Page 49 of The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco

“Oh dear. That doesn’t sound healthy.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come again.”

“How sad for you.”

“It’s okay,” he told her. “The memory of that orgasm will see me through the rest of my life.”

“Good to know!” She rose up on her elbows and grinned at him, swooping down to kiss his nose. Then her smile faded into something softer. Her hair, still damp—like the rest of their bodies—spilled over his chest. She brushed her lips against his, all pillow-soft skin and that little ring of silver.

Nik reached up to stroke her face, his heart swelling as he looked at her.

“What?” she asked softly.

“I love you,” he replied. Because it was true. Because she must be able to see it anyway. Because it shone from him brighter than a thousand suns, spilling out like champagne.

Aria’s brows flew up, her eyes widening, her mouth hanging open. But that was okay: surprise was only to be expected. As long as she didn’t jump out of the window or anything, they’d be fine.

Nik threaded a hand through her hair and pulled her closer. “It’s okay. You don’t need to freak out.”

She blinked rapidly before laughing, “Don’t I?”

“No.”

“Do you always say that after blowjobs?”

He rolled his eyes. “No. I loved you before the blowjob.”

“Well, that’s nice,” she said slowly. “Do you… um…” She actually looked nervous, but he couldn’t understand why she would be. “Do you think it’s possible, then, to love someone after a week? Well, six days.”

“Of course.” He sat up slightly, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I’ve seen it happen before. Plus, my father fell in love with my mother at first sight. And for me… well, I don’t think it has been six days. I think I fell in love with you the night we met.”

Aria sucked in her cheeks, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. “No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did.” He drew out the last word with a grin, and she smiled back. This was going way better than he’d expected.

Aria rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t hide her pleasure. She was happy. She was happy that he loved her. “This isn’t a competition, you know.”

“But if it was,” he said solemnly, “I would be winning. Because I’m right. And because I fell in love first.”

“First?” She arched a brow. “Who says I’m going to fall in love at all?”

His smile didn’t falter as he ran a finger over her shoulder, tracing the fine, swirling lines of ink. “Of course you are. I’m handsome and funny and charming—ow!” He scowled as she flicked his forehead, hard. “Do you mind? I’m trying to list my many excellent qualities, here.”

“Don’t bother,” she said dryly. “I’m well aware of all your qualities.”

“My excellent qualities.”

“Sure, babe.” But she was laughing now, the sound easing away the tension he’d been carrying. She seemed quite content to stay here, wet and naked and in bed with him.

Perfect.

“Well,” she said finally. “I suppose you can love me, if you like. As long as you don’t need me to…” She trailed off, frowning suddenly, her tongue fiddling with her lip ring. “I mean, at the start of this week, I didn’t even want a relationship. But I—I like you more than I’ve ever liked anyone. I mean, seriously, you have no idea. I wasn’t even this into my husband.”

He tried not to grin and pump the air. It seemed inappropriate. And slightly juvenile. And definitely not an accurate representation of the joy bursting in his chest; to display that properly, he’d have to set off some fireworks.

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