Chapter 12
12
T he silence hung thick between them, punctuated only by the purr of the engine and the occasional click of the turn signal. Vanessa’s driver wasn’t one for small talk.
Vanessa’s profile caught the passing lights, her jaw tight, her gaze fixed on some distant point through the tinted window. The memory of their confrontation with Lauren lingered.
“Did you get that security system installed?” Vanessa’s voice broke through the quiet.
“Yeah, I did. Thanks for organizing that. They got it all done yesterday.”
“Good.” Vanessa turned to look at her. She leaned closer, her breath warm against Kate’s ear. “Give Matthew your address. Otherwise you’re going to end up staying at mine again.”
Kate’s pulse quickened at Vanessa’s proximity and her words. She cleared her throat and spoke toward the front of the car, giving Vanessa’s driver the address for her town house in Santa Monica.
“Of course, Ms. Monroe.”
Vanessa’s hand found Kate’s in the darkness between them, her grip firm yet gentle.
Kate glanced down at their joined hands, at how Vanessa’s fingers fit perfectly between hers. The warmth spread up her arm and settled in her chest. Such a small touch, yet it consumed her thoughts. Kate’s thumb twitched, wanting to trace patterns on Vanessa’s skin.
Kate closed her eyes, sinking into the leather seat. The memory of their kiss in the alley flooded back, when she’d had that crazy idea to push Vanessa back against the wall. Her lips tingled at the phantom sensation now as she remembered how soft Vanessa’s lips were, how Vanessa had deepened the kiss.
The warmth of Vanessa’s hand in hers now only made it worse. This wasn’t real. It was never going to be. Kate had agreed to this arrangement knowing it would be difficult, but she’d severely underestimated just how much it would affect her.
Her thumb betrayed her, stroking once across Vanessa’s knuckles before she could stop herself. Vanessa’s grip tightened slightly in response. Kate kept her eyes firmly shut, afraid to look, afraid her face would reveal too much.
She’d signed up for this. A fake relationship to help them both. But it might just be the hardest thing she’d ever done. And they had weeks to go. Every touch, every shared glance, every moment alone together pulled her deeper into this mess.
“I’ll see you tomorrow evening,” Vanessa said, her voice carrying that hint of projection as if others were meant to overhear. “Eight o’clock? I can pick you up?”
“Sure,” Kate said as her eyes fluttered open. “That would be great.”
The car slowed to a stop outside Kate’s townhouse. She withdrew her hand from Vanessa’s, missing the contact immediately. Such a simple touch shouldn’t leave her feeling so adrift. But it did. And tomorrow they’d do it all again. A romantic rooftop dinner for the cameras. That was the next thing Elliot had planned for them.
“Goodnight, Kate.” Vanessa leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Kate’s cheek. Her lips lingered a fraction longer than necessary, sending sparks across Kate’s skin.
“Goodnight.” Kate’s voice came out barely above a whisper. She forced herself to move, to open the car door and step out into the cool night air before she did something stupid like turn her head and capture Vanessa’s lips with her own.