Page 5 of Fake Christmas Date
Will Emma forgive me if I go off script and do something crazy to dazzle her coworkers and make them love her?
3
EMMA
People are staring because I’m with the most handsome man in the room. And honestly? I kind of love it.
I thought Dylan was hot from the second I met him. I loved his rough scruff of beard, and kind of unkempt vibe. Yet now he’s shaved, and neatened up his hair, and his deep moss-green eyes glow with a seductive, almost animalistic power, and I think I love this even more.
If I’m in the process of being hypnotized, I’m beyond okay with that.
Dylan and I catch each other’s eye and walk toward each other, meeting just by the dance floor. It feels like every eye is on us as he leans in to kiss my cheek while handing me a glass of champagne.
I take a sip, the bubbles dancing across my tongue as I glance up to see a mischievous look in his eyes. It's hard to read, since I barely know him, but he's definitely up to something.
He turns his gaze to the patio, which is completely empty due to the winter chill.
"Natalie is your manager, right?" he murmurs.
"Yep."
"I don’t know a lot about the business world, but everything I've read says that it doesn’t matter if your bosses like your work, as long as they truly like you as a person. And that if you have both, you’re set."
I sigh, nodding thoughtfully. "If I could just become so likeable that Lacey’s yammering is ignored, that would be perfect. I'd be happy to hunker down and work here for years."
He takes a sip of champagne, then sets our glasses aside. He removes his jacket, slipping it around my shoulders, the subtle scent of him surrounding me. He smells incredible – a hint of cedar and pine, along with the faint scent of pure masculine heat. I wonder what he’d smell like getting out of bed in the morning?—
Down, girl.
Dylan reaches out his hand. "Do you trust me to make a bold move?"
Honestly, I’d trust him to the end of the Earth. "Yes."
Dylan guides me to the patio doors. As we pass Natalie, he winks at her, murmuring, "Sometimes you need to take advantage of the Christmas spirit, a pretty red dress, and the fact that it's an almost full moon." She looks utterly confused. So am I as we step out into the chill.
We walk to the edge of the patio, and I inhale the crisp night air. Most of the trees have lost their leaves by now, but the landscaping is still beautiful between us and the river that's down a slight hill.
Dylan clasps my hands as we face each other under a velvety, starry sky. My breath freezes in my lungs as he drops to one knee. I don’t know what he’s up to, but it suddenly feels very real.
"Emma," he murmurs softly, "you’re the most beautiful, sweet, interesting woman I've ever met. With this proposal tonight, I’m locking you, perhaps unfairly, into a publicrelationship with me for at least a few months. We can play it up or tone it down as you wish. But I guarantee that this is going to win some hearts, and make everyone remember you from this Christmas party."
Dylan is making it clear that this is fake and he's prepared to play along. Yet there's something in his eyes as he stares at me so intently, examining my face, looking for the slightest bit of discomfort. A mist of tears fills my eyes too quickly to be blinked away.
"Emma, my stunningly gorgeous date, I want to get to know you much better. We'll have plenty of time at my family Christmas shindig, but for tonight, will you please do me the extreme honor of going along with this proposal?"
I'm already nodding, giggling, hoping to heck my mascara isn’t running. "Yes!" I shriek loudly enough to be heard through the window. There’s a loud gasp, and everyone crowds around the patio doors.
Dylan kisses the backs of my hands, then grows serious. "Emma, may I stand up and kiss you?"
I don't even care if anyone sees us. This is the most bizarre and adorable first kiss ever, and I can't wait another second for it to happen already.
"Yes." The word comes out as a breathless chirp, and he leaps to his feet.
Dylan turns his back to the window so I’m hidden from view as he dips me. His fingertips trail along the side of my cheek, then down my throat and along my collarbone. "So beautiful," he murmurs, before his lips meet mine.
I expected a quick smooch to make a point. Instead, our light kiss instantly transforms into a surge of fire, flooding my entire body as I clutch at him desperately. Our lips part as we devour each other, my breath coming in short, uneven pants, our audience totally forgotten.
"So hot.” His voice is almost a growl. "So unbelievably sexy."
