Page 11 of The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match
He shook his head. “Not tonight. I didn’t want to say anything while Carrie Anne was around, but my family thought we’d want to have dinner alone tonight since it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
Dinner alone with Bear. Her pulse jumped. It was dangerous. She liked him a lot. “Did you really want to drive back to town after coming all this way?”
“If you don’t mind, I put together a picnic. I thought we’d take one of the four-wheelers and drive west a little and eat as the sun sets.”
“Uh…”
It was slight, but she saw the little downturn of his lips at her reply. “I can tell them you’re tired after traveling. It’s okay.”
What was life without a little danger? She touched his arm. “Actually, I think that sounds incredible.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to think you have to do anything you don’t want.” He stuffed his hands in jeans pockets. “They’ll understand.”
“No, I do want to go, really. I bet a sunset here is gorgeous.”
The smile he gave her went to his eyes and made her stomach flutter. “All right. I’ll get things together while you settle in, and I’ll come get you in a little bit. You’re free to go anywhere you want, okay?”
“Okay.”
He crossed the room to the door, pausing at the doorframe. “I’m glad you’re here. See you in a bit.”
With the click of the door, she sagged. Holy smokes, she was in trouble. Bear was checking boxes she didn’t know she had, and now they were going to have a romantic picnic while watching the sunset.
Oh, what was she doing? He said his family thought they’d want time alone together, not him. The only reason he was doing it was to keep his family from being suspicious. This wasn’t a real date.
Besides, she had a restaurant she needed to open. In San Antonio. She couldn’t afford a distraction like Bear. Her head had things straight, but her heart was all sorts of twisted up. Did a man like Bear come along more than once? Maybe not, but her dream was within her grasp, and she wasn’t giving up on it. She’d just have to keep her wits when she was alone with him later. Easy peasy. No big deal.
The little voice in the back of her mind laughed. Trouble. That man was going to be buckets and buckets of trouble.
Chapter 9
Bear tapped his knuckles against Winnie’s bedroom door. After dropping her off earlier, he’d worked on their picnic. He’d taken the four-wheeler, scouted out a spot, and returned to the house to fix their basket. He’d packed plenty of warm blankets in case she got cold and a thermos of hot chocolate. It probably wasn’t as good as she could make it, but he hoped she’d like it. He’d also packed hot water in case she wanted tea instead.
The door swung open, and a smile greeted him. Boy howdy, was she something in a white sweater that hugged her curves and made her hair and eyes stand out even more. “Wow, you are…beautiful.”
“Oh, Bear, stop it.” She looked down as she fussed with her sweater. “All I did was change into something a little warmer.”
He took her chin in his fingers and tilted her head up. “Any man worth a second of your time will acknowledge your beauty every time he sees you. Don’t ever forget that.”
Her lips parted as she stared at him wide-eyed. “Most of the men I know don’t talk like you.”
“It’s a pity they can’t see what’s right in front of them.” Again, just like in the truck, the temptation to kiss her hit him square in the stomach, knocking the wind from him. Her perfect lips looked soft, and he pictured long hours spent memorizing them. His galloping heart was hard to ignore, but he couldn’t trust himself. He dropped his hand and stepped back. “You ready to watch the sunset?”
“I really am.”
She laced her fingers in his and stepped out of her room, using her free hand to shut the door. He knew she was only doing it because they were supposed to be a real couple, but it didn’t lessen how much he enjoyed it.
On the first-floor landing, they met his mom, Caroline. The way her face lit up now that she thought he was seeing someone made him feel guilty about lying. At the time, he’d figured it’d be no big deal. It had been a while since Angela, and he was simply testing the waters this time. They’d think it was natural when the relationship fizzled out.
“You packed plenty of blankets, right?” His mom directed the question to him.
“Yes, ma’am. I won’t let her freeze.”
She patted his cheek and then smiled at Winnie. “I’m so glad you came for the holidays.”
“Thank you for inviting me. I really love it.” Winnie looked from his mom to Bear. “I didn’t realize when he invited me just how wonderful it would be.”
“We’ll see you in a little while, Mom,” he said.
