"I did know you love hot chocolate with little marshmallows on my own. You told me that morning after my party."
"That disastrous party." My shoulders slump at the memory.
"Yeah, but I had a lot of fun with you.” He raises his hand and his fingers stroke my cheek. “You know, before Tim ruined it.” His thumb brushes along the corner of my mouth and my breath hitches by his sudden caress. “You have a little something…” He scoops the stickiness from my chin and with his eyes still locked on me, he licks the little bit of marshmallow off his thumb.
God, this man can make my panties melt.
I clear my throat, trying to regain my equilibrium from the desire knocking me off balance, and the fact that Leo is still staring at me doesn’t help matters. "So, um.” I bite on my finger and let my eyes drift away from Leo. “You going to tell me who your informant is?"
“I’ve been sworn to secrecy and sometimes secrets are okay. Especially ones with good intentions.”
“Will you ever tell me?”
Though I already have my guess. A certain pink-haired best friend.
“I will, I promise.” He winks. "I just want to impress you."
Impress me?
"You're doing a good job."
"Am I wooing you too?" He leans in, his marshmallow stick forgotten now at his feet.
"I'd say so," I whisper.
"Good, cause I want to make up for all the times my brother should've been sweeping you off your feet."
Time stands stills as the air whooshes from my lungs at the sweetest words that have ever been presented to me. I think I have already been swept off my feet and taken away.
"You don't have to do that."
"I know I don't have to do that, but he should have been spending his time with you, treating you like you deserve. Every time I saw you two together, he wasn't putting you first. Even though this is just ‘fake,’ I'm going to make it special for you because I want to. I told you this was meant to happen for a reason."
"Leo...I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything." He grabs my chin and presses his lips to mine. His tongue sweeps over my lips asking me to open. I willingly let him in and succumb to his sweet kiss.
The poker slips from my hand, and I tangle my fingers into his hair, my camping chair wiggles as he pulls me forward.
The fire crackles behind us, and I’m lost in the heat of passion suddenly burning between us.
I’m in fucking trouble.
If this is how the man fake kisses, with no feelings involved, then I want to try the real thing.
He pulls back, his hand lacing through my hair. "I don't think we’ll have any problems pulling off this fake dating…" he murmurs before kissing me again.
Chapter Seven
If I said I slept after last night, I'd be lying. My lips are still swollen from Leo's kisses and his sweet words floated in my head throughout the night, making sleep impossible.
When he told me that he basically wants to make up for his brother being a shit boyfriend, I think my heart soared away, and then when he kissed me, he left me in a permanent daze. I wish he had never broken away from me or had to drive me back to the hospital to go home because I didn’t want the night to end.
He posted another Instagram photo of us in front of the firepit. We do look good together as Christiana mockingly commented, but I'm still left wondering why he's putting all this effort into something that isn't real.
On my nightstand, my phone rings with Jolene's number. Crap, I haven't called her back about my plus one.
“Jo, hey girl," I answer cheerfully.
"Hey. I'm so glad I finally got a hold of you."
"I'm sorry I haven’t called you back. It's been crazy around here."
"I know the feeling. Oh my god, this wedding is going to make me freakin’ gray and give me stress wrinkles before I can walk down the aisle. Anyway, sorry, I feel my head is going to pop if Nate's mom suggests one more change. How is Val? How are you? I miss you and wish you both were here," she vents a mile a minute.
“Chick, slow down. She's doing good and sends her love. She's coming home tonight, and I'm good."
I’m relieved Grams is finally coming home. Leo even offered to help bring her home and get her settled.
“Oh, that’s so good. I can’t wait to see her and you.”
“Speaking of the wedding, about my plus one."
"Would it have anything to do with a certain Insta post with one Leo Price?"
"It might," I say casually.
“You need to spill. I live so far away now I don’t get to hear all the deets anymore. How did this all happen?"
“We ran into each other at the hospital and hit it off. And since we’re both going to the wedding, we figured we could go together. It's not a big deal."
“Shut the fucking front door. This is amazing." She squeals into the phone, and I pull it away from my ear.
"Did you just attempt to keep your mouth clean and fail?”
“Ugh. I’ve been trying not to curse as much because Nate’s little niece and nephews are always around now. It’s not working. But don’t change the subject. Back to Leo. How's it going? Is he as good of a kisser as he looks?"
"Jo!"
"What? It’s a serious question. Tim always looked like he was sloppy."
"He is a good kisser, but this is all so new." I bite my lip, feeling awful that I’m lying to my best friend. But Leo is right, it will look better if more people believe our relationship is real.
Though that kiss felt pretty damn real and so fucking good last night.
“Oh my god. This is so perfect! I had always thought you and Leo were a better match for each other. So did Nate.” My ears perk up, and all the little hairs on my arm stand on end at this new, interesting information.
Very interesting.
“Oh, he did, did he? This is the first I’m hearing about it.”
“Well, we kinda thought you and Leo meshed better. Maybe it’s because he likes Leo and you more than Tim, so we kind of hoped you two would get together, and we could stay a family. I mean, we know we’re family, but…” she rambles, and I laugh. I think this wedding has made her chattier and more excited than usual.
