Page 11 of My Fake Lover

»That’s because he probably can’t think clearly from now on and can only write gibberish.«

»Okay, something’s coming...«

Saturday. Twelve o’clock.

Disappointed, I let my shoulders slump. Why, actually? Had I assumed I’d engage in some steamy sexting with him? I was crazy.

»He just confirmed the appointment,« I said softly, and Low gently nudged my calf with her sandals.

»Don’t be disappointed, in reality, he wants to tear that silk off your body. But he’s too much of a gentleman to lose control already. Somewhere inside him slumbers the Neanderthal, you just have to lure him out.«

10

Max

You used the card.

Inwardly, I shook my head at myself. Actually, I had wanted to ask her how her day was, if she was looking forward to the next few days, or if she’d rather back out.

I had set an alarm on my finance app and didn’t know how to handle it when I saw Victoria’s Secret on the bill. She had bought lingerie with my credit card half an hour ago, and from that moment on, I had to admit that rational thinking was extremely difficult for me.

I shifted my weight on my office chair and propped my forearms on it while staring at my phone’s display, waiting for her reply. My breathing was deep and heavy, and I felt as if the air had been squeezed out of me. She was not only interesting and frustrating in terms of her verbal skills but also extremely attractive with her thick dark brown hair, pretty face, and intense gaze. It was just a business deal we had entered, and I had liked her rules. I liked rules. They provided me with security and structure. But now she was playing with me, sending me conflicting signals that nearly drove me crazy.

Wardrobe for five days, as Sir requested.

Damn. I typed:

Put it on.

I deleted my words. I would be breaking the rules even before the weekend had started. I closed my eyes and imagined her body clad in the cream-colored silk. I abruptly opened them again and shifted my weight once more. The tightness of my pants took on alarming dimensions. I snorted in frustration and typed again.

Saturday. Twelve o’clock.

»Damn it,« I muttered and threw my phone as far away from me as my desk allowed. Those would be a hard five days if, on each one, I imagined which of the pieces she was wearing now.

Rules. Consistency. Security. Rules. Consistency. Security. I recited these words like a mantra. They had saved my brother and me from ruin. Nothing could go wrong; I had resisted a woman’s charm before because it wasn’t right to sleep with her.

I should be happy that she was so open-minded and easygoing. Ian and Lizzy would love her, and that was the only thing that mattered right now. Making my brother happy so he wouldn’t relapse.

11

Ivy

Marlow had wished me a lot of fun with a wink and then shooed me down the stairs so Max wouldn’t have to wait. Although, I was about to make him wait on purpose. Just because I wanted to see that skeptical, dark gaze again, which made everything inside me tingle.

The limousine driver got out and held the door open for me. »Leave the suitcase at the entrance, I’ll take care of it!«

Since my luggage was indeed heavy, I didn’t need to be asked twice and walked towards him. »Hi, I’m Ivy,« I introduced myself before getting into the car. The driver was a middle-aged man with laugh lines around his eyes, and his lips twitched in amusement.

»Good morning, Miss Ivy, a pleasure. James.«

»How are you, James?«

»I’m doing wonderfully! I hope you are too?«

»Yes, for now,« I whispered, and the driver stifled a laugh. »I should get in, right?«

He nodded and gave me another smile before I plunged into the dark interior.

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