Accidental Love Read online

  Accidental Love

  by

  Lacey Wolfe

  Accidental Love

  Copyright © 2012, Lacey Wolfe

  ISBN: 9781937325299

  Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

  Electronic Publication: June, 2012

  Editor: Pamela Tyner

  Cover: LFD Designs

  eBooks are not transferable. No part of this book may be used or reproduced without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

  Back Cover Copy

  Has Jane accidentally fallen for the decoy?

  Sometimes there is only one thing to do when you get dumped—make the ex jealous with someone new. Which is exactly what Jane plans to do with Ben, an older, handsome man who has agreed to act as her new love interest.

  When Ben meets Toby, Jane’s unruly dog, he offers to help her train him. But as Ben helps Jane gain control of her dog, he realizes he’s lost control of his feelings, and he’s beginning to fall for the much younger woman.

  Suddenly, Jane can’t seem to remember what she ever saw in her ex. All she can focus on is the way Ben makes her feel each time he kisses her. But now the ex has decided he wants her back, and he’s willing to play dirty to make it happen.

  Content Warning: Explicit sex

  Dedication

  To Ella Jade and Tamaria Soana. I’m so happy to have you both in my life.

  Acknowledgements

  Thank you to my wonderful editor, Pamela Tyner. I have learned so much these past few months. My writing has grown tremendously from the help I have received.

  Thank you to my family for their continued support. I would be so lost without my supportive husband.

  And finally, to my readers. Without each of you, this journey wouldn’t be as great as it is. I appreciate all the love and kind words that I receive.

  Chapter 1

  Jane’s lips trailed down Matt’s neck and stopped at his collarbone. Lightly, she blew where her mouth had been. She wrapped her hands around his neck and gazed up into his eyes.

  “I don’t think I can keep this a secret much longer,” she whispered.

  Matt pulled her hands from his neck and held them tightly in his. “You have no other choice. When we got involved you knew no one could ever know.” He kissed her knuckles. “Besides, that’s the thrill of it.”

  “But I really like you. And I’m tired of this secret.”

  Matt put his hand up to stop her. “I’m your boss.”

  “I’ll quit.”

  He shook his head. “I think we might need to end things. You’re too involved. This was never supposed to be a relationship. But now you’re calling and texting me as though I’m your boyfriend. And I’m not.”

  Jane yanked her hands from his and spun around. She couldn’t look at him, and she certainly didn’t want to hear what he was saying. They’d been sleeping together for a while now. He’d call and she always came. Every now and then he’d pull her into the office, like he did today, and they’d fool around. Somewhere along the way, she assumed they were more. Apparently she was wrong.

  “I don’t want this to be over,” she pleaded, trying to be firm.

  “It isn’t like you’re leaving me any choice. You’re getting clingy.”

  “I’ll do better.”

  A warmth came up behind her and his breath blew across the back of her neck. She closed her eyes and waited for his lips to touch the spot that drove her over the edge.

  “It’s too late. There’s no going back.” He pressed a small kiss behind her ear. After that, all she heard was his office door opening, then closing.

  Jane’s shoulders slumped, and she counted to ten. She wasn’t going to cry. No way. Matt just needed time, and then he’d realize how wrong he was. In the meantime, she would wait patiently for him.

  Straightening her posture, she left the office, walking with a confidence she wished she actually had. She plastered the biggest smile she could across her face and entered the reception area of Hot Bods Gym. The front door jingled and a couple walked in.

  “Welcome to Hot Bods,” Jane chimed.

  The woman waved and they headed to the workout area. Maybe one day that would be her and Matt. She just had to come up with some sort of plan to get him back. Who could she ask for advice that was not connected to him? Currently Skylar was her closest friend, but she was away on her honeymoon.

  At least the day was almost over and Jane could stop being the happy, perky receptionist everyone knew. She could escape to her home with her fat cat and slobbery dog. They always made her feel better.

  “I’m heading out, Jane. Can you handle the lock-up alone tonight?” Matt asked as he walked up behind her.

  Jane spun around, looking at the handsome man. “Uh, yeah.”

  “Great. See ya.” Flipping his keys in his hand, he headed for the front door without even glancing back.

  She stared after him longingly. It was suddenly like she was just another employee. And she wasn’t…was she? Hell, she’d been in his bed last night.

  “Why the long face?”

  Jane looked over and saw one of the regular gym patrons approaching the desk. “Hey, Francesca. It’s been a long day.”

  “I don’t buy it. I know that face. You have the hots for that hunk that just left, don’t you?”

  Jane shook her head. She’d never admitted it to anyone, and now wasn’t the time to start.

  “Please.” Francesca rolled her eyes. “I’m not blind. Does he know?”

  Jane nodded. Shit, why did she just do that?

  “And he doesn’t feel the same way?”

  She shook her head.

  “Well, perhaps the problem is you don’t speak.”

  “I can’t talk about it here,” Jane whispered.

  Francesca looked around the gym. “It’s kinda empty, minus a few people.”

  “I just can’t here.”

