Page 21 of Going All In

Chapter 5

She was insaneto continue this ridiculous scheme, but the thought of keeping her mother from matchmaking—at least until the semester was over—was too appealing to pass up.

As long as they could agree on ground rules.

“What are the rules?” he asked. “Dinner with your family a few times where I talk about how amazing you are and how much I love you?”

She rolled her eyes. “If you do that, my mother will start sending me links for wedding dresses, so doting is nice; smitten and ridiculous is not.”

“Fine. No gushing.”

“No kissing.”

“Yeah, I’m going to stop you right there.”

“What?” Oh god, she needed to make firm boundaries. Because as much as she wanted to focus on his annoying qualities, she also had an overwhelming desire to stick her tongue down his throat, and that would ruin everything. She didn’t have time for the possible complications that could arise—no matter how tempting his mouth was.

Dammit.

“We are supposed to be dating. I’m assuming the only person who will know the truth is Ally because she clearly knows something is up.”

“And?”

“And kissing is part of dating. If you want this to work, we have to look—and act—like a real couple.”

“But no sex.”

He laughed. “Unless you’re an exhibitionist and like having sex in front of people, obviously no sex. We just need to put on a convincing show.”

“Good. And if you hook up with someone else, make sure there are no pictures. I won’t be embarrassed by your off-ice activities,” she said.

“How about we don’t date or hook up with anyone else while we’re doing this?”

“This could take a few months. I don’t graduate until June.”

“I’ll survive,” he said.

“Will you?” she responded, sucking in a breath when he leaned close.

“Yes. I am capable of not fucking every woman I meet. Contrary to what you probably read online.”

“I haven’t read anything about you online,” she said. It was mostly true. She’d been busy. Studying. But the way fucking rolled off his tongue did things to her insides that needed to be shut down immediately. This was a mistake to even consider.

“Just making sure we’re on the same page. But I’m going to touch you. Hold your hand. Maybe run my hand down your back. You know, couple stuff,” he said, reaching over and linking his fingers through hers.

She tried not to stiffen, but his fingers on hers fired warning bells that she should back away now.

“You can’t do that,” he said, tightening his hold on her hand.

“What? I wasn’t ready.”

“We’ll work on it. So some signs of affection and kissing in front of everyone. Do we have nicknames? I think I’m a pookie.”

She laughed, relieved that the intensity was gone from his gaze. He’d flipped on a dime, a glimpse of the temper she’d seen on the ice had quickly disappeared.

“You are definitely not a pookie.”

“Most amazing boyfriend ever? Sweetikins?”

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