Pour Judgment

by ORGERON, HEATHER M

  But it’s the sinking feeling I get each time he says the L-word that sends me crashing back to reality. I know they’re only words and he’s not actually in love with me, but I also know the warmth swirling in my chest to be a dangerous thing. It brings me to my senses, reminding me of what’s at stake. The games. There’s no way my heart will make it out of this arrangement unscathed. A little bruising, I can handle, but he can’t break what I don’t give him.

  “Stop!” I say, squirming out from beneath his body and righting my underwear. The confusion in his face makes me feel like such a tease.

  “Did I do something wrong?” he asks, swiping his thumb across his kiss-swollen lips.

  “W—we agreed this wasn’t going anywhere.” I stare up at the ceiling as to not be deterred by the frown that meets my comment. “I get it,” I huff, still trying to catch my breath. “You want to look like the perfect fiancé. You’ve got your reputation, and heaven knows it’s bigger than mine. So, I’ll let you do this,” I say, referring to the house. “But lines are being blurred. We’re not in public right now.”

  “Okay...”

  “So, we don’t have to keep pretending behind closed doors, all right? There’s no sense in making this harder on either of us.”

  He nods, solemnly. “Before I go, can I ask a question?”

  “Go ‘head.” I hold up two fingers to let him know I’m still keeping track.

  The corner of his mouth quirks into a playful smile. “Have you gone and fallen in love with me already, Miss Potter?”

  “Not yet,” I rasp, getting lost in the depth of his turquoise eyes. But I’m not sure how much longer I can give that answer and still remain truthful.

  Chapter 22

  Korie

  It’s nearing three in the morning, and I can still hear Rhett, Raven, and Nicholas cutting up in the living room when the pain of my screaming bladder forces me awake. The pillow stuffed over my face only serves to slightly muffle the noise down the hall but does nothing to alleviate the urge for the bathroom. With a loud groan, I throw off the covers and head for the barn doors.

  I’m annoyed with myself for the way I behaved earlier. When the hell did I become such a buzz kill? And who do I think I am, asking the man to be faithful for the duration of this fake engagement and then not putting out? Do I actually believe he’s suddenly going to become celibate for my benefit?

  Sure, princess. He’s probably got pussy thrown at him daily. Hell, maybe even hourly. You ain’t that special.

  After climbing back into the enormous bed and settling myself beneath the plush linens, I retrieve my cell from under the pillow. Now wide awake, I open up the Instagram app, hoping to kill some time. Rhett Taylor tagged you in a post. Oh shit. I wouldn’t blame him if it was an announcement calling this entire charade off after what happened between us earlier.

  Of course, that’s not what it is, because if I’ve learned anything about Mr. Taylor thus far, it’s that he’s completely unlike any of my assumptions. I can’t help the goofy grin that overtakes my entire face, nor the fluttering sensation in my tummy, when the selfie we took at the skatepark earlier appears on the screen. Jesus, he has to be the sexiest fucking thing to ever grace two legs, even sporting something as ridiculous as a black mohawk helmet. His smile is downright panty wetting. Those lips, so full and kissable. Eyes so bright in the glow of the afternoon sun that they look otherworldly. The scruff dusting his chin and cheeks has me clenching my thighs, and dear Lord, those dimples. Yeah, everything about Rhett Taylor screams sex. And cautions me to run far and fast before the damage left in his wake is beyond repair.

  After staring an obscene amount of time, my eyes finally make it to the caption. “Poppy’s got nothin’ on my princess. Enjoying watching my girl do her thing on this beautiful day.”

  Over three thousand hearts. My mouth falls open when I click over to my profile to see that the number of followers has already grown to over five thousand, all from one shared photo.

  When the chatter finally dies down, I fire off a text apologizing to Rhett for shutting down on him earlier. He doesn’t have to do this for me, and I’m acting like a total brat.

  Almost immediately, my phone lights up with a response.

  Rhett: Don’t ever apologize for telling a guy no, Stick. You should always have that option.

