"I don't know what to do," I continue softly. "I don't think this problem is going to go away on its own. What I need is for whoever to understand that I'm not interested, you know?"
The only eyes I want following me all the time are the wave-clashing ones staring down at me now. The only man I want, the only one I'lleverwant, is Smoke.
He only looks grumpier, but he nods. "You don't have anything your boyfriend can give you to make it clear?"
My brows lift in surprise. "Oh. Oh, no. I don't have one of those." I pause, registering his words. "Wait, that's a great idea."
While I'm brewing out the idea in my head, I don't miss the way his expression falters. Maybe we're sharing the same thought.
If I had someone play the part, then yeah, Icouldpersuade them to leave me alone. IfSmokeis playing the role... He could protect me and play out my fantasy all at once.
Reaching out, I wrap both of my hands around one of his and squeeze his fingers. I don't miss how calloused they are, or the faded scars on his knuckles made during his free time. Meeting his gaze, my heart thuds faster. As heat starts to crawl up my throat, the fear in my veins starts to be replaced by adrenaline. "Tell me we're thinking the same thing right now."
Smoke looks between the sudden smile on my lips before flicking down to look at where I'm touching him. He's back to looking nervous as he looks back up. "We are?"
"I don't have a boyfriend, Smoke. Not a husband, either. Well, to fix that, I need one, right? My stalker won't know the difference between a real relationship and a fake one." Squeezing his hand tighter, I can already see the realization of what I'm starting to ask hit him.
Once more, he looks like he wants to book it. Maybe we're not on the same page, but fuck it. I've already put the idea out there.
Right now, I'm not going to give him the chance to run. Not when he can also resolve this issue if this stalker has a problem with it.
"It'll just be pretend. We've just got to play a little part, and that's it! I swear." Stepping closer to him, I'm thankful for the wall at his back. "You'll be more like a bodyguard than anything, just keeping an eye out for anything suspicious."
"A bodyguard and a boyfriend are not the same thing." He's stumbling on his words before I notice the flush on his ears.
Oh my God. Can I fall even more in love with this man?
Oh, but his words hit me right in the chest, deflating the sudden swell.
He's going to turn down the suggestion, isn't he? I don't think this man would want to play either role if I'm involved.
What do I have to do to make this man like me, even if just a little?
Pulling away, I release my hold on him and let out a defeated sigh. "You're right... I just... Rue got in my head a little bit. Maybe you could talk to someone else at the club and see if they're interested? I could say something to Ace or..."
I don't want to fake a relationship with anyone else. Honestly, I can just pay someone to watch over me so I don't get hurt.
That dark look of his is back at the suggestion before he lets out a rough sigh. Shoving his fingers through those dirty blond strands of hair, he looks up for a second before shaking his head. "I'll do it. Just until we find the bastard, alright?"
Woah. Did I just imagine him saying yes?
It takes a few seconds to register that he's actually agreed, and my body is moving on its own. Throwing my arms around his neck, I hug him tightly out of excitement. I even wiggle a little, doing a happy dance.
As expected, he freezes up instantly.
"I'm not good at this," he rasps, like I can't tell he's stiff as a board. "This is... new for me."
Playing a role, or dating? Assuming a man with such good looks has a little experience on his belt, I assume it's the former.
"Well, for starters, you could hug me back," I murmur against his front, seeking an excuse to feel his warmth surrounding me. Despite being touched more times today than I can count on both of my hands, I could forget all about it if it were his hands on my body. Just the thought of it has me sticking out my bottom lip, hopefully urging him to say yes.
"What in the hell are you getting me into?" Sounding defeated, he wraps his arms around me and hugs me tight enough to steal my breath away before sighing into my hair. Without even meaning to, he's making it easy to smile from ear to ear. A real smile, not the kind I paint on this mask of mine.
Finally, for the first time in weeks, I feel safe.
two
Smoke
