Just One Fake Date: A Contemporary Romance (Flatiron Five Fitness Book 1)

by Deborah Cooke

  “You don’t have to show me around.”

  Tyler’s gaze clung to hers in a very satisfying way and his voice dropped even lower. “Maybe I want to make the most of opportunity. It would just be wrong to let you leave without me even trying to prove to you that I’m one of the good guys.”

  Why did he care what she thought?

  Tyler lifted a brow when she didn’t speak. “Unless you’d prefer otherwise. I could ask Kyle.”

  “Why would I prefer otherwise?”

  “The words ‘smug asshole’ come to mind.”

  “You forgot entitled.”

  Shannyn earned a hot look for that.

  “I didn’t forget,” Tyler said, biting off the words. “I’ll never forget.”

  He was insulted. Well, it had been an insulting thing to say to someone but she’d never imagined he would pay attention.

  Let alone remember for twelve years.

  “And it pisses you off.”

  The question obviously surprised him. “Shouldn’t it?”

  “I don’t know why it would. We were just classmates in a huge survey class.”

  “It did and it does.” He obviously noticed her skepticism and his voice rose a little. “Why wouldn’t I want to defend myself?”

  “Why would you care?” Shannyn replied.

  “Trust me. I do.” He headed for the door with purpose. “We can start with the rock wall...”

  “A tour of your empire is not going to change my mind about anything,” she said before she could stop herself.

  Tyler froze, then pivoted, his gaze locking with hers again. His eyes blazed in a way that thrilled her to her toes. “Then what will?”

  Oh, that quiet question was an invitation to trouble.

  A fake date, even to a wedding, isn’t that complicated and negotiation is in your skill set.

  Shannyn recalled Kyle’s words, the ones that she’d overheard, and the proverbial light went on. What was it like to be with Tyler? She’d always been curious. Her new philosophy was to live in the moment and this was the perfect opportunity to find out.

  No strings attached.

  It was crazy.

  It was impulsive.

  But once she had the idea, she couldn’t ignore it.

  Shannyn was going to tickle the dragon’s belly and she knew she had to look like she didn’t care if he breathed fire. “We could make a deal,” she said, carefully putting her camera away. She used the time to consider changing her mind, but couldn’t think of a single good reason to do so. When she looked up, Tyler was motionless, his eyes bright with interest. Shannyn took a step, closing the distance between them, then gave his tie a playful tug. She dared to look up and meet his gaze. Pure fire. “Because I’ve always wondered what I was missing.”

  “How so?” Tyler’s voice turned silky, and he was a thousand times more intense than he’d been before.

  “One hundred and ninety-eight women in that class, and I was the only one neither of you hit on.”

  He was visibly surprised. “Not Kyle?”

  “Not Kyle. Not you. Did I look like I had a communicable disease or something?”

  He frowned and shook his head. “No. You were serious.”

  “That’s a crime?”

  “You were looking for more than a hook-up,” Tyler explained, pushing a hand through his hair. “You wanted to fall in love. I could see that. I could hear it when you read the poetry aloud in class. I respected that, but I wasn’t on the same proverbial page. I was ambitious.”

  “Somehow I doubt you got over that.”

  “I haven’t.” He shook his head and smiled just a little, the sight making her heart squeeze tight. His eyes twinkled as his voice softened, as if they were exchanging confidences. “But if some asshole was going to break your heart, it wasn’t going to be me.”

  It was a nice thought, a protective impulse, either a hint that she had called it wrong or an attempt to say what she most wanted to hear.

  Shannyn didn’t care.

  Because either way, it was the perfect opening.

  She reached up to trace the line of Tyler’s mouth with her fingertip, surrendering to that ancient temptation. It felt just as good as she’d expected. Tyler’s lips were firm and warm, and his gaze sizzled. He didn’t move but she could feel the tension emanating from him, and was awed by his patience and control.

  She wanted to shatter his facade and let him loose.

