Page 37 of Surprisingly Us

“How would this work?” I ask. “Logistically?”

Rhys’s lips curve up. “Logistically, I’ll let you know the dates of events I need you for. We’ll plan some social media posts for authenticity, and the rest is up to you. You let me know when you’re free for dates, and I’ll arrange them.”

My gaze drops to his fingers again. To those big hands massaging Maxine. The veins and corded muscle that bulge beneath the ink on his forearm and bicep. Those hands will need to touch me. Even more intimately than last night when he wrapped one around my waist to dance. I swear I can still feel the weight of it imprinted on my lower back. The way that heaviness made everything below my waist dull and achy.

Don’t think about Rhys and sex. We won’t be doing THAT.I’m not saving myself for anyone or any reason, but I can’t imagine that we would even fit together like that. I mean, I’m sure things wouldfit, but I need someone who won’t mind my inexperience. I’m sure Rhys is used to women who have a repertoire of bedroom tricks. That use their sexual prowess to garner the attention of a man like him.

“We’ll need to touch,” he says.

My eyes snap back to his. It’s like he can read my mind.

“Yeah, I know.”

“And kiss.”

I suck in a breath because now I’m thinking about kissing Rhys.

Wondering how soft his lips are. How warm and firm they’d feel pressed to mine.

Now I’m looking at his lips. They’re full and expressive. His mouth twists into a lopsided grin.

When my eyes return to his, he wiggles his brows. My cheeks immediately flame because he must know what I’m thinking.

I let the knowledge that he’s likely kissed hundreds of women douse the fire attempting to spark in my belly. Hundreds of beautiful,experiencedwomen, I’m sure.

But I need to stop beating myself up about my lack of experience. To get experience, I need to take the first step.

Dating Rhys would be a starting point. A way to dip my toe into the dating pond. The other stuff…sex…will come later when I’ve met someone I’m more compatible with, and fake-dating Rhys has helped me become less likely to break out in a head-to-toe body rash at the thought of spending time with that person.

“Like in public to make it believable?” I finally ask.

“Yeah.”

“Tongue or no tongue?” I do better when I know specifics. When there’s a plan in place. I can’t be thinking we’re going to be giving each other gentle pecks on the cheeks and then get surprised by a full mouth kiss.

He’s watching me closely. “You tell me.”

“What would you normally do with a woman you’re dating?”

“First of all, I don’t date. Not like this.” He motions between us. “I’ve hooked up in public restrooms. Women have sucked me off in front of my friends and an entire room full of people. I don’t remember that one as much as the pictures someone took.” My eyes are bulging when he glances back at me. “You’re going to need to tell me where the line is.”

I swallow down the butterflies that threaten to emerge when I think about doing any of those things with Rhys. “Yeah, we won’t be doing any of that.” I make a waving motion, like I’m sweeping those thoughts away.All thosedirty, delicious thoughts. Goodbye!

He nods. “Agreed.”

“So, touching and kissing, but only in public under the ruse of fake dating. You’ll send me the dates for events you need me to attend and I’ll send you some open times for practice dates.”I nod, satisfied with the parameters I’ve laid out for this fake-dating arrangement.

Rhys stands, setting Maxine down gently on the couch, then extends his hands to me.

I take his hand and stand.

We’re facing each other, inches apart, yet it feels like I’m inside his shirt. His warm, masculine scent washes over me and it makes my knees weak.

I’m tempted to sit back down, but Rhys slips a hand around my waist, holding me there. My body immediately goes rigid with nerves.

It’s not much different than the way he held me last night while we were dancing, yet alone in my apartment it feels a whole heck of a lot more intimate.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

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