His grin deepened, but his eyes lingered. It made me squirm in my seat. He was loving this.
“So,” he said lightly, “what’s the plan for the rest of our fake, totally-not-complicated day?”
I rolled my eyes. “Tattoo. Public appearances. Make Jackson sweat.”
“Love thatfor us.” He clinked his fork against mine like a toast. “Alright, what’s step one?”
“Step one: act unbothered. Like you being all over me is just… normal.”
“Am I allowed to be all over you?” His grin was infuriating.
“Don’t be a dick,” I said dryly, ignoring the flip in my stomach.
“Too late. Okay, so hand on your back, whispers in your ear, grabbing your thighs, got it.”
I arched a brow. “You’ve thought this through.”
“I’ve had some ideas.” His gaze didn’t waver.
“And step two?” I asked.
“Don’t know yet. I say we see how fast Jackson cracks before we get there.”
I dragged a fingertip along my glass, leaning in. “And when he does?”
Max met my gaze head-on. “We blow it up.”
The silence that followed stretched taut between us, buzzing.
“You’re a convincing fake boyfriend,” I said finally, leaning back, trying to breathe again.
“Convincing?” His grin turned sharp. “I’m the best boyfriend you’ll ever have.”
I noted how he didn’t say “fake.”
My longingfor him was overwhelming as we stepped out of the diner.
His truck rumbled to life, the radio a low hum beneath the tension.
“So,” Max said, clearing his throat. “What are you getting for your tattoo? A heart with my name in it?”
I snorted. “Please. I was thinking something meaningful.Subtle. Oh, I know. A middle finger. For you.” I lifted mine in demonstration.
He grinned. “Bold of you to think I wouldn’t find that fucking hot as hell.”
I rolled my eyes. “Right. Forgot, you’ve got a tattoo fetish.”
“Just on you,” he said too quickly, then backpedaled, eyes flicking between me and the road. “I mean, any girl with ink is hot in my book.”
I caught myself staring at his hand resting casually on the console. I wanted to hold it.
“Sabotage,” by Beastie Boys, filled the silence a moment too long before he asked, “Okay, seriously. What are you getting? And am I allowed to see it?”
“I’m still deciding.”
“Will I get to see it though?”
I paused. “You’ll have to undress me first, but yeah.”
