“I told Levi and Craig last week I was bringing a date, Dad. My boyfriend, to use the exact term.” She is all confident and it's turning me on. One thing that I’m realizing about Emmy King is that she might be a bundle of nerves on the inside, but when it matters, she’s got confidence in fucking spades.
I’m already sick of hearing of this stupid Cringey Craig guy, so I step in. “I would be happy to clear things up with Craig on the whole ‘getting back together’ thing.” I look around much like he just did, pretending to be looking for the toolbag. I don’t even know what this jackhole looks like. I see Emmy smiling next to me as I look though, and I’ll gladly play this role for her.
Mr. King clears his throat. “That won’t be necessary. Emmy, I’d like to find a time to talk tonight about some family matters.”
At this, Emmy tenses up. Huh. I wonder what these “family matters” are.
“We will see,” she replies, tight-lipped. She then excuses herself to the bar for another drink, leaving me and Mr. King standing awkwardly together. I just smile at him. He smooths down his suit jacket, tells me to have a good night before walking away.
“Two down,” I mutter.
“Sorry I left you. I thought it would be the only way to get him to go away.” Emmy slides into the seat she vacated moments ago but with another drink for each of us.
“No worries, he doesn’t intimidate me.”
“Really?” She cocks her eyebrow.
“Really. Should he?” I mimic her look. She shakes her head.
“No, I guess if you don’t already know who he is, then you wouldn’t be intimidated. He’s pretty powerful and wealthy as hell, people are always either kissing his ass or shaking in their boots.”
“Well, I guess I just followed your lead.” I get the feeling that we are being watched. I try not to make a point to look around, so instead I lean in and kiss her on the cheek.
“What’s that for?” she asks with a smile, playing it off like it’s normal.
“We are being watched.”
She nods in understanding. We continue on like this for a bit longer. When I no longer feel like we’ve got a shadow, I excuse myself to the restroom.
“I’ll be lighting fast.” I give her a peck on the lips this time. Damn. The PDA is starting to happen more and more.
“If I’m not here, I’ll be out there. Depends on if I need to hide from anyone.”
I chuckle as I head toward the restrooms I saw near the elevators.
After a few minutes, I reemerge from the restroom and head to the bar for another drink. Open bar? Hell yeah, I’m taking advantage. Emmy isn’t at our table and I don’t see her, so I head out to the terrace.
There are a lot more people mingling around and fortunately I don’t see Emmy trapped into conversations without me. Unfortunately, I can’t find her. So help me, if she left me here, I’m going to be pissed. But then, across the open space, I see her in the very corner. At first, I think she really is hiding. My anger from the possibility of her leaving me shifts to anger at the possibility that someone upset her. I start toward her. But as I get closer, I notice she does something on her phone. Is she texting someone? She’s moving around the space strangely, like maybe she keeps dropping cell service. Whatever she’s doing, I don’t think she is texting because she’s using her pointer finger in a swipe up motion.
Standing just out of her view, I study her. She’s fucking gorgeous, but she’s acting strangely right now. I don’t know if I should laugh or be concerned. Just then, someone comes up next to me and shoves his hands in his pockets. I notice he’s a little taller than me.
“She’s a nut. But I love her.” His voice is full of affection. I look to him and immediately I know this is Levi. They’ve got the same dark hair and strikingly similar facial features.
“You must be Levi. Congratulations on your engagement.” I turn my gaze back to Emmy. She’s standing still now. Feverishly tapping her screen.
“Thank you, and you must be Jake.”
I nod.
“You two have created quite a stir tonight.”
I cock an eyebrow but remain focused on Emmy. “Really? I haven’t gotten the feeling anyone really cares we’re here except for your parents. Hell, Cringey Craig hasn’t even bothered us.”
Levi laughs, I assume at my use of the nickname. “Kitty has a knack for stirring shit quietly. Craig is preparing himself. He’ll circle then pounce soon enough. You’ve been talking to Becca I see, since I’ve known only her to use that nickname for him.” I grunt in response.
