Page 28 of Lost in You (Flirting with Forever 1)

Chapter 14

Shawn

Back in the hotel room later that afternoon, we take our time getting ready for the wedding. I’d ducked into the bathroom first to get ready so Madison could take her time and not have to worry about me.

She’s been in there for quite some time. I glance at the time on my phone and chuckle to myself. Yep, a long, long time. I hope she’s not nervous and, unbeknownst to me, having some sort of mini-breakdown in there.

While I wait, I pluck out a few simple notes on my guitar, something I’ve had stuck in my head. Eventually, I’ll put words to it, but for now, I just lose myself in the melody, humming along with the rhythmic strumming. This has always been my release, the best way I know of to clear the clutter from my mind and feed my soul. Fingers flying now, I can feel the song in every part of me—I just don’t know what it’s saying. It’ll come to me. For now, I just play.

I’m so immersed in what I’m doing that I hadn’t heard Madison emerge from the bathroom. When I realize she’s there, I falter for just a beat. She sways to the music I’m creating, eyes shut, a blissful look on her face. Gorgeous. The girl is fucking gorgeous, and it takes everything in me to keep playing instead of throwing my guitar aside and hauling her into my arms.

Okay, so maybe I’d gently set my guitar aside instead, but either way, the thought is there—I want her in my arms. For the next several hours, I’ll have that chance as the fake boyfriend. I lower my head as I shake it in dismay as I continue to play. She’ll be with me for sure but I’ll have to show her, somehow, that this isn’t an act. And that, right there, is the crux of the problem. What started as pretend now feels very, very real.

She’s an absolute vision in a long, floor-sweeping dark-purple dress. Her hair floats around her shoulders, curls rioting everywhere. There’s some glittery stuff on her eyelids that’s subtle but really pretty, and those bow-shaped lips of hers are slicked with something glossy that has my head spinning. I pause, my hand covering the strings, bringing the music to an end. My throat is thick, and I work hard to swallow past everything her presence has me feeling.

Her eyes flick open and pin on me. A soft smile tips the corners of her lips. “Why’d you stop? That was beautiful.”

“I got distracted.” My teeth clamp down on my lip, and my gaze follows a path from her head to her toes and back.

“This old thing?” She grasps the material at the sides of the dress and does a cute little curtsy, nerves and excitement billowing from her. I can feel the ripples of it from here.

Suddenly, I have to be closer to her. I haul my guitar strap over my head and rise from the bed all in one swift motion. I hesitate for a second before I set the guitar in the corner and spin on my heel to find she hasn’t budged an inch. Slowly, I take measured steps over to her, one hand going to my tie, my fingers working at the knot there to stop myself from reaching out to touch her. “That color really suits you, you know?”

“Does it?”

“Mm-hmm. Purple and green. It complements your eyes. They’re flashing like the brightest jewels.”

“Shawn …” Her gaze casts down, eyelashes fluttering against the tops of her cheeks. Color rises swiftly on them, a rosy fire.

I point at the antique mirror above the dresser. “What? I tell the truth. Have a look for yourself.” She stands there, her eyes still silently questioning me. I gently guide her over there so she can look at her reflection—to see what I see.

“Oh, um … my dress. I came out to get some help.” She reaches behind her in an attempt to gather the two sides of the material where it’s gaped open in the back, a million little buttons needing attention.

I feel like I’ve been hit square in the chest. My heart stops for a full count of three while my eyes focus on her bare back—the delicate curve of her spine and what I know would be the softest skin if I were to reach out and stroke my fingers over it. When my heart kicks back into gear, it takes off as if it’s beating just for her—pounding, thumping, thrumming—and I press my hand over it, willing it to calm.

Temptation reaches out and grabs me around the throat, and I struggle not to give in right then and there. Impatient need staggers me, adding to my predicament when my cock stirs.

“Shawn?”

I glance up, our gazes meeting and locking in the reflection of the mirror. My chest rises as I inhale deeply, trying to steady myself and regain control. “Yeah.” I press my lips together. “I can help you with this.”

My fingers fumble at first but then become sure as they work the first few buttons. Fuck me, this is like a slow seduction in reverse. I’d like to be undoing these evil things, revealing more and more of her to me. Every time I look up into the mirror and see the image of the two of us looking back at me, a spark ignites in my chest and scatters through my body. The idea that she and I are about to play at this relationship for several hours sends even more blood rushing to parts of my body that have no business getting involved.

“How’s it going back there?” Her voice is whispery soft as she glances at me over her shoulder, her eyes cast down.

“I’ve about got it. Just another few to go. Sorry, these are really, really tiny.”

“And you have some big hands.”

I cough, practically strangling on her quiet insinuation. “Mm, yeah. I do.” I wait another beat or two before murmuring, “So, remind me again how I should be with you in front of everyone.” My voice is husky and low. “I mean, I know we said intimate, but I don’t want anything I do to surprise you.”

Her eyes are a raging green sea of uncertainty. “Can you be more specific? What kinds of things are you thinking about?”

“Well, I know I’m okay to hold your hand. So, other things like, should I rest my hand on the small of your back?”

“I … um …”

I rush on. “You see, you’re a bit flustered, off balance, and that’s exactly what I want to avoid if I were to do any of these things in front of other people.” I pause, staring into her eyes. “It should feel natural, whatever we do, and I don’t want to overstep and make you uncomfortable and have it show up on your face. It would ruin the illusion we are trying to create.”

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