Page 32 of A Chance for Us
I smooth down my dress, close my eyes, and inhale. I am a goddamn badass who is going to make the only man in the world I’ve ever really loved happy. He’s going to get to walk me down the aisle and give me away.
I start to walk toward the front door, but Oliver’s hand wraps around my wrist. “Wait.”
I turn. “What?”
Please don’t say you can’t do this and are backing out.
“Before we go out there, lie to everyone you know, and try to convince your father that we’ve been together for three months. I have to do something.”
My mind starts to turn, thinking what he could mean. I stare into his beautiful eyes, blinking a few times. Then he lifts his hand to cup my cheek. His thumb strokes my skin, and my heartbeat turns erratic for a totally different reason. We stand in the lobby, our breaths mingling as the energy around us changes.
“Oliver,” I say softly, not thinking of anyone or anything but him. It’s strange and a little unnerving how much I want him to kiss me. How much the thought of it excites me.
I shouldn’t want to be kissed by him. He’s my friend, and we’re pretending. Only, I don’t see any artifice in the way he’s looking at me. It’s pure lust and desire, and I am here for it.
His lips turn into a sly grin as my attention drops to them. “One time before we have to do it in front of others.”
I nod, wanting it way more than I should.
And then, slowly, he presses his lips to mine, and I forget this is all fake as I get lost in the best kiss of my life.
Ten
OLIVER
Inever should have kissed her.
Not because it isn’t amazing or a lack of chemistry but because we sure as fuck don’t. All I want to do is haul her to me and kiss her for hours, make her leave my freaking mind for good.
Her hands grip my face, holding me to her as I tangle my fingers in her hair. Our tongues push against each other’s, and I swallow her breathy moans. Jesus Lord, there is no way I’m going to survive this.
I never want this to stop. If this is fake, then she’s winning an award.
However, her father is waiting and I’m expected to walk outside to meet him for the first time.
How am I supposed to do that now that I’ve tasted the mint on her tongue, felt the heat of her breath? And am going to have to deflate my, er, semi.
Maren’s eyes are glossy as we struggle to catch our breath. “Wow,” she says, her fingers pressing against her lips.
I put on my normal, everything-is-sunshine-and-nothing-bothers-me façade in case that was her faking it. “And that wasn’t even me trying.”
She lets out a breathy laugh. “Thank God for that, I guess.”
Josh yells out again. “Dude!”
“We’re coming!”
I extend my arm to Maren, doing everything I can not to shove her against the wall and kiss her again. “My love.”
Her hand tucks into the crook of my elbow, and she sighs deeply. “Here goes nothing.”
We walk out toward the front entrance, passing the cleaning crew, who are wiping things down to get rid of all the construction dust. Our floors were delivered late last night, and by tomorrow, the contractors should be done with the installation in the entire resort. Stella has planned out which rooms will be done at certain times, and we’re to stick to the parts of the resort that have been completed. Right now, they’re finishing the guest room her parents will be staying in. If all goes well, that’ll be done within the hour.
The passenger door opens, and Maren rushes forward to help her father out. At one time, he was a tall man, probably stockier too. The man before me is frail with almost leathered skin, but his eyes, they’re kind and full of unshed tears.
He and his daughter embrace, and then she wipes the tears on his cheeks. “Daddy,” she says before holding him tight to her again. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He laughs a little but doesn’t release her. A woman exits the driver’s side and walks over. “That’s enough now, Patrick. You have to let her breathe.”
