Page 79 of Bookworm

I shrugged. "Tons of research viareading has taught me a thing or two."

He paused with his brow furrowed. "You've read about this?"

"Oh yeah," I said. "Fake dating is a whole thing.But you already knew that."

"What do you mean?"

Surprised, I shot him a look. "Well, you've checked out multiple books on the subject. I think half the romances on your lists involve some form of fake relationship."

He didn't say anything, so I elbowed him gently.

"It's okay," I said. "Not a lot of men are brave enough to read romance. I think it's cool that you do."

Bo lifted his chin. "Back to the rules."

"Yeah, so I came up with three." I set aside the ribbon I was working on and listed them off on my fingers. "Rule one, no physical intimacy. The kiss was a one off, no more of that."

Bo placed his batch of flowers in a bucket, turned to me, and crossed his arms.

"I don't like it."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because everyone's already seen us kiss thanks to Leif," he said. "If we're a couple, who's going to buy that we don't even touch anymore?"

My brow furrowed. "I hadn't thought of that."

"We should negotiate rule one."

"What did you have in mind?" I asked.

Bo shrugged. "We do the normal things. Hold hands, hug, kiss—"

I shook my head. "I'm a hard no on the kissing."

"Why?"

How was I supposed to answer?

"Didn't you enjoy it?" Bo asked.

Yes, I enjoyed it. So much, too much. Kissing you felt like fireworks and symphonies and put every romance novel I've ever read to shame. I'm not sure I could do it again and not want more.

My cheeks filled with heat, and his eyes seemed to see everything.

"What kind of question is that?" I said. "Did you enjoy it?"

"Honestly, yeah. I liked kissing you," he said then added, "Kissing's a fun pastime."

Ugh. Seriously?

"Thatis why," I said, holding out a hand. "I don't see it as a pastime, Stryker. A kiss means more to me than that. Okay?"

"Okay," he said.

"But I see your point," I admitted begrudgingly. "Maybe we can just play that part by ear?"

He nodded. "What are the other rules?"

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