The First

y's

ed on six outfits and hated e

nough. The red one looked like I was trying too hard. The jeans said I had not tried at al

want to

y not by

ad made an effort but would deny it under oath. My hair was down which was a mistake. Then I tied it up

as rid

as f

s bus

e the man who had spent two years making m

ed at me like I was either a joke or a problem. Some had smirked. Some had looked away. Some had

had been

urprise. Something sharp and unreadable had passed over his face, something almost l

old, his mouth flattened and he looked m

he Jaxon K

eded to remember when my doo

ned the door with my best

g on the other side looking like a lu

ctly cut, fitting his broad shoulders like it had been sewn by someone who understood danger as an aesthet

Sharp.

was not in a way that made me feel sma

d that

e," I said

is watch. "I

e door at se

his eyes

still c

ed with a smile. "Yo

so badly I nearl

ot do

wh

ings li

limen

bad

, just for a moment.

levator, clearly expecting me to follow. I did, because

sleek, polished and expensive enough to have its

ed just

e with an arch

open

m aw

are you do

is watching, I loo

man attempting no

can wo

like leather and his cologne. It was too quiet, too private and too easy to remember that only yester

s," h

to him. "

less cameras are present. No personal questions. No im

d my arms over my

riefly on the steeri

we going?

e we will

d our fake relationsh

oint of a fake

done thi

just then. "No person

a business

nded pe

ike you were

t answer

inutes, neither of us spoke as Jaxon drove. He then reached for the gear

hing. Bare

froze for half a

ed out the window like New York tra

t just then. "Do not re

as n

oo

re

response. I smil

ought. My first vi

*

where the lighting made everyone lo

aphers outside. Of

rance and said dryly,

lightly at the small o

self from rolling m

ked at me

smil

you are plann

public-fri

he guided me forward. The cameras erupted and flashes b

like I kidnapped

prom

ally laughed. The sound moved th

when she saw him. I could not even blam

pulled out my chair. He drew in when I spoke, like every sarcastic

urbing. Ver

ed, I had forgotten twice th

g me over the rim of h

at sounds dangerously l

ntrolled

s not a

is n

oke, changed the subject or asked him whether his

d, I a

played,"

t still i

ionally. College, then amateur leagues. But to me, he was better than anyon

said n

mouth had decided to ruin my life. "Car accident. After that,

without the usual ice in his eyes. No judgment. No sharpness. Just s

rry," h

did something to my insid

here were no cameras inside. No reason to perform. No reason to let h

move. I did no

second, I forgo

loudly at a nearby tabl

t, I slipped my hand

I appreciated that more than I wanted to. Instead, we talked about safe things. Hockey. Training. How badl

when I imitated Ma

e sharp edges eased. The captain disappeared for half a second and u

I did not like it because tha

paparazzi were waiting like wolves who

Rory! Ov

t off

as this bee

us a

d even as Jaxon'

ce, he did not move like he own

" he as

did something

rm. To take. To decide. That was what Jaxon di

now, he

e I could thin

press-friendly brush of lips that would give the camera

ut firm manner. The other rose to my hair, not gripping, just

id

e kiss

se around u

elt was Jaxon. His mouth was warm, sure and far too convincing. It was not ru

hat was the fucking prob

had been waiting for permission my pride would never give. When he finally pulled back, we

and he paused like the words had gotten

could I possibly say aft

silence in the car was no lon

ot to think about his hand at my waist. Tried not to remember t

ing a deep breath that was ta

said simply, c

etween us like a

way from h

the road. "Do not m

"I was not the one who kissed lik

round the steering whee

start thinking you

esponse. That silenc

ached for the door handle, desperate to escape before my brain

are announcing the livi

hat living

ove in with you...

y eyes as wide as sauc

nd he looked away. "I

who thought this entire

agem

can move i

or

o fake dating. I did not agree

his face I had never seen before. Frustration, yes. Anger, obviou

ant to watch you walk around my space, smell your shampoo

stopped

most frightening. The captain returned in

. "My lease is already termin

I opened the door and stepped out of the car but my legs fe

y lips still tingling, my

st admitted..