He nods, but he closes the distance between us again anyway, kissing me gently one more time. “Unless your professional opinion is that I need more medical attention?”
I smile, smoothing my thumb over his bottom lip. My eyes flicker back to his, and we study each other in a more intimate way than we ever have. I think we both know we’re teetering the line each time we do this. That every single time we kiss, both in public and privately, the fine print of our contract gets blurrier and blurrier.
Kissing him is nice. I find myself wanting to kiss him more often than not. I find myself wanting to be around him more often than not, too, both on good days and bad. When I got that call from Serena? My fingers itched to text Carter, to ask him if I could sleep over, to beg him to watch movies with me and make me laugh until I forget the mess waiting for me at home.
“Declan and Penny are having an engagement party in a couple of weeks.”
I nod. I received an invite separatefrom being Carter’s plus one. I guess Penny and I are actually friends now. It’s one of the many benefits that have come from this arrangement with Carter.
“Will you come with me? Be my date?” he asks, eyes skimming my face, thumb brushing my side.
“Of course. Engagement parties are a main part of my Mrs. Faux Forkerro duties.”
Carter’s mouth tightens a bit. He dips his chin. “Good. It’s my last chance to weasel my way into the wedding party.”
I drop my hands from his skin, sliding back to the cushion beside him.
“You’re in the wedding party, Carter,” I remind him, patting his thigh. “You’re his best friend. He just wants you to grovel a bit.”
“I don’t let my people down. That’s not like me.”
I smile softly. Perplexing, this man. So complex. “He knows that.”
Carter’s throat bobs, a haunted look washing over his face. “Is Sweets mad at me?”
Hard exterior, softest interior.
I shake my head. “No. She just knew how excited Declan was for your reaction, so it broke her heart a bit for him.”
Carter winces, his eyes shutting in regret.
“I’m sorry.”
Carter’s eyes crack open. “You’re sorry? For what?”
“I know that it all happened because of our fight.”
“My mistakes aren’t yours, Red,” he murmurs. His eyes are glued to mine. “My behaviour is my own responsibility, alright?”
I nod, but I still feel a sense of guilt that has bothered mesince that night. I know how hard Carter rides for his friends, how loyal he is. I know how much it hurts him to carry this.
“I have an idea.”
Carter’s brows raise. He nods to indicate he’s listening.
“I’ve spoken to Penny a lot about life in Canada. I know the dynamic Declan has with his friends. If you want him to forgive you completely, I think I have a pretty good plan.”
Carter blinks, but the longer he looks at me, the deeper his frown sinks. “Why does this sound like a bad idea already?”
I peer up at him with a face full of innocence. “Are you against public humiliation?”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
carter
This is so stupid.
We spent a whole weekend on this shit, and it’s still fucking stupid.
