I look up at him and find him already gazing down at me. My heart jolts in my chest, and I suck in a shaky breath. The chemistry that’s been heating up between us all night feels ready to explode, and the only coherent thought that crosses my mind before I rise up on my tiptoes to press my mouth to his is —I need to kiss him more than I need air.
The kiss iselectric.
Jake doesn’t miss a beat, despite my taking him by surprise. He pulls me closer, his hands warm and possessive as one grips my hip and the other cradles my head. He presses and curls his fingers through my hair. I’m lost. I forget that we’re not alone. That we’re on a dancefloor surrounded by my family and friends.
I forget that this is fake.
Because this sure as hell doesn’tfeelfake.
The music stops. I gasp, raise my hands to his chest, and press away, feeling dizzy and like I’m drunk despite the fact that my last drink was hours ago.
“Cara…” Jake begins to say, but then my mother appears, and the moment is gone.
“I just came to say goodnight, darling,” Mom says, wrapping me in a quick hug. “I thought you were lying when you said you were bringing your boyfriend, but I see now that I was wrong. I’m sorry for doubting you.”
She gives Jake a smile, and then she’s gone to envelop my sister in one last hug before she leaves.
“Well, we did a good job,” I say, turning back to Jake, my hand up awaiting a high-five. “She believes us.”
Jake’s eyes bore into mine. “Do you?”
I blink at him, swallow hard. “Um.” I don’t have an answer to that.
Yes, you do, you liar,‘fess up, girl,a voice in my brain pipes up.
“Come on,” I say instead, avoiding vulnerability for a minute more. “I owe you for today.”
We make our way out of the reception, and Jake doesn’t speak again until we’re alone in the elevator on the way up to our room.
“I know it was part of our deal, but you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” he begins, stepping closer to me in the small space. He braces his arms on either side of me as the elevator rises, surrounding me. “But that kiss? That wasn’t fake, princess. You can pretend you don’t feel the need between us, but your body doesn’t lie. I see how your breath hitches and your skin flushes, and you bite your lip. I know you want this. Forreal.”
“I…” I try to say, but I have no argument. He’s right.
The elevator dings as it stops at our floor. When we get to our hotel room door, I know I’ve already made my choice.
No more pretending.
It’s time to show him just how Ireallyfeel.
4
JAKE
Imeant what I said. I won’t push her into something she doesn’t want.
The thing is, I think shedoeswant this. There’s no way to fake the chemistry in our kiss, or the way I’ve caught her looking at me today. I just need her to admit it to herself.
Fuck, I hope she’s ready to admit it to herself. And me. Because I’ve spent the whole wedding thinking about all the things I want to do to her when I get her alone, and my cock has been painfully hard ever since her lips touched mine on that dancefloor.
I watch her as she pulls out the keycard and opens our room. My eyes are glued to her as we step inside, the door clicks closed behind us, and she kicks off her heels, making me tower over her again. My hands itch to pick her up, to carry her to the bed, to strip that silky dress off her and worship her with my lips, my hands, my body.
I have to clench my fists to stop myself, and take a deep breath in a valiant attempt to keep my cool.
I want her for more than just a night, and I haven’t felt this way about anyone…well, ever. So I can’t go scaring her off or fucking this up. I may be a bit of a womanizer, but this is unfamiliar territory for me. I feel like my goddamn heart is in Cara’s hands right now, and I’m just waiting to see if she’ll crush it.
Oh my God, she’s turning me into a total simp, I think to myself with a chuckle.If only the guys could see me now.
Cara turns around slowly, like something out of my dirtiest dreams. Her fingers graze the straps of her dress and guide them down her arms. The top of the dress falls to her waist, exposing the lacy bra she’s wearing underneath.
