Page 23 of Undercover Billionaire

"And I’ll only be here a few days." He started to pace in a rhythm opposite of her. "I need someone who is quiet…"

"And mellow," she affirmed.

"Absolutely. Mellow. And you’re not that. Neither am I. I need someone who agrees with me and knows it’s best if I'm in control."

"Yes, in control. That’s what I need to be," Kaitlyn agreed. "So you see, it’s absolutely ridiculous for us to even consider being together."

"Because we're totally wrong for each other," he concluded.

"That’s right."

“Still, I may just keep you.”

“Wait, what?”

She didn’t resist as he pulled her back into his arms, as they kissed in feverish urgency. Logical arguments and practical considerations dissipated into nothingness as he caressed her arms, smoothing her back and threading his hands through her hair. Passion ruled as Kaitlyn gave as much as she took, reveling in his strong and powerful touch. They were desperate for what only the other could provide.

She never wanted it to end. And yet somehow, reality managed to retake them, when the kiss finally ended minutes later. She blinked at the mirrored side of a game, the reflection showing a thoroughly kissed woman with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. What was happening to her?

She moved back, fought for strength. Gave the only appropriate reaction. "My goodness."

"I agree." He let out a low audible hiss. "You can’t pretend that didn’t happen."

“I can certainly try.” Yet her voice trembled as she fought to regain control. She notched up her chin, drew a deep breath. "At least we’ll be convincing for Cynthia."

There was so much more to say, yet a tangle of impossible feelings swamped her, with no name and no reasoning. She couldn’t share how she felt. Not now, perhaps not ever. "We’d better get back to it. You know, the pictures." In the wake of the kiss, she had all but forgotten their important, time-sensitive task. "You were saying something about me being empty-handed."

He hesitated, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure he would allow the change in subject. Yet then he straightened. “Be right back."

As Drake strode back to the car, she sank down on the soft grass, yet she couldn’t decipher the madness that had commandeered logic and reason. She had asked for the kiss. Not pushed it away like she should have, not accepted it because she couldn’t help it, but actuallyinitiatedit. What about him made her powerless to resist? "Cynthia will most certainly fall for the ruse," she mumbled, "because I’m starting to."

"What was that?" Drake returned, holding a very large, very fluffy teddy bear.

"Nothing!" She blinked at his offering. "What is that?”

"It’s a prop, of course.” He winked. “We actors use them all the time. Sometimes it’s called evidence."

"What?"

"Never mind." He handed the stuffed animal to her. "You don’t want Cynthia to think I can’t win my lady a prize, do you?"

Kaitlyn shook her head. She didn’t even want to know where he had gotten the toy. "You never stop surprising me."

"The feeling is mutual."

He set the timer on the camera and captured the moment. Yet in the flash, his earlier words returned:

I may just keep you.

From the fairgrounds,Drake and Kaitlyn set off to the few dancing clubs near Greenfield. Although most were closed due to the early hour, they posed in front of them and got a few decent shots. Afterwards, they made the rounds at the local restaurants, asking curious patrons to snap photos. A few people commented that Drake looked familiar, although none could place him. When Kaitlyn remarked after the third incident, he shrugged and said he must have one of those faces. It seemed strange, yet another mysterious facet of Drake Alexander.

Two hours later, they had visited just about every restaurant in half a dozen towns and taken pictures of various places along the way. They snapped over a hundred photographs wearing eight outfits in countless “dates.” With twilight near, the next date would be their last.

Drake took off his sunglasses as the sun's rays dimmed. "I don't know why I thought small towns had nothing to do."

"Shows how much you know about small towns." She lightened the words with a smile. They reached the car, and he opened the door for her. "The residents put a lot of time and effort into making this a special place to live."

"I can tell." He brought the vehicle to life and turned onto the road. "I'm enjoying this more than the big city."

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