Page 25 of After the Snap

She smiles at me and then Laney. “You can call me Saf. And I’m sure you don’t go by ‘Dom’s lady,’” she says to Laney.

“Alayna.”

“So nice to meet you—both of you. And thank you for coming to my opening.”

“Uh, sure, anytime,” I say, even though this is still the last place I’d want to be. But I get why Shawna chose it now that I’m seeing the connection to a fellow Wolves player. As the night goes on, more athletes arrive, as well as other celebrities—some pretty big ones and some lesser known. It’s a melting pot of fame, and it’s clear Sapphire’s got some star power backing her business.

But all night long, there’s a distance between Laney and me, one I know won’t go away if these are the kinds of dates we’re supposed to be going on for the next six months. If I’m going to use this time to my advantage, I need dates that will allow me to remind Laney how good we are together, not further drive us apart by making her feel like she doesn’t belong in my world.

Because that couldn’t be further from the truth.

She is my whole world.

Fifteen

This is our second red carpet event in as many days. Apparently Shawna got us on the list for this hot new premiere that she couldn’t pass up. There was also a conversation about how it’s better for us to be hot and heavy quickly and then we can spread our dates out the longer this ruse goes on.

I’ll be honest, I’m way more excited about this movie premiere than I was about the boutique opening—even if Saf and Mikey were the cutest odd couple I’ve ever met.

One thing I’m not excited about is the flashing lights of the press that are everywhere—the select few on the red carpet, the many that are taking pictures behind partitions set up, and the ones that line the hallways and try to catch anyone who they think could give them a juicy tidbit. I don’t know how Dom can deal with all this chaos after games, even if it’s not nearly to the level that we’ve been exposed to over the past two dates.

My palms are sweaty, but I’m afraid to wipe them on my dress. I’m sure the press would have a field day with that, and I’m more aware than ever that this is Jen Summers’s territory. I’ve seen her walk with the grace of a swan when she’s on the red carpet. The media loves her, and I have no doubt I’m going to hear her name all night long as people question Dom about his new “relationship” with a nobody.

Speak of the devil, a large hand wraps around mine and squeezes twice. His warm breath brushes against my ear, and I barely restrain the shiver it provokes.

“Breathe, Sunshine. Don’t give them any more power than they deserve. They’re nothing special, and it doesn’t matter what they think of you.”

“Of course it matters,” I mutter under my breath so no one else can hear. Then I turn to whisper in his ear, but he hasn’t moved back and our lips are only a whisper away from each other. My gaze shoots to his, and I must be imagining it, but it almost looks like his blue eyes darken slightly at our proximity. His gaze is locked on mine and I hold my breath. I couldn’t break away from this stare-off if I wanted to. My chest tightens, and any nerves I had are quickly replaced by a fierce desire that makes my clit tingle between my legs and my stomach clench with want. My body leans closer to him without my permission, but the wild thing is his seems to do the same.

“Laney,” he whispers, saying my name like it’s a prayer and a plea all at once. No man has ever said my name that way.

“Dom?” It’s a question because I don’t understand what’s going on between us. He’s not brought up the feelings I confessed since we agreed to this fake dating arrangement. Is this just for the cameras or is this real?

I’m not sure my heart can take it if this is what he looks like when he’s faking because it’s the realest moment I’ve ever had.

“Dom! Dom! Why aren’t you here with Jen Summers?” a voice calls out, and it’s like being doused with a bucket of ice.

I break eye contact and take a step away, but Dom’s hand is still holding mine, and his grip tightens at my retreat. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows thickly and stares at me for a moment longer before he turns toward the voice that called out and pastes on a smile.

My throat tightens as my stomach rolls because his expression is so clear—at least to me—that he’s faking the smile with the reporter.

Does that mean he wasn’t faking it with me? But that can’t be right because he looked at me like…I can’t even go there. I shake away the thoughts and follow his lead, pasting my own fake smile on and preparing myself for the barrage of questions about why it’s me on his arm instead of Jen Summers.

I’m so sick of hearing her name and being compared to her.

The questions thrown at us are as asinine as I expected, but there’s a silver lining when I catch a glance of Heath Monroe, the lead actor in the movie and a man that I’ve always found insanely attractive. His smile makes women’s panties damp the world over.

I squeeze Dom’s hand and when he catches who I’m fangirling over, he doesn’t bother to hide his eye roll. “Are you seriously still obsessed with that guy?”

“Are you kidding me? Of course I am. Not only is he gorgeous, but he also visits sick kids at the children’s hospital every month when he’s not away filming, and he’s so incredible in his movies—”

“Okay, okay, I get it. You worship the ground he walks on.”

I arch a brow. “Someone sounds a little salty.”

He lets go of my hand and slides his warm palm along my lower back before pulling my body flush with his.

His voice drops to a low grumble that’s sexier than it should be. “Maybe I just wish you’d fangirl over me like that.”

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