But instead of asking another question, Sadie slumps back in her chair. And I find myself leaning forward instead. “I don’t go on dates. I occasionally find women to have sex, but there’s no hand holding, no farmer’s markets, and no get-to-know-you questions. Just orgasms.”
Her mouth falls open, and before I can stop myself, my hand is reaching out and one finger is pushing gently on her chin to close it.
“Relax, Specs. Your virtue is safe with me.” I ignore the flash of disappointment that crosses her face. “But you’re right. We do have to make this look real. My brother pointed out that some of the photos from yesterday didn’t look all that believable. I’ve been instructed to step it up in the acting department.”
Sadie sips her wine slowly, and when she sets it down, her eyes meet mine. “Which means what, exactly?”
For once in my life, I pause and think before I answer her. “Which means we need to make it look convincing. Colin says we need a little more affection and a little less scowling from me.”
Her short burst of laughter is deserved. “He’s not wrong.”
I didn’t even realize I wanted to see her relax until I notice her shoulders drop down ever so slightly. The thing is, I don’t know how to act. I don’t know what couples do on dates like this. I’ve never been in this position before, and I fucking hate it. But I’m not the only one with something at stake, which means I need to man the fuck up.
“Tell me about your ex.”
Sadie’s eyes widen in confusion. “Why?”
“Because. He’s the reason you’re here, isn’t he? Seems I should know about the jackass I’m showing up.”
She takes another sip of her wine, sets it down, and stares at the glass. “We were together a few years. Looking back now, I don’t know why I actually thought he could be the one, but when I was in it, I guess I was blind. Couldn’t see that I could do better.”
Her voice is harsh, unkind, and directed at herself if I’m not mistaken. It makes my jaw clench.
“I walked in on him and his paralegal having sex in our bed. Well. His bed.” She lets out a sharp laugh, even though there’s nothing funny about what she just said. “He made me get rid of my furniture when I moved in, insisting his was better quality. God, he was so arrogant, and I just went along with it like an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot. Men like him don’t deserve to fucking walk this earth,” I growl, and her eyes shoot up to meet mine. “He’s an asshole. A fucking stupid asshole.”
“Th-thank you,” she whispers.
Our dinner arrives and thank fuck, Sadie drops the questions. In fact, she barely says another word the entire meal. It leaves me thinking I’m in for another fucking lecture from Colin.
When we’re done, we leave the restaurant, my hand on her lower back again. I know we haven’t done enough. Even with my complete ignorance of how to date, I know tonight didn’t go well. Then we reach her car, and something out of the corner of my eye has me looking to the side.
There.
A fucking camera.
My lips are on hers in an instant, turning so her back is to the photographer. My hands are on her, one in the curve above her ass and one at the base of her neck. Holding her tightly.
She’s stiff underneath me at first, and I’m thinking this was a fucking huge mistake. I should have said something, but no. In typical Maverick fashion, I acted first and thought later. That approach has landed me in trouble more times than I can count, and for all I know, it’s fucking things up now, too.
But then Sadie lets out a little moan, and suddenly, she’s pressing into me, too, not to push me away, but to get closer. Her arms come around my neck, and she gives in to the kiss.
My ribs are screaming at me, but I ignore them. The pain is worth it.
We break apart and reality hits me when I see the dazed look on her face.Shit. This is why I’ve been giving her whiplash, as she called it. Because girls like Sadie don’t know how to keep feelings apart from the physical.
“What was that for?” she asks, reaching her hand up to brush across her lips.
“Photographer behind the tree,” I say sharply, and the dazed look falls away immediately.
“Oh.”
Her tongue darts out to swipe her lips, and fucking hell if I don’t want to kiss her again. But we gave the pap his shot, and that’s all this is for.
A photo op. Nothing more.
Chapter nine
