Page 19 of Undeniable Temptation

“Ryan.”

He stiffened at Felicity’s call from the hotel hall and picked his phone up off the table. “Shit.” That’s where he was supposed to be. Not in his suite taking midnight calls from his legal team, but out with Felicity creating more speculation and hype about the fake relationship.

He jogged to the door and swung it open. “I’m sorry. I got caught up in a phone call.”

“Bad news?”

“My lawyer.”

She cringed. “Shit must be getting real if he’s calling after midnight. Do you want to postpone going out?”

Yes. Permanently. “You know we can’t.”

Her cringe remained. “I know.” She offered him a sad smile. “Are you ready?”

He looked down at himself and remembered the five second shower he’d had and the quick change of clothes. “Yeah. I guess.” He yanked the room card out of the holder and pulled the door shut behind him.

“You look exhausted.” She strode by his side, refreshed and picture perfect after the night’s performance. “Are you having second thoughts?”

Every damn minute of every damn day. “Nah. I’m good. I’ll kick out of the adrenaline detox soon and be back to normal.”

Truth was, he’d been dreading every breath inching him toward the imminent kiss. It didn’t matter how many texts he received from Felicity, or the amount of effort she was now putting in since the overnight increase in popularity. The act was a necessary evil. One soon to be unleashed.

“How about you?” He pressed the elevator button. “Are you dying to kiss me yet?”

She rolled her eyes with flair. “I can barely restrain myself.”

He wished it were the truth. Kissing a willing woman, even though his head and heart weren’t engaged, would be far better than forcing himself on someone who wasn’t interested. Again. “Good to know. I’ll make sure I don’t disappoint.”

He entered the hotel elevator and rested against the back wall. The mirrors surrounding them reflected a publicist’s dream—two young and talented people with the world at their feet. But what loomed over him was a building nightmare. He’d deflected paparazzi for years, now he had to embrace them. He’d safeguarded his private life to maintain his sanity, now he had to plaster it over the Internet.

Everything had changed. There was nothing left to cling to. His friends were paired off. His wife was no longer around to bring comfort. Not even Leah was willing to help him through the turmoil. He’d wanted to talk to her about the Internet trolls who were popping out of the woodwork. Hell, he would’ve given anything to hear her voice, even in anger, but her cell kept cutting straight to voicemail.

“Hands?” Felicity reached her fingers toward his. “That was the plan, right?”

“Yeah.”The plan.He joined their palms, the softness of her skin brushing his. There was no comfort in her touch, only a double-dose of shame. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

The elevator doors opened and he led her into the lobby. Lights glistened from every angle, sparkling off marble and glass. Then the flash, flash, flash of cameras blinded his periphery.

“They were here when I arrived.” Felicity jutted her chin toward the entrance. “Hotel security had to usher me inside.”

A white limo was parked out front, the centerpiece to the small crowd of people waving posters, banners, and Reckless T-shirts behind a rope barricade.

“I tipped them off.”

He swung around at the sound of Leah’s voice and dragged Felicity along for the ride.

“They’re not aware of your destination,” she continued, her business suit far sexier than Felicity’s midriff top and tight jeans. “But if they don’t follow you to the club, let me know and I’ll send Alana along to take some snaps.”

“I don’t think we’ll need it.” Felicity nestled into his side, maintaining the charade with a little too much devotion. “Since the original photos were leaked, I haven’t been able to blink without someone posting it on the Internet.”

“Good.” Leah’s attention dropped to his hand, the fingers entwined with Felicity’s.

His chest tightened, waiting for a glimpse of pain, even a slice of distaste. Not that he craved her torment. All he wanted was the slightest affirmation to keep him hopeful for their future. A future that kept seeming further and further away.

Right time. Right place.

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