“No. I don’t need anyone to buy me a dress that I’ll never wear again. I’ve been to a lot of Bond weddings in the past several years and I have a wide range of dresses to choose from. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
All she wanted to do was be prepared.
Yet how do you prepare yourself to be in a fake relationship with a guy you’ve got the hots for when you’re going to lay down rules?
Maybe the first rule should be for her. Don’t do anything stupid? Like fall for the charming grin across from her that said he’d just won!
9
OFF YOUR CHEST
“Here are my rules,” she said on Tuesday after she finished work.
Arik took the piece of paper that was handed to him and noticed the dual lines on the bottom waiting for their signatures.
A total Natalie move.
An actual contract.
He wanted to laugh but was smart enough to know better.
“Wow. Talk about organized,” he said tongue in cheek.
“I can take Friday afternoon off,” she said, getting right down to business. “You mentioned your flight is leaving at two?”
She grinned. “Yep.” He couldn’t believe she was doing this!
His eyes scanned the sheet, his tongue caught between his teeth as he processed it all. There was a lot and it was specific. The last thing he wanted to do was rattle off some stupid comment causing her to change her mind.
“Go on. Get it off your chest. We have to be honest about it.” Her arms were crossed, her foot tapping.
This wasn’t the playful woman from Sunday. He’d warm her up like he always did.
“Well,” he said. “I hadn’t realized how strict you were going to be. Number one, no touching other than hand holding or an arm around the shoulders.”
“I was considerate enough to know if we are supposed to be in a relationship, there would be some mild form of PDA.”
He blinked his eyes a few times. “That’s nice of you,” he said. “How about hands around your waist? I’m sure we’re going to be dancing. It might look funny if we do it with only a single arm around your shoulder.”
She reached for the paper and clicked the pen in her hand, the snap echoing in the room. Both walked to the desk while he watched the blue ink moving across the paper.
“Makes sense. Hands on the waist,” she added.
“Got that one adjusted. Number two, no kissing other than light pecks on the cheek or lips.”
“Again, it’d seem odd if you didn’t show some affection.”
“Is there a time limit on the kiss? I’m assuming you mean no tongue action but a peck on the lips can last a minute or more if done properly.”
She narrowed her eyes. “A peck means a quick light kiss.”
“Got it,” he said, nodding his head. “But I’m going on record that isyourrule. If you want to break it and stick your tongue in my mouth, I’m not pushing it out.”
Those narrowed eyes of hers, one just closed, her lips tightening. He was pushing his luck, but he’d come this far.
“So noted.”
She didn’t say no. Definitely warming her up.
