Page 9 of The Stunt
BELLA: *rolls eyes HARDER*
MAVERICK: OK, since you asked so nicely. Yes, I’ll be your fake boyfriend.
MAVERICK: Blue. What’s yours?
BELLA: Glitter.
MAVERICK: Your favorite color is glitter?
BELLA: Yep. What’s your favorite food?
MAVERICK: That depends. Do calories count?
BELLA: Nope. You can eat whatever you want and never gain a pound…what are you picking?
MAVERICK: Peanut Butter M&Ms. Bags and bags of them.
BELLA: Great choice.
“Who’s gotyou smiling like that, boo?” Sammi asks, making me throw my phone like it’s on fire.
“Jesus, Sam! You scared me,” I say as I bend down and pick up my phone to find several cracks in the screen.Fuck a duck.
She scoffs. “I’ve literally been trying to get your attention for five minutes,” she says. “Who are you texting that’s got you so out of it?”
I talked to Twyla after I left Maverick’s house yesterday and we decided that we wouldn’t come out and tell anyone we were dating until after we’ve been seen together in public for the first time. We want speculation without confirmation for alittle while. I consider Sammi to be one of my closest friends, so it’s hard lying to her. “It’s nobody. Just a guy.” I shrug, like the thought of him doesn’t stir up butterflies in the pit of my stomach.
She gasps, “Aguy?Like, a male human? With a real penis?”
I laugh. “I mean, I haven’t seen it or anything, but it would be safe to assume he has one.” Ihaven’tseen it, but I definitely know it exists. Flashes of dry humping Maverick on his couch until we both came play back in my mind, causing a dull throb to bloom between my legs. How do people live like this? He barely touched me and all I can think about is how badly I need more. I can’t imagine the kind of animal I’d turn into if I actually had sex with him.
“And you’re not going to tell me who it is,” she states. “Fine. Keep your secrets. But Iwillfind out.” I don’t doubt it. If being a choreographer doesn’t work out, Sammi definitely has the skills to become an internet sleuth.
She walks away just as my dancers arrive, setting their bags down in the corner. “Hey, guys!” I say cheerfully as I drop down into a sitting position, extending my right leg to stretch. They greet me back, as usual, but I notice that Darren and Isla are sitting much closer than they normally do. I act like I’m in my own little world as he reaches out, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she smiles affectionately at him. Even though we agreed that we were better as friends, I’ve always felt a small pang of jealousy watching him give his attention to other girls. I wait for that feeling to come over me as he says something to make her laugh, but it never comes.
All I can think about is how I already miss hanging out with Maverick. The way things just happened so easily between us was refreshing. Although it was awkward talking to him at first, I ended up feeling comfortable enough to confide in him about some of my past experiences; none of which he judged me for.And as for the physical part? I didn’t know because I had nothing to compare it to at the time, but when Darren kissed me, it was nothing like the way it had felt with Maverick. Everything with him made me want more. It’s going to be almost impossible not to get addicted to him while we’re doing this.
Even texting him the past twenty-four hours has been fun.
I stand up, ready to get this rehearsal over with. For the first time in a long time, I have something to look forward to that isn’t work.
SEVEN
MAVERICK
“You ready to do this?”I ask Bella. We’re sitting in the back of the car that Twyla sent, on the way to Donatello’s for the dinner she set up for us. She’s been hard at work, getting the rumor mill churning. Earlier this week, photos of Bella leaving my buildingmysteriouslyturned up online, causing both of our fandoms to lose their minds. People are speculating that we’re dating, and it’s all going exactly as planned.
“I’m nervous,” she sighs. She’s picking at her fingernails, definitely a coping mechanism of hers, so I grab her hand and intertwine our fingers. Her eyes meet mine and I notice the trepidation that’s clouding her expression. “What if they don’t believe us? What if I screw up and everyone finds out how pathetic I really am? That I can’t even get a guy to go out with me unless it’s a publicity stunt? I can’t?—”
I shut her up by grabbing her face and crushing my lips to hers. Her body relaxes as she melts into the kiss, opening up to let my tongue lick along hers. She moans softly when my hand slides into her hair, gripping tightly. I wonder what sounds she’d make as she came around my cock.
Fuck. No.
I need to stop thinking things like that. This thing between us has an expiration date. I like Bella, more than I should, but I’d be a fucking idiot to think the world’s biggest pop star will want to explore anything with me after this. Right now, it makes sense. With any luck, we’ll be the prince and princess of the Super Bowl. But then what? Once the stadium is empty and the confetti is swept away, I’ll have nothing left to offer her. I’ll start offseason training and she’ll have the freedom she’s been needing for the last ten years.
She pulls back, breathless from the kiss. “What was that for?” she asks, attempting to fix the lip gloss I just ruined.
“You were spiraling,” I say with a shrug. I sit back in my seat but keep her hand in mine. “The more we touch and kiss in private, the more natural it’ll look in public.” I rub soothing circles on the top of her hand with my thumb.I also just really love putting my tongue in your mouth.
