Page 23 of French Martini

“We spent the day huddled in our own little private world, and I had no idea what was coming.”

Grinning, I sip my wine while I imagine the scene. “I drew us a bath and we had a nice soak and then we made love.”

His cheeks turn pink again as he brushes hair from his forehead. “Then we ate a dessert you brought with us. It was a decadent chocolate cake with dipped strawberries and champagne.”

“And then, when you least expected it, I slid out of bed and got down on one knee, and I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me.”

“No. Not the one knee thing. Too on the nose.”

I chuckle. “Okay then. I stayed in bed with you and just produced the ring and asked.”

He nods. “That feels more like us. No extra pomp and circumstance.”

“Speaking of a ring…”

He blows a raspberry sound with his lips. “Oh shoot. I didn’t think of that.”

An idea comes to me. “Let me take care of it. You’d want something spectacular with diamonds, right? Something traditionally worn by women?”

He looks momentarily surprised but then nods. “Yes, but how would you?—”

“Trust me. I’ll handle it.”

“But—”

“Kitten.” I use my deep, authoritative voice and his breath catches. “Let me take care of this.”

He nods, taking a sip of water. “You can’t call me that during the day, you know?”

“I know, but we’re alone right now.”

“And really, the romance stuff, the flowers, it’s all very nice, but it isn’t necessary when we’re by ourselves.”

Why do I get the feeling that this stunning creature has never really been romanced? That’s a damn shame if it’s true.

“Just practicing. Besides, friends can give each other flowers, can’t they?”

His lips curl at the corners. “Yes, I suppose they can.”

“And friends can occasionally blow each other.” I stand, noticing how Lowen’s gaze heats as I do, and walk around the table. I settle in the seat beside him, placing my hand on his thigh. “What’s a little cum between friends?”

The war of emotions he’s feeling dances across his features, but he seems to rein them in with a tight smile. “A fringe benefit, I guess.”

I tangle our fingers together and lift his hand to my mouth, pressing soft kisses to the back of it. “If you let me go all in, Low, I will. Every person there will be convinced that I am absolutely insane over you. They’ll be jealous of you. Follow my lead, huh?”

He nods, swaying toward me slightly. “I’ll follow your lead.”

Taking a chance, I lean in and capture his lips in a sweet kiss. I linger, tasting him underneath the wine and pasta sauce. Lowen is addictive and I’m desperate for another hit.

He sinks into me, his fingers twisting the hem of my sweater. I don’t know if I’ll ever tear down the wall that keeps us fromtrying for a real relationship, but I sure as fuck plan to try. There’s real attraction here, real compatibility too. All I gotta do is prove to Lowen I’m a good enough man for him. Sure, he doesn’t judge me as a friend, but could he really see himself in an equal romantic relationship with me? Is his broken past the only thing keeping him from it or is it deeper than that? I want to find out.

This fake engagement thing might be my ticket to Lowen’s heart. I’m going full balls to the walls with this to win him over. If that doesn’t work, nothing will.

NINE

LOWEN

“Earth to Lowen.”

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