  “Whatever. I’m going to shower. I’m here if you want to chat.”

  Jane’s gaze followed Francesca as she strutted toward the locker rooms. Her blonde ponytail swayed, and her stride was full of determination, as always. No one could knock that woman down.

  Over the loud speaker Jane announced that Hot Bods would be closing in thirty minutes. She got busy with her few closing tasks. Once the last member left, she checked all the rooms for any belongings that might have been left, turned off lights, and made sure all the equipment was off. In the employee break room, she went to her locker and grabbed her purse. She did a double check that the coffee maker wasn’t on. Her last stop was the locker rooms to make sure everyone was gone. The men’s was empty. Next was the women’s.

  Francesca was applying makeup in the vanity area.

  “Hey. We’re closed,” Jane said.

  “I know. I was hanging around so we could talk.” Francesca closed her cosmetic bag.

  “Oh. Well, thanks, but…” Was Francesca really someone she could trust? Skylar strongly disliked the girl. Amy said she was okay, but Amy was partial since Francesca was her future sister-in-law.

  “I don’t want to hear it. Your buddy is away getting her head banged against some headboard as we speak. Who else are you going to talk to?”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “Come on, let’s go over to Sweet Muffins and get a coffee.”

  Jane agreed. After she locked up they walked across the street. It was a nice evening. Jane always liked Sundays. She closed each Sunday and loved that when she got off, it was still daylight. Fra
ncesca told her to take a seat at an outside table, the coffee was on her.

  Amy owned Sweet Muffins and Jane wondered if Francesca got a discount since Amy was marrying her brother. If so, it was no wonder she’d offered to pay.

  Behind her, Jane heard the bell on the door. A woman giggled. “You’re so funny, Matt.”

  Jane froze. Her heart rate sped up. It couldn’t be. It absolutely could not be. Feeling as though she was moving in slow motion, she turned to look.

  It was.

  “Matt,” Jane said, surprised she was able to get the word out.

  Matt grinned, not even looking one bit ashamed. “Hi, Jane.”

  She stood and stared as her eyes danced back and forth between the two, trying to wrap her mind around what she was seeing.

  “Matt, who’s this?” the other woman asked. She was no longer smiling, obviously getting a feel for what was going on. She tugged on Matt’s shirt and whispered something then tried to walk away. Jane expected him to just let the lady leave, but instead he took her hand.

  “She’s just the receptionist over at Hot Bods,” he told the woman.

  Jane’s mouth dropped open, and her heart felt like it had been ripped out. He’d completely dismissed her as though she’d been nothing to him.

  Chapter 2

  “Here.” Francessca shoved a coffee into Jane’s hand. “Sit. Now.”

  Jane did as she was told. She was too stunned not to. Taking her seat, she took a long sip of her drink. It was good. But at the moment she had no idea what the flavor was.

  “You’re sleeping with him, aren’t you?” Francesca asked. “Perhaps was is a better way of putting it.”

  Jane couldn’t hold back any longer. She had to tell someone. “For a few months. It started one evening when he and I were closing. We’d been flirting like crazy. He called me into his office, and the next thing I knew his desk was cleared and we were having sex on it. We agreed to keep it hush-hush. But I thought it would only be for a little while. Today we were fooling around and I told him I wanted more. To go public. I’d quit if I had to. He ended things. But I didn’t think he really meant it. And I definitely wasn’t expecting to see him with someone else already.”

  “No one knows?”

  “Nope. I’ve been keeping this to myself. Wow, it does feel good to be getting it out though.”

  “So, what’s your plan?” Francesca took a long sip of her drink.

  “Plan?”

  Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Francesca said, “Do you want him back or do you want him to see what he no longer has?”

  What did she want? That was a good question. Before seeing him with that woman she was sure she wanted him back, but that really hurt. He’d discarded her like she was an empty water bottle. She’d hoped that after a few days of not being with her, he’d crawl back and let her know she’d been right and they should start telling people. But he had moved on very fast. Had he already been seeing this other person? Could he have been cheating on her? Then again, they would’ve had to be in a relationship for her to be cheated on. Wow, this was way more complicated than she’d expected it to be.

  “I don’t really know,” Jane finally said.

  “How about you show him what he’s lost?”

  “How?”

  “A make-over and a fake new boyfriend.”

  “Fake boyfriend? Where am I going to get one of those?”

  “Leave that to me.” Francesca pulled out her smartphone and tapped away at the screen. “Call in sick tomorrow. We have a full day ahead of us.”

  “I can’t do that,” Jane objected.

  “Sure you can. Heck, he probably expects it. The man dumped you today and already found a new lady. Seriously, he’ll be relieved if you don’t come in tomorrow. Plus, it’ll give him time to see if he misses you. Aren’t you always there?”

  She nodded. It was sad, but yes, she was always there, rain or shine. She was dependable Jane.

  “Great. Meet me at the mall about ten tomorrow.” Francesca stood and picked up her cup. “I better go get my beauty sleep. Bye.”

  Jane waved. What had she gotten herself into? Deciding to go home, she picked up her coffee. Tomorrow would be here before she knew it, and she was going to need all the rest she could get.

