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“Honestly? I think it’s my best friend, Mark. I met him at summer camp when I was a kid, and eventually, I just started sneaking out to hang out with him and his twin brother, Max. Over the years, I’ve spent so much time with them and their family and friends that they kind of showed me how not to be a douche.”
She smiles, my fingers itching to touch her, but I get up instead, needing to get some space between us.
“So how is this going to go? I mean, I know almost nothing about you and I’m supposed to be engaged to you.”
Fair point.
“How about I take you on a date? We can go over some things and figure out our game plan. Sound good?”
She nods, that uncertainty flickering behind her eyes once more, and I wonder if this whole scenario is going to blow up in my face, but right now I can’t seem to care. I want to take this girl on a date, and the fact that it’s supposed to be fake is causing my stomach to flip.
I want Billie more than I care to admit and I know one false move from either of us and everything about this scenario will turn complicated and I can’t take that chance. Not with my future on the line.
Billie
I don’t know what I’m expecting from tonight, but with the way my stomach is turning… I’m nervous. Should I be nervous to go on a date with a man that is probably using me to get back at his family? I mean, the hair and tattoos alone would be enough, but the sarcasm that will inevitably come out at some point is always a cause for concern.
I take a moment and inspect myself in the mirror, studying the way my tight black dress hugs every inch of my body. Growing up, I was on the chubbier side and even though I was deemed healthy by doctors and my parents, my peers only saw the extra weight and decided to make my life hell because of it. Since then I eat healthier than I did, trying to avoid too many nights out and less pizza. But after high school, I learned to just love the shape I was in and worry less about the caloric intake every day. Since then I’ve lost some weight but really haven’t given it much thought… until now. Seeing my body in a tight dress, hugging every curve, and seeing more skin than I normally show is causing my hands to sweat as I wipe them on my bare thighs. I thought about wearing tights, but the heat that’s radiating through the open window made me throw them back into my drawer and pray chafing doesn’t become a problem.
“Billie?” Lucas calls from the hall, knocking softly on the bedroom door as a thrill washes over me. “You almost ready? Reservations are in twenty.”
I smile, wishing for a split second that this wasn’t a recon mission. Wishing for once in my life that I could find a man that would treat me to a night out without me having to decide things in advance. Every second of our relationship, Mike and I would fight over where to go, and what to do and it drove me to the brink of insanity. All I wanted was for him to spend some time coming up with a night I would love and surprise me, but according to him, he’s just not that romantic.
I didn’t know doing the bare minimum was being romantic… but that’s just me.
“I’ll be right out!” I shout, taking one last glance at my reflection and resigning myself to the fact that this is me, and that will always be enough.
My face is barren of makeup, something I decided to stop using years ago after my doctor told me it was the reason for my bad skin, and I accessorized with some simple gold jewelry, all fake and from Urban Outfitters. A small part of me feels like an impostor, but there’s not enough time to get into that bag of insecurities right now, so I turn, grab my purse off the bed and open the door only to stop dead in my tracks because the man before me is in another league completely.
Lucas looks devastating in all black. His onyx-like slacks fit him perfectly, hugging his hips as if they were made specifically for his body. The button-down shirt matches his pants perfectly, the only thing separating the two is the leather belt that sits at his hips and causes my eyes to stay there for a little too long. It’s not until Lucas clears his throat that my eyes fly up only for me to take in the fact that his collar is undone, giving me a peek of his throat.
I never thought the throat could be sexy, but my eyes follow every muscle as he swallows, my body shivering at the way his fists clench at his sides and it’s only when my eyes finally meet his that I see the desire burning between us.
“You…” I start, my throat dry as my hand tugs at the hem of my dress, pulling it down as I try and figure out what to say. “You look really good.” God, that was so fucking lame. Good job, Billie.
Lucas smirks, his normally disheveled hair expertly placed to fall directly in front of his hooded eyes.
I expect him to say the same. I expect him to take my hand and lead me toward the front door but he does none of that. Instead, he takes two steps toward me, his hand grazing the side of my jaw right before his lips take mine. My mind blurs, reality ceases to exist as we fall back against the wall, his hand lowering down the side of my neck, causing my breath to catch and my head to fall back, our lips separating.
“What was that for?” I ask, my gaze flickering up to his. I have to take a deep breath because the intensity of his stare is causing every bone in my body to want to submit to him, and I need to feel more of him.
“Because I wanted to,” he growls low in his chest, his fingers tightening against my hips, bringing me closer.
Fuck, I knew this man would be dangerous. I knew he would be the type of guy I would fall for if given the chance and now that I’ve had a taste, I want more. So much more.
So for the first time in my life, I take what I want without hesitation. My fingers tangle in his hair at the base of his skull as I bring his lips back to mine, nipping and licking until he opens for me. He swallows my moans as I pant hungrily in his mouth, my body writhing against his, our lips locked. It might have been seconds, or minutes, but all too soon Lucas pulls away, both of us breathing heavily.
“We need to get going if we’re going to make the reservation,” he whispers, his lips trailing against my skin, sinking farther and farther down the front of my dress.
My knees give out as I fall back against the wall, my hands grasping the back of his neck as he does wicked things to my body, even though we’re fully dressed.
I wonder what he can do once we’re naked.
“Give me tonight and I’ll show you,” he mutters as I blush scarlet, just realizing I said those words out loud. “You okay?” he asks, stepping away, his eyes trailing down my body, the fire still ignited between us, but we both know we need to get to the restaurant, and to be fair, I don’t know if I’m ready for what his look means for us. So space and food are good distractions for both of us.
“I’m okay,” I say with a smile, taking his hand and leading him toward the front door. “Let’s get to that date you promised me,” I joke, loving the way his laughter filters through the apartment like air.
* * *
