“A real boyfriend would.” He placed a hand at the small of her back and did his best not to acknowledge the hum in his blood as they started up the stairs. “Remember, we have to act our parts anytime we’re out in public. For all we know, Dennis could be watching from the parking lot.”
Her muscles stiffened against his flattened palm, and he felt like an ass for startling her. That hadn’t been his objective. He’d only wanted her to get into the habit of pretending they were an actual couple whenever they weren’t behind closed doors, because you never knew who was watching.
“You think he’s out there?” She lowered her voice to a whisper, while her gaze darted about as though she were worried her ex might pop out of the shadows like some demented jack-in-the-box.
“I didn’t see him, but it never hurts to be safe.” He leaned closer and caught a whiff of her perfume, something sweet with a hint of vanilla, and more intoxicating than the wine they’d drunk. “Don’t worry; I promise I won’t let him bother you.”
At the top step, she reached into her pocket for her keys, and he felt a stab of disappointment that their evening was coming to an end. He was about to suggest they meet again over the weekend when she stopped at the door and turned to face him, concern creasing her brow.
Before he could ask what was wrong, she blurted, “I had a great time tonight, and you’re a really great guy, but—” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t know if this is going to work.”
Pinto’s brows drew down in confusion. “Why not? I thought things were going pretty well.”
“They are! It’s not that. It’s just…” She blew out a breath. “Dennis is a cop. He’s great at reading people, especially me, and I’m not a very good liar. He’s going to take one look at us and know we’re not really a couple.”
“Then we’re going to have to work that much harder to convince him.” Reaching out, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. When she didn’t flinch or pull back, he smiled and gentled his voice. “I think we’ll be just fine, Fi. I’m up for the task; I think you are too. But if you like, we can hold another tactical planning session…your place this time.”
The hint of a smile warmed her mouth. “I’d like that. You’re not allergic to cats, are you? I should have asked during the lightning round.”
He shook his head. “Even if I was, I’d put on my big-boy britches and suck it up.”
She laughed, a soft, intimate sound that heated him from the base of his neck all the way down to his toes.
A door slammed on the first floor, and the sound of chatter drifted up the stairwell as the young couple from 12-D headed for the parking lot.
Fiona’s gaze met his, and the buzz in Pinto’s blood grew stronger. His whole world narrowed, until the only thing he saw was Fiona by her front door, looking sexier than words could ever describe.
He swallowed against the sudden tightness in his throat. “If this was a normal date, I’d kiss you goodnight right about now.”
Fiona caught her bottom lip with her teeth. “I, uh…I suppose you’re right. It’s probably a good idea to practice that sort of thing before we’re in front of a live audience. You know, so it looks believable.”
That was his story and he was sticking to it. Pinto stepped closer, deep into her personal space, and her sweet, feminine scent enveloped him. His heart rate quickened as he cupped the side of her face, his fingers sliding into her hair while the roughened pad of his thumb lightly stroked her cheek.
“Is this okay?” he asked, concerned his voice might crack like an overeager teenager on his first date.
She nodded, the pulse at her throat beating wildly.
“Relax, Fi. I’m not going to bite. But if any of this makes you uncomfortable, even a little bit, just say the word and we’ll find another way to make this work.”
She let out a low, shaky laugh. “I’m fine, really. Now, what are you waiting for? Practice makes perfect, right?”
“Damn straight.” He wasn’t about to wait around for a second invitation.
Bending his head, he brushed his lips over her mouth and then sank in, soft and slow.
She tasted like the wine they’d drunk: dark, rich, and seductive. As far as kisses went, he kept it fairly tame, a tender exploration designed to deceive rather than seduce. Yet it triggered a need, a hunger for more, and he reveled in the feel of her body softening against him.
A husky purr rose from her throat as her arms looped around his neck, and every rational thought in his brain evaporated. It felt as if a fuse had lit deep inside him, sending a blast of raw heat through every nerve in his body. Lost in the moment, he skimmed one hand down to her waist, his fingers slipping under the silky fabric to graze the bare skin beneath.
He was about to suggest they go into her apartment when the blare of a horn in the parking lot cut through the haze of lust like a knife and snapped Pinto to his senses.
With a muttered curse, he pulled back just far enough to break contact. Her arms fell back to her sides. Their chemistry might be off the charts, but this wasn’t a real date, and that wasn’t a real kiss. It was merely practice so they wouldn’t look awkward to the people they meant to deceive. At least, that was what he kept telling himself so he wouldn’t dive back in for round two.
Pinto stared down at Fiona as the fog slowly cleared from his mind. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes a little glassy. Strange as it sounded, it relieved him to know that he wasn’t the only one affected by the kiss.
Determined to regain some sense of composure, he moved his hand from her waist and cleared his throat. “Do you think that’s convincing enough to fool your ex, or should we practice some more?”
Fiona let out a breathy laugh. “I think we’re good.”
