Page 32 of Love Beyond the Illusion
Her eyes are now wide. “It’s one of the most romantic boutique hotels in the area.”
Jack pauses in the middle of his signature, keeps his eyes low, and darts them in my direction. I feel a flush creep up my face. “Yes, it is.” His mom is right. The place where we’re staying is cozy and dreamy. It’s a perfect spot for a couple who’s madly in love.
As the three of us stand in front of the restaurant saying our goodbyes, Heidi pulls me in for another hug filled with warmth. I had to creatively maneuver around some potentially awkward conversations, but it was a nice time. It was endearing when she peppered me with questions, craving to get to know the woman whom her son had finally brought home to meet her.
Jack intertwines his fingers through mine as we walk back to the car.
“Oh, wait!” she yells to us.
Heidi jogs over with a wide smile. “A few of the ladies from our women’s group are having a pool and spa day tomorrow. I’d love for you to join us.” She shoots a look at Jack. “Unless my son has something planned for the two of you.”
“She’d love to,” Jack responds for me, then squeezes my hand. I take that as my cue to play along, so I smile and nod like he’s paying me to do.
“Wonderful. I’ll text you the details,” she says.
Our second attempt at leaving was successful this time.
Jack and I walk in separately after another deafening car ride back to the villa. His shoulders are square as he takes off directly into the bedroom. My mind is panicking about how we’re going to pull this off. It’s uncomfortable. I feel like I’m doing an awful job. I breathe out a heavy sigh, then drag my feet into the bedroom behind him.
Chapter Thirteen
Piper
Rollingoverafewtimes in the king-sized bed, I try to fall back asleep, but my brain refuses to shut off. It’s like a continuous carousel of things I’ve done and the decisions I could have made differently. I flip over onto my back and stare at the white ceiling. My body is restless, and my mind is active. Now that I’m in Dupara, the weight of what Jack and I agreed to do is beginning to settle.
What type of person agrees to be the fake girlfriend of a guy she barely knows? People who are damaged, that’s who. People who know what “normal” people would do but always end up doing the complete opposite.
I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking out reality. But soon, I hear the echo of Roxy’s voice in my head from when I was a child. She has repeatedly told me I’ll never be good enough for anyone because I am an extension of her. We’d always have to be together since every man I’d ever tried to love would eventually leave me like they’ve all done to her. My mother’s words are now my internal dialogue. When I was a child, and now as an adult, it’s hard to distinguish her words from my thoughts.
I need to get out of this damn room to clear my head.
I throw off the covers and swing my legs over the side, letting my feet touch the soft pile of carpet. Grabbing a white robe from behind the bathroom door, I creep down the hallway as quietly as I can. The lights are off in the villa, making it pitch-black around me. Jack is sleeping only a short distance away on the couch, so turning on any lights is out of the question.
I map the kitchen from memory and feel my way to the refrigerator. The low light from the open door will let me grab a quick snack and return to the bedroom without being noticed. Guided by the edge of the counter, I run my hand across the smooth, cold surface of the tile. I move quickly when suddenly fingertips glide over smooth fabric and a warm, firm bump.
“Can I help you?” A soft voice emerges from the darkness.
Jack? Oh my god!The heavy vibration from my heart echoes in my ears. Jack is directly in front of me. The light flips on, illuminating the kitchen and exposing where I’m standing. Our bodies are almost flush, and my palm comfortably rests on top of his length.Which is semi-hard.
“Oh my god!” I scream, instantly jerking my hand away and stumbling back.
Jack chuckles. He’s leaning against the counter with a half-eaten apple in one hand while the other is folded under his bent arm. “If you wanted to know what my cock feels like, all you had to do is ask.”
Heat burns the back of my neck. My throat constricts with horror. Shoving my face into my hands, I try to pretend that this did not happen. “I’m so sorry! This is humiliating.” One side of his mouth is quirked up while his broad shoulders bounce with laughter. “What are you doing up anyway?” I snap, slightly annoyed at what I just did.
“I was looking for a good time.” He chews through a smile. “And I seem to have found one.”
“Ha. Ha.” I snicker, then peer over at the stiff-looking sofa. “You really don’t have to stay on the couch.” I feel guilty in the larger bed while he’s clearly having trouble on the couch. “I realize our current situation is making things—uh, a bit tricky, but I really don’t mind.”
“That’s not why I couldn’t sleep. I’m not always a sound sleeper and wouldn’t want to disturb you.” He leans back and crosses his ankles together.
I lower my eyes, shuffling my feet in place. “I understand that.”
“Why are you up?” he asks.
“I couldn’t sleep either.”
He smiles, and I’m sucked back into the energy from his blue eyes. I quickly look away. My chest feels light and airy. I decide to drag my focus back to him, locking my eyes with his. Breathing in his energy once again before pulling away. “Looks like we have something in common.”
