Page 26 of My Fake Lover

No. If I were honest, I didn’t know what he meant. I had never experienced it. Love. And by now, I had lost faith in it ever being granted to me in this lifetime. I was good at business. I could make the gigantic out of tiny things. I had no problem assembling a computer blindfolded or programming a code. But I didn’t know how a relationship with another person worked. It simply wasn’t logical.

»I want you to be well, Ian, and if that means you’ll wear hippie-style linen suits for the rest of your life, that’s fine by me.«

»Thank you.« A smile played on his lips as we clinked cans again and emptied them. Ian took out the next one. God, when was the last time I had alcohol other than a glass of bourbon? Especially not canned beer. I accepted it, and the hissing sound filled the interior as we opened them simultaneously.

»I don’t do drugs anymore. Never again! Lizzy made it clear what that would mean.«

»That’s good.« Even though, honestly, it gnawed at me that it wasn’t me who had gotten him to stop waking up in his vomit every morning. Or that one time in the hospital, narrowly escaping death. »That’s important. You deserve such a life.«

»You do too, Bro,« he said, and I felt his gaze on my profile. I sighed deeply. Did I really?

»I’m fine.«

»With Ivy?« Ian asked cautiously. »I’ve never seen you like that with a girl before. You seem almost relaxed in her presence and not quite as insufferable as usual.«

Again, I had to laugh as I thought of her. What was she doing right now? She probably joined some yoga group or practiced Reiki lessons.

»She’s utterly frustrating,« I confessed honestly. I still couldn’t tell Ian that Ivy and my relationship were only pretend so I could show him that I had my life under control just as much. It didn’t make a difference.

»That’s always the case with these kinds of women,« he replied casually.

»These kinds?«

»The right ones.« His wide grin made me roll my eyes.

»I have no idea if we’d be compatible in the long run.«

»Then just find out.«

It wasn’t that simple. She was only here because we had a deal. I was practically paying her to spend time with me, because I was sure she would have never agreed otherwise. She was someone who got along with everyone, but I was sure she couldn’t stand me in reality.

»Maybe,« I murmured, playing with the can’s tab until it broke off. »Maybe I’ll do just that.«

20

Ivy

Ihad just changed for dinner when the tent was ripped open and Max stood in the entrance. His tie hung loosely around his neck, his shirt unbuttoned several buttons wide. A seductive smile lay on his full lips, and his gaze was fixed solely on me. My breathing grew heavy, and my heart swelled in my chest.

»Hi,« he whispered, and I definitely heard the heaviness in his tongue. He had been gone for several hours, and it looked like someone had run their fingers through his hair multiple times. I didn’t recognize him and didn’t know whether that was good or bad. He wouldn’t start something with another woman while I was waiting for him here, would he? As he came closer, I smelled a faint hint of alcohol. He stood in front of me, still smirking. With a jerk, he pulled off his tie and tossed it on the bed without taking his eyes off me. He couldn’t imagine how hot I found that.

»You’re drunk,« I observed amusedly.

He snorted and gestured something small with his index finger and thumb. »Maybe just a tiny bit.«

I had to laugh. He definitely hadn’t been with another woman, and somehow he was adorable with that sparkling gaze and mischievous grin on his lips. The dominance he usually displayed made him successful and attractive, but also a bit unhappy. Sharing his relaxed state in this moment felt like a huge gift. »You were with Ian, right?« There was no other option unless he had met a good old friend here. However, Max wasn’t the type to go on a drinking spree with old friends.

»I was.« He placed his hand on my shoulder and brushed his thumb over my skin. Relentlessly. This touch alone set my lower abdomen ablaze. »And there was beer, even though I don’t drink beer anymore. And then I thought of you and felt guilty for leaving you alone for so long,« he babbled. My grin grew wider. Max never babbled. »Then I thought even more of you and that sassy mouth of yours.« He gently stroked my lower lip with his thumb. »And how beautiful you looked today… Wow!« he suddenly exclaimed, noticing my outfit. I shyly shrugged my shoulders. »That dress,« he whispered, and I couldn’t believe the man standing in front of me. Was this the real version of him, or was it just an illusion? »It’s incredible.« He held out his arm for me to hook onto. »We should go eat, I want to show you off.«

»Don’t you want to change?« I asked, pointing at his clothes. He looked outrageously good in the slightly crumpled shirt and dark jeans, but I assumed he would want to wear a suit for our first official dinner. At least that’s how I had perceived him.

»I feel good,« he said, and I returned his smile. »Really, really good.«»Na dann, los gehts.« Had he told Ian about our deal? Or were we still playing our official roles here? I was confused. But actually, he didn’t need to pretend anything to me when we were alone. Nevertheless, the attraction between us was undeniable.

I quickly grabbed my clutch, and we left the tent, although I would have liked to enjoy this relaxed moment with him for a bit longer. As soon as we were among other people, I felt the tension that tugged at him. I gently stroked his arm, which I held with my fingers, and he seemed to like it, giving me a breathtaking smile.

»So, beer?«

»Yes,« he sighed but still had a smile on his lips. »Ian organized it, and…« It was as if he wanted to tell me something else, but at the same moment, we reached the cleared meadow behind the catering tent where the official dinners took place. A wooden floor had been laid on the green, which was very convenient for my high heels. Round white tables with beautiful decorations were arranged on it. Wildflowers and candles completed the picture everywhere. The atmosphere was beautiful, luxurious, yet relaxed and casual. The people who had already gathered around the bar laughed and enjoyed themselves. A little further away, a band played soft tunes to welcome the guests, and waiters distributed sparkling wine and appetizers with melon and grapes.

---