Page 52 of Fake Shot

I step up behind her, my right thigh pressed firmly against her ass, and set the drinks on the bar before planting my hand next to her so she’s fully boxed in. Even though I told her I wanted her, but that nothing could happen between us, I can’t stop myself from touching her when she’s around.

I lean down and, keeping my voice low, I say, “There’s no chance in hell that my fiancée looks like you do right now and I’m not all over her. So if we want this to appear real, you better be okay with me touching you.”

I press my lips to her hair where it’s tucked behind her ear and feel her sharp intake of breath.

“If you remember,Iwasn’t the one who had a problem with you touching me.” The bitterness in her voice catches me off guard.

“Really? Because if I remember correctly, you were the one who slid off my lap when I offered to make you come.”Why am I tormenting myself—and her—like this?

“And then you explained how you didn’t want to want me like that, and said we were never going to talk about it again.” Her saccharine tone couldn’t be more fake, and it shows me just how much this actually bothered her.

“Idon’twant to want you, Jules,” I admit. “I’m no good for you. You deserve someone who wants to fall in love,who wants to get married—and that’s not me. I’ll only hurt you.”

“Like I told you last night,” she says, straightening up and thereby forcing me to do the same. Then she turns in the space where she’s sandwiched between the bar and me. “I’m under no illusion that you have feelings for me, or that you ever will. But since we have to sell this”—she trails her finger up my dress shirt and across my pec, then slides her hand into my suit jacket and over my shoulder—“how am I doing?”

I push forward, anchoring her between the bar and my hips. “You’re doing so well.” And then I dip my head and litter kisses along her jaw until my lips meet her earlobe, telling myself it’s all for show. Taking her flesh between my lips, I let my teeth sink into her earlobe gently, then let go, whispering, “You’re doing perfect.”

Her fingers curl into my shoulder, and as she turns her head to look at me, her cheek slides along mine until her lips are only a breath away. Those eyes are a kaleidoscope of colors getting pushed to the edges of her iris by her quickly expanding pupils. Her look is desire and an invitation, but it’s laced with resentment too.

“Now what?” The words fall from her full pink lips so softly she almost sounds lost.

I can feel myself growing hard where I’m pressed up against her stomach, and I clear my throat, reminding myself that we can’t go down this path. It’s too damn easy to forget when I’m around her.

“Now, you don’t flirt with the bartender anymore.”

She rears her head back as my words hit her like a splash of ice water. I didn’t mean for them to come out all vindictive-sounding, but that’s exactly how she took it—I can tell by the knowing look in her eyes, like I just proved her right. The notes of jealousy that I couldn’t hide have clearly made her think that this was all because I didn’t want her talking to the bartender, rather than me legitimately not being able to keep my hands off her.

And even though that’s probably for the best, I don’t like hurting her like that.

From beside us, a throat clears, and I look over to find Drew standing there, looking awkward as hell, like he just interrupted us having sex.

“Audrey sent me over here to remind you that ‘selling this’ doesn’t mean mauling her sister in public.”

“That’s fine,” I say, letting my gaze travel back to Jules where she’s standing, breath ragged. I don’t let myself look down where I know her chest will be heaving too, because if I caught sight of that cleavage from above, I’d have averyphysical reaction. I’m already way too close to my erection being impossible to hide. “I’ll save that for when we’re alone.”

“Colt, don’t traumatize Drew,” Jules says, the teasing lilt back in her voice and an insincere smile plastered across her face like she’s certain I don’t mean that.If she only knew the things I’d imagined when we’re alone.She reaches over and grabs her champagne flute and a glass of water I hadn’t even noticed the bartender leave next to us, then drops her voice and tells Drew, “I’ll go reassure Audrey that I’m in entirely safe hands over here. Nothing but a little pissing contest getting the best of myfakefiancé.”

Chapter Twenty

JULES

I’m more keyed up than I should be by the end of the night.

The number of times that Colt’s hands have been on me has left me flustered and sexually frustrated. He knows just how to turn me on—a gentle touch that turns firm, his body pressed against mine, his tone bossy and seductive.

I don’t know if I’m so transparent and my lust is so obvious that he figured this out easily, or we’re just more sexually compatible than either of us probably would have guessed. What I do know is that I’ve been on dozens of first dates over the past couple of years, and not a single guy has gotten me revved up the way Colt can with a single touch.

“Here,” he says, as he slides his suit coat off and drapes it over my shoulders while we walk across the lobby of the hotel where the gala was held. “It’s cold out.”

“Thanks,” I mutter. While being wrapped up in his warm clothing that smells faintly of him, with his arm around meholding me to his side, is actuallyexactlywhat I want, the need to push him away and keep myself safe is greater now than it ever has been.

But I’m also aware that we’re walking out with several of his teammates, and it would be beyond suspicious if I refused his jacket, especially while the lobby door is being held open and the chilly night air is sweeping into the space, so I go along with it.

He gives his ticket to the valet, and we say goodbye to his teammates, most of whom are half-wasted and piling into cabs to go home. I shiver as the breeze picks up again, tangling my long dress around my legs. Colt backs me into the corner of the stone walls, behind the valet stand.

“What are you doing?” My words are quiet because there are other couples huddled in this recessed area outside the doors waiting for their own cars.

He leans one hand on the wall behind me, his body close to mine. “Keeping you warm.”

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