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Feb and my mother’s eyes grow serious. “I didn’t realize it was that serious,” Feb says.
“I didn’t plan for it to go down this way.” And that’s the truth. When I agreed to let Nicholas play my fake boyfriend, I never expected to fall for him.
I never expected we’d sleep together. I can tell my sister is dying to ask me if anything physical has happened, but she never will in front of our mother. I’m also dying to tell her everything, but I won’t.
Because it’ll never happen again.
It can’t ever happen again.
Even if Nicholas is hands down the best sex I’ve ever had. There’s no way we can have a future together.
Even after sex earlier, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him what I needed to tell him. About Pulse.
It’s upsetting, and I swear my mother and February can tell something is plaguing me.
“I’m sure everything will work out for the best,” my mother says out of nowhere. “I need to get ready.” She heads into the bathroom, leaving me and Feb alone.
“Spill the tea,” she says as she scoots closer to me on the bed.
I run a hand through my unruly locks. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“Did you sleep with him?”
I don’t even have to answer because she’s already pumping her fists and acting like a looney tune. “Real mature. I have had sex before.”
She’s not listening, instead she’s smiling wide and begging, “Tell me he was good. I bet he was good, right?”
I relent. “So good, Feb. Like world-changing.” I shake my head. “What am I going to do?” I end up telling her everything. About Nicholas. About Pulse and him stealing Nicholas’ plans. I even tell her that I think I might be falling in love.
When I’m done spilling all the tea, she flops back on the bed.
“Wow,” she whispers. “You have to tell him.”
I nod. “I know. I just don’t know how.”
“Tell him tonight. Before he accepts his award. Or maybe you should wait until after.”
I think about what my sister says. Should I wait until he’s accepted his award?
Yes.
“He’s going to hate me.”
She shakes her head. “No, he won’t. You haven’t done anything wrong. You got a new job because you hated him. He can’t fault you for that. And now you’re not going to take that job because of what Pulse did.”
“True.” She makes a fine point.
I’ll tell Nicholas everything.
Well, except for the falling for him part. I’ll keep that one to myself until I know without a shadow of a doubt this thing between us is real.
Chapter 12
Nicholas
* * *
This is it.
The real reason January and I made the trip to Aspen—the awards ceremony.
The ballroom has been transformed into an elegant, professional setting. White Christmas lights surround the entire room, giving off a soft glow. The tables are covered with green tablecloths and a centerpiece of red Poinsettia. There’s a dance floor that the tables surround with a few sprigs of mistletoe hanging above. The stage is set to go with a podium and a few chairs for the presenters.
I told January I was leaving early to give her privacy, but the true reason for leaving was to give myself space. My mind is clouded with everything going on with January. The way she makes me feel is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. I can’t think straight when I’m around her and I need to perfect my acceptance speech in case I win.
Which is pretty much a given.
Especially since I’m up against Pulse and a no-name guy who is just starting out.
The satisfaction of beating Pulse will make this even better.
I grin as I read over my acceptance speech, pleased with how it sounds.
“Testing.”
I glance over my shoulder as they test the microphone. That means it’s about to begin.
Just as I think it, the doors open and people usher in. I stand deciding I’ll go meet January in the hallway, but she beats me to it.
She walks in and my knees just about give out on me.
She’s breathtaking.
My pulse races as my eyes travel up her body. She’s wearing a bright red, silk dress with thin spaghetti straps. It hugs her upper body, showing off her perfect tits. As it moves down her body it has more of a flow. Unbelievably sexy and elegant.
Her brown hair is curled and pinned up, drawing my eyes to her soft neck. I need to adjust myself just by staring at her.
Our eyes lock across the room and I swear my heart skips a beat.
I’m drawn to her like Santa to a plate of cookies.
We reach each other, and I gaze into her bright blue eyes.
“January, you leave me breathless. You look stunning.”
A small smile plays at her full lips as she runs her fingers down my gold tie. “I could say the same.”
The urge to wrap her in my arms and press my lips against her is too much to handle, so I rest a hand on the small of her back, leading her to our table. I pull her chair out for her and as she sits I press my lips against her ear, saying, “When this is over I’ll show you what you’re doing to me.”
