“Because…” She stopped before she finished, chewing on her lower lip. “I have my reasons.”
I leaned closer. “Which are what? Scared of having fun? Because if done right, this could be fun.”
“How the hell could fake dating you be fun?” she asked angrily.
I reached a hand up, watching her face grow red as I grew closer. “Because even fake, I’m a great guy. Dating me is fun.” I looked at her lips, taking in how soft they looked. I wondered what type of kisser she was. “And just because it’s fake doesn’t mean we can’t get something out of this.”
I hated how there was a rift between us. I knew I had been part of the reason, but I didn’t want it to continue. I hated seeing the hatred in her eyes. I hated that she left when I came near or avoided me like I was a killer.
“If this is your attempt at smooth-talking your way into my pants, go fuck yourself.”
I smirked. I had missed this. Nora had always been quiet, meek at times, but quick-witted. I hadn’t seen this side of her in a while, and I felt my heart skip a beat at it. I liked seeing the fire in her.
We used to talk together. Nora was shy at first, but I’d seen her be a smartass sometimes. She always seemed to sparkle when she was with my sister.
I liked Nora. I liked who she was as a person, and I knew she was going to do great things. She had a fire inside her that was just waiting to come out.
And I could see it now.
“You have to put kissing on the table.”
She looked baffled for a moment before she shook her head. “No. I’m not doing that.”
“I kiss in relationships.”
“Not this one.”
I pressed against her, and Nora tensed up slightly as I wrapped an arm around her. I reached a hand up, cupping her chin. I smirked. “That wasn’t a request. I’m not asking to feel you up, I’m asking you to put your lips in the contract because in a real relationship, people kiss in public. People stare into each other’s eyes and feel that tug to be closer.”
Her face was red, and she stammered, seeming unsure of what to say. I looked at her lips, suddenly aching to feel them against mine. I wanted to see what she tasted like, how she moaned.
But then I remembered how heartbroken she looked after my rejection. She had had hope, and I’d shattered it.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, looking almost scared.
I saw it. The hurt behind her eyes. This contract was her way of protecting herself. It wasn’t that long ago that she confessed, and the feelings might still be there. It would be wrong of me to force something she couldn’t give.
I leaned back, taking a step back from her. “I’m just saying this needs to look real. I understand you might not like it, but you agreed. If you want everyone to believe this, you can’t put rules up and expect them all to be followed.”
I watched her face shift back into anger, and her fingers curled up. “You act like it’s so simple.”
“It is because in the end, we both want the same thing. We want to be left alone. So, make people believe we’re in love.We’re going to go out and go on dates. We’re gonna have to get close and personal. That’s the deal.”
“You do know that there are people who date and are respectful in public.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m not one of them.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I wasn’t the type of guy who hid his relationship. I kissed in public. I held my girlfriend close. “I don’t hide anything when I’m in public, Nora. I’m not banging in bathroom stalls, but I’m certainly not the type of guy that doesn’t touch his girl.”
She swallowed, suddenly avoiding eye contact with me. “I’m not agreeing to all of that. I’m not that type of person.”
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out, seeing that Brandon was calling me. I sighed and answered it.
“Hey, Brandon.”
“There was a hybrid spotted a mile out of town. Westley and Asher are still asleep, so I’m going to need you to go with me to scope it out.”
