Page 56 of Forever Fake

“True. Lucky bastard.” I down my champagne. “But they are the exception.”

“So once our charade is over, you’ll go back to being a bachelor for life?”

“That’s my plan.”

“Sounds lonely to me.” Gin pops a caviar dolloped cracker into her mouth, chews, and swallows. “I’d like to marry and have children someday. I like the idea of sharing my life with someone who loves me.”

My mind paints a vivid picture of Ginevra in the arms of another man, them smiling at each other as a mini version of her plays nearby. The man sweeps a blond curl behind her ear. Crimson quickly paints over the mental image as rage and jealousy roil in my gut. No man should touch her like that except me.

As if to prove the point to myself, I reach across the table and glide my fingers through her hair, tucking the strands behind her ear. She glances at me and our gazes lock. My hand slides to the back of her neck and I tug her to me, my lips crashing down on hers. She tastes divine. I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of her. But she’s only temporarily mine to have, so I’d best indulge. I’m a glutton for this woman.

I take my time devouring her mouth, my tongue sliding against hers in a languid dance. Her small hands brace against my shoulders. I’m about to pull her into my lap so I can feel the rest of her, when thunder rumbles in the distance.

We break apart, gazing up at the darkening sky, just as the heavens open up on us. The shade awning won’t survive for long. Shit, I hadn’t planned for a storm.

Gin takes my hand, then we’re running across the sand to what I realize is a small cave in the cliff face. We’re drenched by the time we get there, but for some reason I’m not pissed off about it, because we’re laughing. I tuck her beneath my arm as we watch the storm from under shelter. It should pass soon.

“That came out of nowhere!” Gin wrings out her hair. “I’m a mess.”

I glance down at her. “You are. You’re a beautiful mess.”

Her gaze searches mine, I’m not sure what she’s looking for, but I guess she finds something she likes because she reaches up and crushes her lips to mine. I lift her up, her legs wrap around my waist, and I press her back to the cave’s smooth wall. Our kiss grows frantic, desperate, a silent plea for more. With one hand I grip her ass, and the other I wrap around her neck, my thumb on her fluttering pulse point.

“I want to fuck you, our agreement be damned. Tell me you want that too, Gin.” My raw voice speaks of my desperation.

She releases a shaky breath, then nods. “I want that too. B-but I have to tell you something first.”

“What is it?” My thumb draws circles on her silky smooth neck. “Tell me.”

“I… I’m not as experienced as you think. In fact, I don’t even know if I’m any good in bed.” She glances away.

“Look at me, magpie. Use your words. You can tell me anything.”

Her gaze reluctantly drifts back to mine. Self-doubt and vulnerability shine through her eyes, and I’m nearly overwhelmed by my need to protect and possess her, all at the same time.

“Okay.” She licks her lips. “I don’t fully remember any of my sexual experiences because I’ve always been very drunk. When I’m trashed is the only time that I can handle someone touching me. If I’m not drunk, being touched makes me feel sick to my stomach, and I panic. M-my ex used to get angry with me when we tried to…” She’s shaking in my arms and I’m sure it’s not from the cold or her memories.

I ignore the part about her ex—for now. Later I’ll be sure to hunt him down and make him pay for how he treated Gin.

“But I touched you. I touch you all the time.”

“I know. You’re… different. I don’t know why it feels different with you, but it does. I want you to touch me, Blake, but I’m also afraid.” Her confession wrenches my heart. “I don’t even know if I like sex.”

I tangle my fingers in her hair, pulling her into a soft kiss. “Believe me, you’ll like sex. Give yourself to me and I’ll take care of you, baby girl.” I can tell by the look in her eyes that she wants to trust me, but she’s scared. “I promise to make it good for you. I’ll treat you like it’s your first time, okay?”

“D-do you promise not to hurt me?” She asks in a small voice that shreds my heart. Why the fuck would she ask that question? Unless…

“Did someone hurt you? Besides the ghost?”

Her gaze drops to my chest.

“Gin,” her name comes out in a warning tone. “Who hurt you?”

She shakes her head, closing her eyes, and obviously refuses to answer me. One day I’ll get all the secrets out of this gorgeous, broken woman.

“I’d never hurt you unless you wanted me to.” My words bring her attention back to me.

“Why would I want you to hurt me?”

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