Page 5 of Fake Dating My Valentine

I watched Jane go, the layers upon layers of paisley fabric swishing all around her. Ryan and I were still wrapped around each other, and a second later his voice broke the silence.

“Rock star best friend?”

Laughter bubbled up out of me. “Nix is my best friend. Mac, also known as Lancaster, is a good friend. He’s also going to be your brother -in-law.”

His eyes widened in the kind of surprise I should’ve found offensive, but I didn’t because, yeah, anyone who has eyes would be surprised.

“You’re dating Lancaster?”

“No, but thanks for the shock. Like I keep telling everyone, Mac and I are friends. You’re my boyfriend.” I held my breath and waited for his response. If he rejected me, then I’d walk away and find another solution.

“It’s not like that,” he began, but I cut him off.

“It is, and I get it. Don’t worry about it.” It only stung a little bit, but I knew I was nothing like the women Mac dated and probably nothing like the women Ryan dated or just slept with.

“So, why me for this little display?” He didn’t wait for my answer, just shoved his hands in his pockets with that smug grin. “After seeing me in that towel, you’re trying to get a piece of me, aren't you.”

I grinned in return. “Well, that didn’t hurt, trust me.” My gaze roamed down his body, and I swear I could see those muscles through his clothes, and my mouth watered. “But I have an idea that could help us both, if you want help that is. But maybe you don’t. I mean, you’re a hot soldier, and I’m sure there are plenty of women you want to get naked with while you’re on leave.” I covered my face with my hands. “Okay, just hear me out and then decide, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” he nodded as a smile tugged on his lips. “But maybe not here, if it’s what I think it is.”

I had no clue how to respond, and when he pulled back and leveled me with those green eyes, all I wanted to do was kiss him again. Dammit, no. I don’t want to kiss him again, and I don’t want to kiss him all over his beautiful body.

“Does that sound good, Torey?” He smiled as if he could read my mind.

“Um, yeah.”

“Okay then, I’ll see you tonight. At seven.”

I blinked. “What?”

“So we can talk?”

Right. “Okay. Seven at my place. I’ll make dinner.” Wait, did I just invite Ryan Murphy to my house for dinner? “Um, right?”

He laughed, the sound was smooth like honey and rich like an aged whiskey. “Yeah. See you at seven. Sugar lips.”

“Not if I see you first.” Oh. My. God. Did I seriously just say that? I covered my face and walked away. “Please pretend you didn’t hear me say that.”

“Impossible,” he called after me with a laugh.

I was a walking disaster, and no one would ever believe that a guy like Ryan would be into me.

Chapter 4

Ryan

That kiss stayed with me all day, which was crazy because, at first, I thought it was just for show. But it wasn’t just anything. That kiss shook me to my core, turned me on immediately, and the only thing my mind focused on was kissing her more and deeper. Taking that kiss to the next level. It hadn’t mattered to me that Jane Moon was our audience. If Torey hadn’t pulled back, I’d have her pressed up against the brick wall in the alley, screaming my name.

I spent most of the afternoon and early evening thinking about that kiss, wondering if having dinner at her place was a good idea. We’d be alone, free to explore our connection without interruption. But despite my reservations, I found myself on Torey’s doorstep at five minutes to seven, waiting anxiously for her to answer. If she didn’t answer, it was the perfect excuse to call the whole thing off.

So, of course, she opened the door seconds later, looking good enough to devour whole. “Hey Ryan.” Torey stepped back and waved me inside. “This is weird. Right?”

I stopped and turned to face her. “We can stop whatever this is right here before it gets started.”

“No,” she replied and waved me off. “It’s just odd because I’ve known you most of my life, but we’ve never spent time together like this. It’ll pass, I’m sure.” She flashed a bright smile. “Come on, I’m in the kitchen. What’s in the bag?”

It was my turn to feel uncertain as I held up the paper bag. “It’s beer. I remember how you felt after you and Nix stole that bottle of wine, and you said you were never drinking wine again. I wasn’t sure if it was still true, but I brought a six-pack of Lover’s Amber Ale.” It was a special brew just for the holiday, and suddenly, I felt like a fool for bringing it.

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