by Cat Johnson
Lucky for her she was on that hiatus from men.
This man wouldn’t be hers. And thank goodness for that. Because any pleasure she might have derived from him would be followed by the usual break-up and of course the ever-lasting pain.
The visceral memory of her last heartbreak set her feet firmly back on the proper path. No dating. No pain.
Fake dating for Valentine’s Day to deceive her sister would have to be pleasure enough for Alicia.
“To our fake relationship,” he said with a firm shake.
She pumped his hand one more time to seal the deal. “May it fulfill all of our dreams.”
FOUR
Standing in front of the closet in his socks and jeans, Brian tossed another shirt onto the pile of rejects.
Why the hell was he finding it so hard to pick something to wear?
He’d like to think it was because he was most comfortable in camo and body armor. But he’d be lying to himself. He had no problem getting dressed when he was heading out to the pub, or to the bowling alley with the team. Or hell, even when he was going out on a date.
Tonight’s plans weren’t any of those things. Tonight he faced a whole new challenge. A fake date.
His first fake date ever, to be exact.
Judging by how much he’d enjoyed concocting this plan with Alicia at McP’s, he hoped it wouldn’t be his last one with her. She was too fun to shock and tease.
In fact, he could picture this being the start of a beautiful, long term fake relationship that would keep his teammate’s off his back for the rest of the year.
He checked the time on his cell phone. The phone that now had Alicia’s number programmed into it.
That had been fun, getting her to give her digits to him.
Of course they’d needed to exchange numbers to coordinate this farce he was enjoying much too much. He’d need a way to contact her in case the team got called in and he had to cancel.
It was only logical they have a means to communicate, but she’d still hesitated. Her reluctance only made him even more determined to get her number.
And it had made him want her—for real—not just for pretend. But that could just be his long sexual dry spell talking.
He didn’t know why, but Alicia had definitely been on the defensive. Reacting to every suggestion he’d made for their fake dating with an overly-thought-out internal deliberation that amused him to no end.
It was intriguing. What had this woman weighing every little detail so carefully? He hoped to find out. Maybe even tonight.
He also hoped this meddling sister of hers wasn’t as easily deceived as Alicia thought she’d be, because he’d love to have to up the game a bit. Throw in some PDA to convince—Jenny, was it? He should probably learn her sister’s name since he was fake dating her and all.
He smiled at the thought of what Alicia would do if he reeled her in for a big kiss in front of her sister. She’d probably lose her damn mind and want to slap him, but she wouldn’t be able to or she’d risk blowing the lie.
Of course she’d be uber pissed at him. A thought which didn’t do much to discourage the idea in his mind.
This was going to be fun.
February fourteenth—fun. Huh. He was pretty sure he’d never thought that. Not even back in first grade while trading the paper valentines he was forced to pen, even to kids he didn’t like.
Shaking that memory from his head, he reached deep into his closet and pulled a long-sleeved red Henley off its hanger.
The color was right for the occasion. And the weight was good for this time of year. February nights in Southern California could get cool enough for long sleeves.
This would do. He’d wasted enough time already. He probably should have just asked Alicia what he should wear.
She seemed like the type who would enjoy controlling his clothing choice. Hell, he should have invited her over to peruse his closet and choose from the meager offering of appropriate items for herself.
Alicia. In his bedroom. He liked that idea.
That thought begged the question of why she didn’t scare him like most women did. Especially at this time of year, the dreaded V-Day time.
Probably because she wanted a relationship even less than he did. Some women said that but didn’t mean it, but his senses told him Alicia actually meant it.
Heck, he’d bet there were some women who would come up with this idea for a fake date just to trap him in an actual one.
But again, not Alicia.
She was a kindred spirit. A fellow Valentine’s Day hater. Another who loathed meddling friends and match-making relatives as much as he did.
And speaking of her match-making relations—it was time to leave. He had to pick her up at her place so they’d arrive together at her sister’s. He figured that would look more convincing.
He flashed back to her not wanting to give him her address either. First she’d wanted him to meet her at her sister’s, then she insisted they meet in the parking lot of the shopping center when he suggested they should drive over together.
She was going to ridiculous lengths to avoid any more connection to him than necessary. He shook his head, smiling as he thought of what else he could do to push her out of her comfort zone. Maybe ask to see baby or awkward teen years pictures at her sister’s house?
Or, no. Maybe invite her sister and her husband out for a double date at the pub. That might give Alicia an aneurism. Perfect.
Grinning, he pulled open the door . . . and stepped directly into Jack’s path.
Shit.
“Where are you going? Off to your date with Ray at McP’s?” Jack chuckled.
Why did he live here in the same apartment complex as one of his teammates again? Until now, it hadn’t mattered. Jack tended to be a loner and keep to himself. Until now, the one time that Brian needed him to mind his own business.
He could say yes, that was exactly where he was going, but there was a chance that Jack would want to come with him. Then he’d be screwed. Caught in a lie.
Best to tell the truth. Or at least part of it.
“I have a date.”
