Page 57 of When Forever Falls Apart

“Of course I can dance,” he replies, a glint of confidence sparkling in his eyes. “How else will I impress women?”

I tilt my head playfully, trying my damn hardest to suppress my grin. “You know what they say about a man who can dance?”

Elliot purses his lips thoughtfully. “That he can also cook?”

“Actually…” I raise an eyebrow, tightening my grip around his neck. “You know what they say about a man who can cook, too?”

“What do they say, Madelina Beaumont?” He enunciates my name with a smoothness that sends a shiver of pleasure throughout me.

“Um, well… they say a man who can dance and cook is good in bed,” I state matter-of-factly.

Elliot flashes me a roguish smirk. “I guess it’s all subjective.”

“Nice answer.” I nod, my grin widening in delight. “Given your ample experience with women, I’m inclined to say you’ve got some skills. The sway of the hips leaves little to the imagination. Plus, I’ve seen you use a whisk in the kitchen. Great wrist action.”

“I once knew a guy in college who had a string of girls but still couldn’t make them orgasm,” he quips, a playful sarcasm lacing his voice. “He worked at the pub as a casual cook and was part of a hip-hop dance group on the weekends.”

I shake my head with a burst of laughter. “How unfortunate for the women, and what a waste of his talents.”

Elliot’s gaze intensifies, the blue staring back at me reminiscent of a deep ocean, captivating my attention and drawing me into his soul. I’m entranced by the magnetic pull of a single glance, lost in the moment until Elliot’s gaze diverts for a heartbeat, only to return to me with a smug, knowing look, like something is about to take place.

“I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispers, then continues with, “as part of our plan.”

With bated breath, I watch him, feeling the world around us fade as he focuses on my lips before leaning in. The warmth of Elliot’s mouth brushes against mine, igniting a fire inside of me. The sensation burns like a flickering flame, and soon the warmth consumes me completely, like wax surrendering to its own fire.

His tongue lightly trails over mine, teasingly soft, sending whispers of desire cascading through me. Just as I’m lost in the intoxicating kiss, he pulls away, leaving me breathless and yearning for more.

I stare into his penetrating eyes, eager to reach on my tiptoes and kiss him back, but a voice interrupts, cutting through our moment like a siren warning us of an impending emergency.

“Mind if I cut in?”

At a slow, agonizing pace, the familiar voice draws my attention and forces me to glance in its direction.

“Maddy,” Myles interrupts, his intense stare breaking this moment between Elliot and me. Rattled with confusion, my eyes dart to Elliot’s, his envious gaze masked behind a fake smile. But then, I turn back to Myles, and with a pleading whisper, he says, “For old times’ sake?”

CHAPTER 16Elliot

My fingers curl firmly around the crystal glass, barely filled with enough bourbon.

I swirl the rich amber liquid, then bring the glass to my lips, breathing in the warm, smoky scent before knocking it back in a single swallow. A low rasp slips out of me, the burn offering a brief, welcome reprieve from the jealousy simmering under my skin.

My gaze is tormented by the couple on the dance floor. How brazen of an ex to make such a callous move, especially after witnessing our kiss only moments before.

And that kiss is driving me to the depths of despair.

It was supposed to be a facade, a show, for all intents and purposes. I agreed to be Madelina’s date out of pity, and because I was bored. I thought this pretense we are holding up would add a bit of excitement to my life. But the intensity of my desire surged within me, mixed with this competitive drive to prove how foolish Myles was to tease Madelina with a new woman in his bed.

Andfuck. Madelina is like nothing I’ve ever tasted before.

My reality fractured, sending our agreement spiraling into oblivion, all because her mouth was the taste of utter perfection.

And deliciouslyforbidden.

I just kissed my sister’s best friend.

And it was like heaven and hell all boxed up with a neat little bow.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed him, standing there with wounded pride, his ego visibly bruised as he watched the woman who had left him at the altar kiss another man. The thrill of the moment only amplified my wild thoughts, but my confidence was shot the moment he fuckingdaredto interrupt us.