Shattered Illusions Love Lies and Redemption (Lizetta and Remington) novel Chapter 1406

Hearing Kimberley agree to marry him, the corners of Jerome's lips curved upward.

He raised his hand, moving it closer to the woman's cheek.

Kimberley didn't know why he was suddenly stepping closer again. Her heart skipped a beat as the memory of that scorching, seductive kiss flashed through her mind.

She felt incredibly nervous and instinctively shrank back.

"What are you hiding from? If we're going to tell Candy that we're married, this isn't going to work."

Watching her flinch, Jerome raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

Kimberley realized he had a point. So, she tentatively and slowly tilted her neck back, inching closer to him.

Like a fragile blade of grass leaning into the sunlight, she moved until her cheek brushed against his raised fingers, gently nuzzling him in a friendly gesture.

A tingling sensation shot through Jerome's fingers, and a genuine smile reached his eyes.

He realized that this girl was truly innocent. She didn't act like someone who had survived the cutthroat entertainment industry at all.

She was easily coaxed into agreeing to marry a man, believing every word he said.

With a personality like hers, it was a miracle she had survived this long without getting completely taken advantage of.

From now on, he was going to have to watch out for her and take good care of her.

"What did you tell Candy about her father?"

Jerome didn't make any further moves on Kimberley. He just let his fingers lightly smooth her mussed hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear.

Kimberley's ears turned pink at his gentle touch.

The gesture was so tender, it was almost as if they really were a deeply in love married couple who cherished each other.

She felt as though all her senses were suddenly heightened, making it impossible for her to think straight.

Jerome was thinking that she was exactly as Lizetta had described—a wonderful mother.

She was great at handling her child's emotions and took perfect care of her.

But even though she had invented a fictional father to soothe her child, she never once considered finding Candy's real father for her.

Was he simply not worth the effort for her to plot to find?

His gaze darkened. "You couldn't hide this from Candy forever. If I hadn't found out, what was your plan? Hire some guy to play dad for my daughter every now and then?"

Kimberley remained utterly silent.

Her eyes widened slightly, her expression practically screaming, *How did you know that was exactly what I planned to do?*

Now it was Jerome's turn to feel a knot in his chest. He couldn't fathom what he would do if this woman actually hired another man and had his precious daughter call that guy 'Dad.' He'd probably erase the man from the face of the earth—and teach this woman a very thorough lesson while he was at it.