Page 66 of Faking it with the Billionaire
And I thought maybe it was in his sleep. He could have been having a bad dream, but then I quietly opened the door, and he definitely wasn’t asleep.
Thankfully, he didn’t see me.
Walking in on your boss doingthatand moaning your name is non-negotiable. If he caught me watching, I’d have to quit.
It’s not like I haven’t fantasized about Kyler. But there’s the fantasy world locked tight up inside my head and the real world. Those two can’t collide.
“You look terrified,” Kyler says, and the smile fades from his face. “Shit. I didn’t think—I’m sorry.” He backs away from me, giving plenty of space between us.
Frowning, I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”
“I don’t want you to think I’m like that creep Clemens, who—”
I cut him off. I know what he did. I don’t want a reminder or for him to feel sorry for me. I fold my arms defensively across my chest. “That thought never even crossed my mind, Greyson.” He looks hurt. I thought he’d look relieved. “What?” I ask, wondering why he’s staring at me.
“You call me Greyson when you’re trying to put distance between us.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” He’s probably right. “You call me Ryan.”
“Rarely,” he counters.
I don’t argue because, this battle, he’s won. I stand by the window beside his bed. “So, what now?” I ask.
“Tell me the truth, Em. Do you have any feelings for me at all?”
I let out a heavy breath. “That’s a loaded question,” I say.
“It really isn’t. Do you have feelings for me, Em?” he asks again.
“You’re my boss.” I avoid answering the question. “We’re in a fake relationship. It’s easy for it to feel real.” I shuffle my feet and glance away. “Why? Do you have feelings for me?”
Kyler doesn’t back down. I swear the man has no fear, no sense of dread, or the fact that how he answers might screw everything up. “How could I not? You’re gorgeous, funny, and great with Bristol.”
Those could easily be traits between friends. I breathe a sigh of relief. At least he’s not throwing around the L word.
That would be crazy. Wouldn’t it?
“I’m also your daughter’s bodyguard,” I remind him.
Kyler shrugs. “Yes, I hired you. I know that. It doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings for you, Em. But if you don’t reciprocate them, just say the word. I’ll compartmentalize what we have and keep it professional until we’re in the spotlight.”
“You’re putting me under a lot of pressure,” I say.
“Got it.” He nods and opens the bedroom door, letting himself out.
I exhale a heavy breath and glance around the room. What the hell just happened?
SEVENTEEN
KYLER
Emerson has beendistant since I cornered her in my bedroom. Maybe I should have chosen a different room, but I doubt the outcome would have changed.
I wasn’t asking her to actually marry me, just admit if she harbored feelings for me.
Her non-committal answer was enough of a blow to make me realize that this relationship is entirely fake, just like I asked for it to be.
I did it to myself, one hundred percent, suggesting that we fake date and then blindsiding her when I fake proposed.
