Page 39 of Surprisingly Us

Closing my eyes helps shut out all his charm and sexy smirks, but there’s still the matter of the warm, sensually scented body beneath me.

It’s just Rhys.

Charming, sexy, body of a Greek god, Rhys.

No. I need to think of childhood Rhys. The sweet, easygoing boy who was my friend and protector. I recall his goofy smile with braces, the way he cried when he skinned his knees falling off his bike, the way he would patiently wait for me when I was slower and couldn’t keep up with the older kids, and the intimidation slowly fades.

Finally, I’m leaning forward to lay my head on his shoulder.

Okay, this is nice.

With the idea that I’ve got this dating situation under control and the relief that comes with knowing I won’t be scouring through dating sites, I’m finally able to relax.

Rhys’s hand comes around to my back. His lips press, warm and firm, against my neck.

I barely have time to register the sensation when I hear it.

Click.

I pop my head up to find Rhys’s free hand with his phone in it.

“What’s that for?” I ask.

“Social media. We’ll want to post consistently. Make sure we look happy and content.”

Well, I was before he took that photo.

“It’ll be more convincing that way.”

I climb off his lap while he starts typing something out on his phone. When he’s done, he turns the phone screen toward me.

A cozy Sunday with my

There we are, cuddled together on the couch. Rhys’s hand splayed against my back, his pinky finger teasing at the waistband of my leggings like he doesn’t have a care in the world. My face is partially hidden behind his head, and my eyes are closed, but I’m smiling. He captured the moment where his lips pressed to my neck and I smiled. It doesn’t tell the story of my unsettled nerves but one of a woman clearly comfortable snuggling with her boyfriend on the couch.

“Can I post it?” he asks. “If I do, it will be official. The answer to everyone’s burning questions after last night’s photos. And the start of our arrangement.”

I gulp. This is it.

Are we really doing this?

What’s the worst that could happen?

I don’t follow my brain down that rabbit hole, but instead focus on what I want. Dating experience. Getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things sans hives. I’ve already managed that by straddling Rhys on the couch without so much as a red splotch surfacing. Imagine what more there could be.

Oh, god. Imagine what more there could be!

Alexei’s words come back to me.It’s what you experience outside the studio that elevates a dancer’s performance.

That’s what I need. And with Rhys’s help, I’m determined to get it.

“Let’s do it.” I nod.

I watch as he hits post.

It’s official. Rhys and I are (fake) dating, and we just announced it to the world.

CHAPTER 10

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