Page 14 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

I arch a brow. “Full of manners, are we?”

“That surprising, Sunshine?”

“What’s up with that nickname?”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’ve got a feeling I’ll never win with you.”

“You could just call me Carmen. Since, you know, that’s my actual name.”

Donny ponders the words for a moment, then shrugs. “I could, but I’m enjoying the reactions you give me from them.”

Just inside the entrance stands a beautiful woman, her eyes locking on Donny first before shifting to me at his side. Her lips purse for a moment, but she quickly forces them into a bright smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Donny,” she gushes, “always lovely to see you. Your table has been prepared, let me escort you back.”

He nods curtly and leaves his hand on my back while she weaves us through the crowded dining room. When she turns to me, I eye her name tag.

Olive clears her throat and leans into Donny, no longer caring that there’s a woman standing right next to him. “Is this a good table for you?”

Donny steps back, putting distance between himself and Olive. Relief floods me, followed quickly by confusion. Why do I care?

"It's great, thank you," he says, his tone polite but cool.

"Anything for you," Olive purrs, her hand lingering on his shoulder. "Wine this evening, Donny?"

My jaw clenches. Donny. She says his name like a caress. How close are they?

I watch their wine discussion, jealousy burning in my gut. Olive finally sashays away, hips swaying dramatically.

Donny's eyes, however, never leave my face. "You okay there, Sunshine?" he asks softly.

I blink, realizing I've been glaring daggers at Olive's retreating form. "Fine," I mutter. "Just fine."

“Should I be worried?” Donny asks with amusement shining in his eyes.

I snap my attention to him and arch a brow. “About?”

“That you’ll smite someone with a single look.”

“Shut it,” I mumble. “It’s rude, that’s all. She clearly sees me standing next to you, yet openly flirts like she has a right.”

“Whatever you say.”

If I don’t rein these emotions in, he’s going to think this is more than what we agreed on.

I’ll admit, though, the banter back and forth has been a lot better than I thought it would be. Normally I’m more than ready to wring his neck, but I haven’t felt the urge tonight.

As we finish our meal, a comfortable silence settles between us. Donny leans back in his chair, watching me intently. His gaze is warm, making the air around us thrum with an unspoken tension.

"You're breathtaking tonight," he murmurs, his voice a soft caress that sends a shiver down my spine. The sincerity in his tone is unmistakable, making my heart flutter.

A blush warms my cheeks as I lower my eyes, suddenly shy under the intensity of his admiration. "We're... we're still pretending." I whisper, but the words lack conviction, even to my own ears.

Donny doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he reaches across the table, his fingers brushing mine with a delicate, almost intentional touch. It's so light, but it sends a spark through me, leaving me breathless. In that moment, the line between pretending and something real starts to blur, and a part of me silently wishes it would vanish altogether.

When I glance up, he’s watching me with a focus that sends a jolt through my heart. Slowly, Donny rises from his chair and moves closer. My breath hitches as he leans in, his lips just inches from mine, his eyes locked on me the whole time.

His lips, soft as a whisper, graze my cheek, lingering just long enough to send shivers cascading through me. His warm breath caresses my skin as he murmurs, "You're a beautiful mystery."

---