Page 36 of Faking Ties

“I’m sure that’ll make Evren happy.”

“Did you do it for him?”

“Does it matter?” I ask.

“Yes.” It’s his turn to scan my face. “Yes, it does.”

I could lie and pretend I did it for the headlines that will result from this. But when I open my mouth, the words dry up. Instead, I tell him the truth. “I did it because it felt right. Because I wanted to.”

His gaze smolders with desire and he wraps a handin my hair, pulling my face toward his. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

“For the cameras?” I ask, needing to put some distance between us. I refuse to admit that I want his kiss. It’s safer to ignore this spark between us, especially when this is temporary. We're just playing a part, and I can't let myself get swept away by this, by him. He's not really mine, and I'm not really his. It’s all for show, and I can’t forget it.

A frown flashes across his face before he smooths it out. “Sure, for the cameras.”

I nod in agreement, and swift and sure, he closes the distance between us in the next heartbeat. My world narrows to the searing press of his lips against mine. The kiss isn’t a tentative question or a quick one that’s just for show. Instead, he goes off script and kisses me with an edge of desperation. Like a frantic search for…something. I gasp, and he slides his tongue between my lips, deepening the kiss.

His tongue brushes against mine, a slow, teasing exploration that sends goose bumps cascading down my body. Cupping my cheek with his hand, he traces his thumb down my jawline and neck. Shivers dance across my skin, igniting a fire that spreads outwards, consuming every corner of my awareness. I melt against him, drowning in the urgency of the kiss. Drowning in him.

I’m not sure if I’m falling apart or hurtling towardssomething magnificent, but all I crave is to be lost in the beautiful chaos he ignites within me.

He pulls away and kisses me softly once, twice. “There, those photos should make Jax jealous.”

I stiffen at the reminder, a chilly emptiness washing through me. Of course, he only kissed me like that to make Jax jealous. It’s what I wanted, what I asked of him, but it felt real. He’s an amazing actor since I can’t tell where the line between real and fake begins or ends. It’s all moving too fast for me to keep up with.

“I’m tired,” I say. “Let’s go back to the room?”

He doesn’t ask if I’m sure or make a fuss that his drink is untouched. Instead, he takes my hand in his and guides me to the room. Once we’re inside, he asks, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I lie. “It’s just the adrenaline crash from the show.” I need to put some distance between us, to guard my heart. I like Hunter and that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. He’s just after his contract extension, this is a business transaction, and I shouldn’t forget it. With that in mind, physical distance will help me redraw the boundary between us. Striding toward the bedroom—the only one because the universe hates me—I grab his duffle bag from the corner.

He immediately takes it from my hands, and I gently nudge him toward the door of the bedroom. He follows without question. I push him a little further into the living room before smiling and saying, “Goodnight.”

I shut the bedroom door on him, which is basically just two glass doors with a gauzy curtain on them.

“What’s this?” he asks, laughing through the door.

“I’m going to bed. Alone.”

“Afraid you won’t be able to resist me?”

I snort to coverthatvery real concern. “Not at all.”

“You’re missing out. This couch is like a cloud.”

I grin, surprised he’s not upset about this turn of events. That he’s respecting my desire for alone time.

“And,” he calls out, “the best part? I get the bathroom.”

No, that can’t be. I spin around the room, from the window to the closet and that’s it. Oh shit.

“Maybe I didn’t plan this properly,” I rush to say.

“Oh, I think you planned it perfectly.”

“But what if I need to pee?” Which my bladder oh so kindly reminds me that I need to go. Now.

“Then I guess you’ll have to barter with me.”

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