She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t a come on and I’m not looking for…” She swallowed. She felt too silly to even say it aloud.
“You’re not waiting for Prince Charming to come along?”
She scoffed. She might have been a romantic, but she wasn’t a child anymore. She knew better. “I only meant that I need a literal Prince Charming.”
At his look of confusion she drew in a deep breath to explain. “Remember Lily from the hospital?”
“Of course.”
“She’s obsessed with Cinderella and fairy tales and all that stuff,” she said. “We found out that she’ll still be in the hospital for her birthday so I offered to dress up.”
Was her face on fire? It felt like it was on fire. Not because she was a grown woman planning on dressing up as a princess for a birthday party—she’d do that and so much more to make Lily’s birthday something special. No, it was the way he was staring at her that had her feeling unbearably warm.
“That’s really nice of you,” he said.
She swallowed and looked away. It wasn’t nice, it was paying it forward. She was just giving back to others the way so many had done for her. But she so didn’t feel like talking about her childhood spent in hospitals…not now on this magical night. “The thing is, I thought it would be nice if I could find someone else to play Prince Charming.”
“Ah,” he said softly.
“Yes.” Her voice sounded oddly prim. “So, you see. That wasn’t flirtation, just…”
“Extortion,” he finished.
She laughed at his bland tone. “I wouldn’t call it that.”
“What would you call it when a beautiful woman asks a man to be her Prince Charming?” He shook his head. “It’s not like there’s any way I could say no.”
She stared at him, temporarily unable to respond because her mind had fixed on one word and wouldn’t let go.
Beautiful. He’d said she was beautiful.
She jerked her stunned mind back to reality. He was still watching her with that teasing smile. Two could play that game. She really had grown inexplicably fond of their teasing. “I didn’t actually ask you,” she pointed out.
“It was implied.” He shrugged. “You need a hero…” He donned that unbearably cocky tone. “Who else would you ask?”
She couldn’t stop a smile. “I don’t know,” she said with feigned thoughtfulness. “Your friend Trent seems to fit the part pretty well.”
He growled.
Again.
She bit her lip to hold back a laugh because it was the second time tonight that he’d made that sound—a sound that was so possessive, so manly, so…hot.
She was pretty sure that sound was the sexiest noise she’d ever heard. It said he was jealous, a fact she wasn’t quite sure she could believe. She wasn’t sure she should believe it, because she was afraid of getting her hopes up.
Hopes often led to disappointment, especially when it came to infatuations.
But this guy wasn’t just an infatuation…not anymore. He honestly was becoming her friend. And maybe…just maybe…something more.
“Don’t be fooled by his pretty looks,” Colton said, nodding in the general direction of Trent and his nieces. “He’s not as charming as he seems.”
She arched a brow in disbelief.
“Okay, fine,” he said, his tone grudging. “So maybe he’s charming. But he’s not perfect.”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Nobody’s perfect.”
His gaze met hers and those blue eyes were filled with unexpected heat. “Maybe not, but some people come pretty darn close to perfection.”
His voice was soft and she had to fight to breathe normally again. All the oxygen seemed to have been sucked out of the air. His look was so intense, so intimate. Like he was telling her she was close to perfect…which was just crazy.
She wasn’t even close.
Suddenly it seemed imperative that she lighten the tone again. She pursed her lips, pretending to be deep in thought. “Do you know what I think?”
He arched his brows in question.
“I think you just want to wear the prince costume yourself.” She waved a hand toward his broad chest and muscly biceps. “I think you’re secretly excited at the idea of wearing a frilly shirt and sword. And a crown?” She gave him a haughty look. “Who wouldn’t want to wear a crown?”
He grinned and then leaned over slightly, lowering his voice. “Do you know what I think?”
She bit back another dopey smile at the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “What?”
He straightened. “I think you need a stuffed animal.”
She blinked once. Twice. “Excuse me?”
His smirk made her heart lurch. “You heard me.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the games. The crowd around them parted, shooting curious looks in their direction, but everyone seemed to be wearing a smile, and Addison felt like she must be walking on air.
This was a dream. The hottest guy in town had his arm around her and he led her around like he was proud to have her at his side. Yup, she had to have been dreaming.
He stopped in front of a ball toss game. “Ladies first,” he said.
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not much of a pitcher.”
“Maybe you just need a lesson.” Something wicked sparked in his eyes as he shifted so he was behind her, his warm, firm upper body wrapped around hers as he picked up the ball and positioned her fingers around it to his liking. “Pull your arm back like this…”
How was she supposed to breathe when he was surrounding her like this? She couldn’t. She gave up. Instead she focused on memorizing the feel of him—the feel of his calloused hand enveloping hers, the feel of his chest pressed to her back, the way the stubble on his chin caught and tugged the hair at her temple.
She didn’t even notice that she’d knocked over the bottles until the kid behind the counter shouted out his congratulations.
“You did it,” Colton said when she half turned to face him.
She laughed, lighter and happier than she could ever remember feeling. “I think maybe you did it.”
