Page 42 of Fake Out

“I hope you don’t regret it.”

I exhale in relief. The way I’m reading it, he’s telling me that he doesn’t regret what we just did.

“No,” I say. “I don’t regret it.”

“Good.” He holds onto my hips. “I know this changes our relationship now.”

That would probably be an understatement. Charlie is my client. Right now, he’s my only client.

I had planned on handing him over to Isaac eventually anyway, once I get more clients. But still. If I mess things up with Charlie, that will never happen.

Isaac will never give me another client again.

A lump forms in my throat, but I push the worry away.

“I won’t let things get complicated,” Charlie says, tracing his fingers up my spine. His touch sends shocks of sweetness through me, making me shiver.

“But it’s already complicated,” I argue. The words hang heavy in the air, reality puncturing our bubble of bliss.

He lifts a hand to tuck a stray curl behind my ear, his eyes never leaving mine. “We can handle complicated. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing.”

His fingers trace a warm path down my cheek. “Besides, Marissa… I like you. And not just as my agent.”

His words sink into me, swirling around in a tangle of emotions. Excitement. Fear. Anticipation. I swallow hard, my heart pounding.

“You like me.” It’s not a question. I’m repeating his words back to him, testing their weight on my tongue.

“Yes.” He says it so simply, his gaze still on mine. His fingers continue their exploration, skimming my shoulder, trailing down my arm. “I like you, Marissa.”

His confession takes the air out of the room. I feel a chill, and it’s not from his touch. It’s this wall I’ve hit. One second I’m soaring with him, and the next I’m grounded by gravity, by reality.

Charlie, my client, my Charlie… likes me.

“I…” But I can’t find the words to continue. My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts, spinning out of control.

Charlie’s hand halts its trail down my arm. He gazes at me, concern lacing his features.

This could go so, so wrong. We’re supposed to be presenting to the world as a couple, but behind closed doors it’s another matter. Feelings mean things can get messy. Isaac finding out about this means things can get messy.

But we’ve already had sex. And Charlie has told me he likes me. So it’s a little late to worry about the mess, isn’t it?

With that in mind, I swallow my worries down and smile at the man in front of me. “I like you, too. And I want to see where this goes.”

Charlie’s eyes spark with what could be relief or joy. Maybe both.

“Me too,” he says, his voice barely louder than a whisper.

His hand lifts from my arm and moves to tangle in my hair, pulling me close until our foreheads touch. The questions are still there — what does this mean between us? What about his playboy ways? What about Isaac? Am I just setting myself up to be hurt?

Right now, though, I don’t give a damn about finding the answers. I’m happy exactly where I am.

CHAPTER 19

CHARLIE

Even before I open my eyes, I’m smiling.

Marissa’s scent is all around me, her shoulder warm against my chest, her hair tickling my neck. It might be, hands down, the best morning of my life.

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