Faking It Onboard: A Fake Dating, Brother's Best Friend, Boss Assistant, Instalove Romance by Shaw Avery

Author:Shaw, Avery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Avery Shaw Books
Published: 2024-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Caress

I scold myself for the stupid shiver that runs down my spine from Dylan’s breath that’s still hot against my ear. Goosebumps trail down my skin where he touches me, but I yank my arm away, putting distance between us. I won’t let him see how much he affects me. Not after what I overheard this morning.

As Joel leaves the room, I turn to face Dylan, crossing my arms over my chest. My nails dig into my biceps, grounding me. “What is it, Mr. Carter?” I ask, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “Can’t stand that your ‘friend’ is finally acting like one instead of continuing to pretend?”

Dylan’s brow furrows, confusion and hurt flashing across his face. “What’s going on with you, Caress? You’ve been giving me the cold shoulder all morning.”

I let out a bitter laugh, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Oh, that’s rich. You’re seriously asking me that?”

“I don’t understand-”

“No, you wouldn’t, would you?” I snap, cutting him off. My heart pounds in my chest. “Tell me, Dylan, how does it feel to be such a hypocrite?”

He takes a step towards me, and I instinctively back away. “What the hell are you talking about?”

Something inside me snaps. All the hurt and anger I’ve been bottling up since this morning comes pouring out. “What am I talking about? Oh, I don’t fucking know Dylan. Where should I start? Maybe I’m talking about you toying with my emotions, making me believe this thing between us could actually be something real. All while knowing you had zero intention of ever manning up and acting on it. Or maybe the fact you almost freaking kissed me last night, strumming up fantasies that I had long tried to bury, only to wake up this morning to hear you making it painfully clear how much of a fucking idiot I am. But, I’m sure you still have “no idea” what I’m on about.”

Dylan’s eyes widen, realization dawning. “Caress, whatever you think you heard-”

“I know exactly what I heard,” I spit out, my voice trembling with rage. “You told Joel I’m like a little sister to you. That this is all just pretend.”

“That’s not-”

“Don’t you dare try to deny it!” My voice rises, echoing off the conference room walls. “I heard you, Dylan. Crystal clear.”

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. “You don’t understand. I was trying to protect you!”

“Protect me?” I scoff, my hands clenching into fists as I drop them to my side. “By lying? By making me feel like a fool for thinking there might be something between us?”

Dylan takes another step forward, his eyes pleading. “Caress, please. Let me explain.”

But I’m too far gone, the hurt of this morning mixing with years of suppressed feelings. “Explain what? How you can look at me like that, touch me like that, lead me on like that, and then turn around and act like it meant nothing?”

“It meant everything!” Dylan’s shout surprises us both.

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