Page 25 of My Silver Lining

“You don’t need to know that. It’s a fake relationship.”

“Hey, if you want me in character, I need to know these things about my lady,” he said.

I leaned forward, my lips a breath away from his. “It’s been a while since I’ve been with a man. But I know how to take care of my own needs.”

“Last time you got yourself off?” His voice was gruff now.

We were going to be spending the next few days together. We agreed to get to know one another. This wasn’t really necessary, but I never minded torturing a man.

“About an hour before you arrived,Rafael,” I purred. “How about you?”

“As my fake girlfriend, you should know that I have a very healthy libido.” He shifted the slightest bit in his chair. “Don’t worry yourself with the last time I got myself off; just know that the next time will be about thirty seconds after I leave here.”

And then he pulled back and smiled.

Did it just get hot in here?

seven

. . .

Rafe

We had just boardeda private plane heading to Malibu, and the flight would be short, but it would give us more time to go over a few more questions that she’d apparently come up with during the night.

“Good morning, Miss Sonnet. Your grandfather sent me a list of snacks for you and your special friend, and I will bring them out as soon as we’re up in the air,” an older woman wearing a navy skirt, white blouse, and red cardigan said.

“Thank you, Beverly. This is my boyfriend,Rafael,” Lulu said, rolling the last syllable ridiculously long before trying to cover her laugh.

I smiled. “You can call me Rafe.”

Lulu moved to the two seats in the center aisle, and I sat beside her as the older woman disappeared in the back.

“You gave them a list of snacks?”

“Yes,” she whisper-hissed. “He always requests a list, and if I didn’t list anything for you, it would look suspicious. Suck it up, Buttercup. And start gushing because Beverly has worked for the family for two decades, and she’s always watching.”

“Hey, Lu.” A man opened the curtain and peeked his head out. “I heard you brought your boyfriend along for the birthday celebration. I’m happy to see you doing so well.”

“Hi, Jerry. I was hoping you’d be flying us today. This is Rafe, and I promise he’s much tamer than the last one I brought home,” she said with a chuckle.

My jaw ticked, and I didn’t know why I was suddenly irritated at the mention of her ex.

I was here now.

Or at least they thought I was.

So show me some goddamn respect.

“Nice to meet you, Rafe. Everyone, buckle up, we’re cleared for takeoff.”

“Nice to meet you.” I checked my seat belt before reaching over and pulling Lulu’s tighter around her waist as I whispered in her ear. “That’s the last time we mention the ex. If this were real, I wouldn’t tolerate it. You want me to play a role, then you best do the same.”

Her eyes widened, and she glanced over her shoulder before slapping my hand away and loosening the seat belt. “You’re suffocating my bladder.”

I winked. “I’ll do it tighter if you mention him again.”

“Now you’re playing the jealous boyfriend?” She kept her voice low so only I would hear, and I winked at her because I knew I was getting under her skin.

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