“A kiss.”
She swatted at me.
I laughed. “Because I want you to know that I need you. This. Us. And I’m all in.”
She shuddered. Like, fucking shuddered at my words. It had me feeling all kinds of ways about how she should be treated. “I’m going to be the best fake boyfriend you’ve ever had.” She made a nonsensical, throaty noise that made me grin. “We’re walking in together tomorrow.”
“Isn’t that a bit much?”
“Nope.” I smirked. “See you tomorrow! And I’ll think of a better code name.”
“You better.” She smirked as I walked away. The image of the deep blush on her cheeks caused by me, had me wanting to doso muchmore to see how far the blush could go. But really, what I needed to do was remember that the kiss was proof that I’d need to control myself better around her. I already wanted more than a fake relationship allowed.
CHAPTER 13
APRIL
Josh’s unexpected kiss lingered on my mouth. I wished it didn’t, but it was that perfect kiss you saw in movies. The sweeping face hold and every portrayal of legs weakening was true. I hated the effect he had on me. I also hated that I was willing to give in so easily, but desperation could do that.
It wasn’t just on me though, because Josh needed me, too. We were simply friends helping each other out for a few days, and that was it. He was just Josh; my hot coworker whose kiss destroyed me in my kitchen to prove how serious he was about our plan to fake date. He would save me at Papi’s party and he’d get to tell people he was dating someone.
I paced around my tiny condo in my ridiculous jammies I wished he hadn't seen me in, wearing a patch on the linoleum floor. Electricity thrummed through me from the night.It was not going to do any good re-living it.Even though I wanted to. But it was late and I should at least attempt to lie in bed, then maybe my obsessive thoughts about all thewhat if’sandcould we make it workwould exhaust themselves. I hoped.
I turned off all the lights, except for the small lamp by the door. Nora was still out at a work function and she had texted she would be home late. Once I double checked the lock, Itrudged to my bed, sunk in the soft mattress and cotton blanket, and laid back against the pillows in the dark. Thinking and contemplating. I had sort of already agreed, but my mind was doubting my ability to pull it off.
I must have laid staring at the ceiling for so long, it started to blur. Then suddenly, I was visualizing Josh above me, shirtless, walking around his apartment in those low-hanging gym shorts with his spectacular sculpted abs that I wanted to run my fingers across. The heat between my legs was building. Maybe a little relief would be good. I let my fingers dip below the hem of my shirt to the top of my waistband.
The barn door to my room slid open; I snatched my fingers back up and above the blankets.
“You awake?”
“Yup,” I added quickly, hoping Nora couldn’t see my flushed cheeks in the dark. I hadn’t even heard her come home.
“Sorry I bailed tonight. I didn’t expect the after party to go so crazy.”
As much as I hated that she’d bailed, I also knew it was part of her job. She was a local radio host who did the evening shift and sometimes covered local events. Tonight was the new emerging band, The Spinners. They were gaining traction fast, thanks to a few viral videos, and her getting to do the coverage was a highlight this week. I sat up when she came and crawled next to me.
“How was the band?”
“So good and the lead singer… Girl, what I wouldn’t do to join that groupie list. Except lose my job.” She giggled. “Which would happen if I crossed that line.”
“Good thing it was just tonight.”
“No kidding.” She wiggled her brows. “How was your night?”
My face burned with the thought of telling her about Josh, but I also wanted to talk about it and get some advice. Therewas no one better than Nora to tell me if this was a terrible idea or not.
“Josh stopped by.”
Instantly, she sat up. “Tell me everything.”
“He’s going to go to the party as my boyfriend.”
She punched me in the shoulder. “What? How?”
“Ow!” I rubbed my throbbing shoulder.
“Don’t be a baby.”
