Page 51 of The Game We Played

“Everyone knows you should never climb an electricity pole. If you need a pole to climb, stick to a telephone pole.”

I giggle. “Got it. Electricity pole – bad. Telephone pole – good.”

The limo stops and I glance outside. There’s an honest-to-goodness red carpet. Crowded around the red carpet are fans. Even from inside, I can hear the roar of the crowd.

“Maybe we shouldn’t go,” I suggest. “You don’t want to go. I’m hungry. Let’s hit up McDonald’s.”

“I’ll get you McDonald’s afterwards.”

The door opens and Tanner steps out. I gather my courage. This is it. I can do this. I can act glamorous.

He reaches a hand inside the vehicle and I grasp it. As soon as I’m outside, I’m blinded by the light.

“Fucking paparazzi,” Tanner mutters before shielding me behind him.

I tap his shoulder. “Isn’t the whole point of this charade to convince everyone you’ve changed your ways?”

“I’m not letting these monsters attack you.”

Those words warm a place inside me I didn’t realize was cold. I don’t need someone to protect me. I can’t trust someone to protect me without taking over my life. But gah, it’s tempting.

“I’m a big girl. I can handle it.”

“I messed up. I never should have agreed to this. I didn’t think about these vultures.”

I whirl around to face him. “It’s okay, Tanner.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw. “It’s not. I should protect you. It’s what a partner does.”

“A partner also lets his partner fight herown battles.”

We might be fake but this is important to me. A partner shouldn’t take over someone’s life. Not even for her ‘own good’.

He studies me. “Are you sure? The limo hasn’t left yet. We could be at McDonald’s eating hot French fries in ten minutes.”

I laugh. “I’m sure.”

“Okay.” He nods. “But all you need to do is say the word and we leave. I won’t have you harassed.”

He needs to stop being perfect is what he needs to do. Because I want to accept his offer to return to the limo. But we wouldn’t be going to a fast food restaurant. We’d be rushing to our hotel, where I can have my wicked way with him.

The idea holds merit. One night with Tanner and then we can return to being friends and our fake relationship.

Chapter 16

BREAKING: POST-GALA PLANS TAKE UNEXPECTED TURN McDonald’s not the main event

Tanner

“This is a bad idea,” I mutter.

Alaia sticks out her bottom lip in a pout. “You promised me McDonald’s.”

It’s not the McDonald’s I’m worried about. It’s us sharing a bed while we eat fast food and watch a movie.

My cock has been half-hard all night, staring at Alaia move around the gala. I wasn’t kidding about her being the sexiest woman at the event. None of the other women came close to how beautiful she is.

Every time another man glanced her way with lust in his eyes, I nearly lost my mind. Jealousy is not an emotion I’m used to. I usually enjoy men envying me for the sexy woman I’m with.