  “Why are you so nice to me?” I type back. And I truly want to know. I’ve been awful to Rhett, and he continues to respond with kindness. I guess I have no clue what he sees in me, and that makes this all so hard to believe–like he and the universe are in cahoots and I’m just waiting on the bomb to drop.

  Rhett: Wasn’t aware being an asshole was a prerequisite for being male :P

  Me: You’re different than I imagined…and it kinda scares me.

  Rhett: Because you didn’t expect to like me back?

  “Throwing out question number three already?” I send back. There’s no way I’m revealing so much of myself without charging him for it.

  Rhett: Sure.

  Honesty. Me and my bright ideas.

  Me: Yeah…

  Rhett: As much as I know it killed you to do so, you’ve just admitted to liking me, and if you can’t tell by now how much I like you, I’m gonna have to start sending up smoke signals or something. Look, Stick, this engagement might be a ruse, but our relationship doesn’t have to be.

  Me: Are you asking me out, Hollywood?

  Rhett: Only if you’re saying yes. If it’s a no then I’m totally just fucking with ya.

  “Can I sleep on it?” I text while my heart tries to escape through my esophagus.

  Rhett: Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.

  Oh, but he is. Back to L.A. in a few days, and then once his tour starts up, to God knows where. Am I prepared to martyr what’s left of my heart on the slim chance he doesn’t rip it to shreds?

  Goddamn it. I’m such an idiot for agreeing to this.

  Just as I start to doze, my phone vibrates in my hand. Another text from Rhett.

  Rhett: My sister invited us over for dinner tomorrow. She and Autumn would love to meet you. Will you come?

  Me: Does she know?

  Rhett: Know what?

  Me: That we’re not really together?

  Rhett: Nope.

  Me: You don’t think you should tell her?

  The little bubbles bounce on my screen for what seems like forever before the boy renders me speechless with his response.

  Rhett: I’m pretty confident that by the time tomorrow arrives, we will be. But on the off chance we’re not, the less people who know the details of our situation, the better. If we want the media to believe this is the real deal, we need to be as convincing as possible.

  “Good morning, sleeping beau—whoa. Well, it’s nothing a quick shower won’t fix…” Rhett stands in the bathroom doorway, a cloud of steam trailing behind. The scent of his man-soap fills my nostrils as he takes in my bedraggled state.

  On instinct, my hand goes right to the rat’s nest on the back of my head. “I was thinking of wearing it like this to meet the family. You don’t approve?” Flashing him a teasing smile, I sit up, pulling the comforter to my neck.

  “So…” He makes his way over to stand beside the bed. Once again, skipping right to his own agenda. I swear the man thinks I speak just to exercise my mouth. “Looks like you slept real good after our little talk.”

  “Is that your not-so-polite way of telling me I look like shit?”

  I’m met with a grin. The bed sinks beneath the weight of his fists pressing into the mattress on either side of my body. My head is forced back as he blocks me in and brings his face level with mine. Dear God, he smells delectable, and I’m having trouble focusing on anything but the heat of his still damp skin so close to mine. “Even with a crow’s nest on your head, you’re beautiful. That was a very impatient man’s way of saying, okay, you slept on it, and asking if you’re finally his.”

  “What do you think?” With
a hard swallow, I scoot up my pillow, trying to put a little distance between us, so I can recover some of my wits.

  “I think…” he says, taking the hint and backing away. The intensity of his stare burns like molten lava, and there’s an uncomfortable silence before he reaches out, trying to run a hand through my tangles. Like a true jackass, he makes a very dramatic scene when it gets stuck. “I think it looks like you and this bed had a wild time fantasizing about your new man all night.”

  “That you write lyrics for a living is mind blowing.”

  “Know what else is mind blowing?” He snaps the towel, letting it fall to his feet. His palm wraps around his very impressive shaft, and he gives it a few strokes till it’s full mast and jutting straight at my face.

  My mouth fills with saliva, and I hope like hell I don’t look the way I feel—like a kid drooling at the world’s largest ice cream cone. My traitorous tongue rolls over my lips, revealing my position—wanton…desperate…and undeniably his.

  “What’dya say, Stick? Wanna give this a go?”

  “I mean, can I at least brush my teeth first?”

