Page 119 of Faking It

It sounds much louder than I’ve approved. I pull back, shooting her another stern look.

She mouths,sorry, but she doesn’t look sorry at all. She looks hot. Aroused. Ready for a good fucking. Pity I don’t have the time. Our movie premiere starts in an hour, and with a forty-five-minute drive, we’re cutting it close. But seeing Ana in this dress earlier, knowing she was naked underneath left me hungry, desperate to taste her. Again. I took her in the shower three hours ago. Screw me for being addicted to my woman.

My mother has either gotten a phone call, or she’s suspected what we’re doing up here. Either way, she’s stopped calling. Ana relaxes, at least until I swipe over her again. I tongue-fuck her hole, lap her vulva, suck on her clit, my grip right on her hips. She runs her fingers through my hair, her lower lip tightly caught between her teeth. It’s so arousing watching her fall apart, her body jerking, mouth muttering inaudible words, her pussy crushing against my mouth. She finally sinks to the floor, and I catch her, capturing her lips, making her taste herself.

“Kids?”

Oh, shit.Mom is standing right outside the room. Guess I was wrong. “Coming!” I call, pulling Ana to stand. We hurry to freshen up, and within a few minutes, join her on the landing.

Mom shoots me a knowing smirk but says nothing more. I compliment her on how beautiful she looks in that champagne-colored gown, and she smiles. It’s an understatement. She’s glowing. She’s been glowing ever since she got released from that facility and has temporarily moved in with me. Her countenance has improved even more since Dad got sentenced to five years in prison. Their divorce was finalized three weeks ago, and she celebrated by putting their house on the market, a small percentage of the assets she won in the settlement. His mistress threatened to sue her for the eviction, but no attorney in LA is stupid enough to take that case.

“Shall we go?” Mom asks, and I sense a little impatience. I understand what it means. This is her first public event since getting out. I suspect she’s been preparing for tonight even more than Ana and me. Hours spent each day in the gym upstairs, getting her dark hair styled with blonde highlights, hiring a stylist and makeup artist to get her ready. Yes, she’s definitely ready.

My girlfriend is no less stunning. The red gown I’d picked out for her matches my shirt. She went back to her natural color, and I might be biased, but I love the dark hair even more. Like Mom, her makeup is flawless. Gold stilettos adorn her feet, giving her a couple of inches more in height. I feel like the luckiest man alive as I walk down the front steps with both ladies on my arms.

The movie premiere is a blur. A good blur. The packed theatre is a positive sign that this movie will do well. So is the fact that every theater in the country has already displayed their sold-out signs. For months, Aunt Cheryl has been hounding me to sign up for a sequel, but I keep turning her down. I got three quarters of my savings back, of which I’m truly grateful. My company has finally taken off. I have a full staff compliment, a packed schedule for the entire year, and the constant satisfaction that I’m finally doing what I love full time. I’m not interested in giving that up.

I’m only interested in supporting Ana.

Over the last six months, she been doing phenomenally well. She filmed a limited series romance thriller that has been trending on every streaming platform. She’s been invited to star in a Romeo and Juliet retelling created by one of the best directors in the country. Even more wonderful,Espionagehas just been nominated for Best Picture, a great achievement that we’re all celebrating tonight.

“And I’ll be taking full credit for that, thank you very much,” Jared mutters in my ear from his seat behind me after the announcement flashes on the screen. “If it weren’t for my little fake relationship idea, we wouldn’t be here.”

He relaxes in his seat with a haughty smile as I twist around. “Half the credit, you mean. It wouldn’t have worked if I hadn’t said yes.”

“IfIhadn’t said yes, you mean,” Ana interjects, nudging my side.

“How about you all take the credit?” Riley suggests amusingly, standing and reaching for Jared’s hand. “Anything to get first dibs on that buffet next door.”

This earns him a laugh from us, and we proceed to the other room where food and drinks are being served.

I spot Michael Galanos as I help Ana into the back of our ride at the end of the night. The asshole has the nerve to show up tonight, especially with the women coming forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct, triggered by Ana’s report. Knowing his connections, there might not be any charges against him—at least, I hope that’s not the case—but I’m proud of Ana for stepping forward. Fingers crossed; the authorities will actually do their job.

Ana sighs contentedly as I join her on the other side. She rests her head on my shoulder. “Pinch me,” she says.

Mom chuckles on her left. I can’t help smiling, either. “What for?”

“Because this feels like a dream.”

“Oh, it’s very much real, Princess.” I slip my arm around her, kissing the top of her head. “And very much deserved.”

She nods, then smiles again. “I dreamt of nights like this. Lying in bed, hungry, waiting for Margaret to get home from her alcohol binges, dreaming of a life like this was my only escape. To know that it’s actually happening…” she turns up tender eyes at me. “Thank you.”

I kiss her forehead in response.

It makes me smile. Not her thanking me, just how she said Margaret’s name so casually. It means she’s healing well. I’m confident she’ll continue to do so, as long as that miserable woman steers clear from her. River has been making bi-monthly visits to remind her. If she has any common sense at all, she won’t take his presence lightly.

Mom yawns loudly as we climb the steps to the front door. “I’ve never had so much fun in a long time, but I’m beat. I don’t know how you kids meet and greet for two hours and still look so fresh. I’m going to need two days to recover.” She kisses my cheek, then kisses Ana’s. “See you in the morning.”

With that, she leaves, giving me the freedom to do something that’s been on my mind since we left. I drop on one knee. Ana’s brows shoot up.

“You’re seriously not planning to eat me out in your living room, are you?” she whispers. “Your mom literally just stepped inside her bedroom. She could come back out.”

I shake my head. “That’s the first course.” I dip into my pocket. “This is the appetizer.”

She gasps as I pull out a velvet box. I open it slowly. Her hands fly to her mouth.

“Gideon…”

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