Faked (Ward Family #2)(22)

"I've heard all about how you spend your time," Lia tossed back. "The whole internet knows, and trust me, it's not pretty."

I answered with a perfectly straight face. "And everything you see on the internet is true."

"Bauer," Claire said, "let me walk you out. I need to talk to you about this alone."

Lia started to argue, but Claire silenced her with a single look.

I whistled. "Damn, I need to learn that trick."

"Not helpful," Claire snapped.

Holding my hands up in surrender, I waited patiently for her to slip on a sweatshirt and some fuzzy pink slippers so she could walk me out to the parking lot. Lia picked up her backpack and gave me about as chilly of a look as I'd ever seen.

"Thanks for sending a replacement tonight," I told her.

She flipped me her middle finger and walked out of the family room.

"She really likes me," I told Claire as I followed her from the apartment.

Claire glanced at me sideways through long, dark lashes. "I think if you'd been the Bauer I saw tonight, she actually would."

I rolled my neck. "Doubtful."

"Why?"

"Too many years of establishing patterns make it hard to break them, princess. We all have our roles in that family, and I know exactly what mine is. Even Lia, as my brother's friend, has her role." I held the door open for her as we walked out into the evening air. It had cooled considerably, and even with her sweatshirt, she shivered. "Would you rather talk in the lobby?"

She shook her head. "It's fine. Just didn't think it'd be this cold."

I glanced up into the inky black sky. It smelled cold, and it made me miss my mountains. "Cold front moving in, I think."

We approached my Jeep, and her steps slowed while I leaned up against the hood.

"I don't believe you."

Her voice was so quiet and unassuming, I had to take a second and process what she'd said.

"About what?"

"That you wouldn't do anything to help them." Her gaze was direct. "I don't believe you."

I clenched my jaw. "It doesn't matter whether you believe me or not. Making friends with someone like Richard Harper can only benefit me in my ... predicament."

She hummed.

Internally I rolled my eyes because it shouldn't surprise me that a nice person would try to pin nice motivations on me. "Will you do it?" I asked. "Because I'm only invited because the man with the money wants me there as your athlete arm candy."

Claire rolled her lips between her teeth and glanced beyond my shoulder as she thought.

After an impossibly long moment, she finally shifted her attention back to me. "One night?"

I nodded. "Just long enough for him to show off his mansion, study us like rare specimen, and decide if he's going to make my parents incredibly happy."

She let out a dry laugh, then rubbed at her forehead. "Bauer," her voice trailed off.

What was it about her? Just saying my name like that had me wanting to drop to my knees in front of her and take whatever scraps she'd give me. Apparently, my good girl fetish was marrow deep, and I didn't realize it until just now.

"I get my own bedroom."

I blinked, not expecting that. "I will pass that request along to our host."

"And you can't grab my ass just because they think we're dating."

My smile was instantaneous. "Noted."

She licked her lips. Her eyes were wide and nervous, and she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "And you can't kiss me."

I tilted my head to the side and studied her. That was a promise I didn't want to make. The words literally would not come out of my mouth. Pushing away from the Jeep, I took a step closer to her. She held her ground, lifting her chin at my approach.

"What if you ask me to?" I said quietly. "Then can I?"

Claire exhaled shakily. "I won't do that."

"No?" Carefully, I touched my thumb to the curve of her chin.

She shook her head, and my hand fell away.

"Maybe you won't," I told her. "But hear me right now, princess, I'd love it if you asked for a kiss."

After a moment, Claire swallowed and stepped away from me. I felt the step, the distance it put between us, like a punch to the balls.

"We leave tomorrow?" she asked.

Ahh, so that's how this would play out. I dropped my chin to my chest and had to exhale out a hard puff of disappointment.

"Yeah." I lifted my head. "I'll pick you up at eight."

She started walking backward, but her eyes stayed steady on mine. "I'll see you at eight."

I didn't move until she was inside, up the flight of stairs, and I saw her shadow move behind the closed curtains of their family room. I glanced at my watch. I'd see her in less than eleven hours.

Then I grinned. Hopefully, she didn't kill me when she realized we were driving, but they were all flying.

I wasn't stupid. If the three-hour drive to Vancouver was the most honest time I'd get with her ... then I'd be an idiot not to take it.





Chapter Nine





Claire