by Cat Johnson
Alicia considered the questions. They were all pretty straightforward to answer, except for that when part. She’d love to tell Jenny she and Brian had been together for a while but that was too risky.
Better to stick as close to the truth as possible.
“He’s my boyfriend. We met at McP’s that night I was there to meet Shelly. Remember? The night you sent Jason’s co-worker Andrew there to stalk me.” Alicia lobbed that well-deserved shot at her sister.
Jenny didn’t even have the decency to look guilty about the Andrew thing. Instead her eyes popped wide. “Why didn’t you tell me you met someone?”
“I don’t tell you everything, Jennifer.” Alicia crossed her arms.
She eyed the bottles of wine, yet unopened on the counter, wishing she had a glass of something. Anything.
Jenny narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe you.”
“What?” Alicia’s voice squeaked on the word.
“I don’t believe he’s your boyfriend.”
“Why not?”
“He’s too perfect. Handsome. Polite. A body like a sports magazine model, but he comes here dressed down, all casual and carefree. So he looks like he fits in but he doesn’t. In fact, he sticks out like a sore thumb. This guy makes Jason look like a gangly teen in comparison.”
Wow. The honeymoon must be over.
“That’s not true—”
“In fact,” Jenny continued. “I doubt you know him at all. What is he, some rent a date?”
Alicia blew out a nervous laugh as her heart pounded. “Where in the world would I rent a date?”
“There are websites and apps for everything nowadays.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that, but why would I hire a fake date?”
“To convince me to stop trying to fix you up.”
Was Jenny psychic or something?
How could this plan have fallen apart so quickly?
“Th—that’s not true. In fact, he even bought me flowers for Valentine’s Day. Red roses. Would a fake date do that?” Alicia asked, trying to not sound like she was lying.
It was harder than she’d anticipated. Meanwhile, she hated to admit that Brian had been eerily psychic to think to give those flowers to her.
Since she apparently lied so badly, it helped there were real flowers sitting in her sink to tell Jen about. But past that, she wasn’t sure what to say to convince her sister that her fake date was her real boyfriend.
“Hey, baby. I brought you a beer. Your brother-in-law had the kind you like to drink at McP’s.” One big hand planted a bottle of Orange Avenue Wit on the counter next to her, the same kind of Coronado Brewing Company beer she had been drinking the night they’d met.
She had to give credit to Brian. He paid close attention to details to remember which beer she’d been drinking. But more important than that was his impeccable timing.
He’d swooped in at the perfect, most optimal time for him to play the devoted new boyfriend in front of her skeptical sister.
Then, one strong arm snaked around her waist from behind.
Thrown by the contact, she barely managed to breathe.
She did her best not to stiffen at the feel of his palm resting lightly on her stomach. That could blow the whole charade.
Consciously relaxing her body, even if it did mean pressing backward against the brick wall that was Brian’s chest, she said. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. Anything for my girl on Valentine’s Day.”
Just when she thought he was already laying it on a little thick, Brian leaned in and brushed a kiss against her cheek.
She drew in breath at the warmth of his lips against her skin.
“So, what’s going on in here? Need any help?” Unfazed, cool as a cucumber, Brian made the offer.
Hopefully, it distracted Jenny from the blush Alicia felt creeping into her cheeks.
That kiss meant nothing. They were both fully clothed. In the kitchen. With her sister. It wasn’t like they were naked in bed or anything. She swallowed hard at that thought.
She dared to glance at her sister. Jenny looked confused, but still not convinced.
Thankfully, Jason chose that moment to walk into the kitchen. “Hey, Jen. Did Brian tell you he’s stationed at Coronado?”
Jenny’s eyebrow cocked up high. “No. He did not.”
She narrowed her eyes at Alicia again, more skeptical than ever.
Damn, Jason, for bringing that up.
He’d served a few years in the Navy himself. She had a vivid memory of declaring she would never date a sailor when Jenny had started dating Jason.
That comment was coming back to bite her in the butt now.
Jenny had doubted the validity of her relationship with Brian before. She was never going to be convinced now that she knew he was in the Navy.
Brian laughed behind her. The sound rumbled through his body and into hers. “Yeah. My being in the Navy was quite a strike against me. It took a lot of convincing to get this little lady here to give this old sailor a chance.”
Oh, he was good.
She might need to write a paper on psychological training techniques in the SEALs, because Brian knew all the tricks. How to read people and situations. What to say to persuade and sell a lie.
Some of it might be innate talent, but she wouldn’t doubt he’d been well trained as well.
He tightened his arm around her and leaned low, pressing his mouth against her ear.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” he asked, low and sexy and only for her.
“What? Me? Oh, I’m just wondering when the rest of the guests are going to arrive.” She answered in a normal voice to reduce the intimacy of this conversation.
Part of what she’d said was true. The thought had crossed her mind that this big important party, with a bar set up in the living room and food warming on every burner and in the oven, was a bit sparce on guests.
So far, there was only her and Brian. Why that might be, hit her.
