Reluctantly Married (12 page)

14

H
eat burned Megan’s face, and
she took a step toward Leon, her nose only inches from his. “I can’t believe the depths of your greed.”

He threw his hands up in surrender. “Hey, it’s not me.”

Megan poked his chest with one finger. “I don’t believe that for a second. You pitched the show. You created the idea.” She narrowed her eyes. “You came up with this scheme.”

“You don’t have to
stay
married.”

Megan clenched her fists, her arms shaking with restraint. What she wanted to do was punch the guy.

Adam spoke up. “Wait. Let’s take a second to—”

Megan rounded on him. “Don’t you join his side. We are not getting married as some stunt for television. Not now, not ever.” She wasn’t going to be bullied into making herself a spectacle. And she was sure Leon planned on revealing Dr. Lemon as a fraud after the wedding, to humiliate her even more.

“They’re paying each of you $100,000.”

Adam staggered back. “A hundred grand?” His reaction mirrored her own. She couldn’t believe it.

Leon grinned and shifted from one foot to the other. “I told you it was big bucks. They’re prepared to push this show hard. Big advertising, big media events, you’ll be on all the hot talk shows. You’ll make names for yourselves.”

“But not for our morning show.” Megan saw her dream swirl and disappear into the drain. She didn’t want to be some reality TV star. She didn’t want to be known as ‘the girl who married the chump and then found out his affections were based on a lie.’

Leon waved her comment away like a pesky fly. “You’re not seeing the big picture. Once you’re famous, you can write your own ticket. They give famous people talk shows all the time. Chevy Chase, Bonnie Hunt…even Magic Johnson got his own show.”

Megan scowled. “Weren’t all those canceled right away?”

“Bad examples. But that’s beside the point. You know what being a household name can do for you. Think about it. Don’t just say no because you’re angry.”

She glanced at Adam. He looked like a salivating dog. Of course. He wanted to advance his career, just like she did. And she knew how much it would mean to him to have his father closer.

What were the chances that Leon was right? If she made enough of a splash with this stupid facade, could she get her own serious show? She swallowed. It was possible.

Oh, but she loathed the idea of being the brunt of another one of Leon’s cruel jokes. She’d had enough of that and couldn’t bear to think of the humiliation. And not just local people would be watching this time. She’d be embarrassed on national television. A headache pounded in her skull. But Leon was right. Even if she was made the fool, if she handled it right, she might come out on top. And then maybe she could get her own show, away from Leon and Adam.

But…marrying Adam? She didn’t want to sign papers and pledge to love him ‘until death do us part.’ Not if she didn’t mean it. Marriage was sacred. At least to her.

She took a breath and let it out slowly. “Can’t we do a fake wedding?”

Leon shook his head. “No. People dig into that kind of stuff. It has to be real. But the two of you don’t have to really be in love. People marry all the time for reasons other than love. You only need to make it look convincing on camera.” He chuckled. “And you’re doing a great job of that already.”

Probably because every stupid day she felt more attracted to Adam. Megan tried not to scowl. This was her own fault. She should never have agreed to go out with him. If she had refused, no one would be asking her to marry him.

And ABC wouldn’t want her.

Thoughts of being on a major network sifted through her mind. Could she do it? Could she agree to marry Adam? She was attracted to him. And when he kissed her, the world spun. They had chemistry.

Adam and Leon stared at her, waiting for her to say something. Waiting for her to concede. Seconds ticked by as she tried to wrap her brain around what she was about to do. “When do they want to start taping?”

Leon’s face brightened. “They want to have it on the fall schedule. They’ll start taping immediately. But the last show, the wedding, they want to do live.”

Live so they could embarrass her. She’d just have to think of a way to turn it on them. Make them look like fools. She turned to Adam. “What do you think?”

Several emotions played across his face before he spoke. “I think a hundred grand is difficult to turn down. I also think this could help both of our careers.” He held up his hands. “But I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to. I’ll go along with it if you do, but if you say no, I’ll back you up.”

Leon coughed, and she could have sworn she heard the word ‘wimp’ in there somewhere. She tossed him a dirty look. “If I say yes, and that’s a big ‘if,’ our marriage wouldn’t be real, even if it’s legitimate on paper. So, separate beds.”

Adam squirmed. “Of course.”

“And if I go through with this, we’ll plan on getting a quiet annulment a few months after the show airs.”

Adam nodded, a slight grimace crossing his features. “Sure.”

Megan stared at the men, shocked at what she was about to say. Sighing, she plopped down onto one of the cheap lobby chairs and placed her head in her hands. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Adam folded his arms across his chest, frowning. “Not exactly how I imagined a woman would accept my marriage proposal.”

Megan tried to laugh at his levity, but all she could do was moan, already regretting her decision.

Adam walked across the room, smiled at the camera, and sat on the plush leather seat. They had rented some swanky mansion to tape the show in, and all he could see were crystal chandeliers and gold accents shining from the bright film lighting. The infamous Doctor Lemon sat opposite him.

“Adam, before we begin, I’d like to ask you some questions regarding your relationship with Megan.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

“My analysis of you showed deep feelings for Megan, even before you started dating. Had you realized your feelings at the time?”

