Page 31 of Fake Game

“You’re more stubborn than I thought.”

“Thank you.”

“Again, not a compliment.”

“Fine,” I huff, finally giving him my attention. “Then what’s your grand plan?”

“We’re setting you up with a place here.” He pushes off the glass and stalks back into the apartment.

Great.

“What are you talking about?” I call after him as I’m forced to catch up.

“Parker is putting you up in one of the vacant places here.”

“Wait, seriously?” A smile spreads across my face. I’d been thinking of moving here a few months back, but it didn’t pan out. This is totally a sign. “Do I get the friends and family discount?”

“The what?” Jackson busies himself by making a coffee at the espresso machine.

I lean against the island and watch him. “Ya know, a discounted rate for the apartment.”

“Why?”

“Syd got one.”

“‘Cause Sydney couldn’t afford it. Unlike you.” He lifts the tiny espresso cup to his lips and takes a sip. “It’s not like this place isn’t within your budget.”

“And how would you know what my budget is?”

“I’ve seen your view count.”

“Oooh. So, youdowatch my videos,” I croon.

He scowls at my smile, and it just makes me want to push him more.

I pad over to him and lean into his space, blinking up at him innocently. “Are you a secret fanboy? Do you have a shrine to me hidden away somewhere? Is that what’s stashed in your closet? Come on, you can be honest with me. I know I’m quite adorable.”

Jackson’s upper lip pulls back in disgust, but I steel myself, smiling even brighter as I lay a hand on his forearm.

“Don’t tell me, your guilty pleasure is playing farming sims? You like to craft teeny, little towns with those big man hands and spend late nights harvesting milk from emus when no one is looking.”

Jackson scoffs, shrugging out of my touch.

“Or maybe…” I trail off ominously, waiting until he locks eyes with me. “Maybe you just like to watch me. Is that the sort of thing you’re into?”

Instead of turning away again, like I expect him to, Jackson takes a step toward me. He cages me between his body and the island, the cool marble biting into my back. There’s a hunger that bleeds across his features, and it makes me feel like his prey.

“You couldn’t handle what I’m into.” His dark words carry the scent of coffee as he whispers them into my ear. “I suggest you don’t go looking for answers unless you want to be responsible for what you discover.”

I suddenly become all too aware of the way his body surrounds me. My mind whirls as it starts conjuring up scenario after scenario of his hands moving along my skin. All I want to know is what he hides under that silent exterior. There’s no way a guy with all those muscles and secrets isn’t concealing something darker under the surface.

Any retort I have gets lodged in my throat as he pulls back and studies my face, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.Heat flushes my cheeks at his perusal. I open my mouth to say anything—literally, anything—so he doesn’t see the secret want leaking out of my eyes.

“I—” My phone rings out, vibrating against my hip, and I freeze.

“You should get that.” He throws me a wink before backing up and strolling in the direction of his streaming room.

My body immediately feels cooler without him near. The clouds fuzzing my brain start to clear, and little pockets of sunshine clarity are peeking through. I take a calming breath before swiping my phone open.

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