Alicia glared at Jenny. “Did you tell me the wrong time to get me here early for some reason?” Such as to throw her together with another loser blind date.
The shadow of guilt that darkened Jenny’s expression, combined with the sound of the doorbell confirmed Alicia’s suspicion.
“There are more guests now,” Jason said. “I’ll get it.”
He headed out of the kitchen and Jenny nearly ran into the back of him. “No, I’ll get it.”
As Jenny scurried from the room, Alicia turned to face Brian. They seemed to be even closer now that she was facing him.
“What’s that about?” he asked, tipping his chin toward the doorway.
“You want to bet that’s some guy she was going to try to fix me up with?”
He shook his head. “No bet, because you’re probably right.”
Alicia glanced at the door and then hissed low, “She accused me of hiring you off a website to pretend to be my boyfriend.”
Brian frowned. “Why would she think that? I thought we did a pretty convincing job.”
“Apparently, she thought you’re too perfect to be with me.” She scowled.
“Too perfect, huh?” He grinned wide, making her scowl deepen.
“Great. Just what you needed. An ego boost.”
His smile didn’t fade as he said, “In light of this development, are you still set against any form of PDA?”
His hands remained where they’d landed when she’d turned—resting on her hips lightly, keeping her pinned between his body and the counter—proof that he hadn’t been following the no PDA rule anyway.
Her hands remained safely braced on the countertop behind her.
She cleared her throat as her heart pounded from the contact.
Jeez. The way she was reacting to the tiniest of touches, it was like she was in some regency romance. Ready to swoon from the brush of a hand. Heart pounding from the heat of his body close to hers.
It was no big deal, she remi
nded herself. Nothing sexual. Just for show.
Even so, she wasn’t ready to abandon all of their rules quite yet. “I think we should play it by ear.”
He nodded and leaned low before saying, “Sounds good.”
The heat of his words brushed across the whorls of her ear before he straightened again.
She raised her gaze to him, hard to do given how closely they stood, and how he towered above her.
“What was that about?” she asked, her whisper sounding huskier than usual.
“Look,” he said low, before pivoting his head to glance at the doorway.
She did the same and saw her sister, her brother-in-law and a strange and no-doubt single man, all clustered at the entrance to the kitchen. All watching her with varied expressions.
Alicia ignored Jason’s amusement and the stranger’s frown and zeroed in on Jenny’s pursed lips and narrowed gaze.
Time to up the game. She wrapped her arms around Brian’s hips and slid her fingertips into the back pockets of his jeans, so she was essentially grabbing his ass.
His brows quirked up and, following her lead, he tightened his arms around her, hauling her even closer against him.
They were pressed together from torso to thigh, so opposite of how she’d planned this pretend relationship to materialize before her relations.
But what shocked her most of all, was the fluttering low in her belly.
“Colin, let’s get you a drink. The bar’s in the living room.” As her sister steered the group away from the kitchen, Alicia realized she was alone again with Brian, but neither one of them moved apart.
They remained close, in the intimate position that was just for show. For her sister and this Colin guy. Even though they were no longer in the room.
“What a great Valentine’s Day party.” Brian grinned, his gaze never wavering from hers.
“Mmm-hmm,” she said, even though in reality she was desperate to leave.
But she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go to get away from her meddling sister, or so she could be alone with Brian.
That was definitely a problem.
Damn. If only she could have sex with him and then walk away, like men did.
Men were very good at walking away. She had first-hand experience with that.
Too bad she couldn’t do same thing.
Could she? Nah . . . She couldn’t. She shouldn’t.
But what if she could?
She felt Brian’s body against her. Hard. Warm.
It would certainly be nice. Just for one night.
“I guess we should head to the living room. Huh?” Brian asked, interrupting her imaginings and internal debate.
“Do you really want to?” she asked, picturing her sister’s suspicious glare.
He chuckled. “Come on. Time to rub our love in their faces.”
“Love?” She lifted her brows. “That’s pushing it.”
“Eh, we’ll play that by ear too.” Grinning, Brian laced his fingers with hers and pulled her toward the doorway. And with that they were holding hands.
Apparently, with Brian, rules were made to be broken.
SIX
Alicia blew out a mumbled string of obscenities worthy of any Brian had ever heard muttered by a brown shirt on the obstacle course during BUD/S.
He’d be lying if he didn’t say he liked a bit of a dirty mouth on a woman. Especially when she cussed as creatively as Alicia just had.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“Yes,” she hissed as she turned to face him. “Look who just walked in the door.”
Brian raised his gaze, easily looking over Alicia’s head, and the heads of most of the party goers, to see the front door.
Standing there was none other than the dick who couldn’t take no for an answer at McP’s. “Him too? Your sister was really trying to stack the deck tonight with guys for you to choose from, huh?”
“He works with Jason. Maybe he invited him. Is this going to be a problem?” she asked.
“Him? And me?” he asked.
“Mm, hmm.” She nodded.
“No. In fact, I should thank him. It’s because of him that I met you.” Brian reconsidered what he’d originally said as a joke. “You know what? I think I’ll do just that.”
