Page 24 of Boyfriend Maintenance

“It’s really great to see you, Emmy. I have missed you.” He sounds sincere and I cock my head and stare at him.

I decide to reiterate my point. “I have a boyfriend.”

He smiles sadly. “Yes, I know. But just know, I’m ready and waiting for you when whatever this thing is between the two of you is over.”

His sentiment is incredibly nauseating, and I want to tell him that whatever is going on between me and Jake isn’t ending anytime soon … but it is. Because what Jake and I have is fake. Before I can reply, our dance is interrupted. Jake, looking as confident as can be, stands next to us.

He looks directly at Craig when he says, “May I cut in?”

Craig looks defeated but drops his arms and steps away.

“Sorry it took me so long. I was intercepted by who I think was the bride.”

“Thank you for saving me.”

“Was it that bad?” he asks as he pulls me in to him, closer than I had been with Craig. I’m so close to him that his subtle scent fills my nose.

I fight back a sigh of contentment. “Nah, I think he’s finally listening to me and not Kitty.”

He nods with an understanding smile. I move just the slightest bit closer to him. We don’t talk after that. We dance slowly as the music playing through the speakers serenades us. We are nearly cheek to cheek. My left hand rests on his back, the other is clasped in his. Suddenly, we’re caught up in the moment; it’s just me and Jake. The song comes to an end and I start to pull back just as he turns slightly to close the gap between us. We aresoclose.

“I’m not sure everyone here believes we are really a couple.” I’m looking up into his eyes as he continues, “So, it might be time to sell it.”

My gaze drops to his mouth. His full lips are so enticing right now as they curve into a slow, lazy smile.

“Okay.”

I hear the word, but I don’t know if I actually said it out loud. A second later his lips are on mine and I melt into him. His tongue swipes at my lips and I let him deepen the kiss. My hand slides up to the nape of his neck and I want to sink my fingers into his hair, but I’m holding my clutch. I don’t know if it’s me or him who moans, but it sounds distant. The hand that was just holding mine is now cupping my jaw.

His kiss is sweet and slow. His mouth is soft on mine but also firm. It’s an inviting combination. When his tongue swipes, just once across my own, it’s warm and I worry my knees are about to buckle underneath me. I suddenly find myself wishing we were alone. I want nothing more than to take this kiss further. But reality sets in and I remember where we are. I break the kiss. Dazed, I peek up at Jake, he only looks smug.

Stunned from the kiss, I panic. “I need to use the ladies’ room.” I’m surprised I don’t stumble as I turn in the search for my escape. I could use some space to clear my head because I’m wondering how much of that kiss was fake and how much of it was real. Whatever tension there is between us is starting to get out of hand, and we need to get it in check.

There isn’t a line for the single-stall ladies’ room, and once I’m inside I take a deep breath. Staring at myself in the mirror, I let out a few more.

“What are you doing, Em?” I say to myself. “What did you expect? He’s being paid a shit ton of money. He’s committed to his job.” Just then a knock comes at the door. “Just a minute,” I say loudly over the water I just turned on.

“Emmy, it’s me. Let me in.” Jake's gravelly voice filters through the door, and without thinking, I open it. With a glance over his shoulder, he slips into the luxurious bathroom.

Instead of asking him why he’s here, I go with another question instead. “What was that out there?”

“I told you, we needed to sell this whole being a couple act.” He looks perplexed by my question. I’m still breathing heavy and I’m not quite sure if I’m still worked up from the kiss or if I’m just annoyed about the situation.

“Yeah, but that was more than just a kiss. It didn’t need to go that far.”

“Look, I didn’t like the way Craig was looking at you while we were dancing. When he wasn’t sizing me up like I was his competition, he couldn’t keep his eyes off your ass.” Jake’s not one bit phased with the fact that he just admitted to being jealous of Craig.

Crossing my arms, I shake my head and say, “Even so, a simple kiss would have sufficed.”

“So, what? You saying you didn’t enjoy it?” He smirks, knowing damn well I enjoyed it. But I give in because there is no use trying to be mad when my heart is racing, and my lips are still tingling. Fretting about this is a waste of breath ... I’m not even sure why I’m making a big deal about it.

I sigh and drop my arms, my small bag slapping against my thigh. “No. It was the most amazing kiss, too bad there was nothing real about it.”

His eyes heat and his smirk drops away.

“What are you doing in here, anyway?” I ask. But instead of an answer, I get his mouth slamming into mine.

My clutch tumbles to the floor as I wrap my arms around his neck. His tongue delves into my mouth as he lifts me onto the counter. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist.

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