LITMIR.BIZ

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head in the game, Hollis. Someone has to be sensible here and it looks like you’ve drawn the short straw.

      ‘Finn, I get that you’re hurting, that you need a distraction from your crappy life. You’ve just broken up with your fiancée and that’s got to be seriously painful.’

      And I’m using you to escape dealing with my mother.

      Finn just folded his arms and kept his face blank.

      ‘You should know that I never treat sex casually, that I am very selective about who I bring into my bed.’

      ‘Okay. Good to know.’

      Callie blew out her breath. ‘And you should also know that I’m not going to be your means of escaping that pain.’ And, conversely, I’m not going to use you to escape my memories.

      Finn frowned. ‘Lost you. Explain.’

      She waved her hand in the space between them. ‘We obviously generate some heat between us, and I have no doubt that sleeping with you would be fun, but we can’t ignore the fact that until recently you were in a highly committed relationship. That relationship came to a skidding halt and pretty much went over a cliff. Fair to say that?’

      Finn shrugged. ‘I suppose.’

      ‘So, to carry on with that analogy, I’m not going to sleep with you until I am fully convinced that you have come out of that coma and are mostly recovered. I’m not a way to dull the pain.’

      Finn stared at her for a long time, his green eyes speculative. Eventually, ever so slightly, his mouth lifted at the corners. ‘This isn’t all about me and my relationship, is it? You’re also running from something—or someone.’

      Maybe. Possibly. Okay, dammit, yes.

      ‘And that’s why you’ve been crying.’ Finn rubbed his jaw with the palm of his hand. After a long silence he lifted his muscled shoulders in a weary shrug. ‘Look, Callie, I’m probably not ever going to tell you about the mess that was my almost-marriage, but would you think I was spinning a line to get into your pants if I said that I’m not that heartbroken? That I’m sad but also relieved?’

      She heard something that sounded like the ring of truth in his voice but she didn’t know him well enough to trust him. ‘Maybe you’re just telling yourself that to make it easier to cope with. People love to lie to themselves.’ She saw Finn’s mouth open to start his protest but she shook her head to stop him. ‘Look, Finn, let’s just take it slow, okay? One day at a time, as friends and companions. Let’s not force it, okay?’

      He looked as if he wanted to argue, but then she saw him swallowing his words, saw his nod.

      ‘Yeah, okay, I suppose that’s sensible.’

      Finn lifted his hand to brush her cheek with the backs of his fingers. Callie could only look at him, her blood roaring through her veins and pooling between her legs. If he didn’t go soon she was going to forget any doubts she had and drag him to the floor.

      ‘That being said, I’m going to go.’

      Callie licked her lips as her brain tried to restart. ‘Um … okay.’ Him going would be a very good idea.

      ‘You’ll let me know your decision? As soon as possible? Like tomorrow?’

      Callie handed him a blank look. ‘Uh … what decision?’

      Finn grinned. ‘About being my fake wife?’

      Callie blushed. God, her brains were fried. ‘Sure, as soon as possible.’

      She opened her mouth to add a blanket yes to whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted, as long as he would kiss her like that again. At the last minute her rationality kicked in and mentally slapped her to bring her to her senses.

      ‘I’ll see you out.’

      ‘Don’t bother.’

      Finn stepped towards her, dropped a quick kiss on her temple before heading inside and picking up his wallet, keys and mobile. He turned and looked at her, and the corner of his mouth kicked up.

      ‘Yeah, I think you and I could have some fun. And, Cal?’

      ‘Mmm?’

      ‘No more crying, okay?’

       CHAPTER FOUR

      FINN HEARD HIS doorbell ring and cursed as he lifted another box onto the tower of boxes he was creating in his hallway. God, Liz had a lot of stuff, he thought as he turned sideways to navigate through the thin aisle between boxes to get to the door.

      It would be a brother again, holding a six-pack and a takeaway, coming to keep him company in his darkest hour. He appreciated the beer and the food, but instead of their sympathy he wished that they’d give him something useful, like help with shifting and packing boxes.

      He rolled his eyes as the doorbell pealed again and reached out to yank the door open. ‘You can only come in if you’re prepared to work, you lazy—’

      He blinked at the vision on his doorstep. Instead of one of his big, brawny, young stepbrothers Callie, dressed in a short sleeveless sundress, stood in front of him, her blonde hair pulled up into a tail and most of her face covered by huge dark sunglasses.

      ‘Oh, sorry. Wasn’t expecting you.’

      Callie pushed her glasses up into her hair and smiled. ‘I can see that, since you’re shirtless and shoeless. Who were you expecting?’

      ‘Ah, one or more of my brothers—stepbrothers. They pop in most evenings, usually around this time.’

      ‘Coming to check up on you?’

      ‘Yeah.’

      Callie placed a hand on her heart. ‘That’s so sweet.’

      Finn grimaced. ‘I appreciate the sentiment but I wish they would just stop. Because I’m not talking they think that Liz is to blame and that I need comforting.’

      ‘Is she to blame?’

      ‘Mutual decision,’ he replied quickly, seeing the trap and dodging it. ‘Anyway, because not all men are Neanderthals, they’ve been worried about me because Liz and I were together for a long time. I have so many offers for beer or lunch or dinner I could scream.’

      Callie didn’t say anything and he, like a rookie, just kept on talking.

      ‘So I drink the beers and eat the food and try to convince everyone that I’m okay.’

      ‘Are you?’

      Callie took his right hand and held it between hers. She looked up at him from beneath those ridiculously long lashes, her expression earnest and concerned. She wasn’t just asking for form’s sake, he suddenly realised, she genuinely seemed to care. And her empathy—not pity or sympathy—melted one of the many icicles attached to his heart.

      Finn thought about her question for a minute and left his hand where it was, his fingers entangled with hers. ‘Mostly. I will be a feeling a lot more relieved when you say yay or nay.’

      ‘Yay,’ Callie said as she dropped his hand.

      Finn looked down at her, not sure that he’d heard her correctly. ‘What?’

      ‘Yes, I will be your fake wife.’ Callie said, her eyes dancing. ‘Thanks for asking me.’

      Finn felt relief course through him and was surprised at the wave of—hell—happiness that followed. He was going to be able to complete this amazing assignment, get out of this house and step out of his life, thanks to this phenomenal woman.

      ‘That’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Thanks, Callie.’

      ‘I

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