  The sound of his laughter booms in the quiet room. “I meant us.” His finger motions back and forth in the space between us. “You know…the relationship thing.”

  Heat floods my cheeks. “Well, how the hell was I supposed to know when you’re standing here like a porn star? Jesus, you’re about to poke my damn eye out!”

  Flustered, I slink out of the bed. Naked as the day he was born, he follows me into the bathroom, still chuckling as he watches me line the toothbrush with paste and furiously scrub at my teeth. I brush longer than usual, using the time to stall.

  “You ready?” he asks, coming up behind me to grab the brush from my hand. His eyes find mine in the glass and hold them as he rinses the bristles beneath the running water.

  “To fuck?” I hate how giddy the thought makes me, the way every cell of my being is jumping up and down with excitement and I’m suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

  “To fall in love,” he croons.

  Chapter 23

  Rhett

  “Uncle Rhett!” Autumn darts off the front porch, running clumsily across the vast lawn of white and yellow wildflowers, somehow managing to remain on her pudgy little feet as only a three-year-old can. Judy and her husband Ryan moved to the country shortly after she was born. Their ranch-style home sits on seven acres, more than half of it wooded. It’s one of the few places I don’t feel the constant need to look over my shoulder for the paparazzi, who seem to turn up everywhere I go.

  Although it’s only about an hour drive outside of campus, knowing that Korie’s holding out on giving me her answer until we leave here made it feel more like five. I’ve never wanted a visit with my family to end before it’s even started.

  “Your highness.” I greet my niece with a princely bow before swinging her up into my arms. Her little blonde curls rest on her shoulders, framing an angelic face. Her eyes, the same shade of blue as mine, are wide, and her dimples press divots in her cheeks as she beams up at me. One look from this little girl has me feeling like a million bucks. “I think you’ve grown a whole foot since the last time I saw you!”

  Giggling, she rubs her dirt-covered hands over my cheeks. She’s always loved the texture of the stubble. She freezes when she notices Korie standing behind me.

  “Who’s dat?” she asks with a sneer, while jerking her head back. Her reaction serves to further convince me that jealousy is engrained in the female DNA. The mean mug she has aimed at my date is nothing short of impressive.

  “Autumn! This is Uncle Rhett’s new girlfriend, Miss Korie. I told you he was bringing her over to meet you today, remember?” Judy admonishes before apologizing. “I’m so sorry, hon. The kid has no filter.” My sister’s hand darts out. “I’m told it’s just the age and she’ll grow out of it.” She shrugs. “I’m Judy, by the way. Rhett’s older sister. But, of course, you already know that.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Korie takes her hand, her smile wide and blinding.

  She’s an absolute vision in a spaghetti-strapped black sundress that hits at the knee and matching black and white chucks. It’s the first time I’ve seen her in a dress, and dear God does she wear it well. Her normally wavy blonde hair is blown straight and parted down the middle. Her porcelain skin is free of any makeup, save for a little black liner around her eyes. She’s not one to make a fuss over her appearance, and truth be told, she doesn’t need to. Korie is the definition of raw, natural beauty, a rarity in Tinseltown. Still, however minimal, I can tell she put effort into today’s meeting, and it stokes the tiny ember of hope still burning inside me, that she might actually say yes. She’s definitely wanting to impress someone; I can only hope it’s me.

  “You’re even prettier in person.”

  Autumn harrumphs at her mother’s assessment while wiggling around for me to put her down. “Her was prettier when her was wearin’ dat pink Poppy hat.”

  My sister and I gape at each other, but the awkwardness of the moment quickly passes when Korie bursts into a fit of laughter. Leave it to the blunt honesty of a toddler to break the ice.

  “Oh my God,” she heaves, hand flying to her chest. “You’re my pint-sized hero, sassafras.”

  Autumn looks at my fiancée like she’s grown two heads. “I not a sassy ass.”

  Now it’s her mother’s turn to harrumph. “Keep tellin’ yourself that, kiddo.”

  “Dat’s so rude!” Pudgy arms cross on the tiny tyrant’s chest and her lip curls into a pout.

