Page 77 of The Guy Who Fake Dated Me

“To the patio, where hopefully people will leave us alone.”

“Good idea.”

A few of the other guests waved hello or nodded at us. Greta, who was dancing with a young man who couldn’t be more than fifteen and was looking absolutely mortified, gave us a hubba-hubba eyebrow bounce as we went by.

“Who’s the kid?” I asked Victoria.

“Kyle’s youngest brother, Jayson. He was a surprise for his parents.”

“I bet.”

“He’s been avoiding everything about the wedding so far, but it looks like Greta caught up to him.”

The easy conversation unknotted my stomach, and when we went past the chamber orchestra, through the large doors, and out onto the patio, I felt like myself again. Cold air licked my skin. Strands of hanging lights illuminated our path.

A handful of tables dotted the patio, but I was too nervous to sit. Besides, kissing was easier if we were standing.

Was I terrible for having enough confidence in this conversation to assume that it was going to end in a kiss?

A decorative stone wall lined the area, and I took us to the far corner where there were no people and not as much light. Victoria’s heels clicked on the concrete, and her dress swished as we walked. While I was in a hurry, I didn’t feel like moving quickly. Instead, I savored every moment. The scent of Victoria’s perfume. The way her profile silhouetted against the bright windows of the ballroom. The curve of her lips as she smiled up at me. The way she managed to step closer, even though we’d already been touching.

We reached the stone wall, and I turned toward her. She let go of my arm but didn’t move away.

For a moment, I stood entranced. Maybe it was the ambiance of a masquerade ball, or maybe I was so far in love that I’d never dig myself back out of it. My eyes roamed every inch of her face that wasn’t under her mask. She did the same to me.

It was now or never. I had to know how she felt about me. Aboutus. My heart raced. I glanced around to make sure no one was watching and rubbed my sweaty palms on my pants before reaching out and taking Victoria’s hands.

She gave me a small smile but said nothing.

I steeled myself and released all the words. “Victoria, I know I said this would be a fake dating situation, but I think I’m falling for you.”

Victoria pulled her hands free and put a finger on my lips. “Hold on.”

I didn’t move as she stepped closer. The pounding in my chest rose into my throat when she reached both hands behind my head. Her fingers ran through my hair, then found the ribbons holding my mask in place and pulled them free. Victoria then gently removed the mask, allowing the night air to prickle on my hot skin.

“There.” She laid the mask on the top of the wall and gave me a lopsided grin. “Now say that again while I can see your face.”

She had a point, and I felt like making this memorable.

“I think.” I stepped back but kept one finger on her wrist. I slowly slid that finger up to her elbow as I moved around behind her.

“That.” I gently placed my hands on her shoulders and lightly rubbed her skin. I felt her tense, but she didn’t move.

“I’m.” I trailed my fingers up her neck to where the tie for her mask lay within her hair. The ribbons came undone with a single tug.

“Falling.” I took her mask off with one hand while I wrapped the other around her waist. She let out a small gasp, and I smiled as I kissed her shoulder. Then her neck. Then right below her ear.

“For,” I whispered.

She shivered.

I laid her mask next to mine, then put my hands on her waist and turned her toward me. Her eyes sparkled. Her lips were spread wide in a smile that left me dizzy. Her hands slid under my jacket, and I erased the distance between us. “You.”

There was no hesitation. I leaned down and met her lips as they came for mine.

The kiss we’d shared when I’d arrived had been a hurried thing, born of panic and old feelings of anger and pride.

This one started slow, with the curious exploration of two people who hadn’t shared themselves like this before.

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