Great. Just what he wanted to do. Talk about his feelings on national television. Heat crept up his neck, and he adjusted his tie. “Um, no. I mean, I’ve always liked Megan. She’s spunky. But I hadn’t thought about her in a romantic way.”

“And how has that changed?”

He squirmed and thought about the time he’d spent with her over the last few weeks. If he were being honest, he’d have to admit his attraction had grown. But what was he supposed to say on camera?

Doctor Lemon leaned forward and put her hand on his knee. “I sense your hesitation.” She glanced around the room. “Ignore the cameras for a minute. Try to relax. We’re just having a conversation.”

Adam drew in a shaky breath and let it out. “Okay.”

“You’ve spent the last few weeks dating Megan. How has that affected your relationship?”

“I’ve gotten to know her. We’ve become friends.” He cringed at his own use of the word. That wasn’t what he had meant to say.

Doctor Lemon peered at him over her glasses. “Now you’re parroting Megan’s words. Is it because you are afraid to admit you feel more for her than she does for you?”

“No. I mean…” He ran his hand through his hair. Was she right? He thought back to the times when he pulled her close, and caressed her soft lips with his. Was she only kissing him because of the camera? Did it mean more to him? “I do like Megan. A lot.”

She pursed her lips. “If she were ill, would you stay by her side and nurse her back to health?”

Adam stared at the woman. Did she know? Was this a trick? He slowly nodded. “Of course.”

“Would you be willing to put yourself at risk to save her, if she were in danger?”

He chewed his bottom lip. Of course he would. He couldn’t bear to see any harm come to her. “I would.”

“How far would you go? Would you risk death to save her?”

He imagined a situation where Megan was held at gunpoint, a man in a ski mask holding her throat. His gut clenched. What would he do? The answer came as his emotions surged. He’d run to her and pound that son-of-a-gun into the pavement. “Yes.”

“Would you die to save her?” Doctor Lemon’s voice was barely above a whisper.

His heart jumped into his throat and his pulse raced. He knew the answer. “Yes.”

Doctor Lemon drew closer. “You love her.”

The realization smacked him in the face, and he blinked. She was right. It had to be. Why else would he be willing to risk death for her? He slowly nodded.

Doctor Lemon turned a smug smile to the cameras. “I think we’re ready to begin our first exercise.”

Megan sat on a flimsy folding chair, back to back with Adam. Doctor Lemon—the faker—stood against a wall of books, directing some young crewmen to tie their arms together with rope. Two cameras fastened near the ceiling filmed them.

“Ouch, that’s too tight.” Megan squirmed.

The crewman winced. “Sorry. Is this better?” He loosened it a little bit, but not much.

“They need to be tight.” Doctor Lemon folded her arms. “The point of this is to work together to get yourselves out of this situation.”

After everyone left and the door was closed, Megan looked around. There was a small mahogany desk with a leather office chair, one lamp, and a wall filled with books. A large, expensive-looking rug took up most of the floor. “That’s it? We’re somehow supposed to work together to get untied? How are we to do that?”

One of Adam’s low, sexy chuckles came. “I’m not sure.”

“I can’t hardly even wiggle my arms. Why’d they tie them so tight?”

“Probably so we don’t cheat.”

Megan blew out a breath. “Okay. Fine. But now what do we do?”

“Maybe there’s a knife or a letter opener in that desk.”

“Good thought. Do you think we can stand?”

Adam entwined her fingers with his. “If we push against each other.”

“Okay.” She tried to ignore the tingles his touch sent up her arms. “On the count of three.” She counted, and they both pushed up. They managed to stand, but they were uncomfortably straddling their seats. “Let’s go left. Ready?”

She took a step, only to realize Adam hadn’t moved and it jerked him off balance. They teetered for a second, then toppled to the floor, Megan landing on top of him. A grunt came from underneath her.

“Oops! Sorry,” she said, trying to peer over her shoulder at him. “You okay?”

“Fine,” he choked.

She squirmed for a minute, trying to roll them over, but only succeeding in wiggling her backside up against his. Heat seared her face. “Um, I can’t seem to get off you.”

“No worries. I’m rather enjoying myself.”

“Adam!” she squeaked. “You pig. Move!”

He sighed and rolled them into a sitting position. “You’re no fun.”

She held back a giggle. “We’ll stand, then walk to the desk. Ready?” She waited this time, until he gave his assent. They pressed against each other, successfully standing. Moving toward the desk took a little more cooperation, but they were able to do so without falling.

They maneuvered around to the drawers and slid open the top one. “Empty.” He didn’t sound too disappointed, and Megan hid a smile. She had to admit this wasn’t so bad after all.

They checked each drawer with the same results. “Now what?” She tried to blow a piece of hair out of her face.

“What’s that on the shelf, over there?” He pointed to the far wall, where something silver glinted in the light.

They navigated to the other side of the room, where they found a pair of scissors on the shelf near where Doctor Lemon had been standing. “Ha! We did it.” Megan grabbed them and slid her fingers through the handles.

“Now you can cut the ropes.”

She angled several different directions, but couldn’t get the scissors in the right position. “I can’t. My hand doesn’t bend that way.”