Page 87 of Undeniable Temptation

“You’re placing me back in the friend zone permanently?” He inched closer, his hand returning to her cheek.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, because it’s not going to happen.” His fingers brushed her skin, trailing over her jaw, her neck. Even his gaze lingered like a physical caress, his affection hitting her on every level. “Fighting the need to kiss you is killing me.”

She closed her eyes at the rapid sense of forming tears. She wanted his kiss. Wanted to rip it from him without apology or remorse.

“I love you, Leah.”

She whimpered—like a fool, like a weak, pathetic kitten.

“I can hate myself for it later, but right now all I want to do is place my lips against yours.”

She sucked in his breath and descended into the darkness of inevitability as his mouth touched hers. She was at his mercy, untethered, floating aimlessly. There was so much love in their connection, so much necessity in the softness of his mouth, his lips, his tongue.

All of it redundant.

“Ryan…” She pushed at his chest, demanding space.

I love you. I should’ve agreed to run away with you. And even crazier than that, I wish like hell I was the one carrying your child instead of a woman we both despise, but…

“Please don’t make this any harder than it needs to be.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

San Antonio, TX

“Ryan?”

Felicity nudged him in the ribs, dragging his attention out of the staring match with the carpet and back to the journalist sitting before them. “Sorry. What was the question?”

“There’s no more questions.” The woman offered her hand to shake. “I can see the final weeks of the tour are taking their toll. I’ll let you both get back to work.”

Ryan clasped her hand and they stood together. “We appreciate you taking the time to chat with us.”

“It was my pleasure.” She released her grip and pocketed her notepad as her cameraman began packing up equipment. “We’ll broadcast the segment on the news tonight. We wish you all the best with the show.”

He remained quiet, zoning out of the present and back into his thoughts while Felicity pushed to her feet beside him. At Leah’s request, he’d joined Flick in interview after interview to promote tomorrow night’s epic performance. The two of them were the face of the event. Slicker and Reckless joining forces to create unstoppable magnificence.

They’d promoted the outdoor activities available to people who didn’t have tickets to the concert. They’d boasted the thousands of promo items up for grabs and how the show would be live streamed to people outside the stadium for one night only.

He’d done everything Leah had asked, including keeping his distance for the last six days. Their interaction had been kept to a minimum and strictly band related. He hadn’t voiced his concerns about her wellbeing. He hadn’t confirmed if Alana’s comments were true—that Leah had been a mass of anxiety and nausea since New York.

He kept his promise. Even though it destroyed him.

“I guess this is it.” Felicity turned into him as the news crew left the room, pulling the door shut behind them. Her face was solemn. Big eyes and a furrowed brow. “Tomorrow this crazy charade will be over.”

“Yep.” And a new one would begin.

He tugged her into his arms and sank his chin against the top of her head. “Are you and Hannah excited?”

She shook her head. “I know I didn’t hide my resentment when we first started this crazy scheme, but I’m going to hate pretending we’re enemies even more.”

“Me, too.” Their fake relationship would end as soon as Julie announced her pregnancy, and then Felicity would play the role of scorned lover until the gossip died down. All he had to do was sit back and watch the carnage. “Hopefully, it will all work as planned and you’ll gain more followers from all the shared sympathy.”

“Popularity is the last thing on my mind. I’m more concerned about ruining your reputation.”

“Don’t be.” He’d already kissed his good name goodbye and finger-waved that fucker farewell. “As long as the two of us are still friends behind closed doors, I’ll be happy.”

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