Page 15 of Hero Hair

Macs laughs. “You really are serial, aren’t you?”

“I’m considering bringing you home and lying about it. That about sums it up?”

He shakes his head. “I won’t damn your soul to hell if you fib.” He’s all white, straight teeth, scruffy jaw, and fucking dimples.

I blink a few times to clear the haze he creates.

I’m going to do it. I have nothing to lose. “Or you could pretend to be my boyfriend for a little while, and I promise I’ll blow your mind at the acceptable time.” I tell him the whole deal. About the trip to Vegas and everything. I spill details that are messy and immature. He isn’t put off at all. At best he is completely amused. “I promise, dear God, I promise to make this worth it for you.”

“Isn’t it kind of a lie still? If I agree, we’re pretending anyways. Why couldn’t you pretend, but still let me fuck you tonight?”

I turn my face to the ceiling. “Because maybe pretending with someone will prepare me for a man who really wants me forever.” I return his honesty with a dose of my own. “Maybe my friends are right. A relationship might be worth it. Even if it is pretend.”

He swallows, then cracks his knuckles one by one. His eyes fixate on each finger as he goes. His hands are rough and soft at the same time. The backs are smooth, with a speckling of hair. Perfectly shaped fingers—not too skinny or too fat. His palms are rough and calloused, but not so much that it would be considered a detriment. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but I can tell he’s closed himself off completely.

“It’s a stupid idea. This is a first date. You just met me. I’m insane. My God, I’m insane. My mother would be mortified if I told her. Forget I said any of this. I’ll pick up the check for dinner, and we can be on our way. My friends have made me insane.”

“Here’s the thing. I’ve never been in a relationship. I wouldn’t know how to pretend properly. I will admit that I’m intrigued by the idea because of that fact and nothing else.”

Well, that stings a little.

“What would it entail exactly? And how long until I get you naked?”

My face must register shock, because he continues. “I’m always up for a challenge. Don’t read into it. You are hot. You proposed a situation I’ve never been propositioned with before. If we’re going to do this, we have to do it right. Hand me your cell phone.”

Hesitantly, without taking my eyes off his, I find my phone by touch and lay it on the table in front of us. He opens it with a swipe to pull the camera up. He smiles when he reads the text messages bubbling up my screen. He scoots next to me, so close that I smell the sweet musk of his cologne, and he raises the phone. “Smile, Teala. It’s our first selfie!”

A smirk is all I can force before the flash blinds us. He hands the phone back to me.

“Send that to your friends. Challenge accepted.”

I don’t want to send the picture. I want to keep him to myself for a little longer. A man like Macs can’t be kept by anyone. Not even the most attractive woman in the world and definitely not a messed up, commitment-phobe like myself. I hit send and anticipate the onslaught of texts back. I glance over at Macs. His own cell phone is in his hand and he’s swiping left faster than I thought was possible.

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