Page 96 of The Sun and Her Star

“I can’t believe you’re acting like you don’t remember.” My exasperation reaching heights I didn’t even know were possible.

He shrugs, his eyes genuinely confused. “I really have no clue what you mean.”

“Is this the twilight zone? You said the third date means you were going to marry her,” I shout up at him. He stares blankly down at me and then his eyes widen before he bursts out laughing.

I’ve had just about enough of this.

I slip past and walk to my door. “I want you to leave. You’ve done nothing but be cryptic and insulting since you got here. I don’t have room for this shit in my life. Go away, leave me in peace. I’ve been fine for years without you.” I hate how my voice breaks and how my eyes sting. My heart feels like it’s breaking all over again.

I’m just about to open the door when Graham’s hand closes around my wrist. I pull my hand free and whip around to face him. I don’t care that he’ll see my tears.

He sighs sadly and reaches out to brush my cheek. I step away but not before his thumb skims my face. He walks back to the blue chair and sits down again. His posture lacks the confidence from earlier, and he looks nervous.

“I’m going to tell you something I shouldn’t. I ask that no matter what the outcome of this conversation is, you don’t repeat it to anyone.” His voice is deep and grave.

Anxiety and confusion twist in my gut, but I nod in agreement and then hold my breath.

“Apollo, that three date thing was just something I made up with my publicist as an answer to the question about my dating life. None of that wasreal. NothingI did publicly was real. It was all a persona. An image. A product. I am still the same person. I know what it looks like.” His gaze goes from direct to penetrating, and he says, “Amber and I are not a couple. She’s my beard, and I’m hers.”

My jaw drops. And I shake my head to clear it.

“Did you saybeard?”

“Yes. I said beard. Not that I’m from Krypton. It’s not exactly unheard of,” he says, his tone defensive.

“What in the world do you need a beard for?” I ask in horror.

He cocks his head to the side and smiles sadly. “Because Apollo, the girl I’d been in love with since I was fourteen was with someone else and I didn’t know how to move on.” My heart stops beating, and for a moment, I just stare at him unable to believe what he just said. “I couldn’t be perpetually single without inviting questions and advances. So, I hired someone to make it look like I had a girlfriend. That’s it. Simple.”

The expression on his face changes. The softness is replaced with heat.

Oh, God. I’m about to do something stupid. But, I can’t stop myself.

I take a hesitant step toward him, and he stands up. He walks toward me, his eyes intent on my face. When he’s standing in front of me, I put my palms on his chest and feel his sharp intake of breath at the touch. I look up at his face and recognize the expression there.

It’s exactly how I feel when he touches me. On fire, out of breath, but relieved at the same time.

With unabashed wonder, I say, “Youmeanit.”

“With every single fiber of my being.” His eyes burn into me, and I have no hope of resisting the pull between us. His face lowers so that his mouth is just an inch away from mine. His hands rest by his side and I want him to put them on me.

“I’ve been saving something for you,” he says softly. His breath is warm on my mouth, and I part my lips. My pulse is thudding in my ears, but I hear myself ask, “You have?” right before his lips touch mine. It’s just a touch, reverent and tender.

He lifts his lips off mine and breathes. “Can I do that again?”

“Oh, God,pleasedo it again,” I say in between gasps of air.

This time, his lips linger, and when I kiss him back, he groans and drags his lips away. He presses his forehead to mine, his breathing ragged.

“Iache, Apollo. I’mfuckin’dying.”

His voice is makingmeache.

Inside and out.

From the roots of my hair to the tips of my toes. I wonder briefly if it’s possible that my legs are dissolving because, standing up suddenly feels impossible.

As if he can read my thoughts, he grasps my waist and holds me fast to him.

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