  She wanted him to want her so badly that he took her hard and fast, against a wall or on this desk.

  She suspected that all she had to do was ask.

  Shannyn stretched up, almost touching her lips to his ear. She closed her eyes, smelling soap and clean, sexy man along with that delicious cologne. “I’ll trade you,” she whispered, then brushed her lips across his ear lobe. She felt Tyler shiver and that made her feel powerful. She saw his eyes narrow when he pulled back slightly to look at her.

  He was so close. “Trade what?” he murmured.

  “Sex, right now, in exchange for one wedding date, at a specified future date.”

  There. She’d said it.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “I wouldn’t.”

  His gaze was searching. “I don’t think people change very much, Shannyn. I still can’t give you what you want.”

  Her reservations melted a little more that he would be protective of her—even though this was just about sensation. “I could argue that. I think you could give me exactly what I want.” She ran a hand across his chest and felt him catch his breath. His dress shirt was crisp and smooth, and he wore a tight white undershirt beneath it. Under that was all rock hard chest. She flattened her hand and ran it across him. “Because I’ve changed. I’m all about living in the moment now.”

  “Why?” Tyler looked as if she was a riddle he wanted to solve.

  Shannyn continued, ignoring his question. “I’ve learned to like things simple. I prefer clear boundaries and simple transactions. Sex for a fake date sounds just about right to me.”

  “Even with a smug entitled asshole?” He smiled a little again, the sight finishing her.

  “Maybe especially with one. It’s time to find out what I’m missing.”

  His eyes lit. “I reserve the right to try to change your mind.”

  Shannyn smiled. “I don’t think you will.”

  “Don’t underestimate me.”

  “That’s usually my warning.” They smiled at each other for half of forever and it felt to Shannyn as if there was no air left in the room.

  “Do we have a deal?” she managed to ask finally.

  “Yes.” Tyler moved decisively, clearly intent on seizing the moment. “Yes.” He caught Shannyn’s nape in one strong hand, pulled her closer and looked into her eyes for a moment. When she held his gaze steadily, he bent to capture her lips beneath his own.

  It was a good kiss, both possessive and persuasive. Unhurried and thorough. It wasn’t just poetry he savored. It was a kiss that meant business, a kiss that was unequivocal, and a kiss that convinced Shannyn that she’d made exactly the right choice.

  Two

  Shannyn couldn’t have made a more perfect invitation.

  Given her opinion of him, there was no danger of her wanting more than simple satisfaction—which Ty was more than happy to provide. Their arrangement was elegant in its simplicity. Why couldn’t all relationships be like this? She’d spelled out the terms. She’d told him what she wanted and he would deliver.

  It was ideal.

  Shannyn had changed. She’d been quiet and composed in that long-ago class, except for the time she’d told him off. Even then, there’d been an emotional edge to her anger, and now she was cool. Her heart wasn’t on her sleeve anymore and her thoughts were harder to read. Ty guessed that some jerk had broken her heart. Healing had made her tougher and more sure of what she wanted, maybe more likely to ask for it outright.

  He couldn’t help but be glad that she wanted him.

>   He’d anticipated that her shyness would return when he kissed her, but was pleasantly surprised. She didn’t just meet him halfway: she leaned into their kiss, demanding even more. It was as if she was starving for sensation. There was a hunger in her touch that hinted it had been a while for her and Ty intended to make sure she didn’t regret her choice.

  He held her close with that one hand, his fingers lost in the silk of her hair, and felt her soften even more. Her fingers were splayed on his cheek, her tongue touching his. Even as she invited him to deepen their kiss, Ty was aware that she was more fragile than him. He wanted to gather her close and carry her off, but he sensed that it was important to Shannyn to be the one making the choice.

  He flicked the door shut with one hand then poured everything into that kiss, wanting it to be as irresistible as possible. He heard her messenger bag slip to the floor. He felt her sigh then nestle against him, her hands running beneath his suit jacket as she checked him out. The quick flick of her tongue against his sent fire through his veins.

