Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“I think it’s weird for us both, and I’m pretty sure I know why, now,” he says. “It’s because of the sexual tension.”
“Oh,” I say, the word slips out of me like air from a rapidly deflating balloon. What was it I hoped he was going to say? That we should just skip the faking and date for real? That he wanted to be a real family, now that he’d had, what, a day or two of pretending?
They were stupid thoughts. He still didn’t even know the truth about Walker, and my self-imposed deadline was getting closer every day.
“So I was thinking,” his voice is a low whisper now. That wandering thumb of his is drifting down. He slips it down the open back of my dress, drifting down until it glides over the waistband of my thong. Hot prickles run up and down my skin, and warm desire pools in my core. “Maybe we just need to vent a little steam. Let the pressure out.”
I need to swallow, but my throat feels too tight. I struggle momentarily, finally remembering how to execute the basic bodily function. “I have to tell you something. Something I should’ve told you a really long time ago.”
“Shh,” he says. That one finger on my bare skin is doing all kinds of things to my brain. Alarm bells are ringing. Steam is venting from random pipes, and little “inside my brain” people are running, screaming, and waving their arms in pure panic.
“Words,” I say confidently. I blink twice, realize I’ve been reduced to a babbling idiot, and close my mouth. My cheeks burn hot.
Jake’s lips spread in a sexy smile. “I already know,” he says softly.
“You do?” My heart is pounding now.
“Of course I do. And I know why you haven’t said anything. It’s okay.”
“Really?” I’m so confused and relieved I could cry.
“Really.” He pulls me closer, now rocking me softly with the music.
“How long have you known?”
“A long time. And I’m okay with it. I get it. But that’s why it has always worked so well between us.”
I frown a little. “It is?”
“Yeah. You’re not looking for anything serious. You’ve got the B&B, and now you’ve got Walker. You’re not about to set aside your career and passions for a committed relationship. But you don’t have to apologize for it. I already understood that, and it’s what made our little arrangement so perfect. Nothing comes between me and hockey. Nothing comes between you and your passion. All we could ever offer was part of ourselves, and that’s perfect for me.”
“Jake,” I start.
“It’s okay,” he says again, leaning closer so his eyes are all I see. “You don’t have to explain a thing. I get it. I always have.”
He hooks his thumb under my chin, lifting my face to kiss me deeply and passionately. I’m so shocked by it that my thoughts go completely blank.
By the time he pulls back, I can only stare back, completely stunned.
He seems so happy and content that I decide this isn’t the moment. For tonight, I’ll just let this be what it is and enjoy the magic before it all fades. I’ll enjoy the beautiful dress, the music, the perfect man holding me tightly, and the scorching promise that kiss held for what might come soon.
For now, this moment will be enough.
13
JAKE
Jesse takes the spot beside me at the hotel bar. He gives me a significant look.
“What?” I ask, laughing.
“I’m trying to figure this all out,” Jesse says. He’s wearing athletic clothes like he just got done working out. I’m still in my button-down and tie from the gala, but I did leave my jacket in the room with Andi, Caroline, and the babies. We probably look like quite the pair.
“What part has you confused?” I ask.
He glares. “Well, first, I find out my best friend is supposedly engaged to my sister. I call bullshit and wait for you to correct me and explain. But you don’t. Then I show up, and you still try to lie to my face about it. Caroline comes clean, and then it makes a hell of a lot more sense. I’m still irritated with you, but I get it. You were just helping each other out, blah blah.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it pretty figured out from here,” I say, taking a long drink.
“I did. Until I sat down and saw the look on your face.”
I pause, drink in hand. “What’s wrong with my face?”
“You look like a teenage girl who just got back from prom.” He pokes my stomach, smirking. “I bet there are butterflies in there right now.”
I take another long drink, partly to buy time. “I’m just tired.”
“What happened? And don’t try to lie to me. You’re already on thin enough ice as it is, asshole.”
I weigh my options and decide he’s already deep enough. I might as well bring him all the way in. “Alright. Want to know the truth? I thought this whole arrangement would be some good fun. Pretend to be engaged to Caroline, no big deal. We’ve had our moments in the past, but it was never anything serious. Except I’ve never spent time with her like this. Before, it was always–”