Page 6 of Keep Me Close

Honestly?

I’m pretty sure this guy doesn’t even like me.

If there were anyone else I could turn to, I’d do it in a heartbeat. The problem is that I’m desperate and out of options.

“Exactly what kind of favor are we talking about?” The caution in his tone is almost laughable.

My teeth sink into my lower lip as I stare at him. Why does this guy have to be so damn handsome?

It’s disconcerting.

Actually, it’s way more than that.

Up close, Knox McNichols is all hard angles and controlled intensity. He’s the kind of man who looks like he’s holding himself back even when he’s standing perfectly still, and I never know what to do with that. Most men are easy to read. Especially the ones in my orbit. They smile, flirt, and perform like show ponies.

Knox just observes, silently assessing the situation.

I open my mouth, prepared to say something smooth and halfway dignified, but nothing comes out. That’s all it takes for my pulse to kick harder.

Why is holding a simple conversation with this man so difficult?

“Chey?” he snaps.

With a blink, I realize I’ve been stalling. I can only imagine he wants to get rid of me as quickly as possible. For all I know, some booty call is on her way over as we speak.

“I need a boyfriend,” I blurt.

His eyes widen.

“A fake one,” I rush to add.

Well, hell.

I’d really hoped to ease into this conversation. Maybe lay a little groundwork before springing it on him.

An uncomfortable hush falls over the room.

His expression remains blank for a moment or two, as if there’s been some kind of processing error, before understanding dawns.

“Wait a minute. Me?” His hand flies to his chest. “You want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?”

A dull heat crawls up my cheeks.

For one wild second, I consider backtracking and pretending he misheard me. That I need a fake landscaper. Or an accountant. Honestly, just about anything would be better than the stunned way he’s staring at me.

Instead, I take a small step in retreat before forcing myself to straighten my shoulders and lift my chin. “Yes, I do.”

Laughter tumbles from his lips as they tilt upward for the first time since he walked in. “Why do you need a fake boyfriend?” He gives his head a slight shake before holding up a hand. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I can’t do it. Sorry, sweetheart.”

Well, I knew it was going to be a long shot. This man is barely able to tolerate my presence for ten minutes before finding the nearest exit. Of course he’s not going to help me. Asking him was a miscalculation on my part. I need to get out of here while I still have a few scraps of my dignity intact.

I force a shrug. “Okay. I’ll check with your brother.”

He snorts. “Colby isn’t going to pretend to be your boyfriend. For fuck’s sake, he’s married to your sister.”

I roll my eyes. “I meant your other brother. Brooks.”

His eyes go flat in a way that makes me wonder if I just hit a nerve.