His 24-Hour Wife (The Hawke Brothers 2) by Rachel Bailey Read Free Book Online Page A

apartment building.
    “They’re here,” she said, her voice uneven. “It’s ironic. We spend a good portion of our working lives trying to get stories to go viral, and the one that has is...”
    “You,” Summer said as she joined Callie by the window.
    “Yeah, me.” She wrapped her arms tightly around herself. “I honestly thought this would only make a little splash.”
    “Good news for the Hawke Brothers’ Trust, though, since it got a mention in the article. And good news for the trust is good news for your partnership prospects.”
    The cell in her hand chimed and she glanced at the screen. Adam. Her heart lurched, and she wasn’t sure if it was because she was going to have to fill him in on the developments, or if she was glad to hear from him.
    She swiped the screen. “Hi, Adam.”
    “Callie,” he said, his deep voice seeming to smooth its way across her skin. “Have you seen the story?”
    “Yes. I was just about to call you about it, actually. There are photographers outside my apartment.”
    Adam swore. “I’m leaving the office now. Pack a bag.”
    “Wait. What for?”
    “You and Summer are coming to stay with me. My security is better.”
    Part of her wanted to protest—the secret feminine part that was still shocked about the expression on her face in those photos. But she couldn’t afford to let that part take control of her decision. She took a breath and called on her professional side. He had a point—she wasn’t looking forward to walking through that mob on her way out.
    “That might be best,” she said, watching the paparazzi through the window. “But don’t come here. I’ll leave as if I’ve been visiting my sister. If everything in our story was true, we’d most likely be living together. I’ll pack and send someone back to get the bags later.”
    Summer started pointing and gesturing, asking if she was going to move in with Adam. Callie nodded, and mouthed, “Wait a sec.”
    “Good call,” Adam said. “What about Summer?”
    “She’s flying out in a couple of hours and will be away for a few days. Once they realize I’m at your house, they’ll abandon this place, so it should be quiet again by the time she gets home.”
    “Okay. I’ll meet you at my house in one hour—is that enough time to pack and drive over?”
    “Perfect,” she said, trying not to sound reluctant.
    “I’ll also send someone over to wait with Summer and drive her to the airport. Just in case the vultures don’t leave with you.”
    Callie flicked a glance at her sister. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
    One drunken night in Vegas was having more ripple effects than she could have predicted—even Summer was having her life impacted. Now the challenge was to surf those ripples and get good outcomes for everyone. All while avoiding slipping under and drowning.
    Perhaps the biggest danger of drowning was going to be moving into her husband’s house. Living with Adam Hawke while pretending to be in love with him. Possibly the craziest plan she’d ever made.
    * * *
    Adam waited in front of his beach house as Callie made her way up the driveway. Restless energy filled his body, and it took all his self-control not to fiddle with the coins in his pocket or tap his foot on the ground.
    She pulled up in front of him and stepped out of the car, looking around to take in the surroundings. The ocean breeze flirted with her long hair and she put a hand up to hold it off her face.
    His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. Since the very first moment he’d spied her at the conference they’d both attended two years ago, she’d affected him this way. Stolen the breath right out of his lungs and made the world practically tip to the side.
    And that reaction was the exact reason he refused to pursue anything with her—the morning after their vows, or now. She made him feel off balance. She crowded his brain. That wasn’t a way he wanted to live his life.
    When he’d been young, before