Ballard is the one who takes a step back now.Strangely enough I feel slightly disappointed that he looks as if he’s about to decline my counteroffer.He slowly raises his hand and holds up one finger.
One.
I jerk my chin down.“Yes, one lead for one blow job.Only if you agree to work together and uphold appearances that we’re a couple.I need a partner, so I don’t have to endure family shit alone, and have a witness with me at all times.Besides, you’re my only option to make it believable.”
He narrows his eyes and moves his hands slightly with his palms up.
“Why?”I voice in question.
He nods while I release a deep breath.
I guess I owe the man some of the truth.“Recently I...”My throat clogs up and I can’t get any words out.
Ballard steps closer and points at me, his scars, and touches his temple before making a slicing move with his thumb along his neck.A snort leaves me.This shouldn’t be funny at all and yet it somehow is.
“I have mental scars from a killer.That’s what you just pointed out, right?Well, dude, if you can point out my issue, then you can surely get yourself laid.”
The corner of his mouth twitches.
Though, a thought does enter my head.“You did a background check on me, didn’t you?”
He slowly bobs his head.
I place my hands on my hips while anger hits me.It makes sense for them to dig into my life with Royce being my father, and yet it still stings.
Mostly due to the obvious, which is why I ask, “Did you think I was in on things?”
The head bob comes faster this time, though he does hold out his hand.Great.Well, at least the man is honest.And apparently, it’s a deal if he wants to shake on it...which also makes him my new fake boyfriend.
CHAPTER THREE
–BALLARD –
Her palm glides over mine and I grip her hand to give it a firm shake.A jolt of electricity shoots up my arm, the feeling strange and foreign.I quicky drop her hand as if she just burned me while memories come flooding back like a tidal wave.Shit.The first and last time she touched me was to save my life.
“Do you still think I’m in on things?”she asks.