Jack’s eyes flew wide. “A date. I thought you said you didn’t date on Valentine’s Day.”
“Is it Valentine’s Day?” he asked, playing dumb.
Jack cocked up a brow. “You know damn well it is. You’re even wearing red.”
At that, Brian laughed. “It’s a plain cotton shirt. It’s not like I’m wearing a suit and a tie with hearts on it or anything.”
“So, who’s it with?”
Damn, Jack was nosy today. He must be really bored. “Some woman I met at McP’s.”
It always amazed him at how easy it was to tell the truth while still lying. All it took was selective editing of what facts to reveal and what facts to avoid.
“And you chose to take her out on Valentine’s Day?” Jack looked shocked.
He lifted one shoulder. “It’s a party her sister’s throwing. I couldn’t exactly choose the day.”
“And you’re not worried she’ll ‘get crazy’ because of the holiday?” Jack was now directly quoting Brian’s stated philosophy about women and Valentine’s Day, air quotes and all.
Sometimes he wished his teammates would pay less attention to what he said.
“Nah. I’m not worried. She’s cool.” Again, another truth, which had Jack looking even more shocked.
Brian was on a roll. But he didn’t have time to torture his teammate with any more half-truths right now. He had a fake date to pick up.
“Gotta go. See you.” He made his escape leaving Jack open-mouthed behind him, making this even more fun than he’d anticipated.
This fake dating stuff was the gift that kept on giving.
And if Alicia chose to give him a gift of the more physical nature as a thank you for tonight, he wouldn’t say no.
Whistling, he got into his Jeep, actually looking forward to tonight.
FIVE
“You loo
k nice,” Brian said after she a had opened the door in response to his ringing the bell.
“Thanks.” Dammit. Why were her cheeks hot?
It was just a polite comment. It didn’t mean anything.
“So do you,” she added.
His shirt was just tight enough she could see the very well defined muscles of his chest beneath it. Not to mention those biceps.
Holy hell. It was like he was carrying two cannon balls around inside his shirt sleeves.
Jenny was going to eat him up. That thought alone cheered Alicia as she reached for her keys on the side table.
“These are for you.”
Alicia’s eyes flew wide as a bouquet of roses appeared in front of her. Her gaze shot up to Brian’s face. “What . . . what are these for?”
“It’s Valentine’s Day,” he said, still holding the flowers she had yet to take. When she stared from the roses to him again, he added, “In case your sister asks what I got you. You can say roses.”
“Oh. Yeah. Good. Thanks.” Flustered she finally reached out and took the bouquet, still unable to comprehend her fake boyfriend had just bought her real flowers.
“You want to stick those in water and then we can go?” he asked.
Water. She seemed incapable of even basic reasoning at the moment. Whether that was from the crazy hot man at her door or the gorgeous red roses, she wasn’t sure.
“Yes. Of course. Be right back.” She spun and trotted toward the kitchen, leaving him standing in the open doorway.
Finding a vase was beyond her. Did she even own one? That question in itself was a testament to how few times a man had given her flowers.
She finally settled on grabbing a big pot, filled it under the faucet and stuck the flowers inside. She left the whole mess in the kitchen sink to deal with later.
Back at the front door, Brian still waited, not moving.
Alicia once again reached for the car keys on the side table. “We can take my car.”
He shook his head. “Nuh, uh. I’ll drive.”
She frowned. “Why can’t I?”
Brian lifted a brow. “For one, no self-respecting man lets the woman drive.”
Alicia rolled her eyes. “What are you, from the nineteen-fifties?”
“And second,” he continued, ignoring her comment. “If I get called in, I need my own wheels. It’s unlikely but it happens. If it does, I’ll have to head directly to base. There won’t be time to stop here to get my vehicle.”
She couldn’t argue with that. She watched that show SEAL Team on television. She knew the deal with SEALs getting called in on no notice.
Alicia let out a sigh as she pulled the door closed. “Fine. You drive.”
“Thank you.” He waved her ahead of him on the path and she made a beeline for—surprise, surprise—a shiny black Jeep with tires that looked bigger than normal.
He was such a stereotype, right down to his choice of cars.
She pictured this guy in board shorts and a tank-top, driving the Jeep, top off, on the beach with his surfboard, a six-pack of beer and not a care in the world.
He had a Peter Pan complex, no doubt. Never grow up. Never make commitments.
That was fine since she wasn’t dating him for real, but after all this planning, he’d better be able to fake it. She was depending on him.
She eyed him sideways as he turned the key in the ignition. “You ready for this?”
“I was born ready.” He grinned.
The quip didn’t do much to build her confidence in his abilities.
“You have to be convincing or Jen—”
“We will be convincing.” He’d stressed the word we, as if reminding her that she had to hold up her side of things as well. “I already successfully started this sham before I picked you up.”
“What do you mean you already started?” She frowned.
“One of my teammates asked where I was going. I told him I was attending a party with a woman I met at McP’s.”
“That’s not convincing. And it doesn’t sound like we’re dating.”