  * * * *

  Wow, just wow. That was all Jane could think as she stared at herself in the mirror. When Francesca did a make-over, she went all out. They’d gone shopping today, and Jane now wore a pair of designer jeans that looked so good on her she feared she would never take them off. She had on a simple white blouse, but with the jewelry Francesca insisted she buy, she admitted she looked hot. Her normal brown hair that she’d never colored had several sets of lowlights and highlights. It was shiny, and when she ran her fingers through it, it felt amazingly soft. It was slightly curled under, but still rested below her shoulders. Then there was her makeup. Francesca had done that herself. And wowzers, she’d taught Jane a few new things.

  Now she was meeting this fake boyfriend who was going to be coming by the gym a lot. The plan was just to make Matt jealous. Jane didn’t know if she wanted him back but making him see what he’d lost sounded like a great idea.

  “I think I’m ready.” Jane could have stared at herself for hours.

  “Good, because we don’t want to hold Ben up,” Francesca said.

  As Francesca drove them across town, she talked about the delicious shrimp and steak that was served at the restaurant. Jane’s mouth watered at the thought of eating a juicy steak, but once Francesca said the name of the restaurant, Jane lost her appetite. It was one of the more expensive ones in town. Jane had never eaten there. Her wallet was hurting from today’s purchases, and it was really going to be in trouble after this dinner.

  This is crazy. Why am I doing this?

  Francesca pulled up to the exquisite looking steak house. Taking a deep breath, Jane unbuckled and climbed out. As she followed her friend to the entrance, all she wanted to do was run in the opposite direction. She should be embarrassed that she was sinking this low. A fake boyfriend to make an ex-lover jealous.

  She started to say something, but right away, the hostess greeted Francesca as if they were long lost friends and showed them to their table. Ben wasn’t there yet, but had already reserved the table so they wouldn’t have to wait. That was very considerate of him.

  Francesca took a sip of the water already on the dark hardwood table. It was one of those places where you drank water out of a fancy glass that somewhat resembled a wine glass.

  “This is crazy. I’m way out of my element here,” Jane said.

  Francesca rolled her eyes. “You’re fine. Every lady deserves to be treated like one. It’s about time you were.”

  Well, she had a point. Just as Jane was about to say something else, her eyes locked on the most magnificent man she’d ever seen. He was tall and lean, but not skinny. There was muscle on that firm body for sure. He was older. His hair was dark with a few speckles of gray that made him look distinguished. He wore jeans and a sports jacket over a button-down shirt. The guy was hot, and he was walking their way.

  “Hi,” he said with a big smile. He had dimples too. Jane thought she was going to burst.

  “Ben, so good to see you.” Francesca stood and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. Already Jane felt a twinge of jealousy that she had just laid her lips on the guy who was going to be her fake boyfriend.

  “You too,” he said.

  Jane was the only one sitting and wondered if she should stand up and greet him the same way. But then they both took a seat. He was directly in front of her.

  “You must be Jane,” he said.

  “Hi,” she managed to say.

  This man was drop dead sexy. How he was single, she had no idea. She was definitely happy to be able to call him hers, even though he wasn’t.

  “You look beautiful,” he complimented.

  “Thank you.”

  How was she supposed to have a c
onversation with him? She could barely form any words. In fact, she wondered if she was drooling.

  “Jane isn’t a big talker,” Francesca said. “We’re working on that.”

  “It’s quite all right.” Ben smiled at her.

  The waitress came to the table, a bottle in hand.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I took the liberty of ordering some wine.”

  A man who took charge. Jane liked it, and strangely it turned her on. She wondered where else he would take charge.

  She was still out of her element. This seemed like Francesca’s scene. She was completely comfortable, while Jane was curious if this was the type of place she should be concerned about which fork to use.

  A glass of wine was placed in front of her. Francesca raised her hand to the waitress. “I’m not staying.”

  Jane’s head spun toward her. She was not ditching her.

  “I’m sorry, but I have a previous engagement. You two enjoy.” Francesca kissed Jane’s cheek then Ben’s. Before Jane could even argue, Francesca was gone.

  She gazed across the table at the gentleman. Lifting her glass, she took a big sip. It then occurred to her that Francesca had driven her there, and now she either had to call a cab or ask Ben to drive her home. She needed another drink of wine.

  Chapter 3

  Ben thought it was adorable that Jane was so nervous. He couldn’t recall the last time a woman had been nervous around him. He’d always dated women like Francesca. They were only looking for a man with money and power. But Jane here, she was out of her element. He’d just poured her a second glass of wine, and he could see the wheels turning in her head, debating if she should devour that one too. He could already tell he was going to like her.

  When Francesca first called and begged for the favor, he was skeptical. He was sure that somehow it would benefit her, especially since she reminded him repeatedly that he “owed” her after setting her up with one of his colleagues who turned out to be a complete nut job. Francesca explained that they needed him to be Jane’s “fake boyfriend”. Something about making the guy who hurt this beautiful woman jealous.