“Eh,” he gave a falsely modest shrug. “I just helped.” He cracked his knuckles and then gestured to the kid to hand him some more balls. “Now, prepare to watch the master in action.”
* * *
Two hours and five stuffed animals later, Addison found herself stifling a yawn as they headed back to his car.
“Did I keep you out too late?” he asked.
“Sorry,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t get out much. I guess I’m not used to it.”
“A homebody, huh?”
“Whatever gave you that idea?” she said. “I’m actually quite the party animal.”
“Oh yeah, I can totally see that,” he teased. “Volunteer and computer nerd by day, wild and crazy party animal by night.”
“Hey.” She stopped beside his car and planted her hands on her hips in mock outrage. The stuffed monkey dangling from one hand didn’t help sell her anger. “I resent that.”
“Which part?” He came to a stop so close to her she could smell his after shave.
Yummy.
She shook off the thought, focusing on this latest round of good-natured bickering instead. She’d never been teased like this before, and definitely not by an attractive, single guy. She was surprised by how much she liked it. “I resent that you called me a computer nerd.”
“Every time I’ve seen you at that coffee shop, your nose is buried in your laptop,” he said.
“Because I work for a living,” she said.
“So do I, but you don’t see me tied to a computer all day.” He was using that faux cocky tone again—the tone that was so over the top, it was impossible to take him seriously.
“Well, not all of us can have the exciting profession that you do.”
He snorted. “Exciting, huh? Maybe being in law enforcement is exciting where you’re from. Here in Cyrano?
Not so much.”
“Do you like it? Being a deputy, I mean?” She ducked her head. “Sorry, maybe that’s a dumb question. I mean, of course you like it—”
“It’s not dumb,” he interrupted. “Actually, no one has ever asked me that before.” He thrust his hands in his pockets as he met her gaze. “There are some things I love about it. I love keeping people safe. I like utilizing the skills I learned in the military…”
“But?” she prompted.
His grin was sudden and wicked. “But playing by the rules has never really been my strong suit. I hate answering to others and dealing with all the red tape that comes with my job.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I can see that. Have you ever thought about starting up your own business?”
His brows hitched up slightly and he opened his mouth, but then he seemed to change his mind about what he was going to say. “I’m not sure I have what it takes to strike out on my own. But what about you?”
“What about me?”
“You said you’re starting up your own company, right? How’s that working out for you?”
“It’s…good,” she said. When he arched his brows, prompting her for more, she let out a little sigh. “And terrifying.”
He laughed and reached past her to open her car door. “Terrifying, huh?”
She nodded as she slid into the seat. “I love being my own boss, but knowing that if I succeed or fail…it all falls on me. That’s a lot of pressure.”
He shut the door and came around to the driver’s side before continuing. “Do you have a backup plan? I mean, could you go back to your old job if—”
“No.” She clamped her mouth shut. That came out too harshly. “I mean, I don’t want to. See…” She stopped to think over what she was going to say so she didn’t say too much. “At my old job I was working for my father.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. “And that was a bad thing?”
“Not bad, but not…good for me.” She turned to face him. For some reason it seemed important that he understand. “My father tends to be pretty controlling, and sometimes it’s easier for me to just…let him take control. But I don’t want that anymore. I want to make my own decisions. Even if I fail…I want to fail on my terms.” She bit her lip. “Does that make sense?”
His eyes were impossible to read in the shadows of the car, but he nodded. “That makes perfect sense.”
She let out a long exhale. He understood.
Guilt nagged at her. Maybe now was the time for her to say something about who she really was. She swatted the thought away like a fly. What did it matter? She wanted people to know her for who she was…and that was exactly what she was doing. It wasn’t a lie, really, just an omission. Her father’s wealth and fame didn’t have any real impact, especially not now when she’d committed to paving her own way.
He started the car and they began the drive back into town in silence. Exhaustion settled over her as the hum of the engine lulled her into a relaxed, sleepy state. Memories from this evening played in her mind and she tried to cling to each and every one. If she could, she would lock up every smile, every laugh, every joke, every conversation so she could remember it until the end of time.
“Thank you,” she said, breaking the silence as they reached her street.
“For what?” he asked as he parked the car.
She shifted so she could face him. “For taking me tonight. I really appreciate it.”
“It was my pleasure.” His eyes did that squinty thing she loved so much, and the air in the car seemed to disappear in a heartbeat. Her breathing grew shallow as she fumbled for the door handle.
“Allow me.” He got out and came around to her side, opening the door for her and holding out a hand to help her out.
“I met so many people tonight,” she said. “I never would have done that if you hadn’t—”
“Pushed you?” he finished with a teasing grin. “Coerced you?”
“Convinced me,” she said. “I’m really grateful.”
He shook his head. “You make it sound like taking you out to the fair was a hardship.” He dipped his head a bit as he drew closer. “I’ll have you know, I had just as much fun as you did tonight. Maybe even more.”
She pursed her lips as she pretended to ponder that. “Highly doubtful.”
