Page 13 of Fake Christmas Date
I'm not sure how public we should be, since there's no way to know if I'll even be here next year. Every time I start to ask Dylan about that, I chicken out.
I don't want to hear him say that “this all started so quickly”, and he's “not really in a place in his life where he’s ready for a serious commitment”, blah blah blah. Even though he isn’t acting that way, I’m sure he can't be interested in a permanent relationship with someone completely out of the blue like this. He just needed a fake date for the holidays to get his mom off his back about never bringing anyone home for Christmas.
Dylan stops on the side of the road, close to the huge tree, then reaches over to take my hand. "Emma," he says quietly. "I know this must be a lot for you. My family is over the top about the holidays. The whole town is."
I laugh. Just being so close to him in the truck is speeding up my pulse. "In a place this beautiful, how could people not be?"
"Still. I really appreciate this. You've been a total champ."
Oh.
I smile, even thoughchampis pretty much the least sexy thing he could call me. Makes me feel like part of the team, reminding me that this is just part of a mission to get his mother to leave him alone. "It's been fun. Really."
"Good. Are you ready for some downtime now?"
I'm already nodding. "Yes. This has been great, but a lot to take in."
His chuckle is deep and warm as he turns the Jeep around and heads back to his parents’ house. "Mom and Dad are off visiting my cousins this afternoon and then some friendstonight, so we could lounge around and watch a movie. Maybe go to bed early." He flashes me a glance, but it's too dark to get a good look at his eyes. "Tomorrow is the big Christmas Eve Eve ball. We're going to need to be well rested for that."
Dylan explained to me on the flight that since so many people have family plans on Christmas Eve itself, the town decided it would be nice to have a huge party the night before. It’s almost like an annual reunion for the entire area.
Apparently there are three things I have to watch out for. If the mayor asks me to dance, I should say yes but be careful because he's quite exuberant and likes to fling people around. I shouldn’t have more than one small cup of the punch, because although it’s delicious it has the alcohol equivalent of three drinks and I will regret it in the morning. Most importantly, I have to try Mrs. McKenzie's famous potato salad before it runs out.
"Lounging is probably a good idea."
"Good." His hand lands on my knee, gently stroking and caressing through my thick leggings.
I like that he's always touching me. At first, it was just when there were people around, to sell the story that we were close. Now it's like he can't stop himself, and I certainly don't want him to. I have no idea how long this little tryst is going to last, but I want to explore every single seductive detail while it does.
Even if this doesn’t work out and my heart ends up bruised, it's going to be worth it for the magical memories – both of this special holiday, and whatever we get up to in the guest room tonight.
10
DYLAN
Ialmost feel like a teenager, cuddled up with Emma on my parents’ couch like this.
I never would have imagined I’d bring home a girl so beautiful. So sexy. So funny, and light – everything I've been dreaming of for years.
We snuggle together under a blanket, my fingertips lazily trailing up and down her forearm. Her head is drooped against my shoulder, and I can smell the soft rosemary honey scent of her shampoo.
It's difficult to pay attention to the movie. All I want to do is carry Emma downstairs and ravish her until she's screaming my name to the sky.
It's clear that she wants me physically just as much as I want her. Our desire for each other is obvious. Yet every time our fake instant relationship comes up, her eyes cloud. I think my sweet girl feels guilty about all the lies, even though they’re for a good cause.
Her porcelain face tips up to mine to catch me staring at her. "You're not watching the movie," she whispers, gently elbowing me in the ribs.
"Neither are you, cutie." I reach out and pause the holiday classic we’ve both probably seen a million times. My fingers return under the blankets to caress her knee, then wander up her inner thigh. "Are you distracted?"
I turn a bit more, her hand slowly drifting up my chest to rest in the crook between my neck and my shoulder. She grins. "It's kind of hard to concentrate on anything when you're literally breathing down my neck.”
"Oh, do you meanthisneck?" I tilt her head back to trail a line of kisses from her ear to her collarbone. My hand slips slowly up her inner thigh, letting her feel my warm palm through her cozy winter tights.
"How…" Her breasts are already heaving as her breath picks up.
"How what, baby?"
"How do you know exactly how to touch me?"
