Dashing: A Friends to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Unleashed Romance, Book 2)

by Kylie Gilmore

  I text her to see if she’s up. She usually sleeps late.

  Kayla: I’m awake.

  Me: Let’s meet in front of the Horseman. I have a proposition for you.

  Kayla: Absolutely!

  Me: I’ll drive over now.

  Kayla: Awesome!

  I smile to myself. She’s such an enthusiastic person. Sounds like she’s already feeling better after her ex encounter. I’m sure she’ll be a great fake fiancée for me, especially the way she always brags about me to everyone. Doesn’t hurt that she looks like a goddess. Nope. Doesn’t hurt at all.

  Kayla

  This is so exciting! Adam just needed to sleep on it, and now he’s on board! I place a hand over my thundering heart. What else could a proposition mean after I asked him to take my virginity? He must want to lay out the terms so no one gets hurt. He’s such a great guy.

  Is it wrong I’m so excited about the prospect of sex with a guy I know doesn’t want a relationship? I suppose if we both go into it knowing it’s casual, it should be okay. But will it mean the end of our friendship? I hope not. Adam’s a steady sort, very even-tempered, and so am I. It’s a risk, but when I think about taking this step, well, only Adam will do.

  What should I wear? This is big. Huge!

  I rifle through my hanging rack of clothes, looking for the sexiest outfit I own. Right now I’m in a pink T-shirt and jean shorts. A dress? This pale green minidress is cute, though the top isn’t too revealing with its cap sleeves and modest V-neck.

  Wait, is he coming up here? I glance back at my twin-size bed with its pink and white polka-dotted comforter from home. It doesn’t feel sexy enough for the big moment.

  My phone chimes with a text. He’s here! There’s just no time!

  I hurry downstairs, half afraid he’ll change his mind and leave. I push through the door to the kitchen, say a quick hello to the staff, and dash out the back door.

  My legs feel like quivering jelly as I round the corner of the large white clapboard house of the restaurant and bar that’s both work and home for me. This old place has been The Horseman Inn since 1788. Imagine all the good times people had in the rooms upstairs when it used to be an inn. It’s finally my turn.

  I hold up a hand to wave at him and realize it’s shaking. Adam cracks a rare smile that lights up his face, and I’m momentarily stunned at his masculine beauty. He’s dressed casually in a gray T-shirt that stretches across his wide shoulders and faded jeans that fit him perfectly. I always knew he was handsome, sexy even, but I never let myself imagine what that could mean in a physical sense. Now it’s all I can think about. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. Somehow I just know Adam is the key to unlocking the passion within me.

  I reach him, a little breathless. “Hi.”

  “Hey. Can we take a walk? I want some privacy.”

  “We could go upstairs to my place.”

  He looks out to the lake across the road and scans the houses for a moment. “Yeah, okay. Your place is probably best.”

  “Great!” I grab his hand, and he doesn’t seem to mind. I guide him to the back door, and we head through the kitchen to my apartment entrance.

  The cute chef, Spencer, gives me a wink and a smile as we pass like he knows what I’m up to, bringing a guy up to my room. Little does he know it’s my first time ever doing this. Now that I’m taking action toward my new goal, I’m exhilarated. Getting dumped at the altar is finally behind me. I’ve closed that door, and I’m about to open a new one. Am I nervous? Of course. But it’s Adam. My friend, my protector, my first (hopefully).

  I bring Adam to my small bedroom. It’s basically the only room in the apartment besides the bathroom. The living room area is used as storage for the restaurant, and I use the kitchen downstairs.

  I sit on the bed and smooth out the blanket. Adam’s still standing in the doorway.

  “Come in,” I say.

  “I’m good here.”

  My brows scrunch together. Is this not what I thought it was?

  His brown eyes are intent on mine. “Remember how you said you’d like to return the favor of me being your fake fiancé in front of your ex?”

  “Of course.” A sex favor? Is this his subtle way of bringing up my V-card?

  He crosses his arms, his jaw clenching. “My ex showed up. I told her I was engaged, so could you be my fake fiancée?”

