Ellie squealed as soon as we inched past the last torch, and the card dropped to the ground. “We did it!”
Filled with relief, I lifted her off her feet and spun her around, eliciting a laugh out of Ellie.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” Mac whooped loudly, and I looked over to see him victoriously hoist Whiskey into the air like a lion cub. “Now move your asses.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice. Seeing the others still struggling through with their cards—my brother had to go back to the start again—I grinned. I set Ellie’s feet back on the ground, took her hand, and tugged her toward the next station.
We’d taken the lead.
pop!
. . .
Ellie
Ellie’s Guide toProfessional CuddlingBeing a Fake FiancéeNOT Falling for Your Fake FiancéHiding Any Trace that You’ve Fallen for Your Fake FiancéKeeping It TogetherSurviving as a Fake Fiancée, Tip #29: Nothing will sell your fake engagement better than dry humping in front of an audience.
My cheeks burned hot enough to catch fire, and I grinned like a fool as Mac cheered me and Cade on.
“This way!” Dr. Lovejoy waved us over to a tub filled with red balloons. She shoved another lace-framed card into my hand before applauding, beaming brightly at us. “Well done, you two. Have fun with this one!”
She raised her voice to cheer for the other couples while Cade and I huddled together to read the instructions.
The Balloon Pop:
To complete this game, one partner will wear a balloon tied around their waist. The other partner must use their body to pop the balloon. No hands or elbows allowed!
Once the balloon pops, make your way to the finish line and complete one final Trust Jump!
The nerves bunching up my shoulders eased. All we had to do was pop one balloon?
That sounded almost too easy.
“Let’s go,” Cade said, already grabbing a balloon out of the tub and reaching around my waist to tie the string.
I tossed the card aside and held my arms out so we wouldn’t break any rules, and Cade didn’t waste any time bumping his front against mine.
… Nothing happened.
The balloon somehow survived being flattened between us.
We both frowned at it.
“Try again,” I said, angling my pelvis up a little to see if that helped at all.
It did not—Cade thrust his hips again, but the balloon squeezed out and swung harmlessly around my hips.
He cursed under his breath, then positioned the balloon and grabbed my hips beforereallydriving against me.
…But the balloon didn’t pop.
Cade tried again. And again. Each thrust grew more powerful, making a blush race straight up my face.
I tried pushing back to sandwich the balloon between our bodies, but it just protested with a rubbery squeak whilestill not popping.
“What the hell?” Cade grumbled after another round of failed thrusts. His brows drew together. “This thing is defective.”
I cleared my throat and fanned my heated cheeks, really hoping his mom and grandfather weren’t watching us right now.