“I get it.” I cut her off. If I don’t, she’ll be going around forever.
“I only wish I could’ve kicked Tim off the list. I’m still floored he convinced Nate’s mom to let him bring that bitch,” she growls. “Tim is one thing, but seriously her. I was livid. Freakin’ family and wanting to keep peace and togetherness. It’s my day.”
“Breathe, babe. It’s not worth stressing about and maybe they’ll bring a really nice wedding gift to make up for it.” It’s the last thing she needs to worry about on her big day. She won’t even notice Tim or anyone else for that matter when she’s standing up at the altar with Nate, so she doesn’t need to pull her hair out about it now.
“It better be freakin’ good. Like hardcore cash.”
I laugh. “It’s going to be fine, Jo. I can put up with him. Plus, there will be so much fun going on I won’t be able to think about him.”
“Yeah, I guess you have Leo now to keep you busy.”
“I’m not going to hear the end of this when I arrive in Miami, am I?”
“Nope,” she says popping the ‘p.’ “I’m going to fill you full of Tequila and have you spilling your guts about all things you and Leo.”
“I look forward to it.”
Grams thin arms wrap around Leo’s shoulder as we walk up the ramp to the front of the house. The traffic from the country road whizzes by us and the normal buzzing from the light that says tarot readings is off. Leo is smiling down at her as she talks his ear off while I carry all her bags following in behind them.
Leo helps Grams to the couch and turns on the television to Dancing with the Stars. Her face lights up as tango music fills the room. It’s her favorite show right now because she's crushing on Val Chmerkovskiy.
Okay,
I really need to figure out who his informant is.
I offer to make her some tea and drag Leo with me to the kitchen to help me. As I fill the kettle with water, I clear my throat to get his attention
"What? Need help?” he asks, placing his hand on the small of my back as we step into the kitchen.
"No. I'm just wondering if you are you going to tell me who the leak is."
"The leak?" His lips tip in the corner, and he tries to control his laugh.
"Yeah. How else did you know to turn on DWTS for her?"
"Oh. I saw her watching it the other night." He points out to the living room and raises his shoulders.
I squint my eyes at him. "The other night?"
"I stopped by after my shift to check on her, and she was watching it. Started gushing about that dancer guy for twenty minutes. She went on about him more than the kids do the Paw Patrol." He takes the kettle from my hand and turns on the burner. "She didn't tell you I stopped by?"
Boom. There went my heart. The one that instead of being a daddy's girl, is a grandma's girl, through and through. It could just be the nurse in him but hot-motherfucking-damn if it doesn't make my heart explode that he cared enough to check on her.
I’m left now wondering, why are we faking this?
He really is the brightest star in the galaxy. Perfect in every way and I think it’s time we made this official by making our way to my bedroom, shedding our clothes, and—
Alright, slow down, Claire.
"No, she didn’t, and you didn't either. But that’s so kind of you."
"Don't think anything of it." He takes my hand and places it to his lips.
How can I not? He's wooing me in ways I've never been wooed before, just like he said he would.
He's so different and surprising, and I don’t know what to expect from him. One second I think we’re only friends, then in another, it feels like so much more. Then, I forget that he’s Tim’s stepbrother and that itself is scary because even if they’re not close, they’re family. That comes with a whole level of complications, but I need to say something because I can’t deny how I feel any longer.
Yes, I have to say something.
Stop wussing out when it comes to him, Claire.
My mouth opens, trying to find the right words, but nothing comes out.
"Which tea does your Grams like?" Leo asks holding up two boxes of two different brands of tea.
My mouth snaps closed and I realize this isn't the right time to have the conversation of: “What are we really doing?" with Grams two feet away swooning at the television.
"Oh, both, but let's do the decaf earl gray."
After the tea is brewed, Leo pulls me into his side as we watch celebrities dance around on the dance floor. Though I’m not paying much attention as I let my mind totally shut off and enjoy the feeling of Leo’s hand working up and down my arm. Tiny goosebumps are left in the wake of his touch.
"I have some bad news.” Grams’ voice booms over a Reese’s commercial and makes my head lift off Leo’s shoulder.
“Bad news? What are you talking about?” My face falls and my palms sweat. Whenever she starts off this way nothing ever good happens next.
“I meant to tell you when we got home, but I got distracted by the sequins and handsome men," she says slyly and eyes the television.
“Grams? What?”
“Oh, get that look off your face.” She waves her hand and my shoulders fall. "It's not bad, it’s just I won't be able to leave for Jolene's wedding with you on the twenty-first.”
"Why? The doctor cleared you as long as you promise to take it easy. Which you will," I say sternly.
"I just have an appointment on the twenty-second that I need to be at."
"What appointment?"
"For a checkup." She shrugs, and her eyes drift back to the television. Something is off.
“A checkup? At two weeks?” I’m baffled.
“I don't make the rules. They told me the date to come, and I listen.”
