Page 37 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

I scoff. “Not at all. I only tolerate her because Walker seems happy.” At the mention of him, I glance toward the window with a frown. “Although, something was definitely up tonight and it makes me wonder if there’s trouble.”

Donny reaches over, placing his hand on my thigh to give it a gentle squeeze, and I jump from the touch. Even though I’ve got a pair of sweatpants on, it doesn’t stop my skin from heating beneath it and I have to pull my leg away from him before it gets worse.

This is why I didn’t want to stay in the same space as him.It’s dangerous.

“So,” he says, leaning forward to look into my eyes, and smirks. “Want to tell me why you were going to leave me alone here, Sunshine?”

His confidence is back in full force, and it’s both alluring and intimidating.

Now I wish he weren’t, so I wouldn’t have to answer the question.

“We’re colleagues, there’s nothing more to it,” I snap, not meaning for it to come out as harshly. “Sorry, I just take my work seriously and you know that.”

There’s something in his gaze that tells me he understands, but that he doesn’t believe the words I’m saying.

“Your parents seem nice,” he says, changing the conversation. “Although your dad enjoyed laying into me about proposing before properly meeting him.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “He likes to seem tough, but he’s a big teddy bear.”

“He’s protective, I admire that. Only wants what’s best for his kids.”

My heart swells with pride at hearing someone else notice it, and I nod with a smile. “He is, which is why he’s been so insistent on me bringing a plus one to these things. Doesn’t like the idea of me being alone in the city while he’s out traveling.”

“And your mom? She seemed more distant than I would’ve imagined tonight.”

“That’s my fault. She’s upset that I never opened up to her about our relationship, and it’s going to take a little more to get her to understand why.”

Not that she can ever know why, since this is all a ruse, but I tried explaining that Donny didn’t want our relationship being out in the open, and I wanted to respect that. In the end, it just ended with my mom being worried that Donny was being unfaithful, and that’s why he didn’t want anyone to know about me.

Even though I explained to her that it was my choice as well.

“I’m sure she’ll understand soon enough, but I’m sorry that I dragged your family into this whole thing. That’s the last thing I wanted to do,”he sighs.

I shrug. “Wasn’t really you who dragged them into it? I made the choice to bring you because I knew it would be another trip of everyone looking at me with sad eyes and wondering when I’m going to settle down.”

“You said Walker is usually hard on you.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t say anything tonight, but normally he waits until the excitement of everyone being here is gone before he gets into my career choice.”

“I’ll punch him for you, Sunshine. Just say the word.”

“As nice as that is, I’m pretty sure my brother needs his pretty face to save lives.”

Donny shakes his head, giving me a tired smile. “Maybe we’ll save that story for another time. I’m exhausted.”

His words hit, and suddenly my own eyelids grow heavy. I push off the couch just as he does, and our eyes both drift toward the only bed in the cabin. I clear my throat. “I’ll, uh… take the couch.”

Donny turns, mischief dancing in his gaze. “Don’t be ridiculous, Sunshine. The bed’s big enough for both of us. Besides,” he adds with a smirk, “what kind of fiancé would let his girl sleep on the couch?”

I groan, rolling my eyes. “Not happening, Drummer Boy. Maybe focus more on sticking to the set list than finding ways to annoy me.”

He grins, undeterred. “I can multitask. Ask Brent. He’ll vouch.”

“Just stop,” I snap, exasperated. “This is about helping each other, nothing more. Can we please just sleep?”

My sharp tone halts him in his tracks, but guilt stings as I rush toward the bed before I have a chance to soften. Maybe if I stay harsh, he’ll stop trying to break down the walls I’ve built—and things can go back to how they were.

I slip beneath the blankets, pulling them tight around me as I listen to Donny shuffle in behind me. The bed shifts slightly under his weight, and for a moment, the world feels small—just us, the stillness of the room, and the blizzard raging beyond the walls.

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