Page 51 of Closer

“Go on. Try it.”

He really wants to play this game? Fine. We’re a couple. We’re pretending. It’s normal.

I edge forward and wrap my lips around his finger, my tongue swirling to catch the drop of balsamic.

It’s tart and sweet and complex. But it’s nothing compared to the taste of his skin, the obscenity of his finger in my mouth.

His pupils dilate, his breathing turning harsh.

I release his finger with a pop, feeling bold, reckless, and alive. “It’s good.”

“Yeah.” He sounds strained. “It is.”

This is torture. I want to climb onto his lap and kiss him. I want his hands on me, his body pressed against mine.

But I don’t move. Because this is dangerous territory. This thing between us… it’s not just physical. It’s never been just physical.

And that’s what scares me the most.

“So, what do you do when you’re not working?” I ask.

He shifts and balances his plate on his lap. “Not much, honestly. Work keeps me pretty busy.”

“There must be something. Hobbies? Interests?”

“I’ve been known to hit the gym from time to time.”

“I can tell.” My gaze drifts over his broad shoulders and his defined arms. Even relaxed, he looks like he’s ready to spring into action at any moment.

“Thanks, princess. Good to know you’re still into me.”

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“Nah, it’s called confidence.” He takes a bite of his food, his gaze never leaving mine. “There’s a difference.”

“If you say so.” I shrug, spearing a piece of asparagus with my fork. “So, working out. That’s it? No skydiving? No rock climbing? No…” I wave my fork in the air. “I don’t know, underwater basket weaving?”

“Underwater basket weaving? Really?”

“Hey, I found a book about that in the library recently. It’s a real thing, although, I think it’s more of a meme.”

“None of that. I guess I’m a simple man with simple tastes.”

“Simple?” I scoff. “You are many things, but simple is not one of them.”

“Oh? And what am I, then?” He tilts his head, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I pause, considering. Complex. Infuriating. Magnetic. Charming. My— “Not simple.”

“Not simple.” He studies me.

I’m probably very simple for him. An open book. I clear my throat, desperate to steer the conversation away from the dangerous territory we’re veering into. “Since we’re pretending to be a couple, what would our life outside of this little getaway look like?”

Sebastian’s gaze sharpens. “Our life?”

“Yeah, you know…” I wave my hand vaguely, trying to be nonchalant despite the way my heart is pounding. “Living together, doing couple-y things. What would that entail, exactly?”

His gaze drifts over me in a way that makes my skin prickle with heat. “For starters, we’d wake up together every morning.”

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