Page 157 of Fakers with Benefits

“Nicky.”

He stopped and faced me.

“I’m going to tell my father the truth.”

“The whole truth?” he squeaked.

“No, not everything,” I amended.

“Why?”

“Because I’m done with the games and his micromanaging and control issues. He was so focused on me and my personal life and trying to orchestrate my future that he completely missed all the shit Malcolm was doing right under his nose. I’m with you because I love you, not because of some stupid inheritance. I refuse to taint our relationship with any more lies.”

“Taint.” He snickered.

I pinned him with a flat look, even as the corners of my mouth twitched into a smile.

“Sorry.” He batted his eyelashes at me, the picture of innocence. “But are you sure? This is a huge deal and you’ve just been through the ringer. Maybe now isn’t the time to be making that decision.”

“I’m sure.” I dragged him forward for another kiss, this one deep and filled with all the emotions and love I felt for him.

“Are you sure you’re sure?” he asked after we pulled apart. “We’re talking millions of dollars. You’ve been working toward this your entire life. This is your legacy.”

“No, it’s his. I’ve made my own legacy, and if he can’t accept that, he can find someone else to leave his life’s work to.”

“I don’t want you to do this because of me. I’m perfectly happy to go along with the plan. We can even break our fake engagement after everything is signed and—”

“No more faking anything. Not with you. When we announce our engagement, it will be after I’ve proposed properly and we’re ready for that next chapter in our lives.”

“Whenwe announce it?”

“I’m in this for the long haul. I’m not saying it’ll happen anytime soon, neither of us is ready for that yet, but I know you’re the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. There’s no point pretending otherwise.”

“Ugh.” He punched me in the shoulder. “You can’t say all that nice stuff to me when we’re in your sister’s foyer and I can’t jump you.”

“How about you jump me when we get home?”

“Fuck that. I’m jumping you as soon as we’re in the car.” He grabbed my hand and towed me toward the front door. “Come on, old man. Get the lead out of your pants. I need kisses, cuddles, and a dick in my mouth.Stat.”

Laughing and feeling like the luckiest guy in the world, I followed Nick out of the house.

I’d meant every word I said to him. Nick was mine, and I didn’t give a fuck about my parents, or my father’s, plans for me.

When I hired Nick to pretend to be my boyfriend, I never could have imagined how much of an impact he’d have on not only my life, but onme.

He’d shown me it was okay to slow down, to focus on the little joys in life, to measure my happiness in smiles and laughs, and not in dollars or achievements.

Now he was mine, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life showing him just how loved he was.

EPILOGUE

Nick

One year later

A shadow fell over me,blocking the sun I’d been lazing under.

“Go away.”

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