, The words died in Jessica's throat when Matt touched her.

He slipped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close, so they stood hip to hip.

You mean like this?

Fire ran up her side and she wanted to cry. Why didn’t Bill cause sensations like these?

Or was this more what you had in mind, Vi?

Jessica stopped thinking the minute he turned her so they were facing. He winked as he slowly pulled her closer, until she was pressed firmly against his hard body. Her hands reached for his shoulders, almost of their own volition.

Matt lowered her in a dip and their eyes met. Her laughter died in her throat. Eyes that had held humorous sparks just a moment before now darkened to near-black with an awareness she’d never seen. Anticipation licked up her spine but Jessica opened her mouth to protest.

Well, don’t just stand there. Kiss her, for goodness sake.

He whispered an oath as he lowered his head.

The Heiress and Her Fake Fiancé

By Kimberly Hope

Copyright 2011  Kimberly Hope

Cover art by Karl Warren

Published by Getaway Reads, LLC

Smashwords Edition

http://www.kimberlyhopebooks.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your u se only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

This ebook is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the express permission in writing from the author.

Dedication

For Rochelle

Because without her belief in this book and several kicks in the pants, it would still be propping up my computer screen;

and for Snarky Daughter and Scout Son

Who made dinner, cleaned the house and managed to get through most of their homework without help so I could make this dream come true.

You're all the best! The next DW Dole Whips are on me!

The Heiress and Her Fake Fiancé

Chapter 1

Jessica was on her knees when the door opened. A pair of palm tree and parrot boxers appeared at the end of her nose and she jerked back. Startled, she flailed her arms and nearly lost her cell phone as she plunked onto her behind.

What the-? The man’s scotch and soda voice barely registered as she continued to stare at the tropical-colored silk parrots. Green, red and blue birds stared back as the morning paper slipped from her grasp.

Aloha, she whispered. Bill’s confused voice in her ear reminded her that her fiancé was still on the phone. I, uh, I’ll call you later. She snapped the phone shut.

Tired from her trip, Jessica remained where she had fallen on the porch and gaped at the man standing in the doorway before her. Matt Lawson.

Too bad Blakely, North Carolina didn’t have a beefcake calendar for charity. Matt’s wide shoulders and tan chest with its sprinkling of dark hair would have sold out in seconds. The boy who had filled her adolescent fantasies was all man now. And judging from the water droplets in his dark brown hair, he’d just taken a shower.

Squirt? Disbelief tinged his voice.

Would nothing ever change?

She took the hand he offered. The warmth of his touch zinged up her arm and she pulled away as soon as she was on her feet. Apparently her teenage attraction to him hadn’t died. If anything, it was stronger. Good morning, Matt. What are you doing here? In your underwear.

Rather than continue to stare at his chest, great though it was, Jessica made the mistake of looking into his chocolate brown eyes. Sheer heaven. He broke the connection first, his gaze wandering down the length of her.

She fidgeted under his scrutiny. Glancing down at her worn tennis shoes, she caught a glimpse of his underwear again. A tickle of excitement touched her stomach and she looked away; anywhere was better. Well, less tempting anyway. A white lace curtain fluttered shut in a window down the street. Great. We’ve been spotted.

Matt looked in the direction she pointed and cursed softly, mirroring her thoughts. The damage is done. You better come in. Then you can tell me why you’re on my doorstep at 5:30 in the morning.

Your doorstep? she whispered as she stared at his retreating back, and gripped the banister next to her to keep the panic at bay. It couldn’t be. Her grandmother had told her she would have the privacy she needed to lick her wounds.

She followed him down the beaded board hallway and into the bright yellow kitchen, where she had spent so many summer mornings throughout the years. What are you talking about?

The scent of nutty, fresh coffee made her knees weak. Matt leaned against the counter and picked up a steaming cup. I live here, Squirt. He motioned to the coffeepot and she nodded absently. Matt pulled out another mug and filled it, adding milk at her request.

Taking the cup he offered, her fingers brushed against his and awareness jolted her. She jerked back, but managed to keep the coffee from sloshing over the edge. She touched the diamond on her hand, reminding her she was promised to someone else. At least right now.

"Don’t call me Squirt. I always hated it. A bowl of quickly disintegrating flakes of some sort sat, ignored, on the table. Jessica looked from the coffee pot that wasn’t her grandmother’s, to the landscaping book on the table, and finally, back to Matt. Oh, no. She wouldn’t have. She knew I needed time alone."

Jessica dropped into a chair that, unfortunately, put her back at eye level with the parrots and palm trees.

Living at the beach, she had seen Matt in swimming trunks for most of her life. But the effect of seeing him in his underwear was electrifying. Her gaze followed the sprinkling of hair on his chest lower, until it tapered down and was concealed by his waistband. She shouldn’t be looking, but couldn’t help herself. She never imagined getting this chance.

Good Lord, were the birds wearing leis? She found herself leaning forward, fascinated by the sheer tackiness of it all.

Matt cleared his throat. Jessica’s face heated as she pulled back. Great. She’d been caught in a close inspection of his underwear. What was he thinking? Uh, sorry. Must have been some luau.

Rich laughter washed over her. His grin teased hers in response. No comment. Jess, why are you here?

