Page 11 of Pump Fake

Samantha recovered first and licked her lips, her eyes shining with too much excitement. “Oh, did you bring me a stripper?”

Crazy, self-centered bitch. It wasn’t her bachelorette party.

Ares laughed. “The only stripping I do is taking the ball away from the opposing team’s possession.” With the tip of his finger, he lifted my chin and tilted it toward him before brushing a too-brief kiss over my lips. “Sorry, ladies. I’m a one-woman guy, and Brielle is everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Wow, that was hot. Sinking into his whiskey-colored eyes, I almost bought the lie that he was into me.

“You’re dating Brielle?” Tiffany spat the question. Her expression twisted as if she’d tasted something sour, her hand gesturing to the stain on my dress. “Why? She’s a mess, as you can see.”

A mix of fury and embarrassment swirled in my empty stomach. Ares looked at ease, but I felt the tension in his body.

“That’s too bad, Brielle,” Samantha pouted. “That stain might not come out.”

“It’s ruined. No point in trying.” Tiffany’s eyes narrowed,malice pouring from them. “It’s a shame since your family’s broke, and I know you don’t have the means to replace a Prada dress.”

Ares narrowed his eyes, seeming to put two and two together. “The spill was my fault. I surprised her and slipped my arm around her waist, accidentally spilling her wine.”

He cupped my face and captured my lips, brushing his across mine until I parted for him on a gasp. Sensations exploded, and I lost track of where I was when he swept his tongue past my parted lips to tangle with mine. My hands found his waist and gripped tight as he deepened the kiss. He took control, and I was helpless against the instant need that consumed me, my body melting against his.

It was over too soon. He broke the kiss and looked into my heavy-lidded eyes. One kiss managed to take hold of the layers of distance between us and peel them away.

Several seconds passed before I realized who held me, and because of our captive audience, I had to fight the urge to push him away. With no other recourse, I dug my nails into his waist. The corners of his mouth twitched in response.

“I chased Brie for six months until she finally agreed to go out with me.” He spoke to the girls but never broke eye contact with me, laughter sparking within his topaz eyes as he noticed how I wrestled with letting him remain close. “Want to get out of here and get some dinner, babe?”

His comment appeased my need to put some distance between us, and I nodded. I was more than grateful he had shut Samantha and Tiffany up. I made some excuses to Samantha before I let Ares lead me away from the stunned, silent table. When my wits returned, a slow smile curved my mouth.Take that, bitches.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ARES

Ithreaded my fingers through Brielle’s and led her away from the table of vipers. Questions formed in my head, and I quickly dismissed them. It wasn’t my business why she hung out with those girls, nor was the comment about her family not having money. The evening had taken a turn for the better, and I couldn’t stop replaying that kiss, wondering if she would let me do that again, because she did not like me. I only got that close to her because she needed a way to save face and an out where those girls were concerned.

We wove through the crowd, almost to the edge, the scent of beer and the heavy, thumping bass receding the farther we got. Her small hand remained in mine, and I warred with the current version of her against the condescending teacher who’d threatened to recommend Preston for expulsion.

No matter how much hate had pulsed around us before, I couldn’t ignore a girl in distress. I’d come to my older sister’s rescue a few times when we were younger and she’d gotten pregnant in high school. Aside from the accident that had ended her life, it’d worked out between her and the father—my brother-in-law—surprisingly well. Living with two women hadingrained chivalry I couldn’t dismiss, not even for the judgmental authority figure Brielle had appeared to be at our first meeting.

Aside from her mean-girl problems and our obvious hate-to-want-you moment, I needed to suck up to her for Preston’s sake. We cleared the patio’s edge and moved onto the sidewalk with our hands still linked. Once we were clear of any possibility that her so-called friends would see us, she tore her hand from mine.

My stomach growled. “I was serious about getting something to eat. There’s a Mexican restaurant nearby.”

She shrugged, her gaze fixed straight ahead, and I wondered if she regretted the fake boyfriend thing. Probably because it complicated things with her being P’s teacher, or it would if anyone at Linwood found out, specifically my nephew. The good thing about running into her was that I could hide my anger by charming her so she would go easy on P.

“Yeah, that sounds good.” A breeze lifted a few strands of her honey-blond hair, and she pushed it back from her face. “I could eat, and tequila sounds fantastic since you spilled my only glass of wine.”

“Didn’t trust yourself to drink around those girls?”

She snorted. “Would you?”

“They’re not my type, so no. But that doesn’t explain why you went out with them if they’re not your people.” We arrived at the restaurant, and when I opened the door, the noise distracted her from my question.

Inside, the restaurant buzzed with energy, and we got in line for the hostess stand. A group of five stood in front of us. Soft lighting highlighted Brielle’s high cheekbones and full mouth. A few inches of space existed between us, which was for the best. She was gorgeous, and the attraction I felt for her was confusing. I didn’t want to want her, not with how bitchy she’d been.Besides, I’d sworn off women, right?Right. I needed to keep that inthe forefront of my mind, ignoring the whispers in the back about Coach wanting me to get serious with someone.

It didn’t take long before we were seated at a cozy table for two, silently perusing the extensive menu. I’d been there many times and knew what I wanted, but Brielle’s brows scrunched. The waitress headed our way, and my stomach was eating itself.

I tried to move things along. “See anything that looks good?”

With a sigh, she set the menu aside. “I don’t know. I’ll probably just have tacos.”

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