Page 14 of Wild Lies

There’s nobody at the table when I arrive, which I’m thankful for. It gives me a moment to gather my thoughts and rid myself of the ones that sound like my mom. I watch Kade as the bartender hands him our drinks. He looks at ease and commanding, even though he’s standing in a room full of people he doesn’t know.

With a drink in each hand, he weaves his way across the room, his gaze locked on me. With every step he takes, I feel a needy and thrilling sensation flood my body, sending goosebumps over my bare skin.

He’s not yours. Not really.

But God, I want him to be, which is crazy because I barely know him and whatever might happen between us will end in ten days regardless of how I feel. I’ve never felt a connection like this before. It’s as if I knew him in another lifetime and our souls are rejoicing at being reunited.

He comes to a stop, setting the two glasses down on the white tablecloth before sliding into his seat. “I didn’t know what you wanted, but I remembered you drank whiskey, so I got that and champagne. Take your pick, because I can have either.”

Reaching for the champagne, I hold it up as he picks up the whiskey and clinks it against mine.

“You know, you’re supposed to keep eye contact.”

As I take a sip, I wrap an arm around my body and reply, “Yeah?”

Kade nods, his focus moving around the room. “Yeah, if you don’t, it’s seven years of bad sex.”

I choke on the sip of my drink I’d just taken, champagne spluttering everywhere. Reaching for my napkin, I dab at my chin as Kade pats me on the back and takes my glass, placing it on the table. “Seven years, huh?”

“Yup. I don’t make the rules.” He shrugs.

A laugh bubbles free from my lips, some of the tension easing out of my body. Today has been a lot, what with my parents being my parents and the sexual tension between me and Kade that I can’t be certain isn’t all in my head. But it’s as if he could sense I need to relax and has taken it upon himself to make sure I do.

That’s probably why, a few hours later and a couple of glasses of champagne down, I find myself saying yes when he asks me to dance.

9

KADE

I slide my hand into Chloe’s, standing as she leads the way to the dancefloor. Asking someone to dance to a song that has zero requirement to touch the other person is one thing, but the emcee has been playing nothing but slow songs for the past thirty minutes.

If we weren’t surrounded by Chloe’s family and friends, I never would have asked her to dance. I don’t know how I’m supposed to get through this without her noticing how hard I am. I’ve been in an agonizing state of arousal all day. Ever since she opened her cabin door earlier and I saw her in the emerald-green dress with her hair up and exposing her neck, I’ve been captivated. The dress clings to all the right curves on her body and highlights the green of her eyes. Having to touch and kiss her, to put on a show for everybody, hasn’t helped my “situation”. This is dangerous territory, and I only have myself to blame. I should never have turned up at her door this morning. No sooner has the thought formed do I know that it is a lie. I would happily be trampled by wild horses if it meant I got to spend more time with her.

Chloe turns to face me, a slightly glazed look in her eyes that tells me she’s had enough champagne to feel more at ease than she did when we arrived. My curiosity about her family dynamic has only intensified as the night has gone on. We’ve watched from afar as guests have approached the bride’s table or the photographer has called the wedding party out for pictures. And yet, Chloe hasn’t been included in any of that.

She looks up at me, a satisfied smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. I know she’ll tell me when and if she wants to, but it doesn’t stop the question of why she’s such an outsider in her own family from swirling around in my head. I mean, I understand to an extent, given the cold reception her parents have given me.

Stepping into my arms, she rests her head on my shoulder, pressing her body against mine like she belongs there. I have no problem admitting to myself that today has been fun—minus the interaction with her parents. Getting to play pretend and convince everyone that Chloe is mine has been almost as thrilling as riding in the rodeo.

We sway to the music as I stare at the wall ahead, focusing on anything but the woman in my arms.

“This is nice,” she murmurs, a soft sigh chasing the words.

“Yeah, it is.”

It takes two whole songs before I’ve got my body under control and on the same page as my mind. This is fake.

But it doesn’t have to be.

When tonight is over, we could see where this goes, at least for the time she’s here. Nothing about what I’m doing and how I’m treating her is a performance. I’ll admit that I’m attracted to Chloe. I want her, and if she’ll let me, I’ll make sure she at least enjoys her time in Coldwater.

“I’m sorry my mom was so rude earlier.”

My brows tug together, confusion pulling them low. “I don’t know when you’re talking about, but you don’t need to apologize for anyone, Chlo.”

She looks up at me, so close that if I dipped my chin, I’d be able to capture her lips with my own. All night I’ve been wondering if her lips will be as soft as the skin on her shoulder. It’s taken everything inside me not to find out.

“You weren’t there, but trust me, she was rude. And I didn’t stand up for you like I should have.”