I have to stand on my toes to reach his lips, and, after a half-beat of confusion during which an emotion I can’t read flits briefly across his face, Jett realizes what I’m trying to do and comes to my rescue, like the pro he is.
One arm loops around my waist, pulling me close; the other finds its way to my chin, his fingers resting gently on my skin as he tilts my face up to meet his.
Right on cue, my heart starts hammering in my chest, every nerve in my body sparking suddenly into life as the musky scent of him fills my nostrils. I know this isn’t real, but it’s almost like I’ve been programmed to respond to his touch, and there’s no way to control it. Or like my teenage self has somehow managed to re-inhabit my adult body, just so she can kiss her favorite movie star, and the body in question is responding accordingly.
We haven’t even kissed yet, and I already know I’m going to be replaying this moment in my head for the rest of my life. Who cares if we’re just acting?
Are we, though?
I have to ask myself that, because when his lips touch mine, it feels pretty real to me.
And also prettyhot, if you want to know the truth.
“Put your arms around my neck,” Jett murmurs into my hair. “It’ll look more realistic that way.”
Well, okay, maybe notthatbit. That was more like getting an instruction from your boss than a request from a lover. It reminds me of the time Bella McGowan made most of the village do the Ice Bucket Challenge, and Old Jimmy McEwan threw the iceandthe bucket at me when it was my turn.
I still think he did that on purpose.
Nevertheless, I do as Jett asks, looping my arms around his neck, which has the effect of bringing us even closer. His hands are on my waist, his fingers just grazing the sliver of bare skin where my top doesn’t quite meet my jeans.
Aaaaand we’re back to “hot” again.
Who knew fake dating would involve quite so manyemotions?
“That’s better,” he whispers, his arms tightening around me.
His lips hover above mine for just long enough for it to be absolutely unbearable. Then, just when I don’t think I can stand the tension one second longer, he leans in, and suddenly we’re kissing like we mean it. His hands are in my hair now, his mouth pressed urgently against mine, as if he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life, and, now that it’s here, he’s going to make the wait feel worth it.
And itis.
It definitely is.
As kisses go, it’s a 9.5 out of 10. I deduct half a point purely because it doesn’t seem right to give full marks to a fake kiss, but honestly, if I didn’t know it was fake, there’s absolutely no way I’d have guessed it. His lips are warm and soft, and our mouths glide against each other as if we’ve been doing this forever; deep, passionate kisses that I can’t help but think are going to lookamazingin the photos that are surely being taken of us right now.
Wait: that’s kind of weird, isn’t it?
I’m confused, though.
Because I know this isn’t real, but there’s no getting away from the fact that itfeelsreal.
Every time I start to pull away, Jett’s pulls me back towards him, as if those brief moments of separation are more than he can stand.
They’re certainly more thanIcan stand, that much is certain.
The kiss goes on and on; much longer than seems totally appropriate for an entirely staged photo shoot, but not nearly long enough for my inner teenage self, who strongly suspects she might justdieif it ever has to end.
He really is an excellent actor.
Too good, in fact; because when we finally break apart, and stand there smiling uncertainly at each other as the waves lap at our feet, I feel bereft — like a little girl who’s just been told that playtime is over, and it’s time to pack away all her toys.
And I really don’t want to.
“Um, we should probably head back to the house,” Jett says, rubbing his hand bashfully against his chin. “They’ll be waiting for us.”
“Yup. Got to get back for the debrief,” I say, as lightly as I can manage. “We can’t keep Asher waiting.”
Jett hesitates, and, for a fraction of a second, I wonder if he’s going to take my hand, or put his arm around me. Just to make this look more authentic, you know?
