Page 24 of Fate In Fiction

“Stop.”

“What? Looking at how cool it is that your face matches your hair?” I throw my arm out to hit him and his hand clasps around my wrist. My mouth parts, hitching my breath yet again. Rolling my lips in, I try to play it off and turn my head out the window.

“Don’t touch me.”

“You were about to touch me.” A chuckle settles in his chest. “You might want to see a doctor about your breathing,” he muses. “You’ve had it stop multiple times tonight.” He releases my wrist and pulls back onto the road.

Ass.

“As the girlfriend of a billionaire heir, I’ll be getting a card to your account.” I don’t spend money besides for my basic needs, but he doesn’t need to know that. “We are living together now.”

“Josie.” His voice strains.

“I need assurance. Trust,” I say, and point in the direction he needs to turn.

“I’m doing this because I need my allowance upped.” I remain silent as he thinks it over. “Fine. Price of doing business.” His words are the slap in the face I need to stay focused on this charade. The way his touch feels, the sweet things we say, it’s all an act. Business.

“Good. Inform the front desk I will need a key or whatever it is to get into your… our place. It’ll mostly be clothing and books.” A laugh forces out of me so I don’t go completely manic over moving in. “This will be fine. I could use a change of space.”

His car pulls up to the house as Stella walks her puppy back up to the front door. Our friend, Emery, lugs her large case toward Stella’s car. Emmett’s eyes roam over my friends, assessing them.

“Is that Stella’s little sister?” Emmett questions as I reach for the door handle.

“Emery?” I ask, staring at my friends through the window. “No, she’s just little.” I turn back toward him. “She’s a chef at one of the restaurants downtown.”

“Are you sure they’re going to believe our relationship?” His voice is low and gruff.

“They have to. We will do whatever it takes to convince them. If they think it’s fake, Stella will go into full parent mode, and Emery might punch you.”

“I’m not scared of that tiny thing throwing a punch.” Emmett’s gaze scans my friends. “But she has red hair too, so I think she’d be a bit feisty.”

“Lay off. Emery is the sweetest.” My eyes roll before Emery spots the car and walks closer. “I need this to work as much as you do.” The desperation in my eyes puts Emmett at ease.

“Enjoy your night, lover.” He glances past me, nodding toward my friend. “One more thing.” His eyes meet mine. “Don’t flinch.” Reaching his arm to the back of my head, he gently grabs a fist of my hair, pulling me in so his lips brush my ear, and his breath awakens the skin behind it. “We need to make this appear like we are more than a friendly drop off.” We stay like that a moment longer as I fight with my body’s reaction to his manhandling. If he’s noticing, I appreciate him not calling me out on it.

“Right,” I force out with a thick swallow and make a daring move by placing a light kiss to the hollow of his neck. “No more mouth kisses.” I watch goosebumps surface on his neck, but his breathing remains stable.

“Got it.” He winks, sending a new sensation throughout my body. “Green light to place my lips anywhere except your mouth next time, then.”

“Don’t even think your lips will venture past the top of my head.” I pull back, avoiding his eyes, because if this man thinks he has a shot at getting me into bed with him, I doubt he would ignore the invite. After all our touching today, I’m not sure if I could say no.

Emmett brings his hand up to tilt my chin and leans in, placing a quick kiss to the tip of my nose. “Your nose is cute as a button. Enjoy your weekend and be safe.”

“Don’t get caught spending the weekend without me.” I open the car door and reach for my bag.

“I won’t. You’re the one frolicking around with friends.” His accusing tone holds worry. “Someone could drive past and spot you.”

“Not likely.” My smirk grows, knowing I still have the upper hand with this relationship. “I’ll be out of state.” I slam the door shut as his mouth drops. His gaze darkens as his hand brushes over his chin. Our eyes challenge what he’s really going to do in this moment. There’s nothing he can do without blowing our cover as my friends approach.

“Is Emmett not joining us?” Stella walks back out of the house without her dog.

“No, he has to work.” I climb into the car, waiting to take us to the airport. “But he said to say hello and hopes we have fun.” I smile as she climbs in the back of the limo with Emery and me.

“I’m totally fine with him turning me down and choosing you to date, but I expected us to all hang out more often.” The limo pulls out of the long driveway as we head to the airport. “Doesn’t he get annoyed that you’ve been spending weekends in San Diego with me, instead of getting to spend time with him?” Crap.

“He’s been working a lot,” I defend with a casual shrug. “I’ll have to abstain from joining you after this weekend, though. Emmett is trying to prioritize me too.” Even Emmett is smart enough to know we need to spend some weekends together for show. I’m the scared one who has been avoiding more time with him and choosing to hang with Stella. “We haven’t been able to spend much time together lately except during the midnight hours.”

“Damn, girl. I bet he is skilled in the physical department.” I’d like to give credit based on how easily he’s been affecting me. “Just don’t––” She drops her voice to a concerned best friend tone. “Don’t go and get your heart broken. He’s been very open about his past, and somehow you managed to lock him down in a very short amount of time. Remember the way he has operated most of his life.”