Page 92 of Hard to Fake

Suddenly, I want everything he’ll give me. Even if it’s selfish. Even if it’s temporary.

“What do you say? One more night of pretending?” My throat is dry.

Miles lowers his face, his nose bumping mine. “Like a victory lap.”

I nod. I’m desperate to arch toward him, my fingers digging into his arms.

The hot tub promoter runs past the doors of the spa. “Let’s go, everyone! One night of partying! We’re a long way from Denver!” she hollers.

She’s right, I decide as I look into Miles’s intent, handsome face.

We’re a long way from Denver.

* * *

“Look who it is!” Caroline calls as we approach the outdoor hot tub situated in a common area between a few of the cabins.

We’d gone back to our room to change, the tension lingering in the form of little jolts of pleasure when Miles held the door for me and I brushed past him, or when he caught a glimpse of me changing and his eyes met mine in the mirror.

Now, we find a half dozen people already in the hot tub—including Caroline and Kevin.

I watch as Miles takes off his sweatpants. He's wearing navy shorts underneath. I keep my eyes on Miles as he leans on the edge of the tub. It barely comes up to his thigh. He’s the biggest person here by far, and his sheer physical presence makes the world feel smaller.

He reaches back and pulls off his hoodie, and my breath catches. I’ve seen him before, but here, in the low lights from the torches, he’s beautiful. Every person in that hot tub and I are invested in the way he strips down before stepping into the tub and sinking into a corner seat.

I take my time unfastening my robe and hanging it on a hook. The purple bikini shows off all my curves. From the way Miles is looking at me, I stand by my decision.

His eyes trace every inch of me with unrestrained hunger.

I start to swing a leg over the edge, and he reaches out a hand to steady me. I take it as the bubbling water slips up my calves and I drop in. The heat seeps into my body, wrapping around me like a blanket.

My bare thigh brushes Miles’s shorts, my arm bumping his chest.

"Where did you two escape to earlier?" Caroline asks, cutting into my haze.

"A hot air balloon,” I say as I settle into the seat next to Miles. His leg brushes mine, my shoulder leaning into his bicep. The little ripple of awareness takes this from comfy warmth to scorching heat.

Her eyes widen. “That wasn’t part of the itinerary.”

“Miles arranged it.”

His fingers find the back of my neck, rubbing the muscles. It’s affectionate and possessive, and I relax into him.

“I’ve never been up in one,” Caroline admits, cutting a look at Kevin next to her.

“You’d love it. Looking down on everything,” Miles says, deadpan.

I stifle a laugh.

“I saw you talking with Elise outside the spa this afternoon,” another sister says to me.

Caroline’s face contorts. “About what?”

I stick a toe up out of the water, inspecting my pedicure. “Fashion.”

The other girl giggles, and Caroline shoots her a look.

“Let’s play a little game. You all know it. Anything you’ve done before, you have to drink.”

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