Pretend for Me

by Sam Crescent

  “You know she’s made of money?” Dylan asked. “She doesn’t need to lift a finger to make her way in the world.”

  “She writes books. They are her passion.” Andy argued for her. He’d not read a word of what she wrote, but he’d bet his last cent she was good.

  “That’s a hobby.”

  Andy knew if she ended up with Dylan he’d end her hobby. He had seen the smile on her face when she completed another manuscript. They celebrated together when she got another contract.

  “It’s more than a hobby, and only a fool would call it that.”

  “He’s not after her money,” Jake said, voicing his opinion for the first time.

  He turned to the brother, confused.

  “I ran a background check on him the moment Sara mentioned him. He’s good, hard working, and pays his loans back on time.”

  This was news to Andy. The brother had run a background check on him?

  “You have a loan?” Martin asked.

  Without Sara around he felt the judgment coming off the men in waves.

  “In order to live your dream you have to take a few risks. Your daughter told me that.”

  Up until this point he’d never realized how much of an impact Sara had had on his life. From the beginning she had been pushing for him to live his dream. He glanced in the direction of where she’d gone wondering when she would be back. Andy missed her heat. He liked the fact he had an excuse to touch her at every opportune moment.

  “If you know so much about my daughter why are you only being announced now?” Martin asked.

  Andy licked his lips. Sara had warned him they’d corner him, and he needed to be ready with answers. Nothing could have prepared him for the possessive presence of her family. All of them were out looking to support her best interests.

  “Until now, your daughter and I have been the best of friends. We live in the same apartment building with one floor separating us. We talk about everything, and I don’t think either of us wanted to lose what we had. Our friendship is precious to us. I hadn’t even introduced her to my friends because of them trying it on with her.” He thought about Wade, Lenny, Travis, and Austin. They were his closest friends, but he’d wanted to keep Sara to himself a little while longer.

  “Sometimes, we don’t know what we’ve got until it’s right in front of us and we’re about to lose it. Sara has been right in front of me for the past five years. When I saw the way she looked at that singer I knew I didn’t want to lose my shot with her. She’s special, and she brings out the sunshine on a rainy day. I waited, and now she’s mine, Mr. Carroll. I’ll make your daughter happy.”

  Martin looked at him like he was some kind of bug. Sara hadn’t been kidding when she said they were protective of her.

  “We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, Dad,” Danny said.

  He turned to look at the oldest brother. Danny stared at him in the same way.

  “Go and get your cases,” Martin ordered him before turning back to his paper.

  Andy left the room to fetch the cases from the back of the car. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Dylan following him. The last thing he needed was an ex on his case.

  “What’s the problem?” Andy asked. He kept walking. The less contact he had with this man the better.

  “I’m here to help you with your bags.” Dylan stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. Andy stared at the hand then at Dylan. “I’m sorry for being an asshole. I’m not used to Sara bringing back dates when she visits.”

  The arrogant asshole thought she was pining after him.

  Andy didn’t speak a word.

  “Truce?” Dylan offered his hand in surrender.

  Andy stared at the hand, seeing through the offer the other man was giving him. “I don’t buy it.” He folded his arms over his chest and glared at the other man. “I saw the way you looked at her. You’re not bowing out gently.”

  Dylan smiled, and the challenge in his eyes was back. “I thought you’d be easy to push away. Most of the men I’ve seen her with can handle a few cash settlements if you know what I mean.”

  Andy despised him even more. Dylan was a manipulative bastard who used everything in his power to get what he wanted. No wonder Sara had run as far from him as possible.

  Taking the step that separated them Andy got into his personal space. “I’m not any other guy, Dylan. I don’t need or want your money.”

  “You’re never going to get in with her family. There is no way you could provide the kind of care they want for her. I can. They know I don’t want her for her money. I’m on her level, her status, and you’re not.” Dylan glared at him. The hatred was evident in his facial expression and tone of voice.

  “I make her happy, and that’s all that matters. I can’t say the same for you. Also, she knows I keep my dick in my pants. From what I hear, you can’t do the same.”

  The other man went red in the face.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to get mine and Sara’s suitcases to the house.” He brushed past Dylan and grabbed the cases out of the car, taking extra care with her laptop. Her work meant everything to her.

  Andy was carrying the bags from the car when Sara walked out of the door. She ran down the steps to help.

  “You should have called me to help you.” She made to take one of the bags from him.

  “I’ve got them.” He felt eyes on him and knew her family, along with her ex, was watching them. “Kiss me,” he said.

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  “Kiss me. They’re watching, Sara. They’re not buying our relationship.”

  She took a step closer and kissed his cheek.

  He rolled his eyes at the innocent kiss. “You’re a romance writer. You have to do better than that. Make it believable.”

  “I don’t know what to do,” she said. Glancing down into her eyes he saw the panic in them. Putting the bags on the floor and making sure her laptop wouldn’t be damaged, he cupped her cheek and took possession of her mouth. For many months Andy had been fantasizing about her lips. The feel of her plump lips yielding to him was much better than anything he’d ever imagined.

