She laughs. “Love birds! Come on, let’s get you a wonderful dress.”
I lock eyes with Ivar, whose arm is still wrapped tightly around my shoulders. He squeezes me, gazing into my eyes.
“Have fun!” He says and loosens his hold so I can slip away.
My legs are unsteady as Natalie and I walk towards the escalator.
I have to remember Ivar’s my fake fiancé now. I don’t want to jeopardize any potential deal between Mr Slate and Langstones.
I need to keep it together.
ChapterFour
IVAR
Juni’s disappeared to do her hair and get changed.
She came back from her shopping trip with Natalie grinning from ear to ear, clutching a big green bag. Lucas and I - now on first name terms - managed to bond over a mutual love of cheesy 1980s movies.
It’s weird, but pretending to be Juni’s fiancé makes me feel closer to her. Not that we aren’t already close. But we’ve never been mushy with each other. I’m not a mushy guy. Usually. I keep it light. Keep it light and you won’t get hurt.
But kissing her should have felt like kissing my sister, if I had one. Except it didn’t. It felt overwhelming. And more than that, it washot. It was like there was an electric current buzzing from my lips down to my dick.
But this is Juni. And she’ll be putting on a major charm offensive to make sure we get this deal. I’ve seen her charm her way with angry clients, with teachers when she forgot her homework, even with my brothers. Usually with me, she’s straightforward and practical, when we’re not teasing each other. For a second, though, when she kissed me, I felt the full force of her charm and it nearly knocked me off my feet.
The crowd is starting to thin out as people make their way to the large terrace where the party is being held. I pack up all the stuff we’ve brought and take it to the car. We’ve had plenty of sign ups and more interest in the equipment, so even if Lucas doesn’t come through, this trip will have been worthwhile.
I change into the clean shirt I brought with me and check my reflection in the mirror.
Once I’m back inside I can’t see Juni anywhere, so I head to the terrace and grab a glass of champagne. Lucas and his wife wave over at me as I stand like a lemon on my own. He’s changed into a suit and she’s wearing a silky pink dress. They look expensive, but sort of eco too. I can’t put my finger on it.
I’m deciding whether to go over and talk to them when my eye is caught by a woman’s back at the bar. I’m not in the habit of perving over women’s backs, but this one is particularly gorgeous. Her gold-colored dress has a plunging back with delicate criss-crossing straps which accentuates her beautiful brown skin and sumptuous curvy ass.
I’m staring at her like an idiot and when she turns around it’s like I’ve been hit in the stomach. The beautiful woman is Juni. She gives me a huge smile and walks towards me.
Why have I never appreciated how her hips sway from side to side? My dick stiffens, almost as I’m telling it not to. It’s like I’m betraying our friendship by being this attracted to her.
But I can’t go back from our kiss. What would it be like to slip my hands down the soft silk of her dress, running my hands over her curves?
Juni reaches me and laughs. “You okay? You look like you’ve been struck by lightning. Is the color of the dress too much?”
I swallow. “Hotter than the surface of the sun.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
I clear my throat. “It’s a great color. Are you ready to go and play the fake fiancée game? Or do you need a drink first?”
She takes a big gulp of her champagne. “Ivar, I wasbornready.”
I can’t help laughing and people nearby look around at us. I’ve been told before that my laugh is sort of raucous. I put my arm around her shoulders and we walk over to where Lucas and Natalie are standing.
After she’s had a couple of glasses of champagne, Juni’s leaning back into my body and my arm is around her waist. I love the way it feels; the effortless way we fit together.
Natalie puts her glass down on the table. “So, when’s the wedding date? I love weddings and I know a great caterer, if you need one. And venues too. Snowflake Falls is very picturesque.”
We’re both silent, waiting for the other one to pick a date.
“July–” I start but Juni interrupts.
