Page 45 of Faking Romance

I let my thumb rub little circles on the side of her thigh. I don’t know why I’m doing that. It just seems like the natural thing to do.

“I…” She starts but then I see her eyes looking at my hand and I stop moving my thumb and slowly pull it away. “I’m sorry. I’m just stressed out. But honestly, Jocelyn was right, it’s probably a good thing to get away for a night and think about anything but the bookstore.”

“Good. We can definitely distract you,” I offer with a small smile in her direction.

“Meow!”

We both turn and laugh when Licorice’s face is right behind us in her cat carrier, staring at us as if she’s part of the conversation.

“I suppose you all will be a distraction,” she muses as she looks from the kitten to me. Then she sighs and looks down at her lap where her hands are now resting. “You don’t have to sleep on the floor. I’m sure they’ll have a monstrous bed. We’ll just put pillows down the middle or something.”

“Such a romantic wifey,” I tease. I see her lips twitch.

“You know me, snookums, sooo romantic,” she coos in a fake voice.

“Seriously?” I ask her as I steal a glance and see her smirking. Smirking I can handle. Upset Roxy, not so much.

“What? I’m supposed to be the romantic girlfriend, right?”

I run a hand over my face. “This is going to be a big disaster, isn’t it?” I ask.

“Probably, but just remember…you brought it upon yourself,” she says with another smirk as she pokes my bicep.

She’s not wrong about that, but right now, the thought of sleeping in a bed with Roxy is not making me regret anything, in fact, I sort of want to get to the lake house faster.

Maybe we can be fake dating with benefits? No, no. I need to stop that. I’m starting to like Roxy and that’s not a good thing for her or me. With a new resolve, I turn onto the highway and hope that I can figure out a way to stop wanting to touch my fake girlfriend.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Roxy

“I thought you said this was a lake house,” I state as Gray pulls onto the brick-paved circular drive in front of what is a monstrous home. You can see the lake beyond the house and what looks like a small building down by a pier.

“It is,” he assures me as he parks our car behind a BMW which is parked behind a Porche. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve met my share of wealthy humans, I just don’t normally mingle at their homes. I suddenly feel very self-conscious. Did I pack appropriate clothes? Will there be a butler serving dinner? Why was I not this nervous at their other house? I’m already stressed and anxious about Monday’s soft opening. Plus, I’m confused about what is happening between Gray and me. The last thing I need is to feel like an inadequate idiot.

“Come on, Roxy. It’s just Pierce and Haven. You’ve already met them,” he says, his voice low and calm as he places that big hand of his back on my thigh and gives it a small squeeze. I’m wearing a dress, and the material rides up just enough that his pinky finger brushes against my skin. Fuck, that feels good.

Sighing, I open my door. I need to get laid. I glance back at my fake boyfriend and consider the option of asking him if we can be friends with benefits.

“What?” Gray asks as he pulls both our bags from the trunk and pauses while inspecting me.

With a blush, I shake my head. Nope. There’s no way that would work out. I want a real happily ever after and Gray has made it clear he does not. I can’t handle getting hurt again, and I know myself well enough to know that sleeping with Gray would land me solidly in the broken hearts club.

“Nothing,” I mumble as I straighten my dress and walk up to the front doors, yes there are two of them, giant wooden double doors with some sort of frosted leaded-glass windows in them. I go to ring a doorbell but one of the giant seven-foot doors opens and Haven squeals as she sees me.

“Yay! I’m so glad you could make it!” she says as she pulls me in for a hug, crushing me with her very tiny body. Damn, someone does Pilates.

“Thanks for inviting us,” I manage before she pulls back and then steps around me to give Gray an equally big hug.

“Hey, Haven, thanks for the invite. Your lake home is gorgeous,” Gray says with a grunt as Haven hugs him.

With a warm smile, she steps aside and motions for us to come into her home. We step into a large two-story foyer. It’s not as flashy as I expected. There are a few paintings and lots of dark wood trim. I can see a two-story room past the hallway with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the lake. What must it be like to live their life? I mean, their home was insane but this is just a weekend house and it’s nearly as opulent as their main house. Plus, Haven told me they have another house in LA and apartments in New York and London.

“Your room is just up here,” she says as she starts up the large L-shaped staircase. “Pierce is getting the boat ready for a sunset cruise. Once you’re settled, I’ll take you down to the boathouse and we can get you some drinks.” She pauses as she opens a door, and I gasp. It’s a huge master suite with its own balcony and hot tub with a window overlooking the lake. “I hope this is alright.” She looks over at us. “Kallen and Amber are down at the boathouse bar. They can’t wait to meet you.”

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” Gray offers with a smile.

“Wonderful. I’ll leave you both to get settled and you can meet me downstairs in the kitchen when you’re ready,” she says walking back out of the room and shutting the door.

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