  I smile. “I got your back.” That’s what he said to me when he helped me out. Adam avoids committed relationships, so this woman must be a first-class clinger.

  He steps into the room, looking a lot more relaxed. “Great. I really appreciate it.”

  I pat the bed next to me. “Tell me your ex story so I’m prepared.”

  He remains standing a few feet away. “Not much to tell. She left last year, and now she’s back. She wants to pick up where we left off, and I told her no.”

  “Where did you leave off?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Of course it matters. I need to know why I should hate her.”

  He smiles a little before looking away. “We were engaged.”

  My brows shoot up in surprise. He was engaged? I thought he was always casual. He must avoid relationships now because of that earlier devastation. His heart is locked up tight in self-defense. I want to hug him but sense what he needs more is an ally.

  “I already know she’s the villain in this drama,” I say. “What’s her name, and what did she do to you?”

  He flops down on the bed next to me and looks straight ahead. “Amelia Baxter. We were together for four years. I proposed, figuring there was no reason not to. I couldn’t see us breaking up. Yeah, we fought, but we always made up.”

  I put an arm around his shoulders and give him a squeeze. “Four years is a long time.”

  He presses his lips together. “Yeah. So we were engaged, everything’s rolling along with the wedding plans, oh, and she had just moved in with me too. Then, out of nowhere, she says she’s leaving me. She’s going on an adventure in Panama with a consultant she met at work, and would I take Tank?”

  “She left her dog behind? Evil woman!”

  He rests his elbows on his knees. “He couldn’t have taken the tropical heat. So, yeah, that was basically it. My dad died a week later, and I went to a dark place.” That was a year ago. His sister, Sydney, talks about their dad.

  “Oh, Adam. I’m sorry. It sounds like you were all close to your dad.”

  He straightens. “Yeah, we were. After Mom died, Dad did his best to be everything we needed.”

  My heart aches. Adam’s pain must’ve been horrible between losing his dad and losing his fiancée after four years together. My own two months together and left at the altar ordeal pales in comparison. And still it was hard for me. What a pair we are, the walking wounded, our hearts closed up tight inside. I hate to admit it, because I really am over Rob, but I still don’t want to risk my heart just yet.

  I lean my head against his shoulder. “You must’ve been devastated when all that went down.” I straighten and turn to him. “You never mentioned any of this before.”

  He gazes into my eyes, giving me a jolt. We’ve never sat so close. A shimmer of awareness races over my skin.

  “Adam?”

  “It’s hard for me to talk about.”

  I blink, confused for a moment. Oh, yeah, he’s talking about why I’m just hearing this sad story for the first time. “I don’t mind playing your fiancée. What exactly did you have in mind?” I’m good at reading him, but some things you need spelled out.

  His gaze trails to my cheek, my jaw, and then my lips. Heat floods me with startling intensity. I suddenly want him to kiss me. I want him period. I’ve never been so certain of anything in my life.

  He flops backward on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “She wants to meet you. I’m not sure she believed I’m engaged, and I really don’t want to deal with her all summer. She’s renting a lake house with her family. I want her to
get the message and move on.”

  All summer? My brain starts down a very squirrely path at this revelation. I’m not sure I’ll be here all summer, I could get a job soon, but if I am, then that means Adam and I will be playing an engaged couple for a decent amount of time. It’s only the last week of May now. And if we’re close, touching like a couple, wouldn’t the next natural step be for him to be my first?

  I lie down on my side next to him, propping my head on my hand. “So you want me to pretend to be your fiancée all summer?”

  He turns his head to look at me. “I know it’s a lot to ask. You only asked me to step in for one party. You don’t have to—”

  “I’ll do it. Happily. On one condition.”

  He eyes me warily. “What?”

  “That thing we talked about yesterday needs to happen.”

  “Kayla.”

  “Adam.”

  He opens his mouth, probably to protest, but I hold up a palm, cutting him off. “That’s my only condition. It’s not like I can get experience with anyone else when everyone believes we’re engaged. You’re basically taking me off the market for months.” And I only want you.

