Page 71 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

I don’t understand it. I’m flushed and giddy with all these bright endorphins flooding my system, it feels like there’s a neon sign above my head screaming, "We finally had sex, and it was spectacular!”

But of course, Duke and me are old news. Everyone already knows we’re a couple. We’ve been faking it for a couple of weeks now, even if the real thing to us is still shiny and brand new.

“Uh oh, that smile looks dangerous,” Duke comments, as our spread of food and coffee arrives.

I laugh. “I was just thinking how they always say, ‘fake it ‘til you make it’.”

“Who’s faking anything?” he demands, and I smile.

“We were. The whole arrangement for the tabloids?”

Duke gives me a heated look. “Maybe that was all just part of my devious plan to have you in my bed.”

“Technically, you still haven’t had me there just yet,” I point out sweetly.

Duke gulps his coffee and smolders. “Give me a half hour to get my strength back and refuel, and we’ll see about that.”

I laugh, sitting back to nibble at some toast. “Anyway, you can’t tell me you expected any of this to happen when you agreed to play along,” I continue happily. Maybe all those orgasms have loosened my tongue, but I feel like I can say anything to him now. “Admit it, you hated me when I first arrived in town.”

Duke winces. “C’mon now, hate’s a strong word,” he protests. “I just…”

“Loathed and despised me?” I smirk.

“You’re forgetting, the feeling was mutual,” he points out, grinning.

“True.” I beam back. “You were insufferable. Arrogant, and grumpy…”

“Stubborn, high-maintenance,” Duke adds, ticking off my own flaws. “Too damn beautiful for your own good.”

I feel a glow. “You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

“Bad for my concentration, that’s for sure,” His eyes lock on mine, hotly. “You drove me to distraction, just walking in the room. Why do you think I couldn’t stay away?”

“I figured it was just the universe, trying to torment us by throwing us together,” I admit, my stomach turning over in a slow, delicious flip.

He couldn’t stay away. He’s wanted me all along.

“Well, look at you lovebirds!”

We’re interrupted by Suze, elbowing Duke to move over as she slides into the booth. “Is that coffee fresh?” she asks, already gulping from his mug. “I swear, I need a cold brew IV hooked up if I’m going to make it to Sunday with my sanity intact.”

“What’s Sunday?” I ask.

“The Shakespeare Festival!” she wails. “Don’t tell me you’re bailing on me now? I need those sets finished, and you to help with the dress rehearsal, and to talk down my Juliet when she has a temperamental actress breakdown right before the curtain rises. Metaphorically,” she adds. “We’re performing outside, there’s no curtains to hide behind, or send down if it’s a complete disaster of a show.”

“It won’t be a disaster,” I reassure her. Duke snorts a laugh. “Be supportive!” I nudge him. “This isn’t the time for your glowering cynicism.”

“I glower?” he grins at me.

“Constantly,” I tease. “It’s very brooding and hot, but not what we need right now.”

“But later…?” he shoots me a suggestive look, and I flush.

“Wait,” Suze looks back and forth between us. “What’s going on here?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, acting innocent.

She narrows her eyes. “You two. You’re acting all… coupley.”

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