Page 72 of Say Yes to the Hot Mess

“Shut up,” Dex mutters, glaring at Jude when Jude grins. “Get out of here.”

“Your wish is my command,” Jude says, still smiling cheekily. He gives me one last wink before letting go of me, stepping back and then strolling away. I can’t hear over the music, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he were whistling to himself.

Not two seconds after Jude has released me, Dex steps into his place, pulling me close. I watch, amused, as he then grabs both of my arms and places them around his neck. When his hold returns to my waist, he speaks.

“I know this is just a fake date and all,” he murmurs, “but watching my brother put his hands all over you isn’t my idea of a good time.”

“Well, what if it wasmyidea of a good time? Did you consider that?” I say.

Dex’s hands clench convulsively at my waist—almost like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. “I’ve been tryingnotto consider that, actually,” he says. He raises his brows at me, and for a second I see his gaze flash with unsureness. “Is it—do you—”

“No,” I say, cutting him off. I don’t like seeing that look in his eyes. “I’d prefer to be dancing with you. But you didn’t want to dance, so…” I let my words trail off delicately, grinning.

Dex sighs. “Dancing isn’t something that comes naturally to me, and it’s not something I’ve usually had the patience for in the past. Although I can admit…this is nice. Dancing with you is nice.” And despite those lukewarm words, he gives me a little smile that has my stomach flipping.

Dex holds me close as we move on the dance floor. The lights are dimmed, his hands are on my waist, my fingers are tracing circles over the back of his neck. It’s an entirely romantic atmosphere.

Especially when he’s looking at me like that. His eyes trace my face just as unashamedly as mine trace his. His arms tighten around my waist, pulling me closer, and my breath hitches in my chest.

He notices.

“Hmm,” he hums, his eyes dancing. “You like being this near to me?”

“I’m neutral,” I say, but I can’t quite manage the careless, unaffected tone I’m going for.

Dex laughs. “I think you’re lying, sweet Maya.” His eyes rove over my features again, and he leans in so close that when he speaks, I can feel his breath on my lips. “I think that if I felt your pulse right now,” he whispers, “it would be racing.”

And I have to know. I have to.

I slide one shaky hand down over Dex’s shoulder and to his chest, pressing it over his heart.

It’s pounding just as hard as mine is.

I look back up at him, intending to gloat, but my words die on my tongue as I see the look on his face. I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows, watch the vulnerability in his eyes as his hands clench around my waist. Because I’ve caught him, discovered his truth: he likes this, what we’re doing. And he’s embarrassed that he’s shown his hand when mine is still hidden.

So I reach slowly behind me, taking one of his hands and pulling it up to my neck. I tilt my head up and to the side, shivering as his touch ghosts over my pulse. Then he’s pressing the spot gently, searching for the telltale pounding of blood through my veins that will reveal to him how I feel.

He finds it. His eyes fly to mine, his gaze darkening.

“I might kiss you, fake girlfriend,” he rasps.

“Is that so?” I say, tilting my head.

He pushes one hand through his hair before resting it back around my waist. “Yes.” He swallows, his eyes falling to my lips. “Unless you tell me not to.”

And it’s then, at this most pivotal point in time…

That my eyes find Valencia Devlin, stalking across the dance floor toward us, a look of utter determination on her face.

“Crap on a cracker,” I say. Dex’s look of shock should make me laugh, but I’m just frustrated. “Your ex is on her way, looking very determined.”

Dex looks over his shoulder. “Ah,” he says with a nod. “Well, perfect.” He swings his gaze back to me. “Two birds with one stone.”

I frown. “What? Two—”

And then he kisses me.

The hard press of his lips against mine, his coaxing ministrations, my inability to do anything but kiss him back. These are the only things I’m aware of. Everything else has fallen away—the wedding, Valencia, even the fact that we’re not actually dating.

---