Page 71 of Faking Ties

“Thank you.” My voice cracks and I clear my throat, trying to cover up the emotions bubbling to the surface. “Not just for that, but for being here for me. There’s no one else I’d rather have by my side than you.”

“Well, get used to it. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“You aren’t? But what about when you get your extension and?—”

“Even then,” he says firmly. My eyes widen at the finality to his declaration.

“Did you really think”—he takes a step closer to me and tilts my chin up—“we were going to end when that happens? After everything we’ve been through?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper. My heart is too bruised to hope for a future together once he gets his contract extension.

“When we get home, we’re going to tear that contract up and I’ll show you just how fake this is.” He slams his lips onto mine, as if he’s cementing a new contract between us with his kiss. Something I desperately want, but am too jaded to believe.

After an endless moment, he pulls away and kisses me three more times. Short, sweet kisses. I want more, but we can’t. Not here. There are too many peoplearound, and Jax is lurking somewhere around here. If I never see him again, it’d be too soon.

“Let’s ditch this thing,” I say suddenly. “I can’t stand to watch Jax on the screen and listen to people fawn over him.”

Hunter doesn’t have to be asked twice and immediately guides me toward a darkened corridor with a glowing sign that saysUscitaabove the end of it.

“What are the odds the fire alarm will go off if we go through this door?” Hunter asks, placing his hand on the push bar.

“If that happens, it’ll make my day.”

“Excuse me,” a man calls out. “You can’t be over here.”

I look behind me and see a man striding toward us. Hunter doesn’t waste another second and pushes through the door before slamming it shut behind us. We get a few curious looks from the people walking by on the street, but I duck my head and don’t move. Not sure which way to go or what to do now that we have some free time.

“Shall we make our getaway?” Hunter laughs. “Or do you want to stand here and admire the cobblestone until we get caught?”

“Rude.” I grin. “Okay, fine. Let’s make it into a game. I bet you can’t keep up with me.”

“Interesting that you want to race against me.” His gaze dips to my feet. “Especially in those heels.”

“Thanks to your silicone covers, my feet are doingmuch better. But just in case, I get a head start, then. To make it fair, of course.”

“Of course. On the count of three. One?—”

I take off with a burst of speed. I have no idea where I’m heading, just as long as it’s away from the building and the front entrance where the paparazzi are. Hunter’s shoes slap against the stone, and I glance behind me and giggle.

“You were supposed to wait,” I yell.

“So were you.” He’s about ten feet away, dodging people as he gains on me.

I shriek and push myself harder. I’d like to think I could win against him if we were in a long-distance competition and if I were wearing proper footwear. But Hunter’s built for bursts of speed. We didn’t pick a stopping point, but I don’t care. Adrenaline races in my veins, and I have a huge smile on my face as butterflies fill my stomach the closer Hunter gets to me. Now this is the kind of fun I’ve been missing. The kind of fun from childhood that’s carefree and innocent.

Arms encircle my waist and lift me in the air. Hunter spins with me, slowing us down. I giggle, and he’s laughing along with me.

“I won,” I say, panting hard.

“Oh really? And where was the end?”

“Right there.” I point to a random spot behind us, before he caught up with me.

He chuckles and sets me down on my feet. “And what would you like as your prize?”

“Nothing?” I didn’t think that far ahead.

“Nothing?” He raises an eyebrow. “That won’t do.” He glances around, then tugs me toward a store. A jewelrystore. “You can find something here.”

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