Page 93 of False Play
My pulse spiked. “Why?”
He swiped his tongue across his bottom lip. “Honestly?”
I licked my own in anticipation and nodded, not able to find the words. His bergamot scent was strong, and it wrapped around all my senses.
His lips brushed against mine as he rasped, “Because Ireallyfucking want to.”
I let out a shaky, “Okay.”
His lips collided with mine with ease, and I relaxed into him. My tongue met his in a lazy, unhurried kiss, but still, every nerve in my body felt like a live wire under his touch. I buzzed with so much energy, it was hard to control.
I didn’t know or care if anyone was watching.
I had no excuses in the books, except the truth—I liked kissing my fake boyfriend…a lot.
TWENTY-FOUR
KENNEDY
LET’S BREAK THE RULES.
As soon asHenry opened the door and we strode into the apartment, Captain Sushi jumped on the kitchen island with a pissed meow.
“Yeah, yeah,” Henry mumbled as he grabbed the treats we kept in one of the kitchen drawers and gave him a piece. “Sorry, bud.”
“Do you think he only acts pissed when we’re out of the house all day to get treats?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.” Henry scratched Sush’s ear. “We’re onto you, dude.”
The cat simply stared at us as he ate his snack, and once he was done, he jumped off and curled up on the couch.
“What a warm welcome,” I shouted so Sush could hear me. “I’ll be sure to remember that next time I go to the pet store to buy those organic salmon treats you love so much.”
“You spoil him.”
I crossed my arms. “There are cat beds that you bought him in every room of this house, even though he literally uses none of them. And you think I’m the one who spoils him?”
He sighed, defeated. “Okay, you may be right.”
We both looked at each other and laughed. Once our laughter died, a sudden charged silence fell between us. It was so strong, I could almost taste it. We were toying with the line of no return, but neither one of us was sure of what to do or what the next step was.
I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. I wantedmore. I wantedhim.
But I was also scared.
This had the wordmessyprinted inbold, neon letters. Mixing business with pleasure wasn’t the best idea—it waswhyI created the contract in the first place.
But I hadn’t lied when I told him I wanted to break the rules.
We quietly walked down the hall and stood at our respective doors to retreat to our bedrooms. My eyes found his, and we just stared at each other for a few silent beats. My body buzzed with nervous energy; it was holding me back. It was strange, how the sight of him alone was making my heart quicken.
It freaked me out, to be honest. I couldn’t pinpoint when exactly I had started to feelthingsfor the guy who, up until the other day, I claimed I couldn’t stand.
He leaned against his door and crossed his arms. “Today was really fun.”
I rested my head against my door with a nod. “Yeah, it was.” I didn’t think I had felt so at ease and had so much fun in…hell, forever.
He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped himself and simply nodded awkwardly with a smile.
