Chapter 162
**Sara**
I stepped onto the balcony, the afternoon sun warming my skin through the plush hotel robe. The lake stretched out before me, a mirror of blue that caught every ripple of light. A few boats dotted the surface, their white sails catching the breeze like paper planes against the sky.
My hair was still damp from our shower, and I could feel droplets trickling down my neck. The robe clung to my not-quite-dry skin in places, but I didn't mind. After our earlier activities, I felt too relaxed to care about such minor discomforts.
Strong arms wrapped around my waist, and Tom's chest pressed against my back. His warmth seeped through the thin fabric of my robe, making me shiver despite the afternoon heat.
"What's caught your attention out here?" His breath tickled my ear, and I could feel the smile in his voice.
"The lake," I said, leaning back into his embrace. "It's beautiful. Look at how the light plays on the water."
"Mmm." His lips found my neck, right where those water droplets had been trailing. "I can think of something more beautiful to look at."
I laughed, tilting my head to give him better access. "That's terribly cheesy, Mr. Blackwood."
"But effective." His hands slipped beneath the edges of my robe, fingers tracing patterns on my stomach. "You're smiling, aren't you?"
"Maybe." I squirmed as his touch tickled sensitive spots. "But that doesn't make it any less corny."
His chuckle vibrated against my skin. "The view is spectacular, though. Almost as spectacular as you in this robe."
"Just the robe?" I teased, pressing back against him.
"Well..." His hands wandered higher, making my breath catch. "I think I prefer what's under it."
"Tom!" I glanced around, suddenly aware we were on a balcony in broad daylight. "Behave yourself."
"Never." But his hands settled more innocently around my waist, and he rested his chin on my shoulder. "The lake really is beautiful. Good choice for our impromptu honeymoon, wouldn't you say?"
I laughed, turning in his arms to face him. "Impromptu honeymoon? I still can't believe they thought we were newlyweds. You didn't book the honeymoon suite on purpose, did you?"
"I swear, I just booked a suite. The honeymoon part was a complete surprise."
"Really? The most expensive suite just happened to be the honeymoon one?"
"Pure coincidence." Tom's hands slid down to my hips, pulling me closer. "Cross my heart."
"You're terrible at lying."
"Fine, but look what we got out of it." His hands wandered lower, cupping my ass through the robe. "Complimentary champagne, strawberries, and that couples massage later..."
"Oh yes, because a billionaire like you is so concerned about freebies and discounts." I nipped at his neck, feeling his pulse quicken under my lips.
"Do you think they're actually giving anything away for free? It's all smoke and mirrors. They jack up the room price first, then act like saints offering discounts and throwing in extras."
"Is that what they taught you in business school?" I slipped my hands inside his robe, running my nails lightly down his back.
"Mmm." His breath hitched. "Basic marketing strategy. Create artificial value, then-" He broke off as my hands wandered lower. "You're making it very hard to explain economics right now."
"I'm just listening to your fascinating lecture." My fingers traced lower, following the defined muscles of his stomach. "Please continue explaining how businesses manipulate their customers."
Tom caught my wandering hand through his robe. "You're a menace."
"Me?" I blinked up at him with exaggerated innocence. "I'm being a model student, hanging on your every word."
His eyes darkened as I pressed closer, our robes sliding against each other. "You're hanging on something, but it's not my words."
"Such accusations." I pouted but couldn't hold back my grin when his stomach growled loudly enough to interrupt our flirting. "Was that your professional opinion on marketing strategies?"
"Smartass." He pulled me tighter against him, his hands sliding down to cup my ass. "You must be starving too. We worked up quite an appetite earlier."
"Is that your way of asking if I'm hungry?"
"Mhm. And you're avoiding the question." His fingers squeezed, making me gasp.
"Maybe I'm hungry for something else." I rocked my hips against him, drawing a sharp intake of breath from him.
"Insatiable." He captured my lips in a searing kiss that left me dizzy. "But food first. There's a restaurant downstairs. The chef trained in Paris."
"Of course he did." I laughed against his mouth. "Nothing but the best for your fake honeymoon?"
"Our fake honeymoon." His hands slipped under my robe again, fingers dancing along my spine. "And I plan to spoil my pretend wife thoroughly."
"Better get dressed then." I tried to step back, but he held me in place.
"Five more minutes." His lips found that sensitive spot behind my ear. "The restaurant isn't going anywhere."
"Neither am I, but I might pass out from hunger soon." I looked at his face, his hands still holding me close. "And I don't think room service strawberries are a proper meal."
His hands traced lazy patterns on my lower back. "You're right. Can't have my wife fainting from hunger on our honeymoon."
"Fake wife," I corrected, my body arching into his touch.
"Are you enjoying it?" His fingers dipped lower, making me gasp. "Being Mrs. Blackwood for the weekend?"
"Maybe a little too much." I ran my hands up his chest, feeling his heart racing beneath my palm. "You make a pretty convincing fake husband."
"What makes me so convincing? Is it my charming personality? My devastatingly good looks?"
"Your modesty, clearly."
"Come on." He nipped at my earlobe. "Tell me what makes me husband material. I'm dying to know."
"Well..." I pretended to think, even as his wandering hands made it hard to concentrate. "You're decent arm candy."
"Decent?" His mock offense made me laugh. "I'm exceptional arm candy."
"And so humble." I gasped as his teeth grazed my neck. "Fine. You're attentive, passionate, intelligent..."
"Keep going." His tongue traced the spot he'd just bitten. "I'm enjoying this list."
"Demanding." I threaded my fingers through his hair, tugging lightly. "Bossy. A bit of an egomaniac..."
He pulled back, eyes dancing with amusement. "Those don't sound like compliments."
"But somehow, they work for you." I pressed closer, enjoying how his breath hitched. "Plus, you're incredibly sexy when you're teaching. All that confidence and authority..."
"Is that why you never pay attention in class?" His hands slipped lower, making me arch against him. "Too busy fantasizing about your professor?"
"Maybe." I rocked my hips, drawing a groan from him. "Can you blame me?"
Instead of answering, he captured my lips in a searing kiss that weakened my knees.
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