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"I had a reason."
I snort, crossing my arms.
"You had my dick hard as a rock, Rebel. And you were looking at me with stars in your eyes. Being rude was a dick move, but it seemed like the smart thing to do at the time." He stares at me levelly. "You aren't the only one who doesn't want to hurt your brother, you know."
"Oh my God," I groan. "You were rude to me because you liked me? Are you freaking kidding me, Kellan?" I shoot him a dirty scowl. "That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. And one guy canceled a date because he had to take his goldfish on a walk, so you have competitors."
"His goldfish?" Kellan's lips twitch. "You're fucking kidding me."
"Nope."
"Jesus Christ," he mutters, shaking his head.
"He was afraid of Jonas. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you aren't any different." I sigh heavily. "It's the story of my freaking life."
"I'm not scared of your brother, little one."
"You were rude to me because of him, Kellan. That's what always happens. My entire life, as soon as guys find out who my brother is, they either get starstruck or they freak out." I scowl at him. "You're the latter."
"You're here right now, aren't you?" He quirks a brow. "I'll call him right this second and tell him that we're dating. I have no problem with doing that. But you're the one who wants to keep our relationship hidden."
"Relationship? Dating?" My head spins. "How did this go from sex to you talking about relationships and dating? Aren't I the one supposed to be acting all crazy and trying to put labels on things?" Isn't that what girls do? Catch feelings and need a label so they know what importance to place on whatever is happening between them and their bed partner?
A slow, wicked grin stretches across his face. "You want me to pop that sweet little cherry, Rebel? I'll give you exactly what you want. I'll teach you every filthy thing you're dying to learn. When I'm finished with you, you'll be too wrung out to remember your own name. But we're doing itmyway. I make the rules. I call the shots. You obey. Those are my conditions. Take them or leave them."
Oh, he's evil. And a little part of me thrills at the thought of being under his thumb and at his mercy anyway. It revels at the thought of dating this man, even if it is just a pretense. I'll take any piece of him I can get. That's how crazy he makes me.
If he wants to label it, I'll let him. At this point, I don't think there's much I wouldn't give him if he asked. I'm already in so far over my head it's ridiculous. And this was my idea.
Oh, boy.
"Fine," I say, giving in to the inevitable. "But Jonas doesn't find out until after you guys win the Cup. I won't be the reason you guys lose it. That's my condition. Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it, little one."
"You cooked me dinner?"I stare in awe at the table set up on the rooftop. Fairy lights twinkle all around us like glittering stars. With the city laid out below and the pool only a few feet away, it feels like we're in an entirely different world. It's nothing like the one I grew up in, that's for sure.
"Surprised?" Kellan chuckles, placing his hand on my lower back as he leads me toward the table. I shiver at the weight of his hand there. At the way his soft laughter whispers against my skin.
I'm already on sensory overload, thanks to our conversation inside. Him touching me now isn't helping. I want to jump him. Who am I kidding? I've wanted that since the minute he stopped kissing me last night.
Kellan Alexander is a storm, far more intense and dangerous than expected. He's unwittingly stripping away my defenses, leaving me vulnerable in a way that's foreign to me. I've always been good at protecting my heart. I kind of had to be. But he's already slipping beneath my defenses and knocking holes in my walls.
"Sit, little one," he murmurs, holding my chair out for me.
I drop into it gracelessly, making him chuckle again. His hand brushes my shoulder, sending electricity dancing down my spine. If he notices, he doesn't say anything. He simply hums and circles around the small wrought-iron table to the opposite side.
Before he sits, he pulls the silver domed lids off our plates.
"Is that…?"
"Split pea soup?" He grins at me. "I thought you might like a taste of home."
My heart melts as a lump forms in my throat. "Thank you," I whisper around it. As much as I love Nashville, I miss homefiercely. This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. "It looks amazing."
"Thank your brother. I got the recipe from him." Kellan shrugs. "He makes it every so often."
"It's always been one of his favorites." I laugh quietly. "Actually, I think food in general is his favorite. He eats like a freaking vacuum."