He laughed. “You really had that good a time? I was worried you might be overwhelmed by the crowds. Everyone wanted to meet the new beautiful lady in town.”
Her cheeks warmed with the praise. “Yeah, well…meeting new people isn’t really my strong suit so I’m glad I had you by my side.”
His lips twitched with mirth. “I think you’re not giving yourself enough credit. I saw you charming everyone with those big brown eyes and that sweet, genuine smile.”
Her blush was painful even as joy swept over her. How was it that he made her feel so beautiful? It was a gift, she decided. He had this way of giving compliments that made it seem so personal. Like he was the only one who really saw her.
It was heady. Even now her head was spinning from it, giddiness making it hard to concentrate. She tried for a teasing tone to ease her own awkwardness. “I know you’ll be shocked to hear this, but I’ve never been very popular.”
“You weren’t the homecoming queen?” he teased.
“Hardly,” she laughed. “Actually…” She pressed her lips together to keep from saying any more. One fun night together and suddenly she had the urge to open up to him in a way she’d only ever done with Vanessa. She shook her head. “Never mind.”
She turned to walk up the steps to the apartment building but stopped when his hand caught hers.
She froze, her breath catching in her throat as he squeezed her hand. “Stay with me,” he said. “Talk to me.”
She swallowed, turning slowly to face him. How could anyone resist that? His eyes were dark with emotion. Too many emotions to read. She thought he looked…desperate, almost. And hungry. Needy. And maybe just a little…confused.
Pretty much exactly how she felt. Whatever this was between them, it was growing and changing faster than she could keep up.
“What were you going to say?” he asked.
She tilted her head to the side, debating how much to tell him. Wanting him to know her, but not wanting to ruin this lovely anonymity—the one thing that made it safe to trust him.
Vanessa might have urged her to run away, and maybe for good reason. Colton clearly had a reputation as a player, and there was definitely an aspect of danger about him.
But she didn’t think he’d hurt her.
No…she knew he wouldn’t. Not intentionally, at least. He might have been egotistical and being around him felt like playing with fire…but only because she had no idea what would happen next.
He was unpredictable and unlike anyone she’d ever met. He made her feel unpredictable…and strong. Somehow he made her feel more confident, and she had no idea how or why. But he seemed to expect more from her than anyone else ever had, and she felt herself living up to those expectations around him.
He challenged her, and maybe that was exactly what she needed.
She bit her lip as she studied him, her heart racing with giddy excitement.
Maybe he was exactly what she wanted.
10
“Addison?” He wasn’t sure why he said her name. Mainly because he wanted to know that she was okay. Her eyes had grown distant for a moment there, and he had no idea where she’d gone. All he knew was…he wanted her to talk to him. It felt crucial that she open up to him. And that need? That desire to know everything about her?
It had nothing to do with his job.
Warning bells went off somewhere in the dark recesses of his mind, but when she took a step closer to him, her hand still trustingly tucked in his, it was all too easy to stop thinking about that. Her father, this assignment—it faded into nothingness as her sweet, floral scent wrapped around him and those endless dark eyes hypnotized him.
“Le
t me walk you inside,” he said.
Bad idea. This is a terrible idea.
The warning bells grew louder, but he couldn’t bring himself to heed the voice that told him he was making a mistake.
She nodded, leading the way up her steps, his hand still wrapped around hers.
“Do you want some tea?” she asked when they stepped inside.
“No. Thanks.” He shouldn’t be here at all, let alone making himself at home. “It’s late, I should let you get some rest.”
And yet he didn’t make a move toward the door.
She let out a loud exhale and words seemed to tumble out of her. “I never went to school. Not really. I mean, not as a kid…not full time.” Her sudden statement took him by surprise. He watched with wide eyes as she clasped her hands in front of her and bit her lip as if waiting for a reaction.
He wasn’t even sure what she meant. “Oh, okay.”
“I mean, I graduated high school and then I went to college, but I didn’t have the typical upbringing because…” She cleared her throat and he found himself tensing. He just knew that she didn’t tell many people whatever she was about to say to him.
“I was sick when I was a kid. I had leukemia and I…I…” She shook her head, closed her eyes tight and let out a short laugh. “And I have no idea why I’m telling you all of this.”
He crossed the few feet that separated them and drew her into his arms.
The crazy thing was…she let him. She rested her weight against him and laid her head against his chest, and he felt like…like…
He felt like a king. Like a conqueror or a Viking or a chest-pounding warrior who’d just slayed every dragon and saved the world.
Okay, maybe that was an overreaction, but that was how he felt.
Triumphant.
This woman—this kind, sweet, loving woman had trusted him. She’d opened up to him, of all people. Him.
Her voice was slightly muffled against his chest and he tightened his arms around her. “I was in and out of the hospital so much as a kid that I never really had a chance to make friends. When I did go to school, I made the other kids uncomfortable because I looked sick. I had no hair, and I was too skinny and…” She trailed off, and he wished he could hold her so tight that he could protect her from her memories. He wished he could go back in time and make her life easier as a kid.
Fake Dating the Unsuspecting Heiress Page 9
