Page 87 of Love Among Vines

Rett’s gift bag from the night before caught her eye. She had been slightly miffed after he snapped at her and hadn’t opened it as instructed. She hefted it onto the counter. Why was it so heavy?

Inside was a laptop and a tablet. Anger flared like someone had just dropped a match at a gas station. What the hell was he doing, buying her expensive electronics? She didn’t need his help.

She grabbed her phone with a mind to cancel for tonight. Penny whined from her position curled up at Jade’s feet.Something about her soulful eyes froze her on the spot. Jade paused and took a deep breath.

Penny was right. This was her past trauma coming out. Rett was not Nate. This wasn’t some flashy gift meant to control her or enhance her public image like the Hermes bag Nate insisted she carry during her photo shoot forPainter’s Brushmagazine. The one she later sold to cover a couple months of rent.

Rett had never given her a reason not to trust him. He had done nothing but help her since the day of her apology.

She opened his contact and typed out a message.

Jade: Thank you for the gift. I’d like to pay you back, but it might be awhile.

A few minutes later, her phone dinged.

Rett: There’s nothing to pay back. It’s an investment from someone who believes in you. Are you wearing the last gift?

She glanced down at the electronics. Unless he wanted her to fashion a dress out of an iPad box as some sort of creative exercise, there wasn’t anything to wear. She dug through the bag and found another parcel wrapped in tissue paper. She yanked it out and unfolded it. A lacy bra and panty set in a deep eggplant color slipped into her hands.

A thrill ran through her belly at the thought of him discovering it, peeling away the layers of clothing until only this gift separated them. What would his hands feel like as they raked over her flesh? Would he be rough? Gentle? Domineering?

She put it on and flittered around the kitchen.

Gravel crunched outside, signaling his arrival. A tingle ran down her spine, and she turned and threw her sketchbook into her oversized studded tote. Just in case.

She blew out another long, slow breath. Why was she so nervous? This wasn’t even a real date. It was a façade. She could have explosive diarrhea the entire time and it wouldn’t even matter. The stakes could not have been lower.

But when she opened the door and saw Rett standing there in a suit jacket, with slicked-back hair, and holding yet another bouquet, the nerves multiplied.

“Hi,” she said, almost tripping over her overnight bag as she backed up. He hadn’t explicitly stated that she was staying over, but she believed in being prepared.

Penny immediately descended on him, pressing a slobbery tennis ball into his side until he plucked it from her mouth and bounced it across the floor.

When Penny vacated, Rett handed Jade the bouquet and leaned in for a kiss that left her lips burning.

“I’m running out of vases, you know.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You live in a pottery shed.”

“That doesn’t mean I can just start shoving flowers in things all loosey-goosey.”

He cracked a smile.

“Sorry. Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.” He held her at arm’s length and looked her up and down.

Butterflies danced in her stomach. His gaze was long and slow, like he was trying to memorize everything about her. For a fake boyfriend, he lent a lot of intensity to the role.

“You’re looking pretty handsome yourself.” She tugged at a button on his shirt and let her hand trail to belt level.

“Are you wearing my gift?” he asked.

“I might be. Will I need it?”

“Oh. You’ll need it. Did you pack an overnight bag?”

“Is it incredibly presumptuous of me to say yes?”

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