Page 25 of The Fake
I grin and step closer. The wind blows her hair into her face, and I lightly brush my fingers across her forehead and tuck it behind her ear. Her breaths come quick and shallow as I lean in. “Because when we sleep together again, I want to know it wasn’t for any other reason than how hot and awesome I am.”
She laughs—that sweet, perfect sound.
She doesn’t move and neither do I. I want to kiss her and make her remember how good we were together, but this is her show now. I’m just expensive arm candy. Maybe I should feel shitty about the whole situation, but I’m too relieved at the moment to feel anything else. Not to mention, jacked about spending more time with Chloe.
She takes a step back and then pauses and comes forward two and presses herself flush against me. Both hands rest on my chest as her lips touch mine, hesitant and unsure. My surprise at her actions makes me slow to respond, but when I taste summer, my body is frantic for more. Deepening the kiss, my hands go to her hips and then around her back. I press her tighter against me, forgetting all about the party, her roommates, my money troubles—it’s just me and her.
“What was that about?” I ask when she pulls back, far too quickly.
We’re both out of breath, and her cheeks have dots of pink. “Thought we should get it out of the way so it isn’t awkward between us.” Her eyes dart to my lips.
My dick has serious questions about what the fuck we just got ourselves into. Awkward is the last thing I feel as I pull her toward her teammates before I break my own rule on night one.
* * *
Chloe
Nathan and I sit side by side on a lounge chair facing Sydney and Emily. Bri and two of my other teammates have also joined us, and I mentioned to Nathan that Sydney thought Shaw was cute and now he’s wandered over, too.
Nathan is the picture of comfort beside me. He has one hand on my thigh and continues to field questions as Sydney drills him about the basketball team and what it was like winning the NCAA tournament last year. My roommate is either overdoing it to include me and Nathan or she’s a closet hardcore basketball fan.
I, on the other hand, am a nervous wreck. Our agreement has fully sunk in and the fact I agreed to pay him to pretend to be my boyfriend is making me spiral a bit. I know it’s not the same as buying, say a place on the volleyball team or admission to a top university, but using money to solve problems still feels icky. Though, I meant what I said to him. It’s nice to give money to someone who actually needs it instead of to people who just need to buy a third vacation home.
Nathan’s big hand rests on my bare leg. He’s got these big, powerful, long fingers that really work for me.
“Anybody need another drink. Nathan?” Shaw asks and takes one step toward the house.
Nathan shakes his head.
Shaw gives him a confused look. “You’ve been milking that same beer for the last hour.”
“Keeping tabs on me?” he asks and then follows it up with, “I’m not drinking much anymore.”
Shaw laughs. “Riiight.”
“Really?” I can’t keep the surprise out of my tone. The way he drank the night we met, the tolerance, the fact he was carrying a freaking flask, I had him pegged for a total party guy.
“It’s a recent development,” he admits, looking a little embarrassed. Then, with a sexy smirk, he leans in. “One too many mornings waking up naked to some crazy girl kicking me out of her place.”
He’d said it just to me, but Shaw must have been listening because he pipes in, “Beer goggles. I so get that, my man. I’ve woken up next to some real dogs. You too, huh?”
Without taking his eyes from me, Nathan shakes his head. “Nah, my beer goggles have just as perfect vision as I do.”
“Awww,” Sydney squeals with delight. I don’t glance around but I know everyone is watching us.
I crowd his space, my chest pressed against his shoulder and my lips at his ear so to everyone else it looks like a sweet, private moment. “Laying it on a little thick, aren’t we?”
He turns his head and brushes his lips against mine. “Learn to take a compliment, Chloe. I’m the type of fake boyfriend who likes to give them.”
I let out a shaky breath once he turns back to face the group. This fake dating thing is going to be tricky.
Shaw leaves and comes back juggling seven cups of beer, which he hands out. Everyone takes one despite no one speaking up when he asked.
“How did you two meet?” Bri asks when Shaw is seated next to her.
All eyes are on me.
“Oh, it’s a boring story.” I wave them off.
