Faking the Rules

I never meant to become Declan Wolfe’s girlfriend.

The arrogant hockey star needs someone to convince his coach he’s settling down, and I need an academic advantage for the prestigious Whitmore Prize. It’s supposed to be simple: three weeks of pretend dates, a few public appearances, then we go our separate ways.
Except nothing about Declan is simple. Not the way his ocean-blue eyes follow me across the room. Not the way his confident smirk makes my pulse race even as I want to slap it off his face. And definitely not the way his touch—meant to convince others our relationship is real—sends electric currents racing across my skin.
This is just an arrangement, I remind myself each night, even as the boundaries between fake and real blur with every heated glance, every lingering kiss, every night spent tangled in his sheets learning exactly what that athletic body can do.
I was supposed to be immune to his charm. He was supposed to be nothing more than a privileged jock. But as championship game approaches and our charade faces exposure, I’m terrified of the truth I can no longer deny: my heart didn’t get the memo that we’re just pretending.

Now I have to decide if I’m brave enough to risk everything on a love that started as a lie—and for a man who might be playing the most convincing game of all.