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think I’ll be able to contain them before they dig their way out of my disgusting body and expose me for the fraud I am.
    Once I’m out of the shower, I throw on a pair of yoga pants and an oversized shirt. My reflection is not what I would have imagined I’d see on my wedding night. Most couples are chomping at the bit to consummate their marriage. Then again, we’re not most couples. With a shrug, I walk out to see Austin in nothing but some sweatpants. This is obviously the first time I’ve seen his bare chest, and the sight has me salivating. He has a sleeve of tattoos that run the length of his right arm, forming an intricate pattern up and around his broad shoulder. A smooth, defined chest leads down to a flat set of six-pack abs. Holy shit, he’s mouthwatering. Just pure perfection.
    Thank you, experts, for delivering me an Adonis. I quickly shake the thought from my head. No, I can’t have these kinds of thoughts while keeping my distance.
    “Like what you see, Mrs. James?” he asks with a cocky grin, effectively breaking me from my trance.
    “Actually, I was just thinking about how you should put some clothes on. No one wants to see all that.” I think I’d almost be convincing if it weren’t for my damn cheeks heating in embarrassment.
    “I’d call bullshit on that,” he says with a chuckle.
    “What makes you say that?” I challenge, standing on my side of the bed with my hands on my hips.
    “I can read people pretty well.”
    God, I hope not.
    I don’t respond to his last comment and slide into bed.
    “Okay, we’re done for today,” one of the cameramen say to us. “We’ll be here at seven in the morning, and remember anything you guys want to say or discuss has to wait until we’re here. We want first reactions to everything so we get authentic footage, okay?”
    We both nod and they leave.
    Lying in silence, both of us looking at the ceiling is awkward to say the least. Are we not supposed to talk at all without the cameras present? This could be a lot harder than I thought it’d be.
    “So . . . ,” he trails off.
    “So.”
    He rolls over on his side and faces me. “I was thinking.” I mimic his movement and turn to him. “The crew will be back bright and early in the morning, right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “What if we get up early every day and talk a little before they get here? That way there’s no pressure of it being filmed and it’s really just you and me.”
    “But won’t that put us in breach of contract or something?”
    “Fuck the contract. How would they know anyway?” He does have a point. “Look, we only have eight weeks together before we make the decision to stay together or go our separate ways. Let’s make the most of it. This will give us a real chance to get to know each other.” The hope in his eyes is almost too much. I know my eyes mirrored his at the beginning of all this. Then I walked down the aisle and everything went spinning out of control. But if I’m going to make him and everyone else believe I’m really trying, what other choice do I have?
    “Sure, I like that idea.”
    “Great.” He leans forward and kisses me on the nose. It’s such an innocent and sweet gesture, but it does weird things to my insides.
    Damn him.
    “Goodnight, Jillian.”
    “Goodnight, Austin.”
    With lights out, I fall into a deep sleep where karma wasn’t such a bitch and fate didn’t hate me.

I’M UP WAY earlier than I’d like to be, especially with the eventful day I had yesterday. I slept pretty sound, which is surprising considering I was in bed with a stranger all night. Lying here in the quiet, one thought keeps playing over in my head.
    Holy shit, I really went through with this.
    Rolling over slowly, I look at Austin. He’s still asleep, so I take the opportunity to study him. He really is heartbreakingly gorgeous. It makes me wonder why he would do this experiment. I’m sure he’s never had any issues finding a woman to keep him company.
    He’s on