Page 46 of The Kiss Connection

“You know what it sounds like when a woman is faking it,” I shoot back.

“Babe, you could never fake it with me. I’d know,” Myles says.

I can’t help but raise an eyebrow at him. “Babe?” He isn’t serious, giving me another nickname. “Is Pint Size not enough for you?”

“Keep giving me death glares and the media will really eat this up.” He grabs my chair, pulling me closer.

My breath catches in my throat, and he slides his chair askew, nudging my legs with his.

“What are you⁠—”

There are more photographers outside, but these ones seem to be adept to taking photos, more skilled. Their flashes are off, they hover in the window, and I can’t help but notice the neckband around their camera that shows the name of their network instead of the camera brand.

“I like you,” Myles says.

“I don’t believe you.”

He laughs under his breath. “Probably for the best. Lying to you seems wrong. Fine. I need you.”

“Use your hand,” I say, and my nose scrunches as I try to pull away, but he keeps his hands firmly gripped on the edge of my seat. He leans in close.

“Funny, Pint Size. I like your sense of humor. I need you to keep dating me.”

“Over my dead body, which will happen if I keep up this charade. We’ll kill each other.”

“I wouldn’t hurt you. Besides, you saw all the bad press from what happened at the gala. Do you think I could survive that if anything happened to you?”

“All right. I’ll kill you.”

“You won’t.” Myles smirks, far too convinced he’s in control.

“Listen, whatever you think this is between us, you’re wrong.”

“So, you do think there’s something between us?” Myles asks.

I want to avoid the question, but there isn’t anywhere for me to escape to, except the restroom. And getting up now, he’d know my motive. “I think we’re both attractive people,” I say, trying to rationally explain whatever it is that we’ve been experiencing.

“You think?”

“Well, I know I’m hot and a ten,” I say and glance him over. “You’re a solid nine.”

He laughs under his breath. “You are funny. Glad I get to see this side of you tonight. There’s another side I also want to see⁠—”

The suggestive tone sends warm, fluttery tingles through my body, but I do everything in my power to ignore them. “The side where I kick your ass?” I retort. “Is that the side you’d like me to show you?”

He leans in and I swear he’s going to kiss me.

What the hell?

I pull back and he laughs as he stands. “I was going to tell you I need to use the washroom. Don’t touch my food.”

“Oh, don’t worry. It’ll be laced with poison when you come back.” I give a little wave as he heads to the back of the restaurant for the bathroom.

Shit.

He’d better come back.

A slight nudge of doubt creeps its way in. What if he ditches me?