Owen wanted to kick himself for forgetting he was supposed to meet Gabe tonight. He almost called and cancelled.

When he and Liv started talking about family though, something raw and unfamiliar gnawed at his chest. He didn’t like exposing that much of himself.

What was it going to be? Get to know her, or block himself off from getting too close? He needed to figure that out soon. But if he’d stayed, the only thing he would have figured out was what it was like to fuck her in a real bed.

So he cut a tactical retreat, to screw his head on straight.

It wasn’t easy, walking away from her, with her cheeks flushed, lips red, and looking as incredible as ever, his first thought was how much he wanted her.

His second was a reminder of all the reasons it was a mistake to give into that impulse. The private meeting wasn’t his best idea. The next time he saw her would be more public, but it would also be the wedding.

Fuck.

* * *

When Owen picked Liv up for the wedding, it took more restraint than he thought he had to keep from staring. Her hair was piled high, leaving her long neck on display. The blue satin of her dress matched her eyes, hugged her curves, and dipped low on her back.

It was tempting to draw his lips along her spine and up to her shoulders. Instead, he squeezed her hand when she gave him a tentative smile.

The car ride and his need to focus on the road or risk driving off it, were good excuses to not look at her. When they arrived at the reception hall, he steeled himself. Showtime. That’s all it is. Just a show.

He opened her car door and helped her out. When she was standing, he leaned in, mouth close to her ear. To anyone passing by, they’d look like an intimate couple.

“I know why you want me here,” he whispered. Her perfume threatened to knock his control aside. “To prove you’ve moved on. I say we make this the best fucking sale ever.”

“Thank you.” Her soft voice drilled into his senses.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, and desire at how right it felt to hold her surged through him. They headed into the reception hall. When he saw the bride and groom, a shock of familiarity rushed through him.

He stopped short and pulled Liv aside. The groom was Daniel Fairfax. Once upon a time he’d been a friend of Gabe’s through work, but the asshole dated one of Gabe’s younger sisters, and then cheated on her. It was enough to drive a wedge between Gabe and Daniel.

Had the cheating been with Liv? No. Owen couldn’t fathom her having a shred of deception in her. Especially not the kind it would take to steal another woman’s guy. “That’s the one who broke your heart?” he asked.

Liv looked at Owen wide eyes, and gave a tentative nod. “Yes.”

“Bastard gets around. I’m sorry he did that to you.”

She relaxed against his arm. “Thanks. I’m over him, but that means a lot.”

They waited their turn in line to congratulate the bride and groom. When they reached Daniel and Louisa, Owen couldn’t hide his smirk at the way Daniel’s gaze flitted to Owen and Liv’s intertwined fingers. Louisa was probably nice enough—except for the whole stealing another woman’s fiancé thing—but Daniel deserved to see what he’d given up.

Daniel looked back at Owen. “Does Gabe know?”

Odd question. “I suppose he will.” If things turn serious.

“Congratulations again.” Liv’s tone was tight, and she all but pulled Owen away.

He was fine with that. It was an awkward conversation anyway. He held her close as they made their way through the room, chatting with Liv’s friends. The introductions were the same each time. “This is my boyfriend, Owen.” He wore his dress uniform from the army and everyone wanted to know where he’d served.

He’d smile, shake a hand or two, and tell them, “Afghanistan. Six years. I started as infantry and then got involved in the Army Corps’ reconstruction program.”

As they moved from person to person, he kept his arm wrapped around Liv’s waist. When they sat, he grasped her hand. The entire time he kept the phrase it’s only for show on repeat in his head.

He didn’t believe himself though. Each time she laughed, or made a quirky comment, or drew him into a discussion he was on the outside of, his affection grew a little more. He was falling for this woman.

The music drifting from the room grew louder, and the DJ announced it was time for the couple’s dance. Everyone shifted to clear a spot in the middle of the room, and Daniel and Louisa took center stage.

Owen glanced at Liv, and her scowl cut straight to his heart. He moved to stand behind her, hands on her hips and chest pressed to her back. He nudged her ear with his nose. “Two years from now, they’ll be at each other’s throats.”

“Rude.” Despite her scandalized tone, she relaxed against him. “I’m pretty sure that’s bad karma or something to say that kind of thing at the couple’s wedding.”

He slid his hands to her stomach, and held her close. “I’m pretty sure it’s bad karma to fuck around on your girlfriend.”

She laughed and tilted her head back. In her heels she was tall enough it rested against his collarbone.

I want this every day. The echoed words squeezed like a fist around his lungs. =Everyone joined the newlyweds on the dance floor.

Owen nudged Liv forward, but she held her ground. “We can sit this one out.” Her tone was soft.

“We can, but if we’re going to sell this, people are going to fucking buy it.” It was an excuse. He wanted to hold her. He swept her into his arms, and twirled them both to mingle with the other dancing couples.

He looked up to see Daniel watching them over Louisa’s shoulder, eyes narrowed.

Owen dipped his head, and nipped at Liv’s earlobe. “Don’t look, but we have an audience.” The words summoned memories he didn’t need right now, of both times they’d fucked.

She seemed to melt into him at the prompting, her body molding to his. It felt right, and way too tempting. There was no way she could miss how hard he was, his erection pressing into her stomach.

He adored how natural it felt, swaying to the music with her, the heat of her breath on his cheek, and her weight against him.

It was a bonus to know Daniel was watching, and everyone could see what a stunning couple Owen and Liv made.

It was easy for Owen to lose himself in the music. It erased the doubt from his mind, leaving room for him to focus on the way she lit his senses on fire.

The song ended, and everyone clapped.

Disappointment rushed in when she stepped out of his grasp. He kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you for the dance.”

Pink flooded her cheeks. “I’m pretty sure that’s my line.”

“Sissy?” A familiar male voice cut through the conversation, and Liv paled.

Owen whirled to see Gabe standing behind them. Sissy was one of Gabe’s younger sisters, but Owen hadn’t seen her here. “Hey.” Owen smiled. “Didn’t think you’d lower yourself to something like this.”

“I’m a sadist sometimes.” Gabe looked between Owen and Liv, brow furrowed. “Had to see if the asshole was right. It seems he was.”

“Okay," he said slowly. Owen’s skin crawled with an odd tension he couldn’t place. What was off here?

Gabe stared at Liv. “I didn't want to believe it. What are you doing here, Sissy?”

Liv gave an awkward laugh. “Rubbing in that I’ve moved on?”

Owen’s mind tripped over the name, and realization sank into his gut. Christ, he was going to be ill. “Sissy? Glasses, nerdy, quiet, blonde Sissy?”

“Hello.” Liv gave a nervous laugh and a tiny wave.

Gabe turned back to Owen. “What’s going on?”

“You know, I don’t even know.” Owen was still wading through the fact he’d been fucking this woman, who he’d known since she was a child, and she lied to him about it. A bitter blend of fury and betrayal churned inside. “Liv?”

She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I thought you recognized me, that first night. And when I realized you didn’t… I kept trying to tell you, but it never seemed like the right time.”

“She isn’t the woman you said you were hooking up with, is she?” Anger crept into Gabe’s voice. “Hot. Sexy. Irresistible. I know you weren’t fucking my sister. Especially and not realizing it.”

Owen’s thoughts were tumbling too fast for him to make sense of them. But hurt and betrayal stood out above all else. He stepped back from Liv and Gabe, trying to grasp some kind of response. “I need to get some air.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. He headed for the nearest exit and pushed outside. All this time he’d been falling for one of the few women he considered off-limits. His best friend’s sister. And he’d never known… because she fucking lied.

It shouldn’t hurt so much. But it did.