  This was the good stuff—and even better when Shannyn framed his face in her hands and backed him into the table, feasting upon his mouth as if she’d eat him alive. Tyler’s heart pounded and everything in him went tight with need. She lifted one knee to the table and crawled onto it, then wrapped her thighs around him, pressing her softness against him. Ty was overwhelmed—and that was before she rocked her hips, demanding even more.

  He spun around and lifted her to the table. His files scattered and he didn’t care. Shannyn slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, those legs locking around his hips. She was wearing leggings and he cupped her butt in one hand, letting his fingers slide between her legs to caress her. She moaned, then nipped at him with her teeth, as if she wanted it fast. He could smell her perfume and the heat of her skin, and she pulled him on top of her, writhing beneath his weight in a way that made him nearly lose his mind. There was only Shannyn, her touch and her kiss, the sweet curve of her beneath him, the desire in her invitation and his own need to possess her...

  The phone rang at the front desk and Ty suddenly recalled where they were. He lifted his head with reluctance but didn’t let go. Shannyn looked less composed than she had, her lips soft and a little swollen, her cheeks flushed. There was a glow in her eyes that hadn’t been there before, either, and Ty liked his contribution to the change.

  “Not here,” he murmured and she smiled, her gaze flicking to the door.

  “We could lock the door,” she suggested. The wicked glint in her eyes made his heart skip.

  He’d never done it in the office. He was all for plans and the right setting, but there was something hot about her need.

  “I want to linger over it.” He touched his lips to her ear and murmured against her skin. “I want to make you shout.”

  Shannyn shivered a little, brushed her lips across his jaw, then smiled at him. “Are there private rooms in this club?” She reached up with a fingertip to touch his mouth again, her touch making him shiver. The way she watched the progress of her fingertip, her own tongue sliding over her lips, made him throb. “Maybe for a nice private massage?”

  “I can do better than that,” Ty said. “I live on the top floor.”

  “No.”

  “The plan is to convert the floors above the club to condos, but we’re waiting on permits.”

  She smiled a little. “But you’ve already claimed the penthouse.”

  “Only part of the floor. I work a lot and it’s convenient.”

  “Is that a practical choice?” She smiled as if teasing him. “Or is it because you like being the guardian angel of the club, watching from above?” She surprised him with the accuracy of her guess. “I’ll bet you like to be in charge.”

  “I think some things are worth defending. Is that a problem?”

  Shannyn swiveled out of his embrace, jumping off the desk as lightly as a dancer. She pushed a hand through her hair and bent to pick up her bag. Was it a coincidence that the move meant he couldn’t see her eyes? Ty had the sense that she was hiding something from him.

  What had happened to her in the past twelve years? He was surprised by how badly he wanted to know.

  “Of course not.” Her tone was businesslike again and Ty sensed that there was more to that story.

  He didn’t want her barriers in place again.

  He spoke quickly, trying to recapture the mood with a confession. “What I like best about living here is being able to come down in the middle of the night and swim laps, when the club is closed.”

  “Swimming in the dark.”

  “Not quite. There are security lights. But I like having the place to myself.”

  “King of the castle,” she teased. “Master of all he surveys.”

  “That sounds entitled, doesn’t it?”

  She laughed out loud, as if surprised. “Maybe I wasn’t that wrong.”

  “Maybe,” he admitted, wondering what would happen next.

  It was up to her.

  Even though he was raging to finish what they’d started.

  “Changing your mind?” she asked, her tone provocative.

  “Not a chance.” He decided to leave everything spread on the desk and lock the door instead of cleaning up. When he looked up, Shannyn was waiting by the door, as composed as if that kiss hadn’t happened. He opened the door and she spoke.

  “Thanks for offering me a tour,” she said, her voice loud enough to carry to the front desk. “But I didn’t mean to interfere with your own work.”

