Our conversation is interrupted by a waitress coming by to take our drink orders. He orders a bottle of red wine, sends her on her way, and then leans forward, bringing our heads close together.
“I don’t need to be in character to appreciate a beautiful woman and her company.”
My eyes trace his lips. A man like Rowan shouldn’t have such perfect lips, full and shapely. He’s tempting enough as is.
Even if he’s lying.
I know I’m no great beauty. My nose is too pointy, my mouth is too wide, and despite being blond-haired and blue-eyed, there’s something about how my features all come together that puts me far from the mainstream ideal.
But what’s the point of arguing with him? Do I really want him to admit to me that even on my best day, like right now, I’ll never measure up to the worst day of some of the other women he’s been with?
I’m not a masochist.
“Thank you for the compliment,” I say stiffly and pick up the menu to look at it again.
After we place our orders, I get up to use the ladies' room, keeping my eyes down as I weave past the other tables.
When I return, there’s a pretty dark-haired woman sitting in my seat.
I stop a few steps away.
That’s Casey. Del told me Rowan slept with her a few months ago.
Jealousy sinks its claws into my insides. Again? Is this what dating Rowan will be all about? Seeing other women salivating over him and questioning if I’ll ever hold up to them?
It’s a good thing this is fake.
All. Just. Fake.
It takes Casey a moment to tear her gaze away from Rowan to the shadow standing by the table.
A beat passes as she takes me in, and her confused expression tips me off to the fact that she momentarily mistakes me for a waitress.
But then she catches on.
“I’m sorry, did I take your seat?” She doesn’t look in any rush to vacate it.
“Hey, Sunshine.” Before I realize what’s happening, Rowan grabs my wrist and pulls me onto his lap. I’m caught off guard and lose my balance, sinking all my weight onto him, but he doesn’t even huff in discomfort.
Sitting on him feels like sitting on an iron throne. His muscles barely budge as I shift and try to sit up straighter. He wraps one arm around my waist and places his other hand on my thigh, keeping me in place. “Casey just stopped by to say hi,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear.
My cheeks start burning. How is it that I keep ending up in his lap?
Casey’s eyes widen. “So this is…”
“My girlfriend, Blake Wolfe. Have you two met?”
Shock blooms across her face and some spiteful part of me gets a kick out of it.
“Of course. Everyone’s met everyone around here at some point.” She regains her composure. “Are you still working at Frostbite?”
I nod. “Yes, but I’m taking a few weeks off to deal with the house.”
Rowan’s thumb brushes over my inner thigh, setting off a swarm of butterflies.
Casey tucks a strand behind her ear, flashing her glittery fake nails. “There was that fire, right? What a nightmare. Good thing you were able to get out in time.”
Maybe the best way to protect myself is to stay focused on what I’m supposed to be doing for Rowan as part of our arrangement. Why stop at making people think Rowan’s settled down? Why not also make him into a hero? That’s a sure way to help his business. He’s been overdelivering on his side of the bargain. Now it’s my turn.