I glance over at Leo, who lifts his shoulders, I’m sure having no clue what to say. I have no idea what to say either. "Do you need me to stay to take you?"
"No. I’ll be fine. Plus, you don't need me down there that early anyway. You have Christiana and Leo, who will be a lot more fun," she says, eyeing Leo and he throws his arm back over my shoulder, tugging me back to him. “I’ve called Allison about my change of plans and made sure we'll be on the same flight."
My eyes narrow into little slits. "You've already set this up with Allison before telling me?" I feel I don't even know who she is anymore.
“I did. I remembered you told me the other day Ali was coming in late, so I handled it, so you didn’t have to worry your pretty little head about it.”
Alison’s boss at her law firm is making her stay till the day before the wedding to finish working on a case. It’s a total bummer because it won’t be the same without her.
"I don’t get why she made you an appointment then knowing about the wedding. I talked to her about it. Jo is antsy to see you. What about flying?”
"Will you stop. I'm a big girl. Doing good for myself for seventy-five years. Now, I'm trusting you," she wags her finger at Leo, and he chuckles, “to take care of my granddaughter and help keep her sane.”
"I feel honored, Val." He grins cheekily. “I’ll do my very best.”
"I still don't understand why Dr. Martin would schedule an appointment on that day. She knew about this trip."
"It was her staff. It was what they have. You know how popular she is. Will you just let it go and stop worrying? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm tired." She stretches her arms over her head and yawns.
Tired, my ass. I’m not falling for this shit act she’s trying to pull to get rid of me.
Though, I will go.
I grab Leo's hand and rise to my feet. "We're going to go sit on the back patio for a bit, unless that will keep you awake."
"No, No. Go." She waves us off and picks up the remote.
I lead him outside and we settle on the white swing that hangs on the small covered deck facing the flat untouched farmland. You can still hear the noise from the road but the lack of city lights out back makes all the stars shine in the black sky. I used to find myself gazing at them for hours. My favorite thing to do was connect the stars in Orion’s belt.
"It's really nice out here. I don't think I've ever seen so many stars," he says, tucking me under his arm. I inhale his clean scent. I love the way he smells, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.
"It's one of the many reasons Grams loves this house. She used to tell me that the answers to life were already written in the stars for us. No matter how you try to change something or play a different game, you'll always be taken to your destiny. It's why she's very focused on me listening to her because she has ‘the connection’ with the spirits."
“You don’t believe it though?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore," I mutter honestly, focusing on the glowing stars in the sky.
"I believe it. Everything we do has a reason, but sometimes we fall off the path. We just have to get re-routed."
My head falls to his shoulder, and he pulls me closer into his side.
"Thank you for helping," I say after a few moments of silence, not sure how to rebut his statement. If I knew any better, I would think he spends more time with Grams than I do, considering his little words of wisdom.
"Any time.” He brushes through my hair and unlike the other night, when his lips come to land on mine, it's sweet and gentle, but it still gives me the same flutters and warm feeling everywhere.
“You sure keep kissing me a lot. Don’t you think we mastered the whole act by now? I’m starting to think you’re using us needing to practice as an excuse to kiss me. Or is there something more going on?” There, I sort of asked about the elephant that’s been hovering over us.
He rubs the back of his neck. “Would you believe, I’ve actually been mea
ning to talk to you about this whole fake date thing we have going on?”
“Oh?" I lean back in the swing.
“Don’t you think we’re both lying to ourselves by saying this is fake? It hasn’t felt that way to me.”
“I mean, maybe a little.” I pinch my fingers together.
“Just a little?” He laughs and stretches out my fingers.
“Okay, a lot. You’ve been making this feel real and perfect, and I’ve been wondering why this whole time you have been doing so much when it isn’t real. Don't get me wrong, I like it. I guess now I'm getting confused."
And I want more.
“You see, I haven’t been totally truthful with you about something. That first night when I offered to take you to the wedding, my intentions were to ask you out-out.”
“What?”
“You were just caught up in not going to the wedding alone because of Tim. I guess my timing was off because you seemed so put off by the idea of even going with me. The whole fake dating thing just kind of happened and I went along with it because I figured I could change your mind over time. Show you I was serious and that you could trust me.”
I bury my face in my hands, thinking back to that night. I did just jump to that conclusion, didn’t I? “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”
He grabs my wrists and pulls my hands from my face. “It’s okay. You were just burned by my brother, and your mind was somewhere else. I’m also a Leo, so that didn’t help,” he says smugly, and I giggle, nudging his shoulder. “I figured it would be better to take things slow and show you how I felt. Show you I was more than Tim’s brother.”
“I still feel silly.” My cheeks burn with embarrassment. “It’s been in front of my face the whole time.” Christiana was right; I’ve been blind this whole time. “You had me so confused. I had myself convinced you felt the same since you were playing along so well, saying we were just friends.”
“I might have taken the fake dating thing as an opportunity to be with you. There’s always been something about you, Claire, and I really want to try this path and explore it with you.”
Price Of Love (Written In the Stars Book 4) Page 7
