Page 32 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

Before I can chicken out, I hurry up the stairs and poke my head inside the cabin to find Donny lounging on the couch. He looks up as I enter, his eyes darkening as they roam over me.

“Come on, Drummer Boy, there’s a few more people you should meet before we call it a day.”

He grunts, but lifts from the couch and gives me an easy enough smile as he pulls me into his side to escort us out of the cabin. As we walk, I can’t help but notice how effortlessly Donny takes charge, guiding me with a hand on my lower back. It’s a subtle display of dominance that sends a shiver down my spine.

Declan walks with us to my parents’ cabin and I chuckle when he forms a snowball to chuck at Walker’s back. Our brother whirls around, his eyes narrowing on Declan, and we hurry up to our parents’ porch with a big smile.

“He’s going to get you back, you know?” I say breathlessly.

Declan shrugs. “I’ll be ready for it. It’s about time he gets out of his grumpy shell and has some fun.”

I scoff. “He doesn’t know the meaning of fun.”

“And you do?” Donny asks with a chuckle.

My spine stiffens at the remark, but I don’t say anything. I can’t fault Donny for making it. He’s only ever known me as the workaholic. Declan is the only one who can ever get the fun side out of me, which is how I know he’s giving me a weird look as I walk up to my parents’ door.

Before this conversation can get uncomfortable, I quickly tap my knuckles on the thick wood and patiently wait for someone to open the door.

It doesn’t surprise me that it’s my dad and he’s frowning, likely over the amount of snow that’s covering the ground, but it quickly turns into a grin at the sight of me. “Baby girl, what a sight for sore eyes.”

His warmth envelops me as I give him a big hug and I inhale deeply. Seems as though my mom can’t help but to get started on the annual cookie baking.

When we pull apart, he ushers us all inside, and Donny comes in silently next to me.

“Dad,” I say as I look up at Donny with a loving smile, “this is Donny, my fiancé.”

My dad holds a hand out and clears his throat, eyes narrowing. “Normally, I’d like to meet my daughter’s partner before they decide they will be in her life forever, but I guess it’s better than nothing.”

Donny doesn’t flinch under my dad’s scrutiny. Instead, he meets my father’s gaze head-on, his grip firm as he shakes his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“You can call me Corbin,” my dad says, but there’s still a frown on his face. “This is the perfect time to get to know each other. I hear you’re part of the band my little girl works for?”

It takes everything in me not to groan over the use of ‘little girl’, but I manage to keep the reaction to myself and head into the kitchen where I know my mother is. The one thing I won’t be able to do is stand in front of my dad and lie much longer about the extent of my relationship. It wouldn’t take long before I open my mouth and utter the truth to everyone.

As I head toward the kitchen, my steps falter when I glance back at Donny. He’s deep in conversation with my dad, but the moment our eyes meet, he gives me a quick wink. His gaze is dark, simmering with something that makes heat curl low in my belly.

I’m not so eager to put distance between us like I used to.

That kiss changed everything, sparking a fire that hasn’t died down, and these past three days of stolen glances and electrifying silences have only stoked the flames.

I don’t know what to make of these new feelings, but I can’t deny them any longer.

Am I falling for him?

12

Donny

After meeting Carmen’s family,I can feel the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. Carmen’s mother, Estelle, is eager to know me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity about my role in the band. Corbin, despite his initial reservations, seems to respect my position as the drummer, so that’s on the plus side.

It’s Walker, Carmen’s oldest brother, whose disapproval radiates off him in waves. His scowls as he helped us with our bags speak volumes. I met his gaze steadily each time, refusing to be cowed. Carmen might be his little sister, but she’s my woman now - even if it’s just pretend.

I thought for sure that everyone would be angry with me about how things have gone, but the only one I can see that has a problem with things is Walker.

When the sun is close to setting, Carmen finally rises from the couch and gives her parents a brief hug before making her way to the front door with me hot on her tail.

She turns, flashing her parents a heart-stopping smile. “I promised Walker I’d go over to have some hot chocolate with the kids. Just want to get there before they go to bed.”

---