Page 62 of Faking It Right
“I appreciate that. Though I’m starting to think I might have been ready sooner than I realized.”
His tone turned curious. “Oh? What makes you say that?”
“Looking back, I see some signs. Like how I always felt awkward when you brought guys home. I thought it was the awkwardness about hearing my roommate having sex, but maybe it was jealousy.”
Harley smirked. “Definitely jealousy, considering you got all pouty and would blast music in your room.”
“I did not pout.”
“Yes, you did. It was adorable.” His gentle touch took the sting out of his words. “You know, I started bringing guys home more often to see if I could get a rise out of you.”
I propped myself up to gaze in shock. “You didwhat?”
Harley’s grin was unrepentant. “It worked, didn’t it? You walked in on me and Ethan, and look at us now.”
“That was intentional?” I stared at him in disbelief. “You planned for me to walk in on you getting a blow job?”
“Not exactly. That was a happy accident. I had no clue your class was canceled.”
I was torn between annoyance and admiration. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Thank you,” he replied with pride.
“It wasn’t a compliment.” Despite my protest, I couldn’t stop smiling.
“It absolutely was.” His expression turned cheeky. “Admit it, you’re impressed by my boldness.”
I snorted. “I’m impressed by your sheer audacity, that’s for sure.”
“Audacity has gotten me pretty far in life. Especially with you.” He rubbed small circles on my back. “If I hadn’t been audacious enough to agree to be your fake boyfriend, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
His simple confession made my chest tighten. I cupped his face and pulled him in for a kiss, trying to express everything I couldn’t articulate yet. He responded eagerly, his hands sliding up to tangle in my hair.
“I like this new, impulsive Ryker who kisses me on a whim.”
“I like him, too,” I admitted. “He’s a lot happier than the grouchy old Ryker.”
“Good.”
“Though I reserve the right to be grumpy sometimes,” I added. “I wouldn’t want you to think I’ve turned into a ray of sunshine.”
“Heaven forbid. Thankfully, your grumpiness is part of your irresistible charm, snookums.”
I sighed at the ridiculous pet name. “If you keep calling me that, I might have to rethink this whole relationship thing.”
“No, you won’t,” he said, guiding me down to rest on him again. “You love it when I call you that. It makes you feel special.”
“It makes me feel like a teddy bear,” I grumbled.
“My very sexy teddy bear,” Harley amended, his hand stroking my arm.
I laughed at the absurdity. “You’re awful.”
He sounded victorious. “Yet here you are, naked in bed with me for the second time today.”
“A momentary lapse in judgment,” I teased, even as I inched closer to him.
I could hear the grin in Harley’s voice. “A lapse I hope turns into a longtime commitment.”
