“I doubt it,” I murmur, glancing at the photographer who’s getting impatient.
His hand snakes around my waist as he pulls me flush to him and I gasp, staring up at him. “That’s it,” he says. “Keep looking at me.” His other hand curls up under my chin and lifts my head. Our eyes meet, and my heart starts to beat as more flashes go off. Lucas gives me a sultry look, and I drink it in, admiring his face. Ugh. Why does he have to be so hot?
“Yes. Beautiful,” the photographer says. “You guys look amazing.”
Lucas’ dark brown eyes remain on mine, and my skin starts to burn, feeling hot and sweaty. It’s the lights. It has to be.
“You guys look great,” Jake says again as more flashes go off. The sounds of the camera make me zone out a little, and I let myself wonder what these pictures will look like. I’m wearing a long, red dress that compliments my warm, brown skin tone and my deep, red lipstick perfectly. Lucas is wearing a black button-down with jeans. His hair is perfectly styled, the messy brown curls falling strategically onto his face, and I let myself see how other people will see us.
We look like a couple.
“Perfect,” Jake says as he steps out from behind the camera. “Now can we get a kiss from the beautiful couple?”
My eyes widen at his request because despite how the outside world perceives us, we are not a couple. We are nothing. This is fake. And there is no way I am going to kiss him.
Lucas notes my reaction and frowns, because he knows there is no way I’m going to let him kiss me, and he promised he wouldn’t. It’s one of my rules.
But what if he changes his mind? What if he just tells me to suck it up for the picture and to just go with it? It’s just one stupid kiss. We both know it doesn’t mean anything, but… I can’t do it.
The last time I had someone’s lips on mine, it ended in a nightmare, and I can’t think of anyone else ever kissing me. I don’t want to.
I step back from him and his hands drop as he lets out a breath. He forces a laugh and turns to face Jake, running a hand over his chin. “We’d prefer to do that alone,” he says.
My heartbeat settles as I let out an exhale. Thank god he’s keeping his promise.
“We need something for the pictures,” the photographer says. “Come on. Just give us a kiss and we’ll be on our way.”
Lucas looks at me again and I know he can see the panic in my eyes as he reaches out to me. “Relax,” he tells me. “I’m not going to kiss you. Just… close your eyes.” I look up at him and part my lips. What is he going to do? He must see the question in my eyes because he leans in again. “Just trust me.”
I let my eyes fall closed and my heart races twice as fast now. I can’t see anything. But I can feel. I feel his hand run over my face as he cups my neck, his thumb resting on my cheek. I feel his breath hit my neck as he leans into me, closer than we ever have been before. I feel his heart beating just as fast as mine when his chest presses up against my arm.
Clicks go off in the distance as Jake takes the pictures and I let myself melt into him, knowing that Jake still got the picture he wanted without us having to kiss.
“Beautiful,” Jake says again as the clicks stop. I snap my eyes open and see Lucas staring down at me, only an inch away. “We got it,” he says.
Lucas removes his hand from my neck and we untangle ourselves from each other. He furrows his brows as he looks at me. “You panicked,” he says. “I told you that we would only do whatever you’re comfortable with. I told you we wouldn’t kiss if you didn’t want to. Did you not believe me?” he asks.
Honestly? I knew he would keep his promise. He kept it when we were at the park, and he hasn’t given me an inkling of taking what he wants without asking me, but… it’s all I’m used to from men, or one man in particular. Why should I believe any different? “I don’t really know you,” I say with a shrug.
He raises his brows. “Then maybe we should change that.”
Chapter 11
I love balls
“Your mom’s going to make me fat,” James groans, shoving a half-eaten sandwich in his mouth.
I glare down at him, spotting another two sandwiches on his plate. Where the hell does he put it all? “Then stop eating.”
He shakes his head, humming with his mouth full. “Can’t,” he mumbles. “Too good.”
Yeah, my mom’s an amazing cook. One of the things I missed most about home when I was living in New York, was my mom’s home-cooked meals. Since I’ve moved back, there isn’t a single Sunday that I don’t spend at my mom’s house for family dinner.
“She’s just worried about you,” I tell him. “Food is how she shows she cares.”
He sighs, gulping when he finishes off the sandwich. “I’m fine,” he says. “Don’t know how many times I have to tell you guys that.”
I hate when he does that. Acts like everything’s fine when it was one of the worst things that could happen to someone. “It wasn’t that long ago, James.” It’s only been a few months since the accident, and the funeral. It’s a lot to deal with.
