Chapter 5
BLAKE
Cal and I stare at each other for a minute before I motion toward the door. He nods and exits the house, skirting along the porch before heading in the opposite direction of the party.
The sky is nearly black except for the sprinkling of stars, the lack of light pollution something I never take for granted when I’m traveling.
It feels like I can breathe out here, or maybe it’s the cloak of darkness that has my body sagging with relief as we continue to walk deeper into the Greenes’ property.
“You gonna tell me what that was about?” Cal asks, his voice breaking the silence while also sending my pulse into a sprint. Something about this guy unnerves me in the best way—and it has nothing to do with what we shared before Ellison interrupted us.
“It’s going to sound ridiculous.”
“Try me.”
“I am from a very prominent family in Savannah. I’m sure Ellison has told you a little about what happened between her and me.” I glance at him and he nods so I continue. “My mother is…unpleasant, to put it mildly.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“It is. She’s obsessed with status and the delusion that marrying me off will give her some kind of power in certain circles.”
“That still happens?” he asks and I snort out a humorless laugh.
“More than anyone is willing to admit, I’m afraid.”
“So, what does that have to do with me?”
The question is an obvious one but I’m still surprised when he asks it, the moment shifting to something vulnerable as I pause and look up at the sky.
“Have you ever felt lost, Cal? Have you ever just wanted to belong and still be unabashedly yourself?”
“Yes.” His response is so quiet I can feel it rather than hear it.
Taking a breath, I look at him, the connection I feel toward this man already burning brighter and hotter than I’m prepared for.
It’s dangerous to believe he feels the same.
To think he’d entertain what I’m about to tell him.
Still, he deserves my honesty.
“My relationship with Ellison was platonic early on. I knew she was in love with Montana and I didn’t begrudge her that.
” As an afterthought I add, “We made sense on paper but that was where our compatibility stopped. When she came back to Blackstone Falls, I took some time for myself—experimented and did a little soul-searching.”
“Naturally.”
His remark makes me want to smile but I can’t get distracted, not when I still have so much to say. “My mother was, and still is, unimpressed by my love life. She calls it a phase when I feel more like myself than I ever have before.”
“Blake.”
Cal’s voice is gentle but I shake him off. “In a moment of panic, I told her I’m seeing someone. I’d already informed her I’d be in Blackstone Falls until I need to be back for the gala that will help fund lymphoma research. It’s my baby and one of my greatest accomplishments.”
“Sounds impressive.”
“It is.”
“But what…” The sentence dies on his tongue, the one that had been in my mouth not long ago, the memory making my dick stir in my pants.
“Words were exchanged and now I need to prove I am, in fact, in a relationship, and I also have to produce said boyfriend at the gala.”
“I’m sorry, are you suggesting…”
“That you agree to be my fake boyfriend until the gala? Yes.”
“Blake, that’s not… I mean, we just met and I don’t date—”
“Fake date.”
“Okay, but what the hell does that even mean?”
“We take some pictures for social media. We pretend that we’re happy and in love. You come to Savannah with me and attend the gala. We can break up quietly after and I’ll be out of your hair.”
The words taste like ash as I say them, the idea that we’d dissolve into nothing making my soul hurt in ways I can’t describe.
I just met him.
Apparently, my heart and body don’t care in the slightest.
“Why me?”
“Ellison talks about you and I’ve seen pictures. I’m attracted to you and we obviously have enough chemistry between us.”
“Give me the real reason, not that superficial bullshit.” The vehemence in his tone surprises me, but I like that he’s standing his ground—pushing for whatever he needs to even consider this.
“Ellison trusts you, and I don’t have the time or energy to vet anyone else.”
His mouth opens and closes before he chuckles. “I wasn’t expecting you to be quite so blunt.”
“I’m not usually but I know what I’m asking here. It’s two months of your life you’d be giving up.” Pausing, I add, “And you asked.”
“You’re not selling this.”
“Unlimited blowjobs?” I deadpan because it seems like the logical next step.
He chokes on his next breath and pounds his fist against his chest. “No,” he croaks out the word, and even though I was mostly kidding, the rejection still stings. “We’re not hooking up.”
I open my mouth and then close it, letting his declaration float through my brain.
He’s considering it.
“Why not?” I ask carefully like I’m trying not to spook a frightened animal.
“Because we’re not fake dating but real fucking,” he snaps and I grin, unable to hide it and earning me another glare. “Stop that. I haven’t said yes.”
“But you’re thinking about it.”
“I wish you had told me.”
“I tried but your tongue was down my throat and—”
“Yes, yes. I know.” He paces, rubbing the back of his head and grunting as he kicks a rock with his boot. What’s the matter with a regular shoe around here?
“Cal?”
“Just wait.” Hands on his hips, he sighs as he turns back toward me. He’s gorgeous in the moonlight, rumpled in a way that has my pulse pounding and my dick half hard. “We need rules.”
“Whatever you want,” I manage.
“No sex.”
“Okay.”
“I’m assuming you’re staying with me?”
“If it’s an option.”
“Separate rooms.”
“Of course.”
“But no bringing anyone back to my house.” I raise an eyebrow in question, and he curses under his breath. “No other people.”
“I wouldn’t disrespect you like that.”
“Sorry, it’s…” He pauses, his tongue wetting his lips, and seconds pass as he silently wrestles with whatever is bothering him. “It’s been a long time since I was in a relationship, and I know this is fake but I don’t want to blur that line.”
“We’ll keep everything as minimal as possible. Posing for pictures on social media—you can approve anything before I post it. That’s all relatively straightforward, but the gala will require at least mild affection.”
“That’s fine.”
“Is it?” I ask dubiously, crossing my arms over my chest and not missing the way his gaze sweeps over me like a physical caress.
“Yes. It’ll be fine. It helps you, and Ellison will be happy. It’s only two months of our lives…so this is fine.”
“Is this the part where I believe you?”
“Yeah,” he sighs and rubs the space between his eyebrows. “Give me tonight to get everything ready at my house and then you can come over tomorrow afternoon and we’ll…figure the rest out.”
“Thank you,” I tell him sincerely. “And who knows, maybe it’ll be fun.”
He snorts out a laugh, but a smile teases at the corner of his lips, and that feels like a win even if it’s temporary.