What the fuck is she doing? She’s got to be playing a game or something.
“The more interesting topic here is the fact that you clearly know about Craig, yet I don’t know anything about you. Emmy tells me about a lot of shit. And she hasn’t mentioned you.”
I turn to him to show him the respect he isn’t showing me. But he’s playing big brother right now, I get it. “I work in her building, so it’s not really something we want getting out so soon. So, we’ve kept it on the down low.”
He pinches his lips but nods.
“What the heck is she doing?” I finally ask.
“What do you mean?” He is looking at me again. So, I turn my body slightly toward him. Maybe I’m being rude, but his tone was confused.
“I mean, what is she doing over there in the corner? She’s acting funny.” I cross my arms. Clearly, I’m not the only one who just saw her fist-pump the air.
He looks at me with confusion. “She’s playing Digibot Go. It’s like her favorite game and current obsession. How do you not know this?”
Shit. Clearly, he isn’t in on our little agreement, I’ve got to turn this around.
“Well, we’re still learning a lot about each other, maybe she wasn’t ready to tell me about Digibot Go yet.” I’m grasping. I’ve got no reason, other than the fact that we really don’t know each other at all.
“My sister is a huge nerd and has never hidden the fact.” If it’s possible, he just used his big bro superpowers and grew a few intimidating inches. “The only reason I can think of that might make her hide such an important thing about herself is if she felt unsafe or judged by someone.” Now he’s glaring at me.
“Look, I love nerdy and I’m happy to hear she’s got a thing for Digibots, but she isn’t hiding that part of herself from me because she’s scared I’ll judge her.” He deflates a little. “Honest, I dig your sister and all her quirks.” He’s almost back to normal height when his name is called from across the terrace. He lets out a breath through his nose. Before he leaves, he delivers one last warning.
“Emmy is one of a kind. She’s amazing and deserves anything that makes her happy. You better not make life hard on her. You got me, Jake?”
Raising my hands in agreement, I say, “I got you.”
He nods and walks away.
I shake it off. Clearly, I did not make a good impression on the brother. Then I realize that I did not make a good impression on the stepmother or father. Great. Good thing this whole thing is fake or else I’d be in a world of hurt if my girlfriend’s family hated me after one night.
Chapter 11
Emmy
“So, just a heads-up, I’m pretty sure Levi doesn’t approve,” Jake says as he approaches me, just as I’m sliding my phone into my clutch. While he was gone, I avoided Craig and snuck out onto the terrace through the other set of doors. While I was avoiding further mingling, I decided to check my phone. Okay, that’s not true. I was checking out Digibot Go. Turns out there was a Digibot club on the far end of the terrace. There was a siege happening, I couldn’t resist. Only thing, I was pretty much on top of the club, so every time I moved the little notification to “walk closer” kept popping up. I probably looked like someone tied to a shitty cell service carrier.
“Oh, you met him? I haven’t gotten to talk to him yet. What happened?” I frown. I honestly thought he and Levi would get along.
“Well, I asked him what you
were doing over here in the corner and on your phone. It kinda pissed him off.”
My face flushes when I realize that, to Jake—and anyone else, for that matter—I probably looked like a crazy person.
“What were you doing?”
I bite my lip at his question. “I was playing Digibot Go.”
He studies me while I wait for him to get all judgy on me. I don’t know why I’ve hidden it from him. I’m a proud nerd, I don’t hide my nerd flag. Normally. But Jake has been so damn judgmental of me from the start, I just didn’t want to hear his snarky comments on it.
He smiles. I wait for it.
“If you’re anything other than Team Intuition then we can’t be friends.”
It takes everything in me to keep my jaw attached to my face and not falling to the floor. He knows Digibots. If so, why didn’t he know what I was doing? The confusion must show on my face.
“I don’t play Digibot Go, but I grew up as a Digibot handler.”
If this wasn’t a fake relationship, I would say I might have fallen for him a little bit just now.
