Page 20 of You Float My Boat

Instagram posts must be liked and commented on properly. One post a week featuring Violet and Charlie together on either Instagram.

My eyes scanned down the lines, and I debated hard on whether to add ‘no tongues’ next to the first point Violet had amended. I probably should, but if we were only kissing when appropriate then maybe that also included tongues when appropriate.

The pen hovered over the first line as my brain whirred and whirred with inappropriate thoughts of kissing her,howI would kiss her,whenI would kiss her … until I ignored the hammering of my heartagainst my ribs, picked up the pen and signed my name next to Violet’s, just as she returned to the table.

Instead of sitting back in her chair, she pulled her phone from her pocket. Before I had a chance to ask what she was doing, she dropped into my lap. I wasn’t any more prepared for it this time than I’d been the first time, nor was my dick, providing me with the unwanted reminder that Violet Brooks fitted perfectly against me.

‘Wh … what are you doing?’

Slinging her arm over my shoulder, she replied, ‘Photo for Insta.’

My entire body tensed as she wriggled around, leaning back into my chest until she was comfortable. Another five seconds of holding her before my dick joined in the action.

Finally, she stopped moving and opened up her camera. ‘Okay. Now, kiss my cheek.’

‘What?’

‘Kiss my cheek, we need to look cute.’

I’d long passed the point of questioning Violet. It was clear she was the expert when it came to this sort of shit, so again I did as I was told. Moving the ends of her ponytail away from her shoulder, I wrapped my arms around her and leaned in. Her scent still lingered on her skin from earlier in the day, and I breathed in as deeply as I could without making it weird.

Her cheeks were warm and soft against my lips. Holding still, I was unsure of how long I was supposed to stay in this position and whether my eyes should be open or closed. Or if I should tilt my head to wherethe camera was raised, but she was done before I could think any more about it.

‘Oh, it’s cute. Look.’ She held the screen in front of me. ‘Yeah, I like that one.’

Reluctantly I loosened my hold on her and turned to see what she’d snapped. I had to admit, it was cute. She’d managed to capture us perfectly.

Her broad smile, her cheek slightly squashed from my lips pressing into it, her freckles and the amusement sparkling in her eyes. Even the smile curving my mouth was visible. The happiness was there for all to see.

It looked real. Too real.

I didn’t need to worry about fooling everyone else, when I could almost fool myself.

‘I’ll post it later, and don’t forget to write something underneath it.’

‘I won’t,’ I chuckled, again. ‘I’ll make it good, just for you.’

‘Are you going to tell anyone about this?’ asked Violet, placing her phone back down and making no move to stand up. Not that I wanted her to. I could stay like this all day, even though I was acutely aware of my hand spread along the curve of her waist, almost spanning her stomach. Inches away from the swell of her boob.

‘About us fake dating?’

She nodded.

I shrugged. ‘Not if I can help it. Your brother and Oz know, obviously. Though seeing as he’s not mentioned it once, I think your brother’s forgotten.’

‘Not for long once he sees this.’ Violet tapped her phone.

‘No. And if we’re all over Instagram I’m probably going to have to tell some of the guys at the boathouse, and swear them to secrecy. But the fewer who know the better. Evie can’t find out.’

‘She won’t.’

‘Are you telling anyone? Apart from Stella, that is?’

‘Nope. No reason to.’ She shook her head. ‘It can stay our secret.’

‘Okay,’ I replied, reaching for the ends of her ponytail because it counted towards rule 6 – always touching in public – the one I’d already memorized, and had nothing to do with the fact I wanted to see what it would feel like twisting between my fingers. Good, it turns out. ‘Thank you, Violet. I know I’ve said it before, but I really appreciate you helping me out.’

---