Fake It 'Til You Break It(31)

“We didn’t agree to kissing.”

Did I even agree to anything?

He shrugs. “It goes hand in hand with the title. Couples kiss, should have been obvious.”

Right.

Right. Couples also—

No. Not going there.

I eye him as he reaches for the door handle. “You really want to do this, like for reals?”

“We’re already doing it.”

“But we can still pass it off as a one-night stand at this point.”

“I need you for more than a night, D, and I want you all in.”

His voice is so strong, so sure, that I almost misinterpret the meaning.

It makes sense, though. Why pretend to date me if he didn’t?

He has something to gain here, too.

I’m not entirely convinced this will do anything for me other than piss off Nico’s ex and anyone else who might be hoping for a chance with him. Alex already knows me, so it’s not like I’m starting at square one.

Maybe I should ask Alex out now and back away from all this?

I let the superficial part of me inspect Nico.

Dark eyes framed by darker lashes. High cheekbones and pouty lips, lips he chooses that exact moment to run his slick tongue across.

A deep, dark smirk hits next.

I mean, what’s the rush in backing out?

There’s always Monday.





“What up?” Trent drops beside me.

“’Sup.” I cut him a quick glance, looking back to the girls.

They’ve just finished their appetizers and are now killing time before the meals are here by taking pictures at the end of the pier.

Krista flings her hands all around, and the large group of girls break away, leaving her and her core group standing there. They huddle up for some shots of the four of them.

They take their time, going from big smiles to goofy ass faces and even unflattering poses. That’s what I like about their little crew. They don’t feel the need to be picture perfect or shoot for sexy all the time, they have a good ass time the way they want to.

Krista whips around right then, shouting across the pier. “Come on, baby,” she calls for Trent. “Nic, you too!”

Trent gets up with a grin, downing whatever he was drinking and makes his way to her, but I stay planted in my seat.

Trent growls, lifting Krista off the ground and spinning her around before pausing so the girls can take their picture.

Seconds later, Alex walks by me with our boy Thompson, another player on the team, both headed in their direction.

Krista spots them coming, and smiles. “Yes! Boys come over here, get in on this!”

My eyes fly to Demi, who of fucking course has hers on Alex, but the same second I think it, they shift.

She stares at me with indecision, as if there’s something at the tip of her tongue or the edge of her thought.

What to do, Little D?

Alex tries to squeeze beside Demi but Carley shoves him over with a frown, looking this way.

Knew I liked that girl.

“Nico Sykes.” She pops a hip out. “Get your never smiling ass over here and take a picture.”

I move my gaze back to Demi and she frowns slightly.

Come on, girl, you know what to do. All in, remember?

With a playful roll of those green eyes, meant to hide her nerves, I’m sure, she calls me. “Come on, Nico, don’t keep me waiting!”

And there it is, her accepting.

I push to my feet, eyes focused on her as I make my way over. I know the others are watching, not everyone was able to confirm the rumor throughout the day. I’m known to hook up, but I’ve never attached myself to anyone outside of Josie, so people want to witness us together for themselves, and more than simply disappearing behind a closed door.

They will.

Instead of stepping beside Demi and into the space left open for me, I slip behind her, loosely folding my arms around her shoulders.

Her hands automatically come up to grip my forearms, so I tip my chin a little to whisper, “Now you get it.”

She shakes her head, but I’d bet money she’s fighting a smile.

Krista snags someone, starts explaining how she wants the picture to be taken, so Demi capitalizes on the free second by tilting her head sideways, peeking at me.

She whispers, “There will be more people around tonight, and everyone here has already been staring.”

“And?”

“Last chance to back out.” Her eyes narrow, challenging me as if she’s assuming I might want to do just that.

Wrong, Pixie.

“There is no ‘backing out’, Demi. It’s done.”

Her grip tightens with her stare.

“I told you.” I lower my head the slightest bit, so she has to tip hers back even more. “You’re mine now.”

With a small pinch to her forehead, her tongue comes out to play with her lips and my eyes are forced to follow.

“For now,” she gives a sassy whisper.

My smirk is slow, and I look up.

When I do, I find Krista has the camera pointed right at us.

She gives a small wink, then passes it off to one of the security guards.

“All right, everyone, eyes forward!” She jumps in Trent’s arms, the guy counts to three and the picture is done.

“The food is coming out now, Ms. Krista!” the staff member shouts from the tables.