“Of course not. He’s on my team. I’ve been with him twenty-four-seven in—uh—out of the country for months. He knows I didn’t have a girlfriend for all that time. I have to build the story slowly. First, we meet at McP’s. Then we go to the party. Then things can get serious between us.”
Serious. Meaning sex, no doubt. She had a feeling their fake sex life would feature prominently in his future lies to his teammates, even though she’d told him she didn’t agree to any fake sex.
She glanced at him. His hands gripped the wheel and his muscles flexed as he steered the Jeep into the lane.
The lips she’d been staring at twitched up in a crooked smile as he turned his head to glance briefly at her. “Don’t worry. We got this. You’re gonna do great.”
She knocked herself out of the trance she’d fallen into. “I know. I’m exceptional at everything I do.”
It wasn’t bragging. It was just the truth. From as far back as when she was top of her class in high school.
“I have no doubt.” His lips curved again. “And, for what it’s worth, so am I.”
“So are you, what?” she asked, not following.
Brian cocked up one dark brow. “Exceptional at everything I do.”
“Oh.”
What was he referring to? Being a SEAL? Or that other S-word—sex? Her cheeks grew hot again.
He chuckled and shook his head.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing. You just, amuse me.”
Deciding if that was an insult or a compliment she decided on the latter. “Thank you.”
He might be amused, but she wasn’t. She needed this night to go smoothly. This ruse needed to be convincing.
Alicia liked sure things. And things that were in her power. Brian was an unknown factor in her plan. A loose cannon. Something she couldn’t control. She hated that.
But he sure was nice to look at.
Maybe his good looks would be enough of a distraction for Jen that she’d miss any issues with their performance—for lack of a better word.
They’d somehow reached the exit for her sister’s when she hadn’t been paying attention.
She spun to face him. “Oh. Sorry. It’s a right turn up here.”
“I know.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“You gave me her address. Remember? At the bar. After I convinced you I wasn’t a serial killer but when you were still insisting we meet there because you didn’t want me to have your home address.” Again he looked amused at her expense.
“Yes, but . . .” She glanced at the dashboard. The GPS wasn’t turned on. There wasn’t even a piece of paper with the address or directions in sight.
“I looked up the address and memorized the directions,” he answered the question she hadn’t asked.
“Oh.” Maybe he wasn’t such a loose cannon after all.
In spite of her doubts, she was impressed at his preparedness. Perhaps a SEAL was the perfect man for this mission. She would never date one for real. But for this, his skills were proving handy.
She couldn’t help but wonder what other skills he had—of the more personal, physical nature . . .
“Come on. Admit it.” His question once again caught her unaware as her naughty thoughts got the better of her.
“Admit what?” she asked.
“I impressed you.”
The bastard could apparently read minds too. Or at least expressions and body language. Just as she’d been trained to do.
“Yes. You did. But directions are easy. Just make sure you don’t screw it up once we’re inside among people. And the house is right up here.”
“I know.” He proved he did know as he flipped on the directional signal and pulled along the curb of her sister and brother-in-law’s home.
Cutting the engine, he palmed the keys and twisted in his seat to look at her. “Ready?”
No. Alici
a nodded anyway.
“Then let’s go, honey buns.” He grinned.
She paused with her hand on the door handle. “Honey buns?”
“You didn’t say anything at the bar about no terms of endearment.”
Appalled, she said, “Then I’m saying it now. No.”
He shook his head. “All right, but I think you’re making a mistake.”
Oh, she’d made a mistake all right. Thinking this plan would work.
That was proven when Jenny pulled open the door and leveled a stare on Brian, before turning it to Alicia.
Jenny’s smile seemed forced as she said, “Alicia. You didn’t say you were bringing a guest.”
“Hi. I’m Brian,” he said, thrusting a bottle of champagne she hadn’t noticed in his hand toward Jenny.
Where the hell had he gotten that?
It must have been under his seat or something, and she hadn’t noticed because she’d been too busy trying to get down from the high Jeep with its oversized tires while not flashing the whole neighborhood her underwear.
She shouldn’t have chosen to wear a skirt. Too late now.
“Thanks.” Jenny took the bottle, a pricey brand, and turned a narrow-eyed stare back to Alicia.
Alicia forced a smile of her own. “What’s on the menu, sis? I’m starved.”
Jenny finally moved back from the doorway and made room for Alicia and Brian to step inside.
“Nice house,” he said, looking around.
“Thank you.” Jenny grabbed Alicia’s arm with her free hand. “I need your help in the kitchen. Brian, the bar is set up in the living room. Make yourself at home.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” He grinned, looking like he was having a good old time for himself.
Meanwhile, Alicia was being dragged into the kitchen by Jenny.
“Who is he?” Jenny asked, low and intense, the moment they’d cleared the kitchen doorway.
“Brian?” Alicia played dumb.
“Yes, Brian. Who else would I be asking about after you show up here with a strange guy?”
Alicia considered that. “He’s not that strange.”
Jenny rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. Who is he? Where did you meet him? And when?”