Page 30 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

Carmen

Three days. Three long,torturous days, and I still can’t shake the feel of Donny’s lips on mine. The memory burns, simmering beneath my skin, electrifying every glance, every accidental touch since that kiss. It wasn’t just a moment—it’s been an undeniable, magnetic pull between us ever since. Every time he’s near, I’m painfully aware of the heat still coursing through me, and it takes everything in me to keep it together. Now, as we pull up to the family cabins, the thick blanket of snowfall feels like a much-needed buffer between me and the firestorm still raging inside.

The past few days have been a blur of awkward preparations and stolen glances. Neither of us is quite sure how to address what happened. We’ve danced around the subject, focusing instead on rehashing our cover story and packing for this trip. But in quiet moments, I’ve caught Donny watching me, his gaze intense and unreadable.

As our SUV comes to a stop, the sight of running children gleefully through the snow pulls me back to the present. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the performance we’re about to give. Donny’s hand brushes mine as he reaches for the door handle, and I try to ignore the spark of electricity that jumps between us.

Jaxson, my nephew, spots us first. His eyes light up as he recognizes me, and he bounds over, kicking up snow with each step.

“Auntie Carmen!” He says loudly, getting the attention of his siblings.

Plastering on a grin, I open the door and step out onto the snow-covered driveway. The cold air is a shock, exaggerating my surprise. “You can’t possibly be my nephew. Last I checked, he was half this size!”

As I speak, I’m acutely aware of Donny getting out of the car behind me. His presence feels larger than life, and I have to resist the urge to lean back into him.

Jax’s cheeks turn a brighter shade of pink and he rolls his eyes. “I’m getting older, Auntie.”

“Auntie, auntie!” Arabella says excitedly, then she wraps her small arms around my legs in a tight hug. “Come play.”

I chuckle and pull away from her, my eyes landing on their little sister, stumbling over to us with a smile of her own. “There’s someone you guys should meet first.”

Their gazes immediately take notice of Donny’s wide frame standing next to me, and I thread my fingers through his. Jaxson looks at Donny with a frown, studying him like the adult I’m sure he thinks he is, then narrows his eyes. “Who are you?”

“Jax, manners,” Walker says sternly, a few feet away, but there’s no doubt where Jax got the narrowed look from because my brother is sporting it as well.

“Jax, this is my fiancé, Donny.” I tug Donny closer to my side and lean into him with a smile, hoping that the action makes Walker soften up a bit. Donny’s arm is around my waist, his touch both comforting and electrifying. His stance is protective, almost possessive, as he faces my family. It’s a reminder of how natural it feels to be claimed by him, even if it’s just pretend.

Donny plays his part to perfection, one large hand sliding possessively across my lower back, the heat of his palm branding me through the fabric. When he presses a firm kiss to my temple, it’s not just a simple gesture—it’s a claim, a silent declaration that I’m his, and a bold challenge to anyone watching. Every nerve in my body comes alive, my pulse quickening in response to his touch, betraying the careful mask I’ve tried to maintain.

“It’s great to finally meet Carmen’s family,” he says, his voice rumbling with a low, husky tone that sends a shiver down myspine. I feel his words more than I hear them, the deep vibration sinking into my skin.

It’s the closest we’ve been since that kiss, and my body reacts before my mind can catch up—heat floods my veins, desire curling low in my stomach. I struggle to remind myself to breathe, to act like this is just a charade. But the moment he pulls me tighter, his confidence simmering in the air between us, pretending becomes infinitely harder.

Walker looks between us, his frown deepening. I wonder if he can sense the tension, the unspoken words hanging in the air. Donny, however, seems unfazed by Walker’s scrutiny. If anything, he pulls me closer, his confidence radiating in waves. It’s clear he’s not intimidated by my protective older brother.

After a moment, he nods and extends his hand. “Donny, it’s nice to meet you.” His tone is polite, but there’s an undercurrent of skepticism.

Donny’s arm brushes mine as he reaches out to shake Walker’s hand.

“You must be Walker,” Donny says with an easy smile. “Carmen has told me a lot about you. Must be nice to get away from work and enjoy yourself.”

They shake hands while staring each other down, and the only reason the moment gets cut is because Declan decides to make his own appearance.

“I was wondering when my favorite sister would make her appearance,” he says, winking at me and pulling into a warm embrace.

“Dec,” I say with a chuckle, then pull away from him and nod toward Donny. “This is my fiancé, Donny.”

“Huh, I thought for sure it was a big joke,” he mumbles while studying Donny’s frame. Then Declan walks up to him and smacks him on the back. “I’ve got to compliment any man who can deal with my sister long enough to marry her.”

“Asshole,” I mutter.

Donny grins and Declan looks over his shoulder at me, throwing me a wink.

A tiny hand tugs on my heavy coat and I look down to find Sadie staring at me, snowflakes melting on her thick eyelashes as she does. I lean down, smiling brightly at her, and left her up onto my hip while pressing my lips against her cheek.

She giggles and shakes away from my assault. “Stop it, Auntie.”

“You excited for Santa to be coming? I bet he’s seen how good you’ve been, huh?”

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