4. Donny
4
Donny
My pulse kicks up as I reach Carmen’s door. I swipe a hand over my temple, brushing off the bead of sweat that has no business being there, then knock twice—quick, controlled. It’s just a fake engagement, no big deal. So why the hell does it feel like I’m standing on the edge of something I can’t walk away from?
A burst of noise from the apartment next door momentarily pulls my focus, but the unmistakable sound of Carmen’s lock turning snaps me back. I brace myself.
The door swings open, and all the air rushes from my lungs.
God, she’s gorgeous.
Carmen steps out, and my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. Her auburn hair cascades down her back in soft waves, framing her heart-shaped face. The minimal makeup only enhances her natural beauty. My fingers twitch, longing to run through those silky strands.
For a moment I wonder how she would look with her hair sticking up from sleep, but quickly shake it away. Thoughts of her in bed with me are very dangerous to have right now.
I continue my perusal of her, taking in the way her dark jeans hug her waist beautifully, and when she spins around, I get a magnificent view of her ass. My mouth runs dry and I can’t pull my eyes away from her until the voices next door snap me out of the trance.
“Seems like friendly neighbors,” I mutter, nodding my head toward the shouting.
Carmen smirks. “They’re very… passionate about each other.”
"Sounds more like they’re about to tear each other’s throats out.” The shouting grows louder, and if I can hear it from out here, Carmen must definitely hear it inside. “Not exactly the most peaceful environment.
She shrugs. “You get used to it.”
Just like me, Carmen moved out of the house once all the other guys moved into homes of their own where they could grow their families. She takes a step away from me, toward where the elevator sits just up ahead, and I clear my throat.
“I, uh, have something for you.” My voice comes out rougher than I intended. It’s only for a few days, I remind myself as I pull out the small box.
Carmen’s eyes widen. “What’s this?”
“Something necessary,” I say, my heart racing. “But only for a few days.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince more—her or myself.
The silence that follows is thick, the argument from next door now eerily quiet. Carmen takes the box with a hesitant frown, slowly opening it. My pulse quickens as I wait, and when she finally sees what’s inside, her sharp intake of breath tells me she’s just as overwhelmed as I am.
“What… you didn’t need to get me this?”
I run a hand through my hair. “Can’t exactly claim you’re my fiancée without the jewelry to prove it.”
She continues staring at the ring tucked in the box, then frowns and chews on her lip, with worry lines creasing on her forehead. “This is a lot.”
It’s said barely above a whisper, but now that the shouting has ceased, I can hear her perfectly. I take a tentative step forward, easing the box from her hands, and pull the ring from inside of it. She flinches slightly when I grab her left hand, her eyes locked on the ring as I slide it over her finger, and my body heats at the sight.
A sudden rush of possessiveness tightens my chest. The ring glints under the dim hall light, and for a moment, all I can think about is how right it looks on her. How much I don’t want to take it off in a few days.
This isn’t good. Not at all.
Carmen tugs her hand from my grasp, the loss of contact leaving my skin tingling. She raises her hand to the light, the diamond catching and scattering rainbows. Her frown deepens.
“It’s only for a few days,” I say softly, trying to ignore the way my chest tightens at the words.
A traitorous part of me whispers, What if it wasn’t just for a few days? The thought sends a jolt through me. No. Carmen’s our manager, our lifesaver after the mess with Mack. She’s off-limits, no matter how much I’m wishing she wasn’t.
“Right,” she says, her spine straightening as she glances down the hall. “Guess we should get on with it, huh?”
I hold my arm out to her and she reluctantly slips her hand around it, nails digging into my biceps slightly. Her shoulders are stiff and I chuckle. “Relax, it’s only a simple lunch. Nothing to be nervous about.”
Except there is something to be nervous about. We can try to be as careful as possible once we step out of the complex’s entrance, but there’s no guarantee we’ll make it through this lunch unscathed. The paparazzi are vultures, especially when it comes to a band member who hasn’t been seen with a woman for a long time.
They pay attention to every detail. It won’t be long before they take notice of the way Carmen leans into me or the rock glittering in the afternoon sun on her finger. That’s a big pay day waiting to happen.
Carmen lets out a snort, but says nothing. She doesn’t need to because I’m sure her mind is running through the same situation as I am.
The air between us is thick, a mix of nerves and something I can’t quite put my finger on.
The moment we hit the sidewalk, I slide on my sunglasses. A feeble attempt at anonymity, but it’s something. The lunch crowd surges around us, and Carmen breaks away from me, creating a gap between us.
The city is alive with holiday energy—cars honking, people hurrying past. The cold air nips at our faces, while the scent of pretzels and roasted chestnuts wafts from nearby food carts. Across the street, the bare trees in Central Park sway gently, and holiday lights twinkle in the shop windows.
Without thinking, I place my hand on the small of her back, pulling her close. The heat of her body sears through her clothes, straight to my palm. “Loosen up a bit,” I murmur, my lips close to her ear.
She stiffens against me. “Easy for you to say,” she mutters, her breath warm on my neck. “This is all kinds of inappropriate.”
You have no idea, I think, fighting the urge to pull her even closer.
The space between us shrinks, her body pressed lightly against mine. Her breath hitches, and I glance down at her, noticing the way her lips part slightly.
There’s an energy around us, and I can’t help but feel drawn deeper into the role of her fiancé. Before I can think twice, I act on impulse to play up the act.
My free hand cups her chin, tilting her face up. Her eyes widen, lips parted just enough for me to feel the warmth of her breath against mine. This isn’t part of the plan, but damn it if I can stop myself now.
