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When the photographers move on, Becca reaches over and brushes something off of Maddox’s lapel, leaning in when she says, “I think I might be just bustin’ out of this toilet paper dress. Can you check my back and make sure I’m not coming unglued?” She giggles.
Maddox smiles. “Happy to take a look.”
Really? He’s going to flirt with Becca right in front of me? And the world? I mean, I wouldn’t care except we’re pretending to be a couple. I’m pretty sure it’s not a good look that he’s all over someone else. He touches her back, saying, “It looks fantastic. Or maybe it’s just you.”
She puts a hand on his chest. “Why, thank you, Mr. Winter. You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”
When photographers snap pictures of Becca and Maddox, irritation prickles my skin. He’s now bringing attention to the fact that he can’t stop his elephant trunk from penetrating new pastures.
I clear my throat. “Hey, babe, can I talk to you? In the kitchen, please?”
“Sure.” He gives Becca a wave before we head through the pillared archway to the double island kitchen where servers rush around with food. I’m looking for a place we can talk in private, but people mill through every corner of the house. Igrab Maddox’s hand and pull him into the walk-in pantry before closing the door.
Inside, I realize “pantry” is hardly the right word to describe this vast room filled with shelves of food. It could almost pass for a grocery store in Europe.
I fling a hand on my hip. “You’re really going to flirt with other women right in front of me? How are we supposed to pull this off if you can’t even keep it in your pants for five whole minutes?” My eyes go to dart to his crotch, but I stop them. This is getting annoying.
“I wasn’t flirting.”
“Are you kidding me?” My nose flares.
“Yes, I’m kidding you,” he deadpans. After I shoot him a puzzled look, he continues. “I’m sorry. I saw the cameras flashing, and I reacted. If there’s anything that’ll make the press go bonkers, it’s trouble in paradise.”
I blink. “What?”
“The cameras were on us, so I thought I’d ratchet things up to keep us in the news cycle.” He shrugs. “Remember Brangelina? Why not use that to keep this story enticing?”
Oh, wow. So that little flirtation was just for the cameras? I hadn’t thought about it like that. We’re doing this whole charade forUrban Dawnpress, so logically, he’s right. However, emotionally, I’m irked. I feel pretend cheated on, which is ludicrous. Yet my feathers are still ruffled when I say, “Why don’t we spend a few days acting like we’re in love before we’re already cheating on each other? Can we manage that?”
“Good point. We should sell the love so the betrayal hits harder.”
“Sure, let’s go with that.” I scowl. “And why should you be the one who gets to ‘cheat?’”
“Fair point.” He clears his throat, looking me up and down again. Then he leans in, his voice shifting an octave lower whenhe says, “I’d have to be brain dead to want anyone else tonight…with the way you look in that dress.”
This is one of those moments where I have no idea if he’s being serious. I never know what’s going on in this guy’s head, and I’m not sure how I feel about him constantly keeping me on my toes. I raise a brow. “That’s quite the line, Madman.”
“That wasn’t a line. I only bullshit in front of the cameras. Know that.”
Like with Becca?
Hmm. Why do I want him to throw himself on me again, just like that day on set? Now that my brain has that memory, it’s like a dog with a damn bone.Let it go, already.I bite my lip as lean into him.
“Look, Riley. I really am sorry about the Becca thing. It’s a knee-jerk reaction when I’m in front of the press.” He reaches over and swipes a wisp of hair out of my eyes.
I’m not sure what I want right now, but my body yearns to be closer to his, and these days, it seems to be leading the charge. This man is magnetic, empirically, given the world agrees with me. It’s not just his looks, but his casual grace. His lazy swagger. His way with words.
His lips are a breath away from mine, and I have no desire to stop them.
Until I hear a server heading toward the pantry. Then, I jerk away and go to smooth my gown, but stop when I realize I could rip it. Instead, I tousle Maddox’s hair before throwing the pantry door open, feigning breathlessness.
“Can I help you two find something?” The server says.
“No. Thanks, man. I got what I was looking for.” Maddox winks.
I wish.And why is my breath actually hitching?
The server fights off a grin as I loop my arm in Maddox’s, and we leave the kitchen together.
