Page 21 of My Fake Lover

I was sure she was alone. And naked. Under a hot shower stream. I should go to her and finally get over this thing that had been building up between us. Maybe we would feel better if we just got the sex over with? But no. It would be crazy to think I could ever have enough of her. After that night in her food truck, I had thought of nothing but her.

»I’ll be over there,« I called back and hurried with my shower and dressing. As I closed the last buttons on my shirt and stepped out of the changing area, I felt her gaze on me. Her beautiful lips were curved in a smile, her thick brown hair was in a high ponytail, and she wore a gorgeous, airy summer dress. My eyes fell on her slender neck, the slight curve of her collarbones, and the neckline held together by small buttons.

»You look great,« I said, and her eyes shamelessly scanned me.

»You too. I like the jeans and shirt look.«

I returned her smile, simply because I couldn’t help it. Then I held out my hand, and her fingers intertwined with mine. I stepped over the threshold into the open air and pulled her to me, so her front collided with mine. Maybe I was just masochistically inclined, constantly seeking her proximity, even though it tormented me. She audibly inhaled the air and looked up at me. The scent of her shower gel, lemons, and her filled me. Slowly, I pressed my nose to her neck and inhaled deeply. She got goosebumps and clung to my shirt with her free hand. I held the other a bit behind my back so she couldn’t escape.

»Good morning,« I whispered and gave her a kiss on the skin before letting her go.

»Good morning,« she croaked hoarsely, and I had to smile. I had never smiled so much as long as I could remember. But it was as much a compulsion I couldn’t resist as the attraction her proximity exerted on me.

»Hey, there you are!« I took Ivy by my side and saw Ian approaching us. He was wearing a light linen suit again, maybe that was his look for the entire wedding. Internally, I was glad he had caught us in this situation, as it made our act seem really authentic. On the other hand, I regretted not only using Ivy to deceive my brother but also that this moment hadn’t been just for the two of us.

»We’ve set up breakfast on the terrace if you’re hungry!«

»Yes, please,« said Ivy and hugged me tighter.

»See you there,« he said and winked at me. Today he seemed more relaxed than yesterday and not as suspicious. Maybe this wouldn’t be as big a disaster as I had assumed.

We took our toiletries back to the tent and climbed the high steps to the terrace. Hand in hand, of course. Never before had it felt so good to hold a woman. Everyone present here should know that she belonged by my side.

On the right side, a small buffet was set up, to which we immediately went. A cup of coffee was enough for me, but Ivy had admitted to being quite hungry. So she grabbed a plate and loaded it with croissants, eggs and bacon, bagels, and bell peppers. Her eyes sparkled, and I guided her with a hand on her back to a standing table at the edge, covered with white tablecloths and scattered all around. The crowd grew larger, and Lizzy and Ian greeted one after the other. What a stress.

»You’d celebrate your wedding completely differently, right?« Ivy asked, taking a bite of her croissant.

»First of all, I probably wouldn’t get married at all, but yes, it’s all about the bride and groom, right? Why would I invite hundreds of other people?«

Her eyes widened, and she looked at me almost pityingly. »You don’t want to get married? Never? Your poor future Mrs. Holmes.«

»Not everyone needs a ring on their finger and a document to know they belong together,« I said gruffly, leaning a little closer to her. »Besides, I don’t believe it’s normal to spend your entire life with just one person. Something always bothers you over time.«

»Of course it does, but that’s not the point. There should even be occasional arguments so you can have hot make-up sex.«

»So that’s what arguing is good for? Why argue in the first place if it’s just about sex?«

I sighed.

»You really have no idea about relationships, do you?«

»That’s why you’re here,« I replied in a lowered voice. She straightened her shoulders.

»You’ve sealed it. I have a mission! To prove to you that love exists.« She pointed to Ian and Lizzy, who stood arm in arm, smiling broadly. »And to show you how to have fun. That’s definitely overdue in your regimented, controlled life.«

She seemed quite confident in herself and was so incredibly annoying with her compulsive attempts. Also, damn cute. »Get used to not winning because you won’t be able to tick off both points. Not in just four days now.«

»Oh, Mr. Holmes, four days are more than enough for that,« she replied, dipping the end of the croissant back into a thick dollop of jam. She should definitely pay more attention to her diet. She frowned.

»You find this disgusting, don’t you? Just like the mayonnaise on the rolls. But deep down, you know it tastes amazing. A taste orgasm.« She held the croissant out to me. The jam almost dripped down, and I grimaced in disgust. »Take a bite.«

»Absolutely not.«

»Take a bite, I said, and stop with this my-body-is-a-temple nonsense.«

»Don’t be so bossy; it doesn’t suit you.«

She became serious. »You don’t know yet what suits me and what doesn’t. So...« She wiggled the food in front of my mouth, and I was genuinely afraid that the jam would drip onto the white tablecloth.

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