She ran her fingers through her tangled hair, pulling it away from her face and yawned. To go to bed.

Is that an offer?

Matt Lawson was not flirting with her. He couldn’t be. Not now. He was ten years too late and had made his feelings clear then. Jessica swallowed hard and glanced at him. A parrot winked back. Uh, Matt, would you mind getting dressed?

He shot her a decidedly wicked grin. I’m pretty comfortable actually.

Matt! Just like when they were kids, he knew which buttons to push. The problem was, looking at him in all his exposed glory, he was pushing buttons that weren’t his to push.

Desperation gripped her. She couldn’t be held responsible for her actions if he stayed that way. A woman could only take so much temptation. Right now she was too tired to fight it.

Too hurt.

She closed her eyes, her last defense.

I’ll be right back. His abs rippled as he pushed off the counter and Jessica swallowed a sigh.

Her mouth went dry. Twisting the diamond ring on her left hand, She groaned and dropped her head onto the table. This was, without a doubt, the worst week of her life. And it didn’t look like things were about to get better.

***

Matt pulled on a red State University t-shirt.

Little Jessica Heymore wasn’t little anymore. It had been ten years since he last saw her, and he’d messed that up royally. Close to fifteen years since they hung out together. She’d been a freshman in high school his senior year.

Suddenly, he wished he hadn’t gone anywhere. A jaw-droppingly beautiful woman had taken the place of the girl he knew. With legs that went on forever, honey blonde hair he wanted to muss, and a body that had him looking for the nearest bed.

And he’d missed the transformation.

But why was she back in Blakely? The last her grandmother had told him, she was in Chicago, working towards a big promotion. While he had never wanted to leave Blakely, Jessica couldn’t leave fast enough. Just like Sarah.

Jessica leaving was probably for the best, since it never would have worked between them anyway. The heiress and the lawn boy wouldn’t have gone over well in her house.

Whatever the reason, she needed to get out of his house quickly, before word spread he was entertaining women at five in the morning. He’d have a hard enough time explaining things as it was. She obviously hadn’t expected him to be there so she’d leave soon enough, he reasoned.

Matt pulled on a pair of faded jeans over his lucky boxers and padded back downstairs. When he got to the kitchen, he leaned against the doorframe and tried not to drool. Bent over, her firm behind in the air, Jessica was digging around in the refrigerator. Nothing sexier than a woman in well-fitting jeans and a white tank top, he thought. Especially when she was muttering in his kitchen.

Looking for something?

Jessica raised her head too quickly and bumped it on the freezer door. Ouch. Rubbing her head, she turned. Something to eat. Like a doughnut.

Sorry. All out. I wasn’t expecting company. She had the decency to look uncomfortable.

Oops, she said, giving him a watery smile and blushing. Habit. Grandma Vi always had something sweet to eat stashed in here and I’m starved. Besides, you always used to come in and dig around without asking. This time her smile looked genuine.

So, Squirt, want to tell me why you’re here?

She started rummaging through his cupboards. Do I have a choice?

Not really. What are you looking for? Not that it mattered. Watching her stretch to see the upper shelves was almost as good a view as when she had been bent over. Almost.

Something without any nutritional merit to eat for breakfast.

And she wouldn’t talk until she found it. Jessica had single-minded determination when it came to junk food. Matt sighed and stepped behind her. His knee brushed the back of her thigh and she spun around, eyes wide.

What are you doing?

He stared into eyes the color of moss and tried to ignore the jolt of awareness that still ricocheted through his body from the accidental touch.

He swallowed his desire. He wanted a wife, but Jessica wasn’t the one. Whatever brought her home wouldn’t hold her there for long.

He’d missed her, although he hadn’t realized it until just then. Reaching around her, he pulled a Hershey bar off the top shelf.

Finding your breakfast. He held the chocolate bar just out of reach. But if you want any, you have to talk first.

Fine. But I could really use another cup of coffee.

Negotiations had always been a part of their relationship, whether it was teaching her to throw a baseball or bartering over the cherry on top of his milkshake. And she usually got what she wanted.

So, what brought you back to town?

When she stared quietly into her coffee, Matt waved the chocolate bar under her nose.

I need a place to stay. The words tumbled out.

Matt broke off a piece of chocolate and handed it to her. Did it ever occur to you to call? he asked, as she slipped the candy between her lips.

It wasn’t like Jessica to do something without making a plan first. Or to look so tempting eating chocolate. Of course the last time he saw her with a candy bar, she would have been about 12. Did she have any idea what watching her lick the corners of her mouth was doing to him? Probably not. If she did, she’d have left the room in fear of being consumed.

I did call. Gran told me I could stay as long as I needed to.

He choked on his coffee. Vi said what?

You heard me. She took a deep sip of hers. This is good. It’s the first decent pot I’ve tasted since Indianapolis.

His blood cooled instantly. You didn’t drive straight through, did you?

She glared at him. It wasn’t that bad.

Chicago to the Carolina coast, in one night, is murder. The thought of Jessica stopping in truck stops alone, in the middle of the night, turned his blood to ice.

You’ve done it?

What I’ve done doesn’t matter. Making her angry wasn’t going to get him answers. "Jess, it’s what, eighteen