  Was Shannyn changing her mind? He hoped not. Or was it that she didn’t want everyone to know where they were going, or what they were going to do? That was at odds with the suggestion of doing it on the desk.

  She was one to keep him guessing, that was for sure.

  “It’s Friday night. I’m due for a break,” Ty said, playing along and hoping. He locked the door behind them. “We can start on eight, if you like, and work our way down. There are meditation rooms there and some smaller classrooms, but the view of the city should be good right now.”

  Shannyn nodded as they left the offices together. “The light might be good, too.” She flicked him a mischievous smile and dropped her voice to a throaty purr that only he could hear. “And I like starting at the top, then working my way down.”

  Her words made his heart stop, then race.

  Ty didn’t have it in him to give the official patter, not when he was uncertain of her plan, not when he so wanted her to choose to come with him. They walked in silence to the elevator. Once the doors closed, he pushed his key into the control panel and held his finger over the button for the top floor. He spared Shannyn a glance and she didn’t hesitate: she closed her hand over his and jammed his finger against the button. The doors closed and the elevator began to ascend. “I thought you’d changed your mind.”

  “Just not blowing your cover at the office,” she said, backing him into the wall and giving him another searing kiss. “It’s been a while since I shouted,” she whispered and Ty smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I’ll take that as a challenge.”

  “Please do.”

  Their kiss was open-mouthed and fierce, frantic enough to make his blood boil. Her hands were under his suit jacket, roving over him as if he was her possession, and Ty liked that just fine. He caught her under the butt and she wound her legs around his waist again, her hands locked around his head as he kissed her with heat. She didn’t falter or back away, just rubbed against him, wanting more and more. He spun and backed her into the corner, loving how she rocked against him.

  When the elevator doors opened, Ty dropped her to the ground, then seized her hand and strode down the hall to his apartment. He liked the sound of her boots as she ran behind him, the weight of her hand in his, the sparkle of anticipation in her eyes when he put his key in the lock. He couldn’t get the door open fast enough and didn’t even bother to turn on the lights. He flicked the door s
hut behind them, turned the deadbolt, then Shannyn launched herself at him again. She’d already shrugged out of her coat and let it fall to the floor, although she put her messenger bag down more gently. He caught her and staggered back against the wall for one long sweet kiss.

  He lifted her off her feet, spinning her around as he moved toward the bedroom. She pushed her hands through his hair, pulling him close for another scorching kiss, then her hands were under his jacket again.

  “You might as well be a statue,” she whispered. “You’re as hard as rock.”

  “Comes with the territory.”

  Her hand slid down the front of him and she gave him a sparkling look when she discovered what else was hard.

  “Or the company,” he managed to say before she opened his fly and caressed him more boldly. Ty had to close his eyes against a tide of desire that left him dizzy. Shannyn shoved his suit jacket over his shoulders with an impatience he shared and he framed her face in his hands, kissing her again.

  The scent of her body’s warmth was driving him as wild as her touch. He loved that she wasn’t shy. Her impatience was equal to his own and made Ty want to feel her bare skin against his as soon as possible. He shrugged off the jacket and flung it over the couch, and Shannyn tugged at his tie. For once, Ty didn’t care about hanging anything up or folding it—he was lifting the hem of Shannyn’s huge black sweater and caught his breath at his first touch of her soft skin beneath his hands.

  She broke their kiss and pivoted to tug off her boots. Ty kicked off his shoes and socks, then swept her into his arms, heading for the bedroom with purpose. She kicked her feet, laughing, then they tumbled to the bed together in a tangle of legs. Ty pulled her sweater over her head, and she undid the buttons of his shirt with lightning speed. She pushed off his shirt, flinging it across the room, then reached for his belt. Ty didn’t even know where his cuff links fell. He’d find them later.

  Shannyn wiggled out of her tights and spared him a glance when she was down to her bra and panties. She was slender and fair, and her lingerie was practical. “Obviously, I didn’t plan this seduction,” she whispered but Ty shook his head.