Page 29 of Whisper of Surrender (Whisper Lake 2)

“Because of my job. My schedule.”

“No. I’m not that needy.”

“Okay, then because it’s dangerous.”

Forget his job, the real danger was being Ethan’s girlfriend, even if it was fake and temporary. Just the thought had her heart pounding so fast that she wasn’t sure if her new ticker could take it. But, she did want to live life to the fullest.

“That might work.”

“So, do we have a deal?” He held out his hand.

“Don’t you want to know what my terms are?” she hesitated.

“I’ll give you anything you want.”

The words he spoke hit Jess like an arrow shot directly from Cupid himself straight through her heart. The one that wasn’t hers. And it wasn’t just her heart that was affected. Her entire body swelled with pent-up arousal. She knew if she didn’t get him out of here, she’d throw herself at him and start this fake relationship off on a very real one-night stand.

Jess stood, trying her best to regain some control. He looked up at her, his hand still outstretched. She placed her hand in his and tugged him, trying not to think about how good it felt for his large fingers and warm palm to be wrapped around her hand.

“Deal. We can talk about specifics later. I want to watch my movie and go to bed.”

The corner of his lip twitched. “You’re already kicking me out?”

“Get used to it.”

He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, his eyes locked with hers. “I look forward to it.”

She watched as he retreated out of the room and tried to catch her breath as he paused at the door. “Lock this behind me.”

When she didn’t answer he said, “Jess, I’m serious.”

Her first instinct was to be defensive at his request. But then she thought about what her reaction would be if it were Kingston saying it.

With a resigned sigh, she stood and crossed the front room so that she could do exactly what he’d asked. When she got there he was still standing in the doorway. “Just because you’re my fake boyfriend doesn’t mean you can start bossing me around.”

“What about if I was your real boyfriend?”

Damn. Ethan was really racking up the swoon-worthy quotes this visit.

She tried to hide the way his words had her entire body tingling with anticipation.

In an attempt to throw him even slightly off balance, she grinned as she said, “Too bad we’ll never find out. I only date guys that bite. I like it rough.”

Her plan worked and she watched as his jaw tensed and his nostrils flared with intensity. She’d definitely struck a nerve and before he could regain the upper hand she shut the door. In his face. She clicked the deadbolt and waited.

After several seconds she heard his footsteps as he left and she turned and leaned her back against the solid wood door for support. She placed her hand over her chest to feel her heart beating rapidly. To feel how alive Ethan had just made her.

She wasn’t sure how this “fake” relationship was going to play out, but she planned on enjoying every second of it.

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