Page 59 of The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
Damn. My heart, which had begun pumping wildly, slows down. Tugging my hand out of hers, I rub it over my chest. "You. Gave. Me. A. Heart attack.."
A knowing look flares in her eyes. I've given myself away. Shown that I do have feelings for Jace.
"Let's get some lunch. Come on." She tugs me along.
We walk back into the hotel lobby, when Jace enters from the other side.
I freeze, take a step back, but Natalie grabs my arm, stopping me. I look at her, a plea on my lips. She shakes her head, a slight twinkle in her eyes as if amused by my reaction.
"You really don't want him seeing me right now," I hiss at her.
"I really do," she hisses right back.
Jace stalks toward us.
His tailored pants are molded to his thighs, long-sleeved shirt showing off the column of his throat. His hair is still wet from the shower, curling at the edges as it dries. He hasn't shaved, and his chin is shadowed, lending him a dangerous look.
I want to reach out, rub my cheek against his stubble. It would be rough, prickly against my sensitive skin. Arousing. A curl of heat unfurls at the base of my belly.
His eyes lock onto mine. The silver in them glows before his eyelids sweep down. When he raises them to me next, they are blank. But he doesn't look away. He looks purposeful. He's here to get something.
"I was taking Sienna to lunch." Natalie pipes up, her voice deliberately light, provocative, "You joining us?"
That's the last thing I want. I'm not yet ready to speak with Jace.
His scent still clings to my skin, his touch on me, in me, like he was making love to me a few seconds ago. If I sit at the same table as him, next to him, I won't be able to hide how he's affecting me.
I tug my hand, but Natalie refuses to let go.
I can't pull away without making a scene either.
Damn.
I stand there helpless, shifting from foot to foot, under his scrutiny. The silence stretches.
The sound of a lawnmower starting up punches through the air and I flinch. I can't take it anymore.
"Look, there's no need to pretend anymore, is there, Jace?" I force out the words through lips gone dry.
"Pretend?" He asks, voice casual.
"This," I point to the space between us, "whatever is happening between us. I don't think we need to keep up this charade anymore."
Next to me, Natalie inhales a deep breath.
I raise my eyes to his. Don't bother hiding my emotions. Anger, confusion, regret...I let it all show. I try to tell him, without saying it aloud, that I'm sorry for what I did. That I didn't mean to hurt him. That I hadn't known what was at stake for him. That I also...care for him. I'm half in love with him.
His jaw hardens, eyes narrowing. He's made a decision. I know what's coming next. I look away, fighting the conflict of emotions inside.
"Yes," he agrees, voice grim. "No more pretense."
My throat closes at that. I half nod, not surprised. Not trusting myself to speak. When I pull away from Natalie, she doesn't hold me back. Lets me go. That sends another spurt of grief through me. The iron band around my chest tightens. It's over. Really over.
When Jace takes a step toward me, I flinch. Natalie inserts herself between us. "Let's not be hasty, cousin." Her voice is wary.
She's trying to shield me from Jace. If I liked her earlier, I am positively in love with Jace's cousin now.
He places his hands on her shoulders. "Trust me to do the right thing," he tells her, but he hasn't taken his eyes off me.
