Page 8 of Keep Me Close

Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea after all.

Maybe I should have given more consideration to Brooks. Sure, he’s two years younger than Knox, but he’s no less handsome, and he’s an upcoming hockey player who’s already making a splash in the league. The guy is a hot commodity.

More importantly, my pulse doesn’t race whenever we’re together. Certainly not the way it does when I’m with his older brother. The problem is that Knox is staring at me with an intensity that makes me feel pinned in place like a butterfly to a Styrofoam board.

“Fine, I’ll do it,” he grumbles.

The relief that rushes through me is almost enough to buckle my knees. Right on its heels is something far less welcome.

A burst of nerves.

Asking Knox for this favor had felt like an act of desperation but still theoretical in nature. Him actually agreeing makes it real. Pretending to date a man I can barely think straight around suddenly feels riskier than dealing with a crazy ex.

Before I can thank him or consider backtracking, he says, “If we’re actually going to do this, we need to establish a few rules first.”

4

Knox

She stares at me for a few beats before a laugh bursts from her. “Rules? You can’t be serious.”

I’m one hundred percent serious. I don’t need this woman slipping any further beneath my skin or into my thoughts than she already has.

Although, I keep that part to myself.

“Oh, I’m serious, sweetheart. It’s important we set clear boundaries so no one gets confused.”

She snorts before pressing a hand against her chest as her green eyes widen. “Hold on a second… You actually think if we spend a little bit of time together, I won’t be able to stop myself from falling in love with you?” She shakes her head before more laughter tumbles from her lips. “You really are an egomaniac.”

Even though that’s not what I meant, I don’t bother correcting her. It’s better for both of us if she thinks that than discovers the truth.

“Maybe.” It takes effort to shrug off the sting of her words.

“Oh, there’s no maybe about it, McNichols. You’re definitely an egomaniac.”

I force a smile. “You’re welcome to find another fake boyfriend if you’d prefer.”

Her humor fades as she presses her lips together and glances away. For a moment, I wonder if she’ll tell me to go fuck myself before stalking out of the penthouse.

It would probably be for the best.

Just as my nerves reach a breaking point, she mutters, “Whatever your rules are, I’ll agree to them.”

Relief punches through me so hard and fast, it’s almost embarrassing. As much as I’m dreading this, the thought of another man laying his hands on her, smiling for the cameras, pretending he’s the lucky bastard who gets to be at her side and in her bed, has something ugly unfurling in my gut. I’d have no other choice but to kill him with my bare hands.

“No offense, but I’ve dated my fair share of manwhores who are commitment phobic. I’m certainly not going to fall for one I’m pretending to date. So there’s nothing for you to worry about on that front.”

Umm… excuse me?

“What does that mean? Are you saying you’re ready to settle down?” The questions shoot out of my mouth before I can reel them back in.

Her brows lift.

Mine probably do as well, considering how fucking interested that made me sound.

And it’s too damn late to backtrack.

She glances at the skyline before shrugging. “If the right man came along? Possibly. But Dakota wasn’t the right one.”