I close the gap between us, my lips brushing against hers in a soft, tentative kiss. She hesitates for a second, then melts into me, her fingers gripping my jacket as she presses back. The kiss deepens, warmth flooding through me. Her lips are softer than I imagined, and for a moment, I lose myself in the feeling of being this close, really tasting her.
Her breath catches in a small gasp when I pull away. The heat between us undeniable. This feels too real. Too dangerous.
From the corner of my eye, I catch the sight of a man with a camera across the street, already lining up his shot. Before he can capture anything, I step in front of her, blocking his view. Wrapping my arm around her, I pull her close and guide her down the sidewalk, quickening our pace to avoid the lens.
Shit, what was I thinking?
When we come to a stop, I realize she’s shivering and I pull away from her with a frown. “Where’s your coat?”
It’s the middle of winter. Why would she walk out the door without a damn coat? A part of me I didn’t know existed until this very moment becomes hyper aware of everything, and I ease my coat from my frame to drape over her shoulders.
“F–forgot,” she stutters, curling into the wool fabric I put against her.
I guess a stroll wasn’t the greatest idea I had in mind for this type of weather.
As we walk, the cold seeps through our clothes, making the idea of a warm restaurant all the more appealing. I scan the street, eyeing the various establishments lining the sidewalk.
There’s a few people that walk in ahead of us, smiling and laughing with each other, but all I can focus on is the slight shivers still wracking through Carmen’s body. I keep her close to my side, gaze darting in every direction because the last thing I want is for her to be bothered while trying to eat.
At least the guy didn’t decide to follow me here. That’s got to count for something.
“Hello,” a woman says brightly when the door closes behind us. “Welcome to The Den. Table for two?”
I give her a curt nod. “Yes, ma’am.”
The woman appears close to my age, her eyes boldly roaming my frame with unmistakable interest flickering in her irises as recognition dawns. Her gaze leaves me unfazed, but I'm startled to feel Carmen stiffen beside me. Glancing over, I'm surprised to find her glaring daggers at our greeter.
It can’t possibly be jealousy. That would be ridiculous.
“Right this way,” the woman says, her name badge flashing in the light overhead as she bends to grab two menus.
“Lead the way, Noelle.”
Carmen cuts a stony gaze to me, but immediately morphs into boredom. She’s trying to hide her reaction from me, but I’m more aware than she thinks. Noelle leads us down one side of the dining room, then turns to the right and comes to a stop at a booth set up for the two of us.
“Your waitress will be with you shortly. Can I get you guys anything to drink while you wait?”
“Water,” Carmen mutters.
“Sweet tea.” I flash Noelle a smile that makes her blush, then turn to the woman sitting across from me.
If looks could kill, I’d be dead on the spot, and the idea has me smirking. “Didn’t peg you for the jealous type,” I whisper, then lean forward. “Don’t worry, only got eyes for you, Carm.”
She rolls her eyes. “That nickname gets annoying. Sounds like those tubes of lip stuff you lose in your pocket.”
A laugh escapes me just as Noelle steps up to the table, and I can’t help but notice how she leans a little too close, her hand brushing near my arm. "Here you are. Anything else I can get you?" she asks, her tone suggesting more than just food.
I don’t even look up at her, still caught in the moment, my shoulders shaking with a chuckle. Carmen, though, shoots a quick glare in Noelle’s direction, then smiles sweetly. "We’re good, thanks," she says, turning her attention back to me.
As soon as Noelle is gone, Carmen narrows her eyes. “What the hell is so funny?”
“Just never thought of your perspective of the nickname,” I say with a wink, then lean forward and pick my drink up. “Quite the imagination.”
We fall silent, simply staring at each other, and I fidget in my seat as I try to think of what we could talk about. Being like this with her isn’t something I ever thought I’d be doing, not without my bandmates by my side. It’s not that it feels wrong, it feels entirely too right.
Carmen clears her throat, her muscles coiled tight under my arm. “Guess we should talk strategy, huh?”
Not exactly what I had in mind for our first date. Fake date , I correct myself quickly.
“Well,” I drawl, leaning in closer, “first thing is getting you to loosen up a bit more.”
She eyes me, then lets out a low growl that does things to me I’d rather not think about. “I don’t understand how you do it.”
I arch an eyebrow, fighting a smirk. “Do what, exactly?”
“Act all calm,” she gestures at me, frustration evident in every movement. “Like this isn’t a completely insane situation.”
If only she knew how not calm I actually am. How much I’m fighting the urge to pull her closer, to steal a sweet taste of her lips.
“You could’ve said no,” I mumble. There’s a tiny pang in my chest at her words, but I try not to let them get to me too much.
In her eyes, this is likely the worst situation to be in, considering I’m her client. No one else would think so, but I’m sure it’s her own personal code not to get caught up in a relationship with any of us. The guys have long since shrugged off any workplace romance.
She sighs and her shoulder slump in defeat. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re right, I’m the one who agreed. Still doesn’t change how calm you are about it all.”
“No sense in getting worked up over something that’s only going to last a few days,” I say.
Sitting across from her, my gaze catches on the ring adorning her finger as it rests on the table. The sight makes my chest tighten, the intimacy of our one-on-one moment suddenly palpable.
It’s more than what I’m saying, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Things will go back to normal in no time, like this charade never happened at all.
The thought should comfort me, but instead, it leaves a hollow feeling in my chest. I push it aside, focusing on the warmth of Carmen's presence beside me.