Faking It by Alberts Diane

Author:Alberts, Diane [Alberts, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Adult
Amazon: B00BQMLIS4
Goodreads: 17559079
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Published: 2013-03-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Stephanie had a way of setting off his temper like no other.

As they walked down the street toward her apartment, he kept his composure, but inside he was simmering. She absolutely refused to accept his help. Period. It was both incredibly irritating and rather impressive. He admired her bravery, her determination.

What he wasn’t so fond of? The stubborn pride that turned bravery and determination into obstinate foolishness.

She really was just like her brother.

They rounded the corner, hand in hand. It was odd how naturally the farce had bled into reality—how they touched with such casual ease, accepting it without question. Her ring occasionally scratched the edges of his fingers, and he bit back a smile, his irritation bleeding away like vapor. He’d planned on buying something small and inexpensive. Something she wouldn’t reject on principle. But when he’d seen this ring—her ring—locked away behind glass, he’d given in to impulse. Never mind the cost. Never mind that their engagement was fake.

It was hers, and he wanted her to keep it.

She’d been quiet ever since they’d left the restaurant. If he had to guess, she was likely still angry over the job offer. Yet another impulse, and a reminder why he’d learned—after his father had sneered at him one too many times—not to follow his impulses. He’d injured her pride. Made her feel like a charity case, and now he’d guaranteed that she’d never accept anything from him again.

He looked down at her and squeezed her hand gently. “Are you awake down there?”

“Hm?” She glanced up with a tight smile. “Yes. Just thinking.”

“About how to get rid of me?”

Her smile relaxed into a quiet laugh. “Something like that.”

They stopped at the stairs outside her building. She fidgeted with her purse and looked up at him. A thousand thoughts flitted through her eyes, not one lingering long enough for him to read it. She rested a feather-light hand to his chest.

“You can come up,” she said softly. “If you’d like. For a drink, or…”

A knife of desire cut straight through him. “Or?”

She shrugged one shoulder and looked away. “Or.” A smile flickered across her lips. “I have Paranormal Activity 4 on DVD.”

He wasn’t interested in the film. He drew in a ragged breath, pulled her into his arms, and inhaled her sweet scent. He shouldn’t. Whether he followed his rules or started fresh tonight, he knew he shouldn’t. Stephanie was more than just some woman he’d met. She was sister to a man he almost considered family. If he hurt her, he betrayed the trust of a friend who had been with him since his youth.

He couldn’t do that.

“I want to,” he whispered into her hair. “But I can’t.”

“Why not?” Her fingers curled into the lapels of his jacket, tugging him closer. She pressed her body against him, molding herself to the growing heat he couldn’t deny. Her eyes were dilated, liquid and hungry. “Give me one good reason not to.”

“You’re angry with me.”

Her fingers trailed over his chest. “I don’t hold grudges long.

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