Page 25 of Forever Fake

“Fine, what?”

“Fine. I understand that you’re horrible and unfair.”

I sigh. “I loathe to explain myself, but the reason you’re staying in my bedroom is because when my step-mother comes around—and she will—we need to convincingly appear as a couple. Couples don’t sleep in separate rooms. And mark my words, she will sense anything if it’s off. So you will sleep in my bed, is that understood?”

Ginevra looks away, hopefully she’s taking a minute to consider what I just told her, and see the logic behind it. When she doesn’t respond, my patience wears thin.

“You will also answer me when I ask a question. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” her reply is barely audible.

“Good. Now come here.”

Hesitantly, she stands and approaches my chair, eyeing me. When she’s within reach, my fingers curl around her wrist and I pull her into my lap. She lands on my thighs with a sharp gasp. Immediately, my senses fill with the honey scent of her hair, my hands indulge in the soft dip of her waist, and her warmth presses against my skin.

All these years I have been fucking leggy, small breasted, athletic types—I’m not entirely sure why. Habit, I suppose. Or expectation. But I realize now that I was never fully attracted to those women. I didn’t salivate at the very thought of tasting their breasts or burying my face between their thighs.

But Ginevra and her delicious curves? I want to smother myself in her breasts, fuck her tits, mark them with my teeth. I’ve never been this feral in my attraction to a woman before.

She pissed me the fuck off last night, but nothing that’s happened has dimmed her allure. I can’t wait to fully claim her as my own little fuck toy. To use her the way I want.

Lifting her, I adjust her on my lap to make room for my growing erection. Her cheeks color and she licks her lips. There’s that vulnerable, naive expression again.

Lies, it’s all lies. It has to be because she’s no innocent girl.

“What are we doing?” Her pulse visibly flutters.

“Getting used to each other, and having a conversation that won’t be overheard by anyone else.” I wrap one arm around her waist and settle my free hand on her thigh. She stiffens, but only for a second. “You were out most of the day. Where did you go?”

She shoots me a glare. “That’s none of your business.”

“Don’t test me, Gin.” I lean down to speak into her ear. “I require monogamy. If you were with another man?—”

“I wasn’t. I was on my own.”

I squeeze her thigh. “Then you’ve dealt with the boyfriend?”

She swallows, her throat flexing. “There was never a boyfriend, only my ex. We’ve been broken up for a couple of weeks.”

So she has an ex-boyfriend. The thought of another man touching her makes my blood boil all over again. My hold on her tightens and I force myself to relax before I squeeze her to death. This ex better not come around or I’ll fucking kill him.

“He knows it’s over between you two?” I ask, needing assurance.

She nods. “I’ve made it clear.”

“Good girl.” Knowing she’s all mine has my cock growing painfully hard. It throbs beneath her shapely ass. “It’s time for bed.”

She sharply inhales. “I, um… Are you sure we have to share the same bed?”

“I’m not going to fuck you tonight, Gin, remember we aren’t doing that until we’re married. Even so, yes, we have to sleep in the same bed. Though I doubt we’ll see each other that often. I have several hours of work ahead of me tonight and I will wake up early.”

“But it’s already late.” Her confused frown sets off a tingling sensation in my chest. Is she concerned about my long hours? How sweet.

I shrug. “I’m a night owl. Don’t worry, I won’t disturb you when I come to bed.” Standing up, I set her on her feet. She’s so petite, the top of her head barely reaches my shoulders. “Off to bed with you.”

“Okay.”

She’s being obedient again, and I’m not sure if I should be suspicious or if the fight’s left her because of exhaustion. She’s obviously been fuming all day long, and probably nursing a hangover after drinking her body weight in tequila.

---