I clear my throat and find my voice. “Yes, I’m Team Intuition. Yellow is my favorite color.” He smiles at me and I know I’m doing the same. It’s like we just realized we are in on a great inside joke. The moment is broken when the music from the speakers seems to get louder. Looking around, I notice that several couples are now dancing.
“Look, I’m sure Levi was just caught off guard. He’s your typical protective big brother, so some of it might have just been to size you up.”
“Maybe, but I think he’s either onto us or suspects me of being a total douchecan who’s treating you poorly.”
“I’ll talk to him.” I pat his chest with assurance. A zing of heat shoots through me and up my arm. I can see he feels it too because his eyes fill with heat and he stares at my mouth. Then it’s his turn to clear his throat.
“Let me get you a drink. I saw some new appetizers out, I’ll grab us a plate.”
I nod and watch him walk away. Lost in staring at Jake’s fine backside, I’m caught off guard by Craig. And to my disdain, Kitty. Great.
“Baby doll, it’s so good to see you. I’ve been looking for you all night.” Craig opens his arms to me, expecting a hug. When I don’t fall into him, he drops his arms, leans in, and kisses me on the cheek.
“Craig. I see you are doing well.”
“Life is wonderful. I’m at the top of my career. I’ve finally moved on past the god-forsaken apartment living and bought a townhouse upstate. Near your parents actually.” He smiles lovingly at Kitty and I want to gag.
“Sounds like life is just perfect.” I play along.
“It would be, but I just need to check one last thing off my list.”
Oh god, his fucking list. Really, the list is why we broke up. He had wanted me to fill the role of “beautiful wife” so he could check that off his “Must Have by Thirty” list.
I don’t appease him by asking what he wants me to. Instead, I turn to Kitty. “I have not seen Levi all night. Is he sneaking off somewhere?” Kitty rolls her eyes at my question, but I needed to change the subject.
“It is an engagement party, Emmy. What do you expect?” I knew that was coming. “Why don’t the two of you dance? Catch up.” She nudges me toward Craig.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Kitty.” He holds out his hand to me.
“Eh, no, thank you. I’m here with my boyfriend.” I slide a glare at Kitty. Why is she forcing this?
“Surely your date wouldn’t mind a friendly dance between you and a lifelong friend. Go on.” She all but pushes me this time.
“Fine. One dance, as friends. Do you understand me, Craig?” I stare him down, I hope he feels my warning deep in his arrogant soul.
He chuckles and looks at me like he would a silly dog before patting it on the head and saying, “good girl.”
He pulls me on to the dance floor, once there, he surprises me by keeping a respectful distance between us.
“It’s really great to see you, Emmy. I have missed you.” He sounds sincere and I cock my head and stare at him.
I decide to reiterate my point. “I have a boyfriend.”
He smiles sadly. “Yes, I know. But just know, I’m ready and waiting for you when whatever this thing is between the two of you is over.”
His sentiment is incredibly nauseating, and I want to tell him that whatever is going on between me and Jake isn’t ending anytime soon … but it is. Because what Jake and I have is fake. Before I can reply, our dance is interrupted. Jake, looking as confident as can be, stands next to us.
He looks directly at Craig when he says, “May I cut in?”
Craig looks defeated but drops his arms and steps away.
“Sorry it took me so long. I was intercepted by who I think was the bride.”
“Thank you for saving me.”
“Was it that bad?” he asks as he pulls me in to him, closer than I had been with Craig. I’m so close to him that his subtle scent fills my nose.
I fight back a sigh of contentment. “Nah, I think he’s finally listening to me and not Kitty.”
He nods with an understanding smile. I move just the slightest bit closer to him. We don’t talk after that. We dance slowly as the music playing through the speakers serenades us. We are nearly cheek to cheek. My left hand rests on his back, the other is clasped in his. Suddenly, we’re caught up in the moment; it’s just me and Jake. The song comes to an end and I start to pull back just as he turns slightly to close the gap between us. We are so close.
