Page 11 of Fauxmance in the City

He nods but looks unsure, sliding back onto the sofa. It’s been years since I’ve had an attack.

“I’ve gotta be at the restaurant early tomorrow.” Natalie hugs me tight. “We’ll figure something out.”

When Natalie’s gone, Sam sets the food container aside. “Sit by me.”

I drag myself to the sofa and plop next to him. He slides my high heels from my feet and digs his thumb into the arch of my foot, still watching me closely.

“Fuck. That’s better than sex,” I moan, sinking into the arm of the sofa, enjoying the comfort Sam’s hands are giving me. He scoops under my heel and massages my Achilles, then slides his fingers up my calf, digging into the tender muscle.

I bite my lip, trying to harness the desire that his hands are stirring, but a groan slips out. It’s been so long since a man touched me.

In the quiet room, Sam’s breathing is ragged, and I open my eyes. He’s staring down my legs at me, his gaze intense, longing melded with worry. A shot of lust zaps me between my legs. I’m about to yank my leg away, stopping this before it gets out of hand, but then I’m struck by an idea, a solution that might save my ass.

This job has been my sanity through the years, and I’m not ready to give it up. And Sam may be the key.

It’s a dangerous slope I’m venturing down, but it may be the only path to saving my job and Natalie’s reputation.

Adrenaline shoots through my veins from both finding the solution and the magical thing his hand is doing.

“Are you relaxing?” he asks, the air crackling between us.

“Relaxing isn’t the word I’d use,” I say with a coy smile, putting the plan in motion.

Sam watches me with a sharpened gaze as his fingers move under my knee. When I don’t stop him, he inches along my inner thigh.

“Stop me, Catie.” He warns, his hand pausing at the bottom hem of my skirt.

“It’s a good distraction,” I purr, my toe rubbing his inner thigh, close to his groin.

“Fuck, Catie.” He squeezes his eyes shut.

His joggers are tight, and below the waistband, there’s an impressive outline of his cock. My skin flushes at the sight, a wave of lust cascading down my spine, and I’m dangerously close to letting him continue his exploration to the forbidden fruit.

“You’re obviously enjoying it.” I raise an eyebrow and look pointedly at his erection.

He halts and lifts his hand off my body, leaving me cold.

“Don’t stop.” I drop my voice, making it husky. “It feels so good.”

“What the fuck is going on, Catie?” Sam’s shoulders go rigid, his mood darkening.

I fidget on the sofa cushion, assessing the situation. I assumed the moment I let him, he’d be ripping my clothes off at the word go. Why did he stop?

“I thought we were having fun.” I pop my bottom lip out in a pout, trying to keep him reeled in.

Sam shoves my feet off him and bends forward, his palms rubbing his thighs agitatedly. “You want something.”

I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, Natalie bursts through the door.

“Oh my God. I’ve got it!” Natalie claps her hands, oblivious to what she’s walked in on. “I was in the lobby when it came to me. Sam! It’s you. You can be Catie’s fake husband. As for the food, I can put together a menu for the dinner and train Catie on how to make each dish. Nothing too complicated.” Natalie’s pacing, the words spilling out. “Good Day will provide you with an assistant to help with the prep. You won’t need me there. You’ve done it a million times on the video blogs and Good Day.”

I shoot to my feet and hug her. I’ve never loved my sister more. She just suggested exactly what I was going to ask Sam, but it’s better coming from her.

Sam stares at Natalie, bewildered, then he turns slowly toward me.

“Is that what the miniseduction was about?” He crosses his arms.

Natalie glances between us, confused.

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