Page 16 of Fake Out Forever

What if he doesn’t want more? Because I know I do.

He tugs me into the garage and throws another one of his amazing smiles at me, which turns me into Jell-O. My knees quiver. My stomach dips. He helps me out of the oversized coat, even bending down to untie my boots and slip them off my feet. I’ve never had anyone be this attentive or this sweet.

“I can do this, you know.”

“I know.” He takes the knit cap off my head. My hair explodes around me like a big red cloud. He twirls a lock around his finger. “You have gorgeous hair.”

He’s so close I’m worried he’ll hear my blood humming through my veins at a thousand miles an hour. “Thank you.”

He gazes down at me. “And the most exquisite green eyes I’ve ever seen.”

“You have nice eyes, too,” I mumble.

Do it! Kiss the man before you lose your nerve.

I lean up on my tiptoes, hold onto his shoulders, and brush my lips across his. I can feel him trembling. Something comes over me… I knock off his hat, thread my fingers into his hair, and sweep my tongue into his mouth. He tastes delicious. We kiss for what feels like forever. When we come up for air, his eyes are filled with fire.

“There.” I pat his chest. “You’ve been properly kissed. Satisfied?”

“Satisfied? I’m dumbstruck, woman. What was that?”

“I owed you a kiss. And I pay my debts.”

Filled with pride, I strut into the kitchen, hoping I get to do that again.

9

CADE

I can’t stop smiling as I jog up the stairs to change. She thinks I fell for her little white lie. Not a chance. I know exactly what was behind that kiss, and it wasn’t the need to repay a debt. She kissed me with everything she had because she wanted to.

I’m over the moon.

From the moment I met Maya, I felt something for her. It’s more than attraction. It’s want… maybe even need. Yes. Now that I’ve gotten to know her better, it’s definitely need.

I need Maya in my life. She makes me laugh. She’s easy to talk to. She’s beautiful inside and out. Even though we come from completely different worlds, we have more things in common than I ever thought possible.

I wasn’t lying when I told her I was a patient man.

For her, I’ll have the patience of a saint.

Because Maya Prescott is a woman worth waiting for.

I kick back in the chair, taking a bite out of the warm cookie. “These are delicious.”

“It’s the cookie dough you bought.” She tosses me an infectious smile.

“I know.” I take another bite. “But you baked them, which makes them taste even better.”

“I’m sure that’s some sort of line.” Maya removes the last tray of cookies from the oven. “But I’m going to choose to take it as a compliment.”

“It is a compliment, duchess.” I’d really like to tell her how amazing she looks in the deep green flannel shirt she’s wearing. Or how the black leggings hug the curves of her hips just right. But I don’t. If I say too much too fast, I’ll scare her off. I don’t want to do that, so I’m going to have to take baby steps with her.

“You ready to start decorating our trees?”

“Yes.” She beams. “I’m going to make a cup of tea. Would you like one?”

“Only if you turn mine into a hot toddy.” I snag another cookie.

---