  “Sass-uh-fras,” Korie corrects, smoothing the tot’s windblown hair in an attempt to soothe her. “It means feisty…it’s a good thing,” she assures her.

  My niece stares Korie down for a long moment, trying to decide whether or not to give her another shot. “Do you wanna come pway princess tea party wif me?”

  Guess that’s a yes.

  Korie looks to both Judy and me for permission.

  “It’s fine with me.” My sister curls an arm around Stick’s shoulders, leaning close to whisper into her ear. “But I have to warn you, she can be a bit much.”

  “No worries.” With a smile that could stretch clean across Texas, she takes Autumn’s little hand and allows her to lead the way.

  “We won’t be far behind,” I call out, wanting to reassure Korie in case she’s feeling abandoned, but she simply waves her hand without looking back, as if to say I’ve got this.

  “She’s cute,” Judy drawls once Korie is out of earshot.

  “But?” Because with my sister there is always a but.

  “This is all really sudden, Rhett.” Her shoulders slump. “Are you sure about this girl? I mean…I hate to be Debbie Downer, but how do you know she isn’t just after your money?”

  Judy may be only three years older, but when we lost Mom, she took it upon herself to fill the role of mother. I think it gave her something else to focus on—a way to cope. It can be annoying at times, right now being a prime example. But for all her intrusiveness, I appreciate the concern enough to tolerate it.

  “She’s not. Believe me.”

  “You can’t know that for sure.” She draws a long breath when I shrug. “Just…be careful, little brother. I’d hate to see you get trapped by some gold-digger with stars and dollar signs in her eyes—you deserve to be with someone who can appreciate you for the amazing man you are. Because you. Are. Amazing!” She punctuates each word with a finger stab to the chest.

  If she only knew how wrong she was about Stick and that I’m having to practically bribe her into dating me. “I’m being careful.” I wrap my sister into a hug, planting a placating kiss at the top of her head. “Promise.”

  “You better not be taking pictures over there.” Korie glares up at me over the rim of her porcelain teacup, which I know from experience is filled with apple juice.

  “Even better! We’re live on my Insta story.” Her face pales. “My two favorite girls in one place. Dreams
really do come true, y’all.” I flip the camera on myself to give our audience my signature wink— and her a moment to recover—before turning it back on Korie and Autumn. “Tell everyone bye, ladies.”

  If looks could kill, the glare Korie just shot me while twiddling her fingers at the camera would have me reduced to nothing more than a pile of ash.

  Thankfully Autumn wastes no time in stealing the show, batting her lashes and blowing kisses to her adoring fans. This isn’t her first rodeo. “See y’all soon! Bye. Wuv you!”

  On that note, I end the video. As I’m slipping my phone into my back pocket, a wooden slice of birthday cake nails me right in the shoulder. “Ow! What the hell was that for?”

  Stick leaps to her feet. She’s fighting mad, but the ten-sizes-too-small fluffy pink and purple dress she’s sporting over her sundress, along with the matching floppy hat tied beneath her chin, makes it impossible not to laugh.

  “This isn’t funny, Hollywood. How dare you put me on the spot like that?”

  I can’t even look at her and maintain a straight face. “Do you trust me?”

  “We’ve already covered this.” She huffs. “Not even a little.”

  “Babe,” I drawl, biting my lower lip to keep from laughing while reconstructing the bow on the brim of her fancy hat. “I’ve been doing this a long time. Believe me, they’re going to eat this up…everyone is going to fall head over heels in love with you.”

  “Yeah, cuz dem already wuvs me.” Our little eavesdropper won’t be left out.

  “Of course they do,” her mother says, entering from the kitchen with her husband trailing behind. Their hands are both filled with serving bowls, which they swiftly unload on the dining table amidst the girls’ tea party mess. That’s life with a kid. Teacups on the table. Legos on the living room floor. Barbies floating in the bathtub. I can’t wait till that’s my life.

  “Hey bro,” I greet Ryan, who must’ve gotten home from work while I was playing paparazzi. “Good to see ya.”

  “You too.” His curious eyes volley between Korie and me. “You brought a girl home…this is a first. She must be someone special.”