Page 27 of Do It With Me

“So I’ve heard.” He fixed his already perfect tie and brought his gaze back to mine, as even and steady as always. “Either way, just because it’s fake doesn’t mean it can’t be special. You’re doing me a favor and I wanted to at least make it memorable for you in return.”

Neither of us spoke again until we arrived at a big, Gothic church. With stone walls and stained-glass windows, it was dramatic, romantic, and beautiful. My heart was still pounding after that conversation, but I was flattered and bowled over by the fact that he’d said he respected me.

We slid into a pew just as the ceremony was starting. The couple were clearly in love, completely radiant as they stared at one another. The groom’s eyes never left his bride and the bride’s smile was so bright, it could light up the whole city.

Romantic vibes practically radiated off them and I found myself inching closer to Holden, resting my head lightly against his shoulder. He didn’t pull away. Not that I thought he would. Pretenses and all, but still.

When the groom kissed the bride, I grabbed Holden’s hand impulsively. He looked down at me with his sandy eyebrows raised, but gave my fingers a little squeeze.

Not too much. Just enough for more sparks to fly through me.

My heart thumped in a way I hadn’t expected, and I realized then that as much as this was supposed to be pretend, it was really, really nice to feel this close to him. Much too nice, actually. My cheeks turned beet red when it occurred to me that it was so nice that it was getting me hot and bothered.

I shouldn’t be thinking like this.

Not here. Not now. Not in a church, before God and man, but the heat rising through me was undeniable. My pulse thudded in a way it never had with any other man, and it made me press my thighs together just a little bit.

God, the groom and bride were kissing, the vows had been said, and yet all I could think about was him. The way he smelled, the warmth of his body, the strength in his arm resting lightly against mine.

No man had ever made me feel this way just by sitting next to me, but none of those men had been Holden. He was one of a kind, and somehow, some way, tonight, he was all mine.