Page 24 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

A smile overtakes my face because I know exactly what we’re going to do, then after that we’ll end the day with some hot chocolate.

The one thing I can count on in the city, especially during this time of year, is all the places that sell hot chocolate and I know just the right place to take her. Before she can have a moment to reject the idea, I thread my fingers through hers and pullher through the growing crowd toward the ice rink littered with families.

It doesn’t take long for me to grab two pairs of skates, pay our way in, and help Carmen lace her skates tight enough that I know they won’t fall off. She’s frowning when I look at her and I cock my head to the side, smiling. “Don’t look at me like that. You know this is exactly what you wanted to do.”

Her brows furrow and she shakes her head, then mumbles, “Whatever,” before slowly easing off the bench and making her way toward the entrance of the rink.

She eyes the crowd warily, waiting for the perfect chance to fall in line with everyone else, while I sit still with my gaze focused on her. I’ve never felt the need to stare at her as much as I have been lately, and it’s a sensation.

Carmen looks over her shoulder at me and I wink. She gives me a slight smile and then glides easily onto the thick slab of ice.

Surrounding us are the tall buildings, followed by the honking of traffic, and not a single person bothers to worry about it. If there’s one thing I can appreciate about Christmas in New York City, it’s the pure delight on everyone’s face.

Including Carmen.

While no one else bothers to look at their surroundings, Carmen looks around in awe—as if she’s never seen anything quite like it before. She follows the flow of the crowd easily, not once losingher footing, while her face points up to the sky and a smile overtakes her face.

Something inside me stirs at the sight and makes me want to see more of that smile if I can help it.

I wish she would smile at me like that.

Even though the plan was to talk about how to get the story of our split out into the world, part of me wants to hold off on that and see how much closer I can get to her.

After her fifth or sixth lap around the rink, Carmen finally comes to a stop at the edge and finds me easily through the throng of people between us. She arches a brow, then shakes her head and starts coming closer to me.

“Well, you coming, Drummer Boy? This was your idea after all, would suck if you left me hanging.”

I glance from her to the ice, then back at her. “Uh, yeah.”

Although this was my idea, I didn’t think past the sparkle in her eyes before pulling us over here. The only thing I’ve ever been remotely good at was the drums, and the ice looks like it will be the death of me.

I’ll just have to suck it up.

I give her a nervous smile and nod, then lift from my spot on the bench. She eyes me, amusement shining in her eyes, and asks, “Don’t tell me you’ve never ice skated before.”

Her cheeks are turning pink from the cold and I shrug her words off, my wide frame aiming right for the ice ahead. “Let’s go before you freeze to death,” I mutter.

She stops me just before I step onto the ice and a group of younger kids zip past, their laughter echoing in the surrounding air. Her fingers have heat swimming through my body and a sensation I've never experienced in my bloodstream.

Carmen scrunches her eyebrows together, looks at the spot where she’s clasping my arm, and immediately drops the limb before mumbling something and slipping away from me.

Is it bad that I wish she’d touch me again and never stop?

As I watch Carmen glide across the ice, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten, I realize something.

I want to be by her side.

9

Carmen

The warmth from myhot chocolate pales in comparison to the lingering heat of Donny’s touch. His fingers have left an invisible imprint on my skin, a phantom sensation that refuses to fade. I shiver, and it’s not from the cold. The memory of his body close to mine during ice skating replays in my mind, a dangerous loop I can’t seem to break.

That’s why I had to put as much distance as possible between the two of us. It was clear that he had never been ice skating before from the way his legs wobbled when he first stepped onto the ice. Although I was a good distance away from him, I could still see the terror in his eyes as he almost lost his balance.

Now, though, there was nothing but calmness in his features that I’m so used to seeing with the band. He’s quiet, observing our surroundings as the sun disappears further into the horizon,and I stare at him far longer than necessary—long enough that I have to dart my attention away when he gazes back at me.

We’ve spent most of the day together and have yet to talk about the topic at hand—ending our charade. It makes me think that he doesn’t want to end it, and I hate the warmth that spreads through me from the thought.

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