  “We’d tell our family the truth.”

  “I’m talking about single guys avoiding me because they think we’re engaged. I’m not getting in bed with our family.” I shove his shoulder. “Though Drew seems nice.” That’s his older brother. I see him at The Horseman Inn regularly, a real badass—former Army Ranger and a blackbelt—with a heart of gold.

  He jackknifes upright and narrows his eyes. “Not Drew.”

  I sit up too. “Calm down. I was joking.”

  His gaze never wavers. “How do you get that Drew’s nice? He’s grumpy with everyone.”

  “Because he always checks in on Sydney and asks how the restaurant business is going. That’s nice. He’s a good big brother.”

  “So am I.” He sounds offended. “Just because I don’t check in on her. She’s a grown woman who knows her shit.”

  “I didn’t say you weren’t nice. I think you’re very nice, which is why I came to you first.” I smile. “This is all working out wonderfully, don’t you think?” See, I can proposition too.

  He faces front, looks at me and then looks again. He’s definitely considering going along with my condition. I’m glad I’m fluent in Adam speak.

  I feel suddenly shy. I’m not sure how to get this thing started between us, but we’re already sitting on the bed. It shouldn’t be too difficult. “Is now a good time for you?”

  “Good time for what?”

  I lean close. “We’re already in bed together.”

  He leaps up. “I didn’t agree to that.”

  I stand too, planting my hands on my hips. “Look, you’re telling everyone we’re engaged for the summer. The least you can do is actually be with me at least once to help me out.” I lift my chin. “And I don’t see why that can’t start right now.”

  He looks toward the door and then back at me. “Are you saying you won’t be my fake fiancée unless I hook up with you?”

  “Yes.”

  He scrubs a hand over his face and exhales sharply.

  My shoulders droop. I pushed too far. I should just tell him I’ll play the part. After all, he did the same for me. The only difference is the length of time. And would it be so bad to spend the summer up close and personal with Adam? Maybe our chemistry would land us in bed anyway. It can’t all be one-sided, right?

  My heart sinks as I remember the last time we played the fake-fiancé game, and I had to force him to touch me. Crap. It is one-sided. That’s why he’s hesitating.

  He fixes me with a hard look, and I brace myself for the rejection, my gaze landing on his chest. “If I agree—” he starts.

  My head lifts, hope bubbling up in me.

  “We have to do it my way.”

  “Does that mean you want me too?”

  “Jesus, Kayla, do you always just say stuff like that out loud?”

  Is experienced Adam a bit of a prude? “Do you find me desirable?”

  He steps into my personal space, his large hand cupping my cheek. That’s Adam for yes. “My way, got it?”

  I throw my arms around his neck. “Okay, we’ll do it your way.” It’s not like I have a way. I have zero experience in this area. “What’s your way?”

  His thumb grazes my lower lip, his gaze heated. “It takes time for two people to get comfortable together.”

  My voice sounds breathy. “But I’m already comfortable with you. We talk all the time.”

  He pulls away. “Yes, but that’s you asking about me and my work. Now it’s my turn to get to know you. We need to take our time so we’re both comfortable. You want me to be comfortable too, don’t you?”

  Now I’m getting suspicious. Is he just humoring me? I already told him I’m comfortable, and he always seems relaxed around me. “How much time?”

  His gaze trails from my mouth to my breasts, to my hips, and my legs, all the way to my bare toes. I heat everywhere he looks. His head jerks up. “A lot. You need to be fully prepared. There’s stages.”

  “Stages?” I echo breathlessly.

  He steps backward toward the door. “Yeah, like stage one, perfecting the kiss. Stage two, touching, and so on. It can take a while, but it’s worth it. As your friend, I owe it to you to show you the ropes. You know, the right way.”

  I step closer. “That sounds nice, but I’d really like to cut to the chase.”

  For a moment he looks panicky, and I get the distinct feeling he wants to bolt. But then he pulls himself together, saying evenly, “You can’t rush it if you want it to be good.”