  This was their first real kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled her close to him with an arm around her waist. She melded against him like she was destined to be there. Andy ran his tongue along her bottom lip seeking entry into her mouth. She opened to him. He pushed inside, and the kiss deepened. Never had he been so turned on by a kiss. Her feminine scent invaded every one of his senses. Her taste exploded on his tongue. The feel of her soft curves against his body almost undid him on the spot. She was real and no longer a part of his fantasies.

  The rest of the world fell away. They were no longer friends pretending to be lovers. To him, they felt like lovers.

  “Get a room.” Dylan mumbled the words on the way past.

  Andy broke from the kiss and stared down at the woman in his arms. Her lips were red and swollen while her eyes drooped.

  “That was what I meant by a kiss,” Andy said.

  ****

  Sara couldn’t think. Who had the ability to think after they’d just had their mouths thoroughly kissed? Words failed her for the first time. No words were good enough to describe the way she felt. Her heart pounded inside her chest. The heat of her body threatened to set her on fire. The sun beating down on them didn’t hold anything compared to the heat simmering between them.

  “I think I need more practice.”

  Andy chuckled. The backs of his finger stroked her cheek. Biting her lip she stared up into his eyes. What was he thinking?

  “I’m more than willing to give you more practice.”

  What did his words mean?

  Before she got chance to ask the sound of her father clearing his throat interrupted them. “If you’re quite finished making a spectacle of yourself on my front lawn, your room is ready for you.”

  She felt her cheeks blaze with embarrassment. Her whole family
had been watching them make out.

  “He’s gone,” Andy said, stroking her cheek.

  “Thank God. I don’t think I can face him.”

  “You were kissed by your boyfriend, Sara. Don’t panic about it.”

  “How did you handle the interrogation?” she asked, taking the bag that held her laptop.

  He shrugged. “They think I’m after your money.”

  She cursed. “I’m so sorry.” Sara saw Dylan watching them from the doorway.

  “Don’t be. They have no idea that I only found out about the money today.”

  “None of the money is mine. I just happened to be born with it. I find it more of a burden than a relief. All my brothers think the men in my life want me for my money—”

  “What about Dylan? They don’t appear to have an issue with him.” He interrupted her. She glanced behind her to see her ex still standing in the doorway.

  Closing her eyes in annoyance she turned back to Andy before opening them again. “He’s got money.” She fiddled with her hands.

  “He’s loaded like you and your family, right?”

  “It doesn’t mean anything.”

  Andy cupped her cheek and tilted her head back. “I don’t care about the money. I never have and never will. I’m happy with what I’ve got, and I don’t need more to make me happy.”

  “I know.” His touch meant everything to her. The way his finger stroked her skin where he touched made it hard for her to breathe around the excitement.

  “He wants you back.”

  She shook her head in denial.

  “No, listen to me. He wants you back. He’s already tried to bribe me and has mentioned bribing your other men to get what he wants. I need to make sure you don’t want anything to do with him.”

  “I don’t.” Her anger grew at the audacity of her ex. How dare he try to manipulate Andy?

  “Good.”

  They began moving toward the door. “And, Sara.” She stopped to look at him. “That kiss wasn’t for their benefit.”

  He moved past her through the door leaving her shocked. The kiss had been fantastic. The best kiss of her life. She needed to make notes on how it felt to finally have him kiss her. Running up to the house she led the way to her bedroom on the third floor.

  “Where will I be sleeping?” he asked.

  “Mom hasn’t told me where you’ll be sleeping, so I figure you get to stay with me,” she said. She dropped her bag filled with her work on the bed and rummaged around for her tatty notebook.

  “Actually, Mr. Green, your room is right across the hall there. I won’t have any funny business going on in my house,” Harmony said.

  Sara rolled her eyes and glared at her mother. “Mom, seriously? I’m not a teenager anymore. You’ve got to stop.”

  “I don’t care, Sara. This is my house.”

  “Certainly, Mrs. Carroll. Please, call me Andy.” He left Sara’s bags on the floor then went to his own room.

  “You’re being mean on purpose.” Sara opened her notebook. Grabbing the first pen she found, she started writing notes.

  “No, your father wouldn’t like that going on with his daughter.”

  “But he’ll allow his sons? I can’t believe you’re forcing him into a different room. I bet Bethany and Danny are sharing a room.”

  Her mother sat next to her on the bed. “They’re going to get married, Sara. They can share a room. I don’t see an engagement ring on your finger.”

  Huffing, she finished writing down her notes on the feel of Andy’s tongue plunging into her mouth and how it felt to be possessed by him. He’d surpassed all of her expectations in that department.

  “Are you writing another book?” Harmony asked.

  “The writing never stops.” Sara closed her book then placed it back in her bag.

  Her mother reached out and stroked her hair. “You may not know it, but we’re so proud of you.”

  “I know Dad doesn’t want me writing.”

