Page 156 of Surprisingly Us

“Oh, yeah?” I turn the page. Next to me, Rhys slides into the bed and settles against the pillows.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see his tattooed arm reach for an e-reader he put on the nightstand earlier.

“What part are you on?” he asks, tapping the device to wake it up.

“Um,” I squeeze my thighs together, trying to ignore the throbbing between my legs, “what do you mean?” I ask, distracted by said throbbing.

I’m spending the last night in my family’s lake house before it’s sold, and my parents are splitting up, yet I’m lying next to Rhys reading a spicy romance novel and I’m incredibly turned on. What in the world is happening?

He turns his e-reader toward me, and there on the screen is the cover that Chloe had shown us at the restaurant. The tattooed bad boy, devilishly handsome and winking at me.

“Xander just picked Jessa up for the party. She’s trying to make her ex jealous.”

“What?! Why are you reading this book?!” I practically shout.

He shrugs. “I’m taking an interest in your interests. Isn’t that what boyfriends do?”

“Sure, but you’re my fake boyfriend—er—fiancé, and you’re not in book club.”

“Actually, I talked to Chloe and she said anyone could join. That you’d welcome a male perspective.”

I’m turned on, and now I must sleep next to Rhys who is reading the exact same book as me? He knows all the dirty talk and explicit sex that is happening in this book. And that I’ve read it.

My poker face is slipping.

And with everything else going on, there are too many emotions for me to process. I thought Rhys was on my side. I was overjoyed when he arrived earlier today, but now, it feels like he’s poking fun at me, and I don’t like it.

I toss the book on the nightstand and turn off my light.

“Do you mind if I keep reading?” he asks.

“Go for it.” I roll to my side, putting my back to him.

“Goodnight, Princess.” His fingers tease in my hair. It’s sweet and comforting, and I’m so turned on that it makes me angry. It’s irrational and I know it, but I can’t help it.

Today has been overwhelming in both the best and hardest sense.

I want to take it out on someone, and Rhys is the closest in proximity.

My hand grips the throw pillow next to me and a moment later there’s a loud thump as it makes contact with Rhys’s face.

“Don’t call me that,” I growl.Now who’s the one growling?I preferred it when Rhys did because I sound like a maniac.

He laughs. “I thought you liked that nickname.”

“No, you like it.” I spring to a sitting position, turning to face him, ready to fight. “Why do you call me that? I’m not a princess. Far from it.”

Rhy sits up, and the covers fall to his waist. He turns toward me, his muscles contracting with the movement. I swear his abdominals wink at me. Now, I’m even more annoyed that he’s sitting there looking like a delicious snack while we’re trying to have a serious conversation.

“I’m using it ironically,” he says.

“Meaning?” I keep my eyes trained on his face, even though my body is well aware of his half-naked one within arm’s reach.

He looks away for a moment, before turning back to me.

“As a dancer you make it look effortless. Your appearance is graceful and demure, maybe even mild-mannered, but if someone really knew you, the way I know you, they’d see all the hard work and commitment you have signed up for. You’re a fucking badass, Lettie. You’re dedicated to your sport and your career, putting in an insane number of hours for practice and training. Diet, conditioning, sleep, and recovery in addition to teaching and the philanthropy roles you’ve taken on. You’re the most dedicated person I’ve ever met, and I want to give you a space to be spoiled and cared for. You’re not a princess, Lettie, you’remyprincess. Maybe it was a joke at first, but for me the nickname is my way of telling you that it’s okay to relax and let me be there for you.” He swallows hard, his eyes searching mine. “It’s a way of letting you know I’ve got you, just like you’ve got me.”

I’m stunned by his response. There are no words.

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