  I consider that. I do want my first time to be good, of course, but I’m also anxious to see what all the fuss is about. “How long do the stages take?”

  He takes another backward step toward the door. “A month. Minimum.”

  “Wait! Let’s start stage one now.”

  “My way, remember? I’ll take you to dinner on Saturday for our first appearance as an engaged couple. Here at the Horseman. We need a lot of people in town to see us together. That way I know word will get back to my ex.” He grins, his eyes sparkling devilishly. “Maybe she’ll hate seeing me so happily engaged and move on right away.”

  I walk up to him. “Love the revenge angle.” I give his bicep a squeeze. It’s like warm marble. “And I’m looking forward to our first date.”

  He opens his mouth and then closes it again before turning and jogging down the stairs.

  Was it the first-date part he wanted to comment on? It was his idea to spend prep time together. I’m still not convinced he needs it to feel comfortable. I mean, who’s the virgin here?

  He stops at the bottom of the stairs and turns to me. “Wear your sister’s engagement ring.”

  I nod and blow him a kiss.

  He shakes his head, but I catch his smile just as he turns away, pushing the door open.

  This is working out better than I imagined. I just hope he doesn’t make me wait too long.

  Adam

  I sit in my car for a moment, a little stunned at the turn of events. Somehow my simple fiancée plan is now complicated. And dangerous too. Sex. A date.

  I let out a breath. This is my first actual date in more than a year, which somehow feels more dangerous than agreeing to show Kayla the sex ropes. Not that I plan to go through with her sex plan. I’ll stall her until she leaves for her new job. As for me, I’ve stuck to casual hookups, though the bar scene hasn’t appealed to me for months now. Ever since—

  Ah, hell. What have I done?

  And how am I supposed to explain all this to Wyatt?

  4

  Kayla

  I’ll admit having my first date with Adam at The Horseman Inn doesn’t feel like a real date. I mean, I work here and live right upstairs. And he’s been coming here his whole life. Then I remind myself this is all just part of his fake-fiancée plan, along with my plan to finally experience passion.
We’re helping each other out, and I did agree to do this his way.

  It’s Saturday night, which I usually work, but I switched shifts with another waitress and took Thursday shift instead. I missed hanging with Jenna and Audrey for Thursday Night Wine Club (ladies’ night) at the bar. Sydney missed it too since she’s away on her honeymoon with Wyatt in Bora Bora. Her brother Drew is managing the place in her absence since he used to run it before she took over. Super nice guy. I don’t care what people say about his grumpiness.

  I’m waiting in the small front foyer of the restaurant for Adam. I dressed as slutty as possible. I may be inexperienced, but I’ve seen how it works on TV. It was tough to find a revealing outfit in my wardrobe. What can I say? I like simple elegant clothes that never go out of style. My white with thin pink stripes dress has spaghetti straps and a V-neck emphasizing my cleavage, which I hope is tempting enough to get Adam started on the stages of seduction he promised. I added a strapless pushup bra to help in that department. There’s a cinched waist, and the dress ends at the knees. Unfortunately, I’m a little chilly in the air-conditioning and sorely tempted to go back upstairs for my pink cardigan, but that would cover too much skin, so I prevail.

  I’ve never been a seductress before. I cross my arms, attempting to warm my ice-cold hands. I’m determined to move forward despite my quivering insides. It’s natural to feel nervous when trying something new, right?

  Adam said we’d start on stage one tonight. That’s perfecting the kiss. I still can’t believe he’s making me go slowly. All this anticipation is making me more nervous. I guess when you’ve already had sex, it doesn’t seem like a big deal to wait. Now that I’ve decided to go for it, I want it to happen as soon as possible.

  What if our first kiss is terrible?

  Gosh, I hadn’t considered that possibility before. It would be so awkward because then I’d have to explain we need to stop working toward my goal, no offense. That could be bad. He probably would take offense, and then our friendship would be ruined. He’d always be mad I thought he was a terrible kisser. Guys can really take that to heart. I may have blurted the wrong thing to a guy before just to make the sloppy kisses stop.