Page 26 of The Exception

“You already offered me the part. Don’t tell me you’re now trying to get me to audition,” I teased, desperate to lighten the moment.

“If we were auditioning for a role, we’d have to do a chemistry test.” His eyes darkened as they lingered on my lips.

“Mm.” I toyed with the belt of my robe. “And what do you know about chemistry tests?”

“Nate once told me that kissing Hollywood starlet Cece Golden is like kissing a dead fish.”

I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing. “No.” I covered my mouth with my hand, grateful he’d dispelled some of the tension growing between us.

He nodded, his expression solemn.

“Well, I can promise you that kissing me would not be like kissing a dead fish.”

We’d inched closer, close enough that our thighs were touching. The heat of his skin seared me through the layers of fabric separating us. It was both too close and not enough.

He turned to face me, his stare intense, his eyes hooded. Apart from that moment in the pool—or whatever that was when I’d smoothed my hands down his lapels—we’d never been this close. I’d never… I could’ve never imagined what it would be like to be the sole focus of his attention. It was intoxicating.

“Is that a fact?” he goaded. Or at least, I thought he was. Sometimes he was impossible to read. Enigmatic. Infuriating.

And hot.

No, not hot. I was not attracted to Graham. I was confused. Agitated or…something.

His breath ghosted across my skin as he lifted his hand to cup my cheek. I was bathed in his scent, lost to the moment. To him.

“I—” I swallowed hard, my mind a blank. What was he asking about?

His lips moved closer to my mouth, and my heartbeat continued its ascent. He dragged his nose down my jawline, setting my body aflame. My body was shaking, vibrating.

Graham wanted to see if our fake marriage could be viable. Judging from my body’s response to him, that wouldn’t be a problem.

I exhaled a shaky breath and tried to recenter myself, even when it felt as if my world had tilted off its axis. Perhaps he wasn’t such a cold, heartless billionaire after all.

CHAPTERSEVEN

“I, um—” Liliana pulled back and shook her head as if to clear it. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.” She laid her hands in her lap, a prim position that did nothing to dispel the lustful thoughts racing through my mind. The taste of her lips. The feel of her skin. Using my hands and my mouth to explore every inch of her body until she was begging for mercy.

Jesus, Graham. Get control of yourself.

This was a business arrangement, nothing more. That was all I could offer, all it could ever be.

Before I’d realized what was happening, she’d stood, gathering her purse. “I’ll, um—” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder.

“Sleep on it,” I offered, wondering if she felt as off-balance as I did. “We can talk tomorrow.”

“Yeah.” She looked anywhere but at me. “Yes.” She headed toward the bowl of rice where her phone was resting

“Leave it. It’s not like your phone is going to work right now anyway. I’ll have someone take a look at it and return it to you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, but it’s my problem. I’ll figure it out.”

I placed my hand over hers. “Let me help.”

She appraised me. “If you’re sure.”

“Yes. Now, can I walk you back to your room?” I escorted her to the door, thinking some space might be a good thing. Perhaps she’d been right to pull away. If she hadn’t… I shoved my hands in my pockets, unwilling to let myself consider what might’ve happened.

She shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m good.” She hovered on the threshold. “Well, um—” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Good night.”

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