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“We’re pretending,” I whisper, because I need the reminder.
“And we’re going to sell this. I’m all in, baby.” His lips press to my forehead, and I melt. I’ve read about this kind of reaction in my romance novels, but I’ve never experienced it.
Merrick Kincaid just made me swoon with not only his words but his actions.
I’m in so much trouble. I’m in over my head with this man. “I’ll text you.”
“Good girl.” He steps back and waits for me to slide behind the wheel and buckle my seat belt before closing the door and tapping the roof of my car. My hands are shaking as I reverse out of my spot and drive home.
I refuse to look in the rearview mirror to see if he’s standing there. Instead, I keep my eyes firmly on the road and repeat to myself over and over again that we’re pretending. This isn’t real, and I cannot, under any circumstances, allow myself to fall for Merrick Kincaid because in three months, this will all be over, and my heart will be shattered.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Merrick
I watch as she drives away, barely able to contain my smile. Seeing her reaction to me, well, let’s just say this little arrangement is going to be a lot more fun than I originally anticipated. I thought we’d hang out, go to the wedding and that would be it. Turns out, it’s going to be more complicated, and after our little run-in tonight, I can’t say I’m mad about it. Courtney’s reaction to me... that’s what’s going to make this fun. The increase in her pulse, her accelerated breathing, and her eyes. She gives everything she’s feeling away with her eyes.
I didn’t expect to run into Courtney and her mother tonight, but I’m suddenly glad I did. Aside from the fact my brothers are going to give me shit, but that’s nothing new. Then again, razzing me was inevitable the minute I offered my assistance to the beautiful Courtney. The woman I hardly know. All week they’ve been riding my ass about just admitting that I wanted her. She’s beautiful, but that’s not what this is about. I really was just trying to help her, but tonight, she changed that. She’s not unaffected by my presence. Flirt should have been my middle name, well, mine and that of my twin brother's. I’m going to have fun with this. Maybe I can bring the gorgeous, shy Courtney out of her shell a little. Give her the confidence to stand up to those who are trying to dictate her life. Her mother seems nice enough, but she’s the reason this charade started. We all know looks can be deceiving.
Turning, I head into the restaurant and make my way to the table in the back where my brothers are seated.
“You get your girl all settled?” Ryder asks.
“I walked your wife’s employee to her car like the gentleman that I am.” The entire table erupts in laughter, and I can’t hold my grin. “I’m a gentleman, dammit.”
“Uh-huh,” Rushton says, rolling his eyes.
“A gentleman that plays the field,” Sterling offers.
“Hey now, no throwing stones. Every single one of you taught me to be the way that I am. You can’t place blame on me. I’m the baby.” I grin. It’s been years since I’ve played the “I’m the baby” card. There are mere minutes between my twin, Maverick, and me. As the youngest of nine, I’ve used that excuse a time or two. Maverick has as well, claiming since we share a birthday, we get to both be the babies of the family.
He's not wrong, but still, that title belongs to me.
“Oh, here we go.” Orrin, my oldest brother, laughs. “Mom’s not here to fall for that shit.” He chuckles.
“For real though,” Brooks says, “what’s going on there?”
I sit back in my seat. “Nothing. I walked into Jordyn’s boutique to drop off a table that Dad fixed for her, and overheard Courtney talking about her mom razzing her about needing a date for her sister’s wedding. I’m unattached.” I shrug.
“So you offered yourself up?” Declan asks.
“Pretty much.” I don’t tell them that she told her mom we were dating. I don’t keep much from my brothers, but that feels too personal. Besides, technically, that’s Courtney’s story to tell. Ryder eyes me and gives me a subtle nod. Of course his wife would tell him the entire story.
“She’s gorgeous,” Archer comments.
“You kiss your wife with that mouth?” I fire off at him, making them all laugh.
Archer tosses a balled-up napkin at me, shaking his head, but there’s a grin tugging at his lips. “You know what I mean.”
“Ramsey likes her,” Declan speaks up. “Says she’s going to be good for you.” He flashes me a grin. As if I didn’t know my sisters-in-law and my cousin were conspiring to find ways to make me fall in love with Courtney. As the last Kincaid brother standing, they’re making it their mission in life to find me the happiness they have with my brothers and Deacon.
“If we were dating for real, maybe. This is just a ruse to get her mom off her back, and a date to a wedding. Nothing more.” Well, maybe after her reaction to me tonight, it might be a little more. Lots of flirting is in my future. I want to help open her up, bring her out of her shell, and help her be more assertive. She shouldn’t have to hide behind a fake date or boyfriend to anyone. Hopefully, during our time together, however long that might be, I can help her with that.
I don’t know why I want to. It’s just this gut feeling I need to be there for her. I can still hear the despair in her voice, the defeated slump of her shoulders as she confessed what she’d told her mother. I was able to help her, so I did. It’s as simple as that.
“So you pretend to date her?” Maverick asks, his voice quiet so as to not give the details away to anyone who might be listening.
