“But that night…” she trails off, staring up at me as if I just punched her.
The instinct to soothe overwhelms me, and I have to fight it back, shoving my hands into the front pockets of my faded blue jeans to avoid reaching for her.
But fuck, I want to.
This asshole act isn’t me, and I hate it, but I’ve learned a lot about Plum over the last few years. I’ll never get this woman to want me as badly as I want her if I don’t convince her there’s something to want. I can’t do that if I scare her away now. If I just agree to be her boyfriend, she might get suspicious and start wondering why I’d go along with this without asking for anything in return.
I’ve spent a long time in the shadows of Plum’s attention, never the object of her wants or needs. It’s now or never. All I have to do is show her everything I can offer her, that I can be what she wants and needs.
Everything I want to be. All for her.
Onlyfor her.
I just need her to think it was all her idea.
PLUM
I’m contemplating his words as Benson sighs, looking regretful.
“Look, Plum. The other night was a one-time thing. You were in distress, and I couldn’t resist saving a damsel in need. Instincts.” He shrugs, looking like he really is sorry. “I’m going to guess you’ll need me to be your fake boyfriend for a good two months at least.” He lifts a brow, and I wince, because yeah, I guess he’s right about that. “Given that you’re a bridesmaid in mysister’swedding. The same wedding Kai is the best man in. That's a long time, Plum…”
I brace for rejection when he shakes his head.
Here it comes. This is it. The moment he tells me to kick rocks.Ugh, is this really better than facing Kai alone?It only takes a second to decide that, fuck yes, it’s better. At least Benson isn’t breaking my fucking heart. He’s just being realistic.
“More importantly, my entire family is heavily involved in the wedding. I mean, it’s not like we could fake it just for Kai. He’d catch on in half an hour of hanging out with everyone. That's a big commitment, lying to my entire family and all of our friends,” Benson explains, and I hate that he’s got a good point. That he’s right.
These are all things I considered, but they sounded different in my head, less serious than they do when he lays it all out like this.
Still, the thought of facing Kai again and either admitting to my lie, which is never fucking happening, or pretending Benson and I broke up, makes me want to vomit. Kai has made it clear that even with Benson around, he’s not giving up. Without him? I’m doomed. I’ll crumble in days. I don’t think it would take more than a few weeks for Kai to get under my skin so deeply that I let him back in. Then he’ll leave, and it will crush me this time. I can’t do that again.
“You have a point,” I concede with a huff, then take a deep breath before making my plea. “Fuck. Look, I’m desperate. What would it take to convince you to do this for me?” I ask, basicallybegging now, hating that Benson has so much power over me in this moment.
He pauses, considering me for a long moment as my heart starts to race. I need him to say yes.Please, fucking say yes.
“It has to look real,” he says,finally, and I swear I’m only imagining the way his eyes soften.
“I know?—”
“But do you? If you want to convince your ex that you’re mine, we have to make it so real that no one questions it. Not the town, not my family, not even your best friends. Everyone has to believe you want to rip my clothes off every time you look at me.” Benson smirks, shooting me a wink. “I’m not sure if you can do that, Plum.”
“Well, what about you? You’ll have to sell it too. No one’s going to believe I’m in a one-sided relationship with an alpha who doesn’t want me just as badly,” I grumble.
Sure, he’s always been kind of flirty, and he has definitely hit on me a lot more over the last few months, but I always assumed that's how he is with everyone. Benson is an attractive single alpha who co-owns the most popular farm in town with his brothers. He should have no problem attracting potential mates.
Will anyone believe he really wants me?
“You don’t think I want to rip your clothes off?” Benson asks, his voice husky as he presses into me, wrapping his hand around my waist as he leans down, our faces only inches apart.
In a flash, he’s pinning me against a fence post. Hands on my hips with a firm grip. There’s hunger in his eyes as he licks his lips, and even his scent gets heavier in the air between us, fucking with my instincts. Sweet snowflakes, he’s potent. I’m getting dizzy just breathing him in.
“You don’t think I can make everyone believe I’m so fucking desperate for you, every second of every day? Fuck, Plum, I’d bury my cock inside you right now if you’d only say yes to me,”he murmurs, lips bruising against the delicate skin of my neck, and my mouth drops open in shock. My entire body responds to his words as the blood in my veins heats up, and slick dampens my inner thighs through my thong.
“Wow,” I whisper, staring into his eyes as he leans back to look at me once again. Several seconds later, I’m still reeling from the effects of his pheromones. “Holy shit. You’re really good at that.” I shake my head to clear some of the desire rushing through my system, licking my lips as I push him back a step and put some distance between us.
“Thanks, I’ve had literally no practice,” he snarks, and I roll my eyes at his teasing words.
“Well, you can definitely fake your attraction to me.” I have to take several deep breaths of fresh air to escape the horny fog he put me in.
