The Arrangement Read Online Free PDF

you long for more?”
    Ariadne swallowed. She would have pushed him away but everywhere she looked there was nothing but bare skin. Her heart thumped in her chest. Finally, she did what she always did when it came to him, she struck out with words. “Probably not. Fortunately, that won’t be necessary. Ash, it’s not like people are going to expect us to make out in front of them.”
    “But they would expect us to touch. We’d be newlyweds. We’re selling this as a whirlwind romance. There should be lots of hand holding, caressing, closeness,” he said, pressing closer. “Maybe we should practice?” He leaned closer and ran his lips up the side of her neck. “Damn, you smell good,” he growled.
    He was one to talk, she thought. If they could bottle him, they could sell him as an aphrodisiac. She shivered as his lips passed over her earlobe, and slid down her jawline before hovering over her mouth. Ariadne couldn’t resist wetting her lips with the tip of her tongue and he groaned. She was in deep trouble here. Bare skin be damned, she braced her hands on his shoulders to shove him away. Asher wrapped an arm around her waist, his wide palm spreading over her back. His other hand went to the nape of her neck, tilting her head back to receive his kiss.
    “Ari,” he whispered against her lips. His mouth had just barely brushed hers before a piercing scream broke them apart.
    “What in the hell is going on here?” Erika asked.
    Ariadne wiggled out of Asher’s embrace. “Um…” She was embarrassed, flummoxed, and, damn it all, a bit disappointed. She crushed the last emotion with ruthless determination.
    Asher grinned at Erika and Ted. “You’re just in time to congratulate us.”
    “For what ?” Erika’s eyes darted from one of them to the other. Ted looked as stunned as his wife but he remained silent.
    “We’re getting married.”
    “You’re…you’re what ?” She looked up at Ted. “I’m dreaming right? Or has the world come to an end?” She turned back to them. “The two of you can’t stand each other.”
    “Guess we should explain,” Asher said with a quick glance at her for confirmation. She nodded, more t han willing to let him handle the explanations. “It’s an arrangement,” he began.
    Ariadne watched their friends’ faces as go from confusion to shock as Asher told them about their plans. “But that’s crazy,” Erika burst out when he was done. “Ari, you can’t be serious about this? Is he blackmailing you or something?”
    “Hey, I’m a catch,” protested Asher. “Why wouldn’t she be blackmailing me?”
    “Be serious.” She looked up at her husband. When Ted just stood there rubbing the top of his bald head, she whacked him in the chest with the back of her hand. “Do something! We can’t let them get married.”
    “ Let ?” Asher asked with a lifted brow. His tone was casual, but it was well known that Asher took orders from no one.
    Ted rolled his eyes. “You talk to Ari, I’ll t alk to Ash.” He jerked his head in a gesture that indicated that Ash should follow him as he left the room. Shrugging, Asher winked at her and then fell into step behind Ted.
    Silence reigned for a few seconds before Erika sighed. “I didn’t realize you were this upset about the breakup with Daniel.” She reached out and took her hands in hers. “Don’t you think it would be easier simply to skip the reunion? This is going too far.”
    “It won’t be any easier next year .” She squeezed Erika’s fingers before letting go. She reached in the refrigerator and got out two bottles of water. She handed one to Erika before opening her own. “You’re not going to talk me out of this. I already agreed. Ash needs my help.”
    “Since when have you ever wanted to help him? My God, I thought you were going to leave when you found out he was here. Now this? Are the two of you…did he…?
She knew exactly what her friend was trying to ask her. “No, we haven’t slept