“I’m not sure everyone here believes we are really a couple.” I’m looking up into his eyes as he continues, “So, it might be time to sell it.”
My gaze drops to his mouth. His full lips are so enticing right now as they curve into a slow, lazy smile.
“Okay.”
I hear the word, but I don’t know if I actually said it out loud. A second later his lips are on mine and I melt into him. His tongue swipes at my lips and I let him deepen the kiss. My hand slides up to the nape of his neck and I want to sink my fingers into his hair, but I’m holding my clutch. I don’t know if it’s me or him who moans, but it sounds distant. The hand that was just holding mine is now cupping my jaw.
His kiss is sweet and slow. His mouth is soft on mine but also firm. It’s an inviting combination. When his tongue swipes, just once across my own, it’s warm and I worry my knees are about to buckle underneath me. I suddenly find myself wishing we were alone. I want nothing more than to take this kiss further. But reality sets in and I remember where we are. I break the kiss. Dazed, I peek up at Jake, he only looks smug.
Stunned from the kiss, I panic. “I need to use the ladies’ room.” I’m surprised I don’t stumble as I turn in the search for my escape. I could use some space to clear my head because I’m wondering how much of that kiss was fake and how much of it was real. Whatever tension there is between us is starting to get out of hand, and we need to get it in check.
There isn’t a line for the single-stall ladies’ room, and once I’m inside I take a deep breath. Staring at myself in the mirror, I let out a few more.
“What are you doing, Em?” I say to myself. “What did you expect? He’s being paid a shit ton of money. He’s committed to his job.” Just then a knock comes at the door. “Just a minute,” I say loudly over the water I just turned on.
“Emmy, it’s me. Let me in.” Jake's gravelly voice filters through the door, and without thinking, I open it. With a glance over his shoulder, he slips into the luxurious bathroom.
Instead of asking him why he’s here, I go with another question instead. “What was that out there?”
“I told you, we needed to sell this whole being a couple act.” He looks perplexed by my question. I’m still breathing heavy and I’m not quite sure if I’m still worked up from the kiss or if I’m just annoyed about the situation.
“Yeah, but that was more than just a kiss. It didn’t need to go t
hat far.”
“Look, I didn’t like the way Craig was looking at you while we were dancing. When he wasn’t sizing me up like I was his competition, he couldn’t keep his eyes off your ass.” Jake’s not one bit phased with the fact that he just admitted to being jealous of Craig.
Crossing my arms, I shake my head and say, “Even so, a simple kiss would have sufficed.”
“So, what? You saying you didn’t enjoy it?” He smirks, knowing damn well I enjoyed it. But I give in because there is no use trying to be mad when my heart is racing, and my lips are still tingling. Fretting about this is a waste of breath ... I’m not even sure why I’m making a big deal about it.
I sigh and drop my arms, my small bag slapping against my thigh. “No. It was the most amazing kiss, too bad there was nothing real about it.”
His eyes heat and his smirk drops away.
“What are you doing in here, anyway?” I ask. But instead of an answer, I get his mouth slamming into mine.
My clutch tumbles to the floor as I wrap my arms around his neck. His tongue delves into my mouth as he lifts me onto the counter. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist.
This kiss is passionate and reckless. My fingers dig into his hair as he pulls me to the edge of the counter. With one arm wrapped around my waist, he slides his other hand across my hip and down my thigh, hiking my leg up higher on his hip. The feeling of his hot, rough hands on my bare thigh pulls a moan from me. And that moan is all the permission he needs to keep going.
His hand slides further up my thigh, delving under my dress. I feel it slowly crawl across my hot skin. I’m on fire everywhere he touches. When his fingers reach the apex of my thigh, I gasp in anticipation. The need for him to go further is undeniable. He pauses only for the slightest moment before he brushes his finger over my lace-covered sex. Once, then twice before his thumb dips under the lace. A moan escapes him as he feels how molten hot I am for him.
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