“Wait, what?”
“I’m going to thank him. What was his name? Do you remember?”
“Andrew. But I don’t think that’s a good idea—”
“I do.” Brian gripped Alicia by the shoulders and moved her out of his way.
“But he’s talking to my sister and Jason.”
“Exactly.” Brian couldn’t help his grin.
They’d been there for about an hour now and besides the fun of seeing the shock on her sister’s face when they’d first revealed the relationship, the night had been pretty boring.
His idea was perfect. His being here with Alicia because of that day at McP’s would piss off the dickhead and go a long way to convince her family they were really a couple. And it would liven things up a bit at this shindig.
He might be an actual genius for coming up with this plan.
“I’m really not sure about this—” Alicia skittered behind him.
He paused in his beeline for the doorway and glanced down. Seeing the concern on her face, he said, “I can take him with no problem. If that’s what you’re worried about.”
Her eyes grew comically wide. “You can’t have a fist fight at my sister’s Valentine’s Day party.”
He grinned. “Don’t worry. I was only joking.”
Not really, but . . .
He finally reached the entrance, Alicia right behind him.
The group still stood just inside as Andrew removed his coat.
Brian’s training kicked in as he thought now would be the perfect time to knock the guy out. While his hands were both pinned by the jacket that was half on and half off his arms.
But he wasn’t here for a brawl. He was here to humiliate the jerk. “Hey. Andrew, right?”
“Yeah.” Andrew frowned.
“You don’t remember me? We met a McP’s a few days ago. When you were talking to Alicia.” Brian saw the flicker of recognition in Andrew’s eyes as he continued, “Anyway, I just wanted to say hello. And to say thanks.”
“Thanks?” Andrew parroted.
“Yeah. If I didn’t walk over to join your conversation that day, she and I wouldn’t be dating now. So thank you.”
Alicia had both hands wrapped around his forearm. Whether that was her attempt to stop him from throwing a punch or remind him she was there and didn’t approve, he didn’t know.
But as long as she was there, he might as well take advantage of it. He disengaged his arm from her grasp and wrapped it around her, hauling her up close against his body.
Andrew’s gaze followed the action, before moving back to Brian’s face, which was sporting a wide grin.
The man turned to Jason. “You got any whisky?”
“Yeah. This way.” With a glance back at Alicia and Brian, Jason escorted Andrew to the living room.
But Jenny wasn’t so easily disposed of. She folded her arms and stood her ground in front of the exit. “What’s going on?”
Alicia opened her mouth but no sound came out. That left it up to Brian to step in and explain. Probably for the best. He wasn’t sure Alicia was up for the lie. Or even the truth that led to the lie.
“Let’s just say Andrew was coming on a little strong that night at the bar,” he began. “Enough that I felt it necessary to step in.”
Brian had seen the idiot enter McP’s. Seen him ogle the waitress—more than once. And he saw Andrew invading Alicia’s personal space when she clearly didn’t want him to.
Since his team had already left, he’d only still been there to finish up his beer, hit the head and then leave. But after seeing the encounter, he’d decided to hang around and make sure things didn’t go south.
“And that’s how you two met?” Jenny asked.
“Yup. That’s how we met.” He nodded.
He spun Alicia to face him, planted his hands low on her ass and held her close. Jenny couldn’t see her face but he sure did. Her eyes were wide, filled with a mixture of panic and shock, with a bit of censure thrown in.
It only made him grin wider. This woman was too much fun to rattle. He liked it. In fact, he liked her. A lot.
Liked how she spoke like a professor most times, but could also deliver a string of obscenities worthy of a sailor. Liked how she seemed like a control freak, but how her sister could completely throw her off balance.
She was full of contradictions. Were there more he hadn’t uncovered yet? He’d wager there were and he wouldn’t mind digging to find them.
Although to do that, he’d have to stick around a while longer. Longer than this party. Longer than he usually did with the women he dated.
But this wasn’t a real date. So he could stick around.
Maybe that was the difference in his feelings. No pressure. No expectations. Just fun.
He’d like to have even more fun with the lovely Alicia. Starting now.
He raised one hand to cup her face, brushing a thumb over the soft warm skin of her cheek. “Things have sure progressed quickly since then. Haven’t they, baby?”
Not waiting for an answer, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Quick. Light. Nothing hot and heavy but it was enough to have Jenny and Alicia both sucking in a sharp breath.
One kiss. A reaction from two sisters. He was good.
Pulling back, he smiled and focused on Alicia and the new combination of emotions passing over her features.
Yup. Fun.
A whole lotta fun.
He might pay for it later. No doubt he was in for a lecture on the drive home. Maybe even a rant. But for now, he was enjoying the hell out of it.
SEVEN
“Text me when you get home so I know you arrived safely,” Jenny said as she hugged Alicia and then Brian too.
In fact, Jenny might have held on to Brian a bit too long during that hug. Which was an interesting turn of events.
“We will.” Brian smiled, as if insinuating they’d be going home together.
