Page 55 of The Stand-In Boyfriend

I shake my head. “There is no Evie and I, not for a while.”

“But you suggested fake dating. Why?”

“I still felt guilty over what happened, and you looked like you needed help.”

“I don’t need anybody to save me.” She tries to pull her hand out of mine, but I don’t let her.

“I know that now, but Jessy…” I pull her up. Her chest brushes against mine as she inhales sharply at the contact. I look down at her. Her hair has started to dry and it’s curling wildly around her face. Her skin is pale, cheeks rosy, lashes long. “Maybe I needed you to save me.”

Then I kiss her. I’m prepared for her to push me away and tell me to fuck off, but at least I’d get one final taste of her lips. Only she doesn’t.

Jessy’s fingers dig into my hair, pulling my head back as she returns my kiss. Her mouth fits perfectly against mine; hell,shefits perfectly against me. Like she was made for me. She tries to stand on her tiptoes, but loses her balance. My hands grip her hips, steadying her. Her tongue dips inside my mouth, and I lose myself in the feel of her. She overwhelms all my senses in the best way possible.

Her touch.

Her smell.

Her very presence.

It’s all I know, all I want.

“Jessy?”

We both jump back in surprise when we hear an unfamiliar voice, turning toward the door.

“Mom!”

I look between Jessy and the woman. Hermother.

Fuck.

I’m not sure who’s more mortified by the situation, Jessy, me or her mother.

“What are you doing home?”

Her mother gives me a glare that matches her daughter’s so well it would be funny if she hadn’t just caught us making out in her living room. She turns her attention back to Jessy. “I came home. And I see you have company.”

“I— uhh…”

I wipe my sweaty palms against my sides and step up, offering her my hand. “Noah Russell, Mrs. Bryant. I’m so sorry to drop in like this.”

Her brows rise, the look of distrust still in her eyes, but she shakes my hand regardless. “Melany.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Likewise.” She gives another look toward her daughter, eyes lingering on her foot. “Jessy, should you be standing?”

“I’m fine.”

My jaw tightens. Those fucking words.

“Just a little bruise.” A tense silence falls over us in which we just try not to stare at each other.

I rub at the back of my neck. “Right, I think I should…”

“Noah’s my boyfriend,” Jessy blurts out just as I finish with, “Go.”

We exchange a look.

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