Page 26 of All Along

“We’ll pretend to be a couple in front of my family.”

“How is this supposed to work? You just admitted you’re avoiding your family.”

He grunts. “There’s no way I can avoid them any longer. Especially not when they think you’re in the picture.”

My stomach warms. I’m in the picture. Little old me.

“Okay. How does this work?”

“Simple. Whenever I’m forced to meet my family, you come with and act as my buffer.”

I’ll be his buffer whenever he needs it. I’ll be whatever he needs from me.

I should probably set ground rules about touching and kissing. It’s what a romance heroine would do.

But I’m no fool. If Caleb wants to break the ‘fake dating’ rules and kiss me or touch me, I won’t say no.

I stick out my hand. “You have a deal.”

He reaches for my hand but I draw mine away. He raises an eyebrow.

“And you’ll open the door when I come by with a care package from now on.”

I stick out my hand again. He hesitates.

“Promise you won’t come every night.”

Dang. He figured me out. I’d be here every night playing girlfriend if he’d let me.

I roll my eyes. “I have a very busy life. I don’t have time to be here every night.”

Lies. Lies. Lies.

He places his hand in mine. It engulfs mine and makes me feel tiny. It’s a new feeling. I like it. More than like it if I’m being honest. But apparently, honesty is not my thing at the moment.

“We have a deal.”

I can’t help the smile from crossing my face. This is going to be awesome. I get to spend time with my crush and there will be no more doors shut in my face.

You should protect your heart.

I ignore my inner voice. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

Chapter 11

“Trust me. Things can always get worse.” ~ Caleb

Caleb

“I’m sorry about this,” I tell Maya as we make our way to the restaurant.

I tug on my collar. I feel as if every single person in downtown Smuggler’s Rest is staring at me. My body tingles with heat at all of their eyes on me.

Maya squeezes my hand and calm settles over me. She has the ability to quiet my mind with a single touch. Too bad I can’t keep her.

“Don’t be sorry. I’m getting a free meal out of this.”

We reachSmuggler’s Coveand I drop her hand to open the door to the restaurant. I guide her inside with a hand on her lower back. She shivers at my touch. I wonder how she’d respond if I touched her naked skin. Would she shiver and beg me for more?

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