  “So? Your father didn’t want me to call Danny by his name. He wanted me to call him Daniel. Sometimes, people, including parents, need to learn they don’t always get what they want.” Harmony grabbed the brush from the side of the bed.

  “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore.”

  “Sara, you’re never too young to have your hair brushed. You’re my youngest daughter, and you’ll settle your mother’s nerves before we go downstairs.” Harmony stood behind her and began brushing the length of her hair.

  She saw her bedroom door was closed.

  “I see the writing makes you happy.”

  “It does. I know you hate to hear it, but moving away was the best decision I ever made. I’m happy, and being with Andy makes me happy.”

  Silence met her answer.

  “I want to know the truth about this boy, Sara.”

  “Mom, he’s not a boy.” She let out a sigh. “What truth are you hoping to find, and why are you constantly saying my name?” she asked. Her lips still tingled from his kiss.

  “Is it real, or are you just making an excuse not to be partnered up with Dylan?”

  Sara let out a sigh. Their relationship was pretend even though she wished Andy was really hers.

  “I like him, Mom. He’s been very good to me, and what’s between us is real.”

  Harmony grabbed her shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze. “That’s all I need to hear. You’re the baby of the family, Sara. I know you hate it, but it’s the truth. Your brothers, sister, and your father and I, are going to make sure you’re protected. Don’t be late for dinner.”

  “Mom,” Sara said before her mother left.

  “What, honey?”

  “Don’t push him away. He means a lot to me. Please, talk to Dad. I don’t want to lose him.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Her mother kissed her head before disappearing out of her room. The door to her room was left open. Running her fingers through her hair, she tried her hardest to gather her thoughts. Being the youngest in the family was a burden.

  Andy stood in the doorway with his arms folded.

  “I thought you’d have gone downstairs,” she said, picking up her case and putting it on her desk. Sara pulled out her laptop getting everything set up.

  “You looked like you needed to talk.” He walked in closing the door behind him. She sighed and sat on the end of her bed.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Being here doesn’t feel right. My family is so protective of me. I shouldn’t have included you in this. It was a favor I should have never asked for.” She leaned against his shoulder feeling the weight of the world on hers.

  Andy held her close as she let the consequences of what she’d done unfold in her mind.

  “We’re good friends. You’re family are protective of you, and I can see why. You trust easily, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now than with you.”

  She ran a hand over her face wishing she could voice her feelings properly. Being a romance writer didn’t make her perfect with her words.

  The sound of laughter from downstairs put a stop to anything she would have said.

  Chapter Eight

  Andy followed her downstairs. The morning had passed without any more exciting events. There was a barbeque scheduled for the afternoon, and it looked like the women were going to be trekking into town for some dress fitting. For the first time in his life Andy wanted to join the women shopping. He hated shopping and only went with Sara when he had to.

  He stood in the doorway watching as Sara was being escorted farther and farther away from him. She looked at him with the apology in her eyes that she couldn’t voice with her lips. Shaking his head, he made to follow her only to be stopped by Danny.

  “You’re not joining the women, are you? We’re going to have a beer and get the grill set up.” Danny’s hand rested on his shoulder.

  “I’m sure the two lovebirds can be prized apart,” Martin said.

  Sara ran up the
steps and threw her arms around him. He held her close not wanting her to let go. She kissed his lips. The kiss threw him completely off guard. “I’ll be back soon,” she said, breaking away from his lips. “Ignore them, no matter what they say.”

  He watched her climb into the back of the car and pull out of the driveway.

  “They’ll be gone for a good few hours. It gives us men time to catch up and do what needs to be done,” Jake said.

  Following behind the men, Andy couldn’t help but feel out of place. Sara was nothing like her family. Would he feel this way if he didn’t have feelings for Sara?

  Martin stood at the barbeque while Danny and James were handling the table with the food. He stood by Martin and handed him the coals.

  “So, Andy, tell us about your folks,” Martin said.

  “There’s not much to tell.”

  “Everyone has stories to tell, son.”

  Licking his lips he saw all of the men working but knew they were probably listening to the conversation. “My parents are dead. They had me later on in life.”

  “Sorry to hear that. They were good though? Married?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, they were married straight out of high-school. My father said he couldn’t bear the thought of my mother loving another man. He did the only thing he could do and that was to put a ring on her finger.” Andy smiled remembering the loving warmth of his family.

  “I know that feeling all too well.” Martin tapped him on the shoulder. “Go and get us the meat out of the fridge.”

  He left the men to grab the raw meat. A piece of paper caught his eye on the counter.

  When Sara had said they were overprotective she hadn’t been kidding. There on the kitchen counter was a check made out to him for an exorbitant amount of money. He didn’t even bother picking the piece of paper up. Did Sara have any idea what her family put the men through?

  They were so going to have a laugh over this in the next few months.

  Carrying the meat out, he placed it in the cool box away from the sunlight.

  He saw Danny go back inside. Through the window he watched as the older brother picked up the check.