Chapter 29
Jayna really couldn’t make up her mind. Was this date heaven or hell? It was truly a heavenly setting, and she was sitting beside the devil himself. So maybe it was purgatory.
She had to admit, fake dating the man she loathed could have been worse. It could have been better, too. Derek was, and apparently, always would be, a total jerk. Although he could turn on the charm when it suited him, it just never suited him very often and never where she was concerned.
It wasn’t that she wanted him to charm her. No way, no how. But would it have killed him to tell her she looked good tonight? This was a killer dress, a splurge from Saks Fifth Avenue when she’d been in New York. It was indeed a showstopper and was supposed to knock his socks off. He’d barely said a word about it. Just a grunt and a frown. The man was an ape. Maybe he didn’t wear socks.
This work gala he’d brought her to was incredible, though. She’d never been to Casa Loma and the 19th century castle did not disappoint. The function was being held in the conservatory, which was simply breathtaking. The dome ceiling was made of stained glass, and it was jaw-dropping. And as the evening wore on, Derek relaxed beside her and became less of an ape.
She could tell that he’d been worried she’d embarrass him or expose him for the fraud he was. But a deal was a deal. She still couldn’t believe he joined her on stage last week.
Mario wasn’t quite as terrifying as Derek had made him out to be. However, he was scrutinizing them. She put in extra effort to charm the man and hold back the normal insults she directed Derek’s way. And as if they’d entered a bizarre new world, the dinner conversation puzzled her.
“Who decorated your house?” Derek leaned close, asking quietly.
She blinked. “My house?”
“Yeah, I like it.”
“You like it?” She repeated his words.
“What’s the name of the decorator you used?”
“The name of the decorator?” She repeated his question.
“It’s not a difficult question,” he continued, speaking slower this time. “What. Is. The. Name. Of. Your. Decorator?”
“I didn’t use one. I did it myself.” She blinked again. Why did he care? “I scoured Jamie’s store for unique furniture and then bought the rest out of the Wayfair catalog.”
“Really?”
“Really. Why? Are you in need of a makeover to your bedroom at your parents’ house?”
Now he blinked, frowning. “No, smart ass. I just so happen to be building my own house. I’m still living at home to save money. And my mom is a great cook.”
“Oh.” That she wasn’t expecting. Not the fact that he’d eventually move out of his parents’ house, but that he was building a home. She’d pictured him living in a condo. All sleek lines, black leather and mirrors on the ceilings. A true bachelor pad. Nothing homey like what she’d created.
The man kept surprising her. A good singer. A great kisser. Her eyes landed on his full lips again, and she gave herself a firm head shake. It was just this romantic setting, and the ape did look so handsome in a tux. Maybe it really was made out of boyfriend material. He’d even splurged on a haircut for the event. She couldn’t help but wonder where he’d gone. She’d heard he was banned from his sister-in-law’s salon after dating and dumping all her single stylists. He certainly had not received such an amazing cut from Hank’s Barbershop.
“Can I get you another drink?”
“Uh, no thanks.” Seriously, who was this charming man?
She reached over and pinched his arm .
“Ouch. What was that for?”
“Just wanted to make sure you’re real. I thought for a moment that I was dreaming.”
“Aren’t you supposed to pinch yourself?” he asked, brow furrowing.
“Why would I pinch myself? That would hurt.”
“You are one of a kind, Jayna,” he chuckled, low and deep. A sexy sound that vibrated up her spine.
He stood and held out his hand. “Let’s dance.”
“Wow, such a gentleman.”
He twirled her before pulling her into his arms. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, “I’ll adamantly deny it if you tell anyone.”
His breath was hot against her earlobe. The intimacy of it sent shock waves through her entire body. She had to remind herself that this was indeed the ape-man, Derek Brennan. He was not a man to fantasize about, but one to be cautious of.
But Derek was a great dancer. Which was something else to add to the list of his growing attributes.
His left hand gently pressed against the small of her back, while the other hand intertwined their fingers. Hell had officially frozen over because she liked the way their hands fit together so perfectly. When Derek was pretending to be a boyfriend, he was attentive and sweet.
Pretending was the keyword. Fake date. Fake boyfriend. Fake feelings.
He was just putting on a show to save his career. But as he continued to twirl her around the dance floor, she started to believe it herself. He pulled her closer and stared down into her eyes like she was someone he cared about.
Fake. It wasn’t real.
None of it. Not his feelings or the nice guy act. Derek Two-Date Brennan didn’t catch feelings, and he definitely was not a nice guy.
It was FAKE.
Yet as that one song blended into another, she allowed herself to be held close, sinking into his hard chest. She gave herself permission to believe the lie, too.
Just for this one night, she could dream and fall and believe it. A shiver raced up her spine. Falling for Derek Brennan would be emotional suicide. It would destroy her as it had in high school.
She stiffened and pushed backward. His eyes narrowed questioningly.
“I need to use the ladies’ room,” she managed to find her voice.
This man was pretending. He was and always would be heartbreak wrapped up in a far too handsome package.
Fool her once, shame on him.
Fool her twice, shame on her.
She was Jayna frigging Sutton. She did not fall for men with agendas. Besides, she had an agenda of her own; win over the very handsome and stable Lance Roman.
Now that man was the real deal. He was the man to settle down with and build a life. It was time.
Lance wasn’t playacting to save his smarmy butt. He wasn’t the kiss-and-bail type or breaker of hearts like the man in front of her. She just needed to recite all the reasons she disliked Derek, and that was one big-ass list. Derek Brennan was not the man of her dreams. He was more like her worst nightmare.