Page 12 of Fake Dating My Valentine

It shouldn’t matter, that’s what I told myself every time it happened. Six times, to be exact. Except it did matter, dammit.

By the time the end of the date rolled around, I was anxious and frustrated and yeah, I can admit that I was turned on. As hell. I wanted him to kiss me. I mean, how could I not after we spent two hours with our bodies pressed together, dancing and laughing like a real couple.

Maybe I was the one who wouldn’t be able to handle the pretending. Maybe I was just in over my head.

Or maybe I just really needed to get laid.

“Are you okay, Torey?”

I blinked to focus my eyes and realized we were already back at my place. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just lost in thought, I guess.” I sighed heavily and tried for my best smile. “Thanks for a fun time, Ryan. I’ll see you soon.” I jumped from the truck and hurried up the driveway, feeling like a fool.

“Torey, wait up!”

I did not in fact wait up; instead, I sped up. But it was silly because Ryan had a foot on me, not to mention daily physical training. “It’s fine, Ryan. You don’t need to walk me to the door.”

“Of course I do.” He caught up with me easily and then blocked my path. “What’s going on? I thought we had a good time.”

“We did. I mean, I did. I had a good time.” I smiled and placed a hand on his chest. “Thanks a lot for tonight.”

His hand slid up my neck and cupped the side of my face. “I had a great time tonight too.” He leaned in close and my breath hitched.

This was it. He was finally going to kiss me again. My eyes fluttered shut and I licked my lips.

“A really great time,” he whispered against my lips. The heat of him covered me for just an instant and then it was gone. “I’ll call you.”

When I opened my eyes, he was halfway down the driveway, watching me. What in the hell just happened? He leaned against the front of his truck and watched until I was on the other side of my front door. “Dammit.” I growled and stomped my foot, annoyed that I was annoyed that he hadn’t made a move.

Ryan’s almost kiss was better than kisses I’d had with other guys, and I knew I’d go to sleep dreaming about that sweet torture.

And wishing it was more.

Chapter 8

Ryan

Ialmost kissed Torey.

I wasthis closeto putting my lips to hers and taking us both to another world. In the end, I showed some much-needed restraint. Too much. My only regret was that it was only an almost kiss. I still felt the heat of her pressed against me, the soft fan of her hot chocolate-scented breath as she tilted her head back, ready for my kiss. Yeah, she wanted it as much as I did, which only made me feel like a bigger idiot.

“This is ridiculous,” I grumbled to myself as I sat up in bed, grouchy as hell because I slept terribly. Each time my eyes closed, there she was—Torey, with her big blue eyes teasing, taunting, daring me to kiss her the way I wanted. I’d woken up twice, hard and aching, and nothing satisfied my need, not even taking my cock in hand and rubbing one out to thoughts of the raven-haired woman.

I should have just kissed her. That thought ran through my head as I got out of bed and headed for the shower. I had another appointment with the physical therapist, which I dreaded, but this was the path back to the Army—back to my brothers.

“How are you feeling?” Greg, the therapist, smiled up at me, his bright white teeth a stark contrast to his deep mahogany skin.

“Good. There’s very little ache in my thigh and I’ve been working out daily.”

Greg glared at me. “Daily is a bit much right now. Scale it back to every other day.”

I bit back a curse at his admonishment. “Fine. Every other day.”

He grinned. “Trust me. Do as I say and I’ll get you as ready as can be to get back to it.”

I nodded, but heard what he didn’t say. He’d get me as good as he could, but we both knew there was no guarantee it would get me back into the Army. “We’ll increase it as needed?”

“Yeah, of course, but you’ve got to fully heal first man.” He was encouraging as we went through the paces, giving me shit when I needed it and supporting me when I struggled. “Looking good, Ryan. Keep up the good work, but scale back like I said to avoid setbacks.”

“Thanks, Greg.” I was a little sweaty as I made my way back to Holiday Grove and back to the farmhouse where I’d hardly seen Nix because she was basically living with Lee. I was happy for her but missed her, so I shot off a quick text.

---