Page 10 of Keep Me Close

For half a second, I consider walking it back and telling her I’m kidding. But then I picture her somewhere in the city with her ex blowing up her phone—or worse, showing up in person—and I double down.

“One hundred percent. Here’s what you need to know about me: I’m a possessive boyfriend.”

“Don’t you mean possessive fake boyfriend?”

“Yup.”

She just stares, which I can’t blame her for. If our positions were reversed, I’d probably think I was out of my damn mind as well.

Who knows? Maybe I am. That’s exactly what Cheyenne fucking Benson does to me.

“All right, fine. I’ll agree to your so-called rules. Does that mean you’ll actually go through with this?”

Even though it’s a shit idea, what other choice do I have? The thought of her walking out that door and texting Brooks, or any other male with a beating pulse, has my jaw locking so hard it aches.

“Yeah,” I grumble. “I’ll do it.”

Her eyes narrow. “You don’t have to sound so thrilled.”

“Trust me, I’m not.”

She nibbles her lower lip and her shoulders droop. “Look, I’m not interested in dragging you into something you clearly hate. Let’s just forget it.”

Like hell we will.

I take a step closer before forcing myself to stop. It’s so damn tempting to lay my hands on her. “It’s a done deal, sweetheart. For all intents and purposes, I’m your boyfriend.”

“Fake boyfriend.”

“Sure.”

She looks up at me, and without the constant sniping, the energy between us turns charged.

Which isn’t any better.

In fact, it’s a hell of a lot worse in a different kind of way.

I cringe, forcing the next question out. “Do you need a place to crash?”

The thought of her sleeping under the same roof as me is enough to set every nerve ending on edge.

“Nope. I booked a suite at the Regency.”

Thank fuck.

It’s bad enough we’ll have to spend time together. Her living here would push me straight past my limits, ending in disaster. I’m not sure I have enough self-restraint to keep my hands off her if she’s sleeping across the hall from me.

“So, unless you’d like to tack on a few more rules, I’m going to head out.”

“Nope. I think we’re good for now. Although, if I come up with anything else, I’ll text you.”

She glares. “Perfect. This is going to be so much fun. I can hardly wait.”

I nod as she turns to the couch, picks up her purse, then beelines for the elevator. I can’t help but trail after her like a lost puppy. The most confusing part is that, as much as I need her to go, I want her to stay.

She presses the button, and we stand awkwardly in the entryway while waiting. The silence is different now. Thicker. Tense in a way it wasn’t when I first found her in the living room. Twenty minutes ago, I’d been fighting back surprise.

Now I’m fighting awareness.