Page 211 of Faking the Goal

Kentaro's eyes drop toward it.

Thank you, stomach. Impeccable timing.

"I'll go get us breakfast and coffee." He swings his legs over the side of the bed and stands, and whatever relief I felt lasts approximately half a second because now his back is facing me.

Jesus.

His shoulders are broad and beautifully defined, the muscles shifting beneath his skin as he bends to grab his shirt from the floor. My eyes follow the strong line of his back down to his narrow waist and the way his jeans hang low on his hips, and suddenly breakfast is no longer the thing I'm hungry for.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

He stretches before pulling his shirt on, lifting both arms over his head, and every muscle along his back tightens with the movement. A tiny sound escapes me before I can swallow it.

Kentaro glances over his shoulder.

Shit.

His mouth curves slowly. "See something you like?"

"Shut up." I grab the nearest pillow and shove it over my face.

His low chuckle reaches me through it as he pulls his shirt on. "I'll be back in a few."

I wait until I hear the door close before throwing the pillow after him. It hits the wall several feet from the doorway and drops pathetically to the floor.

Alone in the suddenly too-quiet bedroom, I collapse against the headboard and press the heels of my hands over my eyes. My head is throbbing, my cheeks are still burning, and the space beside me is warm from where Kentaro was lying only seconds ago. His scent is all over my sheets, probably all over me too, and for some reason that realization makes my heart start doing that stupid thing again.

I lower one hand to my chest, feeling the quick, uneven thumps beneath my palm.

What the hell is happening to me?

This is Kentaro.

Kentaro.

The same infuriating asshole I could barely stand a few weeks ago. The man whose favorite hobby seems to be getting on my nerves. My fake boyfriend. Emphasis on fake.

So why does it suddenly matter that he thinks I'm cute when I'm drunk? Why did hearing him say he doesn't want anyone else seeing me like that make my stomach flip? Why can I still feel the brush of his thumb against my cheek like he touched me five seconds ago instead of five minutes?

And why the fuck was I just staring at his body like I wanted to climb him?

I squeeze my eyes shut.

No.

I am not developing feelings for Kentaro Azuma.

Attraction? Fine. I have eyes, and unfortunately he has a body specifically designed to make those eyes betray me. And maybe I've gotten comfortable with him lately. Maybe I even like being around him more than I'm willing to admit.

But feelings?

Absolutely fucking not.

Because attraction I can handle. Attraction is harmless. Temporary.

Whatever this thing in my chest is starting to feel like?

That could actually hurt me.