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I m William Zelman. He shook the captain s hand.
Captain Howle turned to Laney and held out his hand. And you are?
She offered her hand. Laney Parks.
Laney seemed to realize her blunder immediately. The Zelmans looked at her
oddly while Heidi muffled a laugh.
LOVE SCRIPT Tiffany Ashley 35
Nick reacted quickly. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Honey, it s
been an entire year. I d think you would have gotten used to your married name by
now. He grinned up at the captain and shook his hand. Nicolas Sinclair. And this
beautiful woman is my wife Mrs. Laney Sinclair.
Everyone must have thought him charming because the table laughed collectively
at his response while Laney blushed with embarrassment. Nick winked at the Zelmans
playfully, but he was inwardly annoyed by Laney s careless mistake.
Captain Howle, however, was the complete opposite. Well, Mr. Sinclair, you
have a lovely wife indeed. Might I ask for a dance later this evening?
Nick agreed and the captain continued on his way around the table, introducing
himself to everyone and answering questions about the ship.
Dinner flowed quite smoothly from there. As the company mellowed and the
staff refilled everyone s empty wine glasses, the couples got a little cozier. William
Zelman rubbed his wife s arm affectionately and Cooper s wife, Heidi, leaned into his
side intimately. Laney however remained rigid in her seat. Nick made no move to touch
her because he feared she would run out of the ballroom.
As the staff began clearing away the dishes, the music kicked into a jazzy tune.
Couples throughout the room made their way to the dance floor. William Zelman asked
Nick for permission to dance with Laney. Nick agreed only if William gave him
permission to dance with Vivian. The couples joined the growing throng of dancers, but
Nick kept a protective eye on Laney while he danced with Vivian. William Zelman
joked with Laney and her bubbly laughter could be heard over the crowd.
Nick saw Captain Howle nearly break his neck to get to Laney to cut in for a
dance. She graciously accepted his company. A line of strangers followed the captain.
Nick was not fooled. They all wanted to get close enough to Laney to look down her
dress. That damn dress seemed to be the highlight of the night for the male species in
attendance.
Several attractive women asked to dance with Nick and he obliged them. He was
amazed to find that even though they believed him to be married they boldly suggested a
desire to be intimate with him. Perhaps if they were back in San Francisco and he was
free to explore his options he might have considered their offers, but Laney s presence
was inescapable. He could not tear his gaze away from her. She was spellbinding. Her
smile lit the entire room. It annoyed him to hear her carefree laughter with another man.
They dipped her far more times than was necessary and if she released another squeal of
mirth when a stranger spun her around Nick swore he would rip the man apart.
Nick clenched his jaw when he saw Cooper sweep Laney into his arms. She
smiled up at him but he noticed her laughter stopped. Cooper whispered something in
her ear and she nodded her reply. Were they making arrangements to hook up later
tonight? Ridiculous jealousy raged inside him. Nick s hands fell away from Heidi
without explanation. He walked up to the couple and slapped a firm hand on Cooper s
shoulder.
Coop, I m stepping in.
Cooper shot him a curious look but offered Laney s hand to Nick, then grinned.
Enjoy.
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Nick pulled Laney close to him, leaving no space between their bodies. He
wanted her next to him. The feel of her curves was overwhelming. She stiffened over
such intimacy. He leaned down to press his face against hers. May I have this dance,
Mrs. Sinclair?
About that & I m so sorry about what happened at the table. I promise it will
never happen again.
We made a deal, he whispered in her ear. You agreed to play the part of my
wife for the next ten days.
She leaned up on her toes. I know, Nick.
He smiled down at her. Then I should warn you I ve made an interesting
discovery.
What?
I m a very jealous husband. He watched her nibble on her lower lip nervously.
What did Cooper ask you, Laney?
She looked straight into his chest to avoid making eye contact with him. Nick
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