Page 23 of Fake Dating Adrian Hunter
Tory eyes me with a glint of enjoyment. “That was your first reaction?”
“I know, it’s pathetic. Please tell me Jannah is not a friend of yours.”
“Hannah,” Adrian explains, and it might be the kindest thing he’s ever done for me—not making me say the girl’s name aloud.
“Hannah Ashley is the girl Jake cheated on you with?” Tory asks.
Of course she has some slut name like that. It’s no surprise. As the saying goes—never trust a person with two first names. “How do you know her?”
“She’s friends with Phoebe. Oh, Hannah is going to hear some words from me.”
“No!” The word rushes out of my mouth in a panic. “Don’t you dare say anything to anyone. I don’t want her or Jake thinking I’m hung up on him. And no one can know about Adrian and me. Except for Phoebe. You shouldn’t start a marriage with lies. But no one else. It will ruin everything.”
Tory’s jaw clenches tight. She doesn’t look convinced. The only thing that pulls her out of her tunnel vision is a phone call.
“Pheebs?” she answers, straining to calm down. “Yes, I’m with Verena and Adrian right now.” More silence, then she says, “Yes, you’re correct, they’re dating.”
I mouth to her,don’t lie, but all I get in response is a grin. She’s up to something. I don’t know if this is payback for getting blind drunk last night, or if she finds it funny to place me in more situations with a man I despise. Either way, I’m in over my head.
“Yes, honey, that’s correct. Hey, you two,” Tory speaks up, looking between Adrian and me, “Phoebe wants the four of us to meet for drinks tonight to celebrate your relationship.”
“Tell her we’re busy,” I say.
Her smile broadens. “Fantastic. Six o’clock tonight. Verena says she can’t wait.”
ChapterNine
It’s official—Adrian has moved in. His clothes are in my closet. His man-stuff is cluttering my beauty products on the bathroom counter. He’s crowding the mirror as we stand at thehis and herssinks, holding back laughter while I glare at his reflection.
“What kind of romantic things should we do today, sweetheart?” Adrian asks, running wax through his hair.
“Iwas planning on attending the beach yoga session,” I say, applying a ton of hairspray to tame my frizz. My hangover has eased but I still look dreadful, so I reach for my makeup.
“Perfect. I’ll be on the mat beside you. Or maybe I should claim the mat behind you. Got to get a front row seat of my girlfriend bending over.”
I’m powdering my cheeks, my teeth grinding as I think of something to say. One of the comebacks Darius helped me devise comes to mind, but Adrian gets in before me with another asshole comment. “I got a front row view of you in your underwear last night—”
“You know what, Adrian, I think it’s a perfect idea if you come to yoga. People will see us together, but I won’t have to interact with you for an entire hour.”
Adrian turns to look at me, leaning sideways against the basin. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me with his gaze until I’m bursting with frustration.
“What?” I snap. That sinister grin is back on his lips, and I realize I’ve fallen into his trap. He probably doesn’t have anything to say and is only watching me to gain a rise out of me.
“We’re about to exercise and you’re applying makeup?” he asks. “Aren’t you going to sweat it all off?”
“Maybe I want to look nice when I’m exercising.”
“Exercise isn’t the time to look pretty. It’s about exerting yourself. Sweating. Releasing endorphins. Much like sex.”
The way his eyes darken as he says that last word gives life to butterflies in my stomach. The wordsexrolls off his tongue so casually, but with a deeper, more velvety tone. I’m having unwelcome visions of Adrian, breathless and sweaty as he moves above me. My dream from last night is flashing before my eyes and I grow hot thinking of it, wondering if Adrian is as good in real life.
And now I’m wondering how long I’ve spent imagining Adrian and me having sex, because he’s raising a questioning eyebrow, waiting for my response.
My focus returns to the mirror. “I wear makeup during sex and have never had an issue with it sweating off.”
“You must have tame sex then.”
I groan, more with anger at myself that again I’ve fallen for Adrian’s tricks and he’s gotten me talking about my sex life.
