Page 14 of Undercover Billionaire

Relief flooded her. “No problem."

"Kissing."

Relief crashed, burned and died a fiery death. Hugging was one thing, but kissing? She barely broke away the first time. Was he trying to unbalance her? Assert his control? Did he want another kiss as much as she did?

Regardless of motives, she would have to be close to him, hug him and even kiss him, in order to convince Cynthia. How could they claim to be in love and not show it? Of course, they could improvise, but she had to garner more control than she displayed earlier. Right now, she would accost him if he so much as gave her a friendly peck on the cheek. She needed to be comfortable showing affection without grabbing her club and dragging him to the nearest cave.

Practice was definitely called for, if only to see how they would respond to each other. "You’re right," she agreed on a deep breath. "We need to practice." She edged nearer to him, fighting dual urges to approach and flee. Admiration tinted his expression, and he held out his hand. She touched his palm, and he enveloped her fingers. His hand was warm and firm, and his commanding presence surrounded her in possessive strength.

"This seems pretty natural." She wiggled her hand slightly, but he did not let go. For a moment, she stood still, strangely comfortable, with no desire to break the contact.

"Ready to try hugging?"

Inwardly she smiled. After the kiss they shared earlier, hugging seemed as safe as a swim in the kiddie pool. "All right." She faced him, so close she could see the soft rise and fall of his chest. Drake’s breath fanned her hair as he reached out and captured her, closer and closer until he completely enveloped her in his grasp. At first, she stiffened, but then she relaxed, returning the hug, pushing into the solid wall of muscle. Like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, they fit together perfectly.

"This isn’t so tough,” she whispered. “Convincing Cynthia we feel something won't be difficult at all."

"Not at all," he murmured.

It should definitely fool Cynthia, because it was fooling her. Finally, she broke the embrace, stepped back as a sense of loss enveloped her. "That was adequate."

"Perfectly fine." Drake's voice held little emotion, but something potent simmered just below the surface. "Want to try the next part again? You know the…"

"Kissing." She licked dry lips. "I suppose we have no choice. Just like the actors do in the movies. Piece of cake." Piece of cake? Tasting him would be easy; stopping before she devoured the whole delicacy would be difficult.

"Just like in the movies." Drake reached towards her. She didn't move as her breathing came in soft, rapid pants, and her heart beat like a runaway train. He grazed her cheek with the pad of his finger as he captured her in his gaze. Her eyes fluttered closed as he descended and then…

Fireworks.

A slow and gentle caress, a delicious kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, surrendering to the sensations he wrought. His lips were firm and pliant, his hands masterful, as he caressed sensitive spots. She was drowning, but it didn’t matter. The touches were too wonderful, the feelings endlessly exquisite. A connection formed as moments and minutes passed, the outside world melting away. Whatever resolve she possessed disappeared; in its place remained pure instinct.

A sharp ringing pierced the air. She ignored it at first, but it continued again and again, oblivious to the chaos. And, suddenly, the spell broke.

She reeled, not in reaction to the ringing phone, but at the sudden realization of what a simple kiss had done. It consumed her, vanquishing the world beyond. It took all her strength to pull back, and then it was over, but in a way it never would be. Somehow everything was different.

Neither said a word. Neither moved, not even when the answering machine clicked on, or when a voice started to speak. She inhaled shakily, fought for words.

"I... I think we have that down." Her voice was breathless, her tone light. If only she could hide his effect on her, but it was as obvious as the flush undoubtedly heating her cheeks. The clever man gazed at her, as if he understood her every thought. She couldn’t hide from him.

She may not be able to undo the past, but she could fix the present and shape the future. This mustn't go any further. She didn’t have time for a man, especially not an overbearing, authoritative would-be boyfriend who stole all control. Thus, despite her traitorous mind clamoring for one – or a thousand – more practice sessions, she shrugged. "I don't think we need another rehearsal."

He narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly. Did he guess her thoughts didn't quite match her words? Would he ask for more? Her heart quickened, even as he nodded. "I think we’ve got it. For now."

She bit back a shudder. Enough fornow. Which meant there would be more later. How much more? What type of more? Could more involve whipped cream?

"Good!" She needed to get away from him and the ridiculous urges he inspired. "Since we're done with er… practice, I have some errands to run. I should be back by dinnertime. We can go over the information then." She was rambling, but it didn’t matter. She grabbed her purse, retrieved her keys and headed for the door.

"Hold on a moment," a powerful voice called from behind. "You're leaving? I thought you cleared your schedule to prepare for your cousin."

She had, but she needed a little time away. Like a year or a thousand. She made it to the door, forced herself to turn. "I remembered some things I need to do–"Like write I will not imagine Drake covered in whipped cream a hundred times."But I think we covered everything." Only, actually, she wished she covered more. Of him, that was. In whipped cream. She pressed forward, "You’re welcome to stay or go out, whatever you’d like."

"Actually, I was hoping you would accompany me on an errand," he replied evenly.

"I wish I could." She unlocked the door. "I’m sure you’ll get along fine without me!"

"I guess I’ll just have to choose my wardrobe without you."

Kaitlyn was five steps out the door when his words resonated through the hallway. She froze, traced her steps back. "I'm sorry?"

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