Page 33 of Siren's Game

"Hi,Honey," I retort, forcing myself to sound like I’m happy to see him. Let’s see how he likes a stupid nickname. Honey is the first one that sprung to mind; maybe I’ll find an even better one soon.

He flinches at either the nickname or the barely concealed note of disdain in my voice. I cross my arms in front of my chest, feeling Millie's eyes on me as she watches the two of us interact. Relax, Kayla. She’s supposed to believe this.

To my surprise, Asher throws his arm around my shoulders and leans down. To my even bigger surprise, he brushes his lips against my cheek. I freeze, all muscles tense like I've caught a look at Medusa, as his beard scratches my face.

What the actual fuck? Kissing was definitely not part of our rules. Not cheeks, not lips, not anywhere.

When he lets go of me, I subtly wipe my face, digging my elbow deep into his ribs. I can’t believe it. What the fuck does he think he's doing?

Oh, how I wish I could curse him out. He’s playing with fire, and I have the urge to spew a raging flame his way. But I can't or our cover will blow. Judging by the smirk on that fucker’s face, he is very aware of that fact.

"Let go of me." I push him off, trying to sound teasing. "You're sweaty."

"So are you." He shrugs and tightens his hold around my shoulders, pulling me against him, right into his armpit sweat. Ew.

With an energetic shove, I push his arm off me and take a step back.

"You two behave like you've been together for years already." Millie giggles, and as much as I love her, it grates on my nerves. “Like an old, married couple.”

"Do you mind if I borrow her for a minute?" Asher asks her, grinning when Millie motions for him to go right ahead with a dismissive hand gesture.

"Hello?” I call out and wave at them. “I'm right here. How about asking me instead?" I point at myself but both of them ignore me.

Asher pulls me with him with a soft yet firm grip on my upper arm until we're out of earshot.

"Don't fucking do that again," I hiss at Asher, but he only rolls his eyes, the corners of his mouth twitching as if they want to twist into a grin.

"You're supposed to be my girlfriend, get used to some light PDA. I’m an actor, I have no intention of doing this half-assed. We have to make this believable, Sweetheart." He chuckles and my fingers are itching with the urge to make him eat his words.

"One day, I am going to make you regret calling me that," I promise him, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "Fine. But at least shave. I have no use for beard scratches on my face."

He laughs lowly and rubs his hand over his scruff. "Maybe."

Did I mention that Asher is an insufferable dickhead? I’m too exhausted to continue arguing, though. If he doesn’t shave it off, I’ll break into his apartment and do it for him when he’s asleep. Well, maybe not quite, but I’ll come up with something.

"So, what did you want?" I ask him, accompanied by a sigh. There better be a reason he came over and started pestering me while I was working.

"Van is asking for a planned paparazzi walk," he admits with a sheepish smile and blinking wide puppy eyes. "I don't know what exactly for, maybe he got me some sponsors, but he wants us to meet at a restaurant this evening."

My jaw clenches and I shift my weight to my other foot. "Maybe next time your precious Van can call me and check if I even have time for something like that. I’m a busy woman,” I can’t help but point out before conceding. “Is your security equipped for a stunt like that or should I call mine?"

"I think mine’s got it covered," he says with a chuckle, and I lower my gaze to the ground. I really don’t want to deal with a horde of paparazzi again so soon.

Just how am I always lucky enough to land in situations like these?

"Alright," I say and lift my gaze. "Send me a picture of your outfit as soon as you're home if it’s sponsored. I'll coordinate."

"That seems a bit over the top," he says and tilts his head. I lick my tongue and look at him disapprovingly.

"If I'm a part of 'America's Dream couple,'" I say and lift my fingers to put our unofficial title into air quotes. "Then we better look the part. I'm not going all dressed up if you're coming in jogging pants."

"No jogging pants," he promises with a chuckle, but I shake my head.

"I don't care. Send me a picture and I'll find an outfit that will look good next to it. If you don’t want to do this half-assed and I need to let PDA happen, you’re going to have to deal with pretending to have a fashion sense during this whole ordeal."

"Aye, aye, captain," he says with a mock salute and straightens his back. "Now look like you've enjoyed our conversation while we walk back. Millie is looking at us suspiciously already."

I groan and force a smile onto my face before I turn around. After taking three steps, his sweaty arm is over my shoulders again as he brings me back to where Millie is still lying on the ground.

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