Page 20 of The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco

No-one heard her over the sound of enthusiastic agreement. Apparently, this group of absolute nightmares weren’t ready for bed yet. How, she had no idea.

Nik appeared by her side, keeping her steady with an arm around her waist. “Relax,” he murmured. “I’m taking you to bed.”

The words zipped through her like electricity. Down, girl. He didn’t mean it like that. “We can stay up, if you’d like.”

He chuckled. “Please. I saw your face just now. There’s no way I’m getting between you and sleep. Anyway, I’m tired too.”

“Well, in that case…” She straightened up, holding her shoes, and wiggled her poor toes against the cold floor. “Ahhh, that’s good.”

“Give me those.” He took the shoes in one hand and twined their fingers together with the other. He’d been holding her hand all night, pulling her here and there. She found herself wondering—was Nik this affectionate with everyone? Judging by the awed looks his friends were giving her, apparently not. But if he were in a real relationship, would he be?

She remembered what he’d said before, about wanting love. About his parents, and his sister’s marriage. Yeah, she decided. He’d be like this in a relationship.

It was worrying how much the thought appealed to her.

“We’re gonna head upstairs,” Nik called as they walked away. “See you all tomorrow.”

There were a variety of responses, from Kieran’s Later, guys, to Georgia’s Bye, hon! to the low, ribald mutterings of some of the men.

“I’d take her to bed, and all!” shouted a pink-faced blond named Harry with laughter in his voice.

Aria rolled her eyes. “Your friends are children,” she murmured as they reached the stairs.

Nik flashed her a sleepy grin. “That’s why we get on so well.”

* * *

Aria stood in front of the enormous bathroom mirror, biting her lip as she stared at her reflection. She usually slept naked, but she’d brought pyjamas along for this trip, for obvious reasons. The little vest top was fine, even if it did cling to her belly for dear life—but the bottoms turned out to be way too hot, even with the air con blasting. So, she was standing there in her vest and the biggest pair of knickers she owned—which weren’t that big—wondering if it would be incredibly weird to lie next to Nik in bed like this.

I bet he won’t be wearing pyjamas.

True.

It’s not that different from a bikini. In fact, you’re showing less skin than you were by the pool.

Also true.

He was wandering around bare-arsed in front of you six hours ago. You really don’t need to consider his delicate sensibilities.

Okay, that decided the matter. He’d take her knickers and he’d fucking like it.

“Wow. That thought came out much dirtier than intended.” She shook her head at herself in the mirror and turned to leave the bathroom.

Nik was already in bed, the sheets pushed down enough to show his bare chest and the arrow of hair above his waistband. He was in his underwear, then. She hoped he was, anyway, because otherwise he must be bloody naked.

Still, she felt a little awkward as his eyes tracked her path from the bathroom to the bed. He didn’t say a word, which wasn’t like him. It wasn’t like him at all. And maybe it was the alcohol in her system, but this silence was making her nervous.

“So,” she said brightly as she climbed into bed. “How—oh, holy shit, this mattress is amazing.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. That was it. Just, Yeah. His voice was soft, almost raspy, and his gaze never left her, even as she laid down beside him.

Aria cleared her throat. “Um, anyway… How do you think today went?”

“It was good.” He turned on his side to face her, and God, this was just too much. His golden skin and dark stubble against the white pillow, his brown eyes turning onyx in the shadows, the way his voice lowered almost intimately. It hit Aria all at once that she was in bed with Nik. They’d expected this, discussed it, agreed to it—but she was starting to realise she hadn’t been ready for it. Plans had nothing on actually being with him.

Pretending to be with him, she reminded herself sharply. Pretending. You can’t be with anyone. You’ve proven that much. And when a contract is involved, it’s best to keep your thoughts compartmentalised.

That’s what she needed to do, Aria decided. Yes, she was attracted to Nik, and yes, she liked Nik, and yes, she was in bed with Nik. And all of that was fine, as long as she compartmentalised.

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