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My pulse ticks up a notch. What am I doing? This isn’t me. I don’t obsess over women. Especially ones I’ve paid to be with me. What the fuck am I thinking?
Keep your eye on the goal, Morton.I shake my head as if I could scatter the thoughts like loose change.
Between our schoolwork and her crazy schedule, this is the first time being together since Saturday.
I’ve tried not to think of that night, but I can’t keep the feel of her soft flesh against mine out of my thoughts. I hadn’t meant to kiss her the first time. I’d become so overwhelmed with the appreciation of her being there that I let all inhibitions go. But the moment we connected, the outside world fell away. I loved the way her timid response shifted into something fierce and intense. She clearly wanted it and had zero intentions of stopping.
That was until reality registered in her brain.
But it’s my reaction that has me rattled. It’s been three days since seeing Amanda, and that kiss consumes my thoughts. But why? I’ve kissed plenty of girls in the past, and none of them compare.
Isn’t that the crux of the problem?
No one has ever felt as good in my grasp as she did. Her round ass fit perfectly in my hand. Her skin was so soft against mine. The tiny mewls she made added to the experience.
Damn, I’m starting to get hard thinking about it.
But as much as I enjoyed that kiss, the near kiss at the end nearly did me in. I wanted another taste more than I wanted to breathe.
And that freaked me the fuck out.
The purpose of dragging her to the bar was to surround ourselves with others. After stealing a kiss in that dark alleyway, I could no longer trust myself to be alone with her. I had to shift gears. It turns out that it didn’t matter how many people were present. Just being near her was too tempting.
I had to get out of there. Thank God for Ryan’s call. The mention of Juliette was all it took to remind me of our role.
Because that’s the reality of us—fake.
I’m two blocks from the bookstore when my phone buzzes with a new text. I can’t dig the phone out of my pocket quickly enough.
Amanda:Sure. I get off in ten minutes.
My shoulders relax as I stand there with a goofy grin and text back.
Me: On my way.
The bookstore looms ahead, its windows a warm glow against the creeping dusk. I slow down while a battle rages inside me. Wanting her is easy, too easy, but admitting it feels like skating on thawing ice.
A flash of red draws my attention, and I immediately regret looking. Juliette stands there, arms crossed, with a look in her eyes that screams she’s about to drop the gloves.
“Fun fact about me. I’m studying to be a journalist, and I can sniff out bullshit.” Her voice is smooth, too smooth. There’s a chill running down my spine that isn’t from the autumn air.
I maintain an impassive expression despite the battle inside of me. If she finds out about this arrangement and turns out to be Mel G, the author of Rumor Has It, I’m fucked.
Guess that means I need to play nice.
“I have no idea what you mean.” I take off toward the bookstore, silently hoping Amanda will step outside soon.
“There’s no way you’re dating her. She’s hardly your type.”
Her words have me spinning on my heels so fast I lose sight of everything else. I’m sick of people dissing others for their body shape. We come in different sizes. So what? I happen to like Amanda’s. When did that become a crime?
“Let me get this straight right now. She’sexactlymy type.” I start ticking them off on my fingers. “She’s smart, beautiful, and nice. All good attributes. Unfortunately for you, bitch didn’t make the list. I’m warning you now. Leave Amanda alone.”
There’s a pregnant pause. If Juliette turns out to be Mel G., then so be it. I won’t stand for people insulting my girl.
“Connections, Blake,” she says, tapping a manicured nail against her lip. “You know, people who make things happen or … not happen.” The threat is there, hidden behind her smile.
Something twists inside me, something foreboding, but I keep my face neutral. “I’ve got connections too, Juliette. You know that.” I straighten and try to tower over her, hoping height equals might.
