Page 54 of The Mistletoe Bluff
Thereisno other reason, Maya.
“Of course. Purely for practicing our fake relationship.” He stepped closer. “What a grand idea.” Another step.
My heart pounded in my chest. “Do we really need the practice though?”
Oliver’s hand went to my hip, tugging me closer so that our chests were nearly touching.
“I’ll take any excuse I can get to be with you.” He paused to brush my hair behind one ear, his fingertips skimming the lightest trail across my cheek. “—to see you. To touch you—”
Then his lips crushed mine.
This kiss was different from the one we shared in the Jeep.
That one was impulsive, brought on by that ridiculous dream, but this one was all fire.
There was no hesitation as he tilted my head, deepening the kiss. Oliver’s hands were like a brand on my skin, burning every inch of me. His grip was strong yet gentle, as if this moment was the most important thing to him. The way he held me was almost…reverent.
Yet it didn’t dim the heat and passion flaring between us.
For over a year I had hated Oliver Lewis with every fiber of my being.
So why did kissing him now feel soright?
And why didn’t I want to stop?
Step by step, Oliver backed me toward the wall, never breaking contact, until every inch of him pressed against me. My fingers pressed into his neck and tangled into his hair, his hands moving from my waist to cup my face. I felt like the most important thing in the world to him, and after growing up with a childhood like mine, being important to someone was everything.
I could get used to this.
Those words repeated in my head over and over as I kissed Oliver, relishing the feel of his skin under my fingers, the way his hands pressed into me.
Wait! Oliver is the enemy! Do I need to remind you that he stole your chances at a future in photography when he won that spread in theIowa Artist Gazette? Or that you’re just using him to get to his dad?
The thoughts were a bucket of cold water splashed on my head and I pulled back, breaking the kiss.Oliver breathed heavily as he rested his forehead against mine. He probably thought I pulled away to slow us down, but it was actually because I was freaking out, trying to remember why all of this was a terrible idea.
As much as my body wanted Oliver, and even despite my confession and his apology, I had to remember what he had done to me—and what I planned to do to him to move forward with my life.
Oliver was merely a means to an end. After Christmas was over, I wouldn’t have to see him again. Hopefully I will have won the photo contest and be on my way to paying off my debt and finally looking toward the future for once.
A less stressful life with a promising future career and no debt was within my grasp; I couldn’t afford to let Oliver distract me from it.
He brushed my hair behind an ear and was starting to lean in for another kiss when I pulled out of his embrace and smoothed down my shirt. “I’m sorry, Oliver. I should get home. It’s getting late.”
Something flickered over his face, too fast to decipher, and I felt it like a knife to my gut. For the first time since I had met Oliver Lewis, I didn’t want to hurt him. What did that say about me and my feelings?
He moved back, giving me space. “Right. Of course. Let me clean up dinner and I’ll drive you home.”
I nodded, unable to meet his eyes.
Why did I feel so horrible when this was the right thing to do for me and my future? Keeping distance between us was for the best, so why couldn’t I convince my heart of that?
A few minutes later, the table was cleared, and we donned our coats and boots before climbing back into his Jeep. It was far too silent as he drove me to my apartment. I didn’t know what to say to ease the strange tension that had settled between us, and part of me figured I shouldn’t even try.
Our relationship was fake, and that’s how it needed to stay.
Oliver pulled up next to my building, and I wished I could hear what he was thinking if only to know that I hadn’t hurt him too much.
But then again, why did I suddenly care about hurting him? This is why I needed to put distance between us